Letter: The ‘truth’ of Australia Day

Ian Evans on 28/01/2023

I will not be forwarding this on to my family and friends. You see, it appears when people want to spin their version of past events, they only tell you what they want you to hear. The Author, Peter Lee, of this piece is no different I believe to everyone else. Whilst he talks about Captain Cook, who had nothing to do with British settlers invading a new land, that was not theirs, or had permission to land on, he conveniently does not mention what happened on 26 January 1788. My belief, Peter mentions Cook to throw people off the real events, that occurred in 1788. When Cook was surveying the east coast of Australia, he stopped in Botany Bay for a week. Whilst he entered the land, he did not invade it. Captain Cook was killed. Cook was attacked and killed on 14 February 1779, during his third exploratory voyage in the Pacific, while attempting to kidnap the ruling chief of the island of Hawiaiʻi, Kalaniʻōpuʻu, to reclaim a cutter taken from one of his ships after his crew took wood from a burial ground, some 13 months after the first settlers, settled in Australia. That 3rd voyage started in 1776.Communication back then is not what it is today. Cook may not have been aware Australia had been invaded by British settlers. In fact, going on the dates he sailed and not arriving back to his home land alive, I believe had no knowledge of it. FACT: • Whilst Peter writes a lot about, Captain Cook, in this piece, I believe this is to put in people’s minds, it is all about Cook. To throw people off what really occurred. • Peter makes mention of Cook landing 28th April, in Sydney. It was not Sydney which is some 10 miles north of where Cook landed, it was Botany Bay. See some facts on the date Cook landed due to the IDL https://www.maas.museum/observations/2011/10/20/when-did-captain-cook-land-in-australia-and-did-any-changes-in-the-international-date-line-lead-to-a-change-in-dates-in-australia/ Peter does not mention anything on the dates. • In fact, Cook did not enter Port Jackson after leaving Botany Bay. Cook continued northwards up the east coast. Cook’s next stopped at Bustard Bay, now known as Seventy Seventy in QLD. • Yes, the first fleet arrived in Botany Bay, 18 January, but land was not considered suitable to settle on. The first fleet sailed onto Port Jackson and arrived/settled/invaded, an old land, which Indigenous people were the inhibitors on, 26 January 1788. It appears Peter Lee conveniently leaves this information out of his writings, what is his reasons? My belief to throw people off what really occurred. • Peter mention in part “ On 26 January 1949 the Australian Nationality came into existence when the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 was enacted, that was the day we were first called Australians and allowed to travel with passports as Australians and not British subjects”. Correct. • Peter also states in part: “The media as usual is happy to twist the truth for the sake of controversy”. Channel 7 news Australia, last Thursday night, 26 January, referred to this occurrence, January 1949. Yes, whilst many in the media are pushing their own agenda, especially the ABC Australia, I believe, some are stating some of the facts. See Thursdays 6pm news on 7+, to see the story. • What is Peter’s agenda not mentioning what occurred on, 26 January 1788? My belief, there is a lot of water to pass under the bridge on this subject. How come countries like New Zealand and Canada have been able to make more peace with their Indigenous peoples, but it appears Australia still has a long way to go. And more to the point one must have forgiveness, or neither will your Heavenly Father forgive you.