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It is ironic that the Senior Australian of the Year, 2021, Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM, Aboriginal activist, educator and artist, accepted her award with grace and humility. In 1975, she became the NT's first teacher of Aboriginal heritage. There was no grievance. She also received an AM on the 26th January 1998, that is Australia Day,
Her citation:
"FOR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY OF NAUIYU NAMBIYU IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY, PARTICULARLY THROUGH THE PROMOTION OF ABORIGINAL EDUCATION AND ABORIGINAL ART. AM S14 1998"
Sources:
https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/search
https://www.miriamrosefoundation.org.au/about-us/who-miriamrose
https://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/listing/2021/
She stood and stands for the education of including more Aboriginal teachers and the education of Aboriginal children. Education is what will lift people out of poverty.
She is an activist and a doer and her activities were also recognized by the Charles Darwin University, https://www.cdu.edu.au/sites/default/files/governance/docs/Miriam-Rose-Ungunmerr-Baumann.pdf .
Australia Day is a day of reflection of who we are and also a recognition of the role models in our society through the Australian of The Year Awards
Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM, is a role model who by example and teaching will lead children into learning in order to get themselves out of inter-generational poverty.
This is unlike the characters portrayed in the movie "Rabbit Proof Fence", based on a true story, where the girls wanted to escape being relegated to a life of being a servant instead of belonging to their community or may I add, getting an education for trade or profession.
In regards to the National Anthem, "Advance Australia Fair", the quality of the musical arrangement can make it stirring or a dirge. Two examples of the musical arrangement which make stirring include (a) the broadcast, by the ABC, 26-01-2021 from Lake Burley Griffin of the National Anthem with the ANU Choir with piano and didgeridoo accompaniment and (b) the National Anthem arranged by Tommy Tycho (RIP).
I would suggest a replacement of that "girt" word or restructuring the lyrics to continue to convey that our land is bounded/surrounded by the sea.
For me that "girt" word reminds me of a person Gertie who came to my place for my 2nd birthday who was on the turps and a laugh that would sound like coughing up of phlegm. I cannot separate Gertie and "girt".
Thank you,
Anthony of exciting Belfield
I've though about the idea of making the I Am Australian song the National Anthem. It's too complex of a song to be the anthem. One of the reasons we hear the US anthem sung with so much strain is because musically it's a very difficult melody to sing. Change Australia Day to the last Monday in January, make it a long weekend.
The ABC sparked constructive debate about Australia Day this year. Triple Js decision to move the Hottest 100 reflected the prevailing attitude of the audience they represent so it was a reasonable move for them rather than a political statement.
Terrific piece Peter !