In his first few years as an Australian, Andrew Gai would proudly celebrate Australia Day.
A refugee from South Sudan, Andrew never had the chance to celebrate a national day so would participate proudly.
However, as he began forging friendships with local Aboriginal community members in Melbourne, Andrew began to question whether it was right to celebrate on January 26.
“The build up to Australia Day for Indigenous people and afterwards as well, it's just a traumatic reminder, and it's something we can do better," he said.
I would love to one day, have a day when all Australians, regardless of their background, can feel the need and also the happiness of the day.
Every January 26, Maggie Blanden and other members of the palawa community march down Elizabeth Street in Hobart's CBD, remembering ancestors lost in frontier violence, and protesting the ongoing impact of colonisation.
She remembers years where she and her family copped abuse from onlookers.
"People would line the streets and yell their abuse at us, but that no longer happens ... throughout the years, we've seen many people start to join us. We have allies walking side by side with us," she said.
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As the Australia Day debate fires up, both Maggie and Andrew believe the way through is empathy and connection.
"I really encourage people to get out and get to know our Indigenous people and the beautiful culture and generosity they have," said Andrew.
"By doing that, we'll be more informed about what the future, and days such as Australia Day means to all of us."
"Once we come together, we sit down and we learn from each other we become the greatest of allies," added Maggie.
This episode asks: what’s the right way to mark January 26, and can you have pride in Australia and condemn injustice?
