His roots are in America.

In his own words he came to Australia in 1973 because he fell in love: first with the beer, second when he discovered Australians had elected a socialist government. Wow!

No wonder he is so dispassionate about Australia Day.

It seems in the 45 years he has lived here he has never: experienced an Australia Day public holiday:  witnessed the Bicentennial Celebrations in 1988; or become aware any of the other related, historical Australia Day events.

In 1994, for the first time 26 January was consistently celebrated as a public holiday by all states and territories.

But the question is: Did this act come about through someone’s navel gazing or did it occur through historical evolution?

The answer clearly is: It was a mere formalisation of something that was already in existence.

January 26 had long been forged into the history of modern Australia as the date of its birth.

The real beginnings of this date’s recognition appear to be as far back as 26 January 1818 in NSW - a mere 30 years on from arrival of the First Fleet in Port Jackson.

Although modern Australia’s history began with several different colonies, each was governed by the Crown, and were seldom politically or otherwise aligned.

Yet through the next 110 years or so, until Federation and throughout the tumultuous 20th Century, 26 January undeniably became accepted as the appropriate day to celebrate the birth of modern Australia.

Richard Burnett Wollogong

As the Australia Day debate continues, it is the actual proposed date that seems the most obvious point, yet is largely ignored.

Australians are immensely proud of their country, yet seemingly unaware or apathetic of the reason of the celebration date.

Changing it to a date related to our government would potentially give the same reaction, and who really wants a public holiday in cold, rainy May?

We also seem to enjoy the celebration rather than the reason - who doesn’t enjoy a day off work?

Labor Day and Queen’s Birthday don’t have a fixed date but we enjoy the long weekend.

The same goes for the Easter weekend. So why not the same for Australia Day?

Say, the third Friday of January.

It’s going to be non-offensive for anyone as the date is fluid, it celebrates all Australians and our country, and, most importantly, offers an annual long weekend in the summer.

Timothy Hammond, Balgownie 

I was surprised to see the picture of Norma Tynes orchid in the paper.

We had one many years ago. I believe it is a Stanhopea orchid.

It flowers from the underside of the plant and has a very strong smell of chocolate.

Not too many of these around – it’s good to see someone else that likes flowers.

M. Johnston,  Woonona 

TRAIN STRIKE: CHAOS LOOMS

Union dictators and thugs holding the public to ransom.

_ Trent

Great news fight the power.

_ Scotty

 I'm kind of with them on this but what about the commuters who have to put up with overcrowding. Can they strike and not pay for a week?

_ Karen