Last week, on January 26, it was Australia Day, a rich gathering of a multicultural society, a blend of races and cultures, through which the country has been indelibly enriched. Sure, there are increasingly, demonstrations by some Aboriginals, and their supporters, that it celebrates, “Invasion Day.”
It was the day that Captain Cook, the British navigator, landed on the shores in 1788 and claimed the land in the name of the British Crown.The majority, albeit reluctantly, of Aboriginals, accept the day too, as their own, despite the terrible injustice done to the native people.
There are too many who, in the vast reaches of this enormous country, still have a lesser standard of living than most other Australians. However, like others, Aboriginals have access to medical care, education, welfare, legal and police protection, and increasing public opposition, and pressure on governments, federal and state, to redress the iniquities. There are, nevertheless, also increasing numbers of people of Aboriginal origin who are professors, politicians, doctors, lawyers, sporting heroes, have service in the military, and some have served as governors of states.
Aboriginals, the original inhabitants, and “other Australians,” the new and the not so new, are therefore enmeshed in this varied, multicultural society.
Therefore, increasing pressure to “move” the Australia Day commemoration to a more neutral date, in recognition of that multiculturalism.
The Aboriginal Flag flutters on every public building and every major sporting event starts with an Aboriginal ceremony of welcome, an acknowledgement that “this land” remains a sacred Aboriginal place in our society. So on Australia Day, this country throws a now symbolic “shrimp on the barbecue” and celebrates “being Australian” even though, in a sense, we ”foreigners” are all “expats.” And as Australians are inveterate travellers, living in far flung countries all over the world, it is a day they think of “home.”
Even the expats who have made their home in countries like Britain, Bahrain or Barbados.
And for every expat, there comes a time when they contemplate the thought of “returning home,” weigh up the thought of doing so.
Most expats I know love being in Bahrain, its open, friendly, welcoming ways, tolerance of others, easy lifestyle, its rule of law, and relatively secure environment.
Most I know, look to “home” in Europe or retirement in places where the climate will shield them from the harsh winters, parts of southern France, Spain and Portugal.
Or if they can buy a place here and get permanent residency in Bahrain, why not simply retire here? Medical care is excellent, living standards too, petrol is still cheap by any standards, air-conditioning good in the hot months, hotels outstanding, malls too. And only six to eight hours flying – about the same to parts of Asia, well 14-18 hours to Australia and New Zealand. And most expats are hardly a drain on the Bahraini economy, instead, the purchasers of goods and services. Yes, there are “home thoughts from abroad,” but anguish too. Bahrain remains a pretty good place.
wpeppinck@hotmail.com