Hello Everyone!

Today I would like to share my experiences of a #Singaporean living in #Australia. As you might or might not know, yesterday, 26th of Jan, is Australia Day, or *Straya Day* mate! And it is a very interesting day for the people living in Australia, past and present. 

It is a day that marks a point in history where the "whites" or the "invaders" declared independance of the Commomwealth of Australia (previously we were part of the British empire) and the native Aboriginals were mostly ignored in the conversations. This was mostly highlighted and reflected in the National Anthem of the country where "...we are ***YOUNG*** and free". With **YOUNG** representing the age of the country and not acknowledging nor considring the long history the Aboriginal people had with this land.

There were multiple protestes and disharmony and all round these past few years there were also many instances where people, groups and bodies have spoken out againest the way the country overtly portrays themselves. Many Aussies also do live in harmoney with the Indigenous people of the land and do so without much conflict, and even if there was, it was no different to conflict with a neighbour regardless of race, language or religion.

So as a young mirgrant living here, and also with my roots being from Singapore, I can completely relate to the current scenes unfolding before me. Singapore too was part of the British coloney and we fought for our own independance and celebrate our national day with pride each August. We too had the local natives of the land which is mostly similar to who you would find in Malaysia, Johor etc. There was a more serious issue back then which was the high number of Chinese and Chinese migrats from China who might or could have had ideas of the Communist rule and philosophy that was the competing message to what the PAP wanted - I mean this is a whole segment for another day. But there were issues to sort out and go through. So the journey though different, is quite similar in nature.

So back to the present moment, we had a nice Aussie BBQ, the local community we had a saussage sizzle and waved the Aussie flags around but such a day of celebration was also rifed with strikes and protest in the city centre. So a mixed day of emotions. 

So upon such reflection, I deciced to write this post and to also shout out that though a mistake was made in the lyrics of the Aussie National Anthem, they ultimately decided to make the change and now the words go "...and we are ***ONE*** and free".

This one change and the tone and nature of the message portrayed had now become one of unity and even though it had come *too late* or *should not have had to be changed in the first place* etc.. It finally did get changed and the next generation can certainly learn from it.

Let us move on towards a better future!

![aussie day koala.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmUHkxrdoVxPRYwhpxDLMsFW85LrYdu4LLHdjd5nwg72bf/aussie%20day%20koala.jpg)

So I hope that this message and journel entry I am writting gets read and also gets rememebred because where there is conflict, there is also peace so I wish you all a #betterlife and stay safe.

Cheers,
@watch-chronolog