As Australia Day approaches, a new pamphlet argues the day has little significance in the history of Australia's European settlement and its anniversary is an inappropriate opportunity to mark the country's national day.
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Myths around January 26 continue to swirl, as more organisations distance themselves from the commemorations, which have attracted growing condemnation for lionising a European invasion of the continent.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday it was not appropriate to airbrush history, and criticised Cricket Australia for removing Australia Day branding from its January 26 fixture.
Mr Morrison also incorrectly said 12 ships had made up the First Fleet, and suggested they arrived at the same time. There were 11 ships in the fleet and they first arrived over two days.
But in an essay which reignites the debate of January 26's significance, Sydney lawyer Richard Travers argues Australia Day commemorates an informal drinks party on the shore of Sydney Cove for officers of the First Fleet rather than any critical moment in the foundation of modern Australia
Mr Travers said the date should therefore be changed, and put forward May 27, 1967 - the day a referendum recognised Indigenous people as citizens of Australia - as a more appropriate choice.
Mr Travers said a poor understanding of the history of the First Fleet's arrival and European settlement had compounded the myths around Australia Day.
"We weren't taught about it very well. I think that's a shame. The material is available, and a decent history book should have it in it. But there are very few of them," Mr Travers told the Sunday Canberra Times.
On January 26, 1788, HMS Supply lay anchor at Sydney Cove and Captain Arthur Phillip went ashore with some of the officers and men from the ship.
Governor Phillip had a flagpole made and the Union Jack erected before those gathered drank to the King's health and success of the settlement.
The scene is rendered in Algernon Talmage's 1937 painting The Founding of Australia by Capt. Arthur Phillip RN Sydney Cove Jan 26th, 1788. It was commissioned as a coronation gift for King George VI.
But Mr Travers argues Australia was not founded on that day and the events depicted have no significance in the establishment of Australia or the colony of NSW.
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HMS Supply first arrived in Botany Bay on January 18, 1788, with the rest of the First Fleet arriving by January 20.
Governor Phillip found Botany Bay to be unsuitable and sailed for Port Jackson, on the afternoon of January 22. On January 24, Governor Phillip first set foot on Sydney Cove.
After a return trip to Botany Bay to order the fleet to relocate to Port Jackson, Governor Phillip left Botany Bay on the Supply on January 25. The other ships were delayed by high winds.
The flag raising and toasts were given on the Sydney Cove shore before the rest of the fleet arrived on the evening of January 26.
Mr Travers argues a formal ceremony on February 7, 1788, when Governor Phillip read out his commission, marked the establishment of the New South Wales colony.
The modern nation of Australia was not established until January 1, 1901, when the colonies federated.
"Inclusion demands a better response" than holding Australia Day on January 26, Mr Travers wrote.
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Jasper Lindell
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
