There is no denying that events took place after settlements, but because of their one-sidedness, it creates a distorted and inaccurate picture.
Overnight I have had the opportunity to read a great deal relating to the work of one Luke Powell, Edward, a current-day student, Stone Parker, a Methodist minister and Aboriginal protector and William Buckley, an escaped convict.
Each of whom points out the errors of the past and the latter two lived their lives in the service of the Aboriginal people — note the other side of the coin.
Parker and Buckley raise one other subject, which can be summarised in this quote, “Parker goes on to quote a well-informed Aboriginal man who argued before the British arrived ‘the country was strewed with bones, and were always at war’, indeed ‘whole tribes have been exterminated by sudden attacks in nocturnal surprises’.”
While Parker strongly denounced the conflict between settlers and Aborigines, he identified that the wars between tribes were more destructive.
A study of history shows this to be true, including the occurrences of inter-tribal war in Arnhem Land and Cape York, which are well documented.
The point is, yes, both sides committed atrocities, but by a small minority.
It is also true that people such as Parker and Buckley tried to intercede on behalf of the Aboriginal peoples.
It is also true to point out that there was no utopia before settlement and to say or hint otherwise is to be untruthful to factual history.
The people of Australia voted no to a Voice to Parliament, and the people of this electorate voted no on a higher percentage.
Australia Day acknowledges the past and provides a rallying point for unification and reconciliation.
This is, if those who oppose this day want unity.
God save Australia.
Peter W. Martin | Shepparton
