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I don’t particularly like Marieke Hardy’s writing but her article for The Drum on Australia Day is a winner.

Walking down the main street of Tamworth the other morning – gamely dodging yodelling couples in his ‘n’ hers double denim begging for loose change – I passed a man wearing a rather fetching navy blue singlet.

Written on the front were the following words: “THIS IS AUSTRALIA. WE EAT MEAT, DRINK BEER, AND SPEAK F-CKIN’ ENGLISH!” My first thought – outside of “I wonder if he’s single/looking?” – was that it must mean January 26th was just around the corner. Of course, I realised with a start: Australia Day is upon us. Time for those racist t-shirts to be dusted off and paraded about by small-dicked rednecks.

Australia was never a country for such overt displays of racism as patriotism. But the past few years has seen such sentiments as “We grew, here, you flew here” ,”100% Aussie Pride” and “Fuck Off, We’re Full” with associated displays of drunken thuggery rise as a chosen means of celebrating Australia Day over the traditional quiet barbie and a few beers.

There is nothing wrong with celebrating the national day. I’m love living in Australia. It is a great little nation with plenty to be proud about. But the nation has had trouble coming to grips with its past. It is no coincidence that those that eagerly take to Australia Day with an Anglo-nationalistic fervour are the same ones who would just as eagerly deny any of Australia’s many sins. They are also likely to be the first ones to scoff at Australia’s Indigenous population who, with justification, prefer the term Invasion Day.

Everyone from politicians down try and claim Australia Day for their own purposes. I’d prefer less of the overt nationalism that prevents clarity in both hindsight and foresight and more honest reflection and acknowledgement of the past and our shared future. That may be a way back to an Australia Day for all Australians.