Australia Day - 26 January 2015 Poem by Danny Draper

It's not about flag waving
Or conceit that we're the best
It's not about anthem singing
As most would fail the test

It's not about winning sport
Because at times we lose
It's not about our common wealth
For greed we often choose

It not about we stand alone
On this tiny little sphere
It's not about our arrogance
Or bravado concealing fear

It's not about binge drinking
Or sunburnt off your face
It's not about drunken violence
Or being an abusive disgrace

It's about the earth we stand on
Our connection to the land
It's respect for First People's
And how we can share their plan

It's about the places that you miss
When you are far away
It's about smells and colours
Unique in many ways

It's about the life you build
When you work and settle here
It's about remembering
And dreaming there and near

It's about a generous spirit
A hand to those in need
It's about belief in social capital
For all to get on their feet

It's about accepting difference
Of ethnicity, love and faith
It's about embracing 'not the same'
As it enhances more than plates

It's about recognising wrongs
And a treaty with First Nations
It's about fair dinkum honesty
To progress our Federation

It's about respect for all
In work and love and rights
It's about equality and marriage
For every husband and every wife

It's about our common wealth
To care for all universally
It's about a happy, educated society
Healthy, with higher productivity

It's about an expected honesty
From all three levels of government
These people we trust with our will
Not to reign over us with contempt

It's about our family ties
To history place and tradition
It's about our sense of loss
As change threatens there position

It's about our stewardship
Of country today and for all time
It's connecting all of our people
And respecting Aborigines with pride

It's about respect
And puting in our share
It's giving all a future
And building more with care

It's respecting soil and water
And dreaming spirits there
It's planning a future for everyone
Not just the powerful richest blare

It's a future and a present
A dream amorphous true
It's a desire to leave things better
In the long term through and through

It's sport and fun and BBQ's
And raucous times with mates,
It is however so much more
That this day and each creates.

It is the deeds of our forbears
That we need to bring to mind
It is in their toil, hopes and dreams
That we aspire, seek and find

It is one day of infamy
As the Eora came to know
It is a chance to make amends
As our Australia each day grows

It's a chance to shine in all we do
In culture and science in harmony
It's our dance of art and soul
To include and accept in unity.

This day is Australia to me.

Danny Draper 26/1/2015