An Indigenous truck driver has hit out at critics of Australia Day, calling on residents to “celebrate being Australian” on January 26.
The trucker, who lives in Beverly in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, took to TikTok last month to share her thoughts on the controversial holiday.
“As an Indigenous Australian, I think my five cents are justified,” he said in the video filmed in the cab of his truck.
‘Firstly, I am a proud Australian and I celebrate Australia Day. And I hate other indigenous people who incite hatred and disrespect during January 26.
‘It’s a date. It wouldn’t matter if they changed it to December 6th, July 11th or February 29th – they’d still find something to complain about!’
‘Why don’t you be grateful that one is alive and the second lives here in Australia? And stop using it as an excuse.
The tattooed trucker revealed she was “extremely proud” that both of her grandfathers fought for the ANZAC in the Second World War.
“I find it disrespectful for any person or corporate company to decide they don’t want to celebrate Australia Day,” he added.
The anonymous trucker, believed to live in Beverley in WA’s Wheatbelt region, took to social media last month to share her thoughts on the controversial holiday (pictured).
Last year, Woolworths and Aldi sparked outrage by not selling Australia Day products.
The move led opposition leader Peter Dutton to call for a boycott of both companies.
The truck driver said she hoped no one would go to venues owned by businesses avoiding Australia Day.
“Anyone who wants to sow hate and division in one day, get your head out of your ass, muppet,” he added.
The woman’s comments were full of support.
“When I was a kid, Australia Day was about celebrating our indigenous people as much as it was about celebrating being Australian,” one said.
‘We wouldn’t be Australians without our indigenous people. You are absolutely right on all points.’
Another person who claimed to be a “truck buddy” said he supported her views.

‘Firstly, I am a proud Australian and I celebrate Australia Day. And I hate other Indigenous people who incite hatred and disrespect during January 26,” he said (pictured: Australia Day revelers in 2021).
‘(I am) a former soldier and of indigenous descent. Proud of you and a proud Australian,” they added.
Australia Day, celebrated each year on January 26, marks the landing of the First Fleet in 1788, when the first governor of the British colony of New South Wales, Arthur Philip, raised the Union Jack in Sydney Cove.
But for many First Nations people, it is considered “Invasion Day” or “Day of Mourning.”
The growing polarization around the national holiday is perhaps best summed up by the government-owned Australian National Day Council.
“For some, Australia Day is a day to celebrate all the opportunities that living in a free, multicultural society brings,” he wrote in his 2022 annual report.
‘For others, it is a chance to reflect on their own citizenship and what it means to be Australian. And for many, January 26 represents a day of sadness, mourning and reminder of colonization.’