Australian

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Australian

[© Copyright] 22 Jan 2006 Dylan O'Donnell
CATEGORY : Portraits
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Last year for Australia Day 2005, I uploaded a photo of a koori boy swimming in this same spot and wanted again to pay tribute to the native people that were displaced during the colonization of Australia.

As I spoke to the parents of the children I had been photographing, I asked them how they felt about Australia day, and the first thing they said was ”I love Australia.” with unmistakable sincerity. They noted how the day also brings for them, mixed emotions, as symbolically January 26th represents the day Australia was invaded and the widespread killing of native Australians began. They happily admit knowing and befriending many white Australians and that the spirit of Australia day includes celebrating our nation today.

Warmed by their magnanimous attitude, I inwardly wished Australia Day did not fall on such an inauspicious day of the year.

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