Home Australia It was once a haven for patriotic fervour… but a glaring detail in this photo of Bondi Beach exposes how Australia has changed forever

It was once a haven for patriotic fervour… but a glaring detail in this photo of Bondi Beach exposes how Australia has changed forever

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Among the sun worshipers who flocked to Sydney's iconic beach on Sunday there was little sign of Australian flags or other national insignia.

Despite polls showing a resurgence of enthusiasm for celebrating Australia Day on January 26, there was little overt patriotism on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, even compared to a few years earlier.

As sun worshipers flocked to the sand to enjoy an ideal beach day with blue skies and temperatures hovering around 20 degrees on Sunday, few Australian flags or other national insignia and colors were in sight.

The only visible nod to the national day was a couple of men wearing caps or T-shirts with the Australian flag and the occasional temporary tattoo.

This is in contrast to photos from 2022 which show a completely different scene, with many women sporting Australian bikinis and hats, while others even wrap themselves in the national flag.

Earlier in the day, a crowd gathered to watch the ‘Sunrise Reflection’, which pays tribute to indigenous Australians.

Waverley Council, which covers some of Australia’s most affluent areas in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, said the event aimed to “recognise the resilience and survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people”.

It would also recognize their “continued connection to country and culture as traditional custodians of this land.”

The council began the event last year when Mayor Paula Masselos said Australians who voted not to enshrine an Indigenous Voice in Parliament in the constitution in October 2023 had partially caused the decision.

Peaceful beach scenes in Sydney’s eastern suburbs contrasted sharply with the massive police presence in Melbourne as an estimated 30,000 protesters descended on the city center to protest the date of national day.

Among the sun worshipers who flocked to Sydney’s iconic beach on Sunday there was little sign of Australian flags or other national insignia.

Some men were seen among the crowds of beachgoers on Australia Day wearing the national flag.

Some men were seen among the crowds of beachgoers on Australia Day wearing the national flag.

However, overall the scene in Bondi looked like any other normal summer day at the beach.

However, overall the scene in Bondi looked like any other normal summer day at the beach.

Protesters chanted ‘fuck the police’ as mounted officers stood by and parts of the CBD came to a standstill.

Shops were boarded up or, in some cases, guarded by a police cordon and officers even had to block the main railway hub, Flinders Street railway station.

Protest marches and events are also being organized across Australia.

The debate over whether January 26 should be the date for Australia Day has been the subject of clashes between opposition leader Peter Dutton and Albanese as the pair face off in elections later this year. .

Dutton has promised to reinstate laws requiring councils to hold citizenship ceremonies, something Albanese abolished after winning office in 2022.

“Sometimes I think Peter Dutton gets into a fight with an imaginary friend every year over something most Australians just get along with – Australia Day,” Albanese said on Friday.

‘And one of the things that Australia Day celebrates is the fact that we are not a Soviet-style command system. You know, just relax! Get on with your life.’

Families and friends celebrated Australia Day on Bondi Beach with more huts seen than the Australian flag

Families and friends celebrated Australia Day on Bondi Beach with more huts seen than the Australian flag

Australian flags were seen few and far between on Bondi Beach as the mood over the national holiday changes.

Australian flags were seen few and far between on Bondi Beach as the mood over the national holiday changes.

A couple of swimmers show off a pair of temporary tattoos of the Australian flag

A couple of swimmers show off a pair of temporary tattoos of the Australian flag

A group of friends play with a beach ball with the Australian flag

A group of friends play with a beach ball with the Australian flag

A swimmer enjoys the sun at Bondi Beach; Plain swimsuits are more common than those designed with the Australian flag.

A swimmer enjoys the sun at Bondi Beach; Plain swimsuits are more common than those designed with the Australian flag.

Many families were seen on Bondi Beach enjoying the water and sun on Sunday.

Many families were seen on Bondi Beach enjoying the water and sun on Sunday.

Earlier this month, a poll showed there had been a rise in support, particularly among young Australians, for Australia Day on January 26.

The survey by the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) found that 69 per cent of 1,002 respondents agreed that the national holiday should remain on January 26, an increase of six points from 12 months ago.

The adoption of January 26 as a national day was particularly pronounced among Australians aged 18 to 24, even though they were less in favor of the date than other age groups.

Last year, only 42 per cent of young Australians supported celebrating January 26, but that figure has risen to 52 per cent.

A majority in all age groups now prefers January 26 as the national commemoration date.

The survey also found that 86 per cent of respondents were “proud to be Australian”, while 68 per cent agreed that Australia has “a history to be proud of”.

IPA deputy chief executive Daniel Wild said the results demonstrated a change in the vibe and energy surrounding Australia Day.

‘In the recent past, every January, Australians have had to endure the hand-wringing and navel-gazing of self-proclaimed opinion leaders and elites demanding the country think about reasons to be ashamed of Australia. No more!’ he told the Daily Telegraph.

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