By ANEEKA SIMONIS
A GROUP of Pakenham locals joined together on Australia Day to celebrate their love for the country as well as break down some insensitive connotations surrounding what it means to be an Australian.
The group, each with differing cultural backgrounds, came together at the Toomuc Recreational Reserve on Monday 26 January including 23-year-old Jack Kowarzik who said it’s not just those born in the country who celebrate Australia Day.
“We want Australia Day to be about celebrating our country and the things that are great about it, including the fact that so many of us came here for a chance at a better life,” he said.
Mr Kowarzik launched a social media campaign, with the hashtag #WeAreAllRealAustralians, to reignite the message of unity, multiculturalism and peace on the special day of national pride.
“I hate how it’s become filled with racist connotations. The Cronulla Riots, and even the T-shirts with a map of Australia that say ‘Love it or Leave it’ – they’re hateful and shouldn’t be associated with Australia Day.
“We want people’s news feeds to show togetherness – not discrimination.”
