Australia Day

+ Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney
25 Jan 2009

What do we celebrate on Australia Day?  We should take the opportunity to examine our core values, what we admire.

Australia Day seems to be a bit more successful in Sydney than interstate.  This makes sense as the first colony was here.  But the holiday (and holidays are always welcome) does not rank with Anzac Day in most people's hearts nor with Christmas or even Easter as a family feast.

Australian patriotism is powerful and widespread, but confused by our remaining constitutional links with Britain.  We thank God that we never had to fight for our independence and especially because we have never fought a civil war, as the U.S.A. did.

I am deeply grateful for all that we have received from Britain, our patterns of culture and government, all our great institutions except the Catholic Church.  Many regard me as an Anglophile and I am prepared to plead guilty to the charge.  But it is time we had an entirely Australian set of constitutional arrangements.  I was disappointed when the referendum on the Republic was lost, because our present system of government works well and I doubt whether any future republican proposal will come as close to replicating the present system.

Australia has always looked to some "great and powerful ally".  First of all it was Britain with its Empire and now it is the U.S.A.  As a middle order power we shall always need friends and allies, but our own story and values should sustain us.  Britain has chosen Europe; we too need to move on.

The story of our Australian Victoria Cross for bravery in battle, which replaces the British Victoria Cross, provides a good example of continuity while it explicitly recognizes Australian traditions and independence.

Recently Trooper Mark Donaldson from the SAS was awarded the first Victoria Cross in Australia for forty years for outstanding bravery in Afghanistan.

The Imperial Victoria Cross was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1856 and has been granted to 96 Australians, the last of whom was Warrant Officer Keith Payne, decorated in Vietnam in 1969.  He was present for Donaldson's ceremony, but the only other living Australian VC winner Edward Kenna (1945 in New Guinea) was unable to attend.  In 1991 the Australian Victoria Cross became our highest award for bravery, replacing the Imperial award.

On last September 2 an Australian contingent fighting with U.S. and Afghan units was ambushed by the Taliban and nine Australians were wounded.

Donaldson repeatedly drew enemy fire so wounded soldiers could be rescued and dashed 80 metres, still under fire, to rescue their Afghan interpreter and bring him to safety.  He helped give first aid to the wounded then rejoined his patrol.

Donaldson denied he is a hero, explaining that he was just doing his duty, following his training and instincts.

All officers, including the Chief of Defence Force Angus Houston have to salute Victoria Cross winners.  We too should acknowledge such bravery on Australia Day.