It is one of the most controversial dates on the Australian calendar.
Many critics have been vocal about their opinion that the date needing to change due to its connotations of terrible treatment of the indigenous population by white settlers, who arrived on January 26, 1788.
And joining the chorus of those deem the public holiday ‘Invasion Day’ are a number of celebrities, including Russell Crowe, Osher Günsberg and Em Rusciano.
‘For me, celebrating Jan 26th feels insensitive, dismissive and cruel’: Russell Crowe, Osher Gunsberg and Em Rusciano lead the charge of celebrities protesting ‘Invasion Day’as Australia Day festivities kick off
Russell Crowe added his voice to the growing opposition to the current date of Australia Day on Thursday – saying he is celebrating the occasion a day early.
‘I’m going to say Happy Australia Day today, on a different date,’ Russell urged his followers on Twitter.
‘Take away the contention , let’s have a date we can all embrace.’
Outspoken radio host Em Rusciano didn’t hold back when it came to echoing the sentiment on Friday.
‘For me, celebrating Jan 26th feels insensitive, dismissive and cruel. I’m not ok with the fact that our national day’s origins involve the dispossession and slaughter of an entire people,’ she wrote on Instagram alongside an image of an Aboriginal flag.
‘For those of you thinking our indigenous community should just “get over it” and “move on” because it was so long ago, I ask you to imagine if the same thing was said about Anzac Day. And since when does anyone get to tell victims of horrific crimes that their grief and sadness has an expiration date?
‘I truly hope that one day soon, we can change the date to one that is inclusive of ALL Australians.. Especially.. You know.. The first ones.’
‘Take away the contention , let’s have a date we can all embrace’: Russell urged his Twitter followers to change when Australia Day is held, and admitted he was celebrating a day early
‘For me, celebrating Jan 26th feels insensitive, dismissive and cruel’ Outspoken radio star Em Rusciano didn’t hold back when voicing her view, claiming she’s ‘not ok with the fact that our national day’s origins involve the dispossession and slaughter of an entire people’
Meanwhile, Osher Günsberg shared a photo of himself alongside an indigenous friend, which featured The Bachelor host wearing a shirt emblazoned with the Aboriginal flag.
He expressed his views in the comments section when questioned about his reasons for sharing the post.
‘I will tell you this – right now many people are upset with the way things are and NOT doing something about a problem only makes it worse,’ Osher wrote.
In a different comment he wrote: ‘I don’t need to have blood to know when another human in my community isn’t being treated fairly – it’s that simple.’
‘I don’t need to have blood to know when another human in my community isn’t being treated fairly – it’s that simple’: Osher Günsberg also expressed his opinion on Instagram
Indigenous actress Miranda Tapsell shared her love for other people hurting on a day filled with pain for so many.
‘Thinking of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders today. I see you. Look after yourselves and give love towards your community on this hard day. Take care of yourselves xx ‘ the Love Child star wrote.
Elsewhere, Redfern Now star Rarriwuy Hick took to Instagram to share an artwork of Aboriginal woman holding a sign reading ‘Always was, always will be Aboriginal land’, which former Home And Away star Bonnie Sveen later reposted in support.
‘Thinking of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders today’: Indigenous actress Miranda Tapsell shared her love for other people hurting on a day filled with pain for so many
Posting to Twitter, Magda Szubanski called for action while expressing her affection for Australia,
‘I love this wonderful country. We need a new day, a fresh start to celebrate all that is great and good about this nation,’ the actress wrote.
‘Not a date that is built on the blood and bones and suffering of our First Nations people. We can do it. then we can all party together.’
Natalie Croker, wife of AFL star Adam Goodes, took the opportunity to call for a change in date as she uploaded a photo side by side with her husband.
‘As we celebrate Australia Day today, I’d love us to open a conversation on the history of this date and it’s meaning to our First People.’ she captioned the shot.
‘Is it more important to us to uphold a 24 year tradition at the expense of marginalising our Indigenous community than changing the date so we can celebrate this beautiful country together as a family?’
She then added in hashtags: ‘#chooseempathy’, ‘#changethedate’ ‘#australiaday’ ‘#survivalday’, ‘#dayofmourning’ and ‘#treatynow’.