Each country has their special day
That they love to celebrate,
What they’ve achieved throughout the year
But some others love to hate.
Though things have not been all that good
As the year drew to an end,
We’re not the country we once were
That’s the message we now send.
Our freedom has now been curtailed
Since we opened up our door,
And let hatred infest our land
Like it never has before.
We have welcomed every nation
To come here and make their home,
But what we didn’t realise
That hatred came here with some.
When antisemitism rose
Those in power could not see,
The hatred that was festering
Like it never used to be.
When the climax came at Bondi
The first terrorist attack,
It changed the future of our land
There’s no chance of going back.
To the carefree life we once knew
And the freedoms that we had,
Back when we were proud Australians
Back when I was just a lad.
So maybe this Australia Day
As we go and celebrate,
Let’s show love to one another
And put paid to all this hate.

Max Pringle OAM, Narrabri

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