AFL star Bailey Smith calls on authorities to change the date of on Australia Day

AFL star Bailey Smith wants the date of Australia Day formally changed, labeling the iconic holiday Invasion Day.

The Western Bulldogs midfielder took to Instagram on Wednesday, encouraging his more than 355,000 followers to “consider how you spend your day tomorrow and show empathy towards our First Nations people.”

Added ‘change the damn date’, after sharing a publication by advocacy organization Talk Black, which described a series of protests scheduled for ‘Invasion Day’ across the country on Thursday.

Earlier this week, Australian cricketer Ashleigh Gardner called out Cricket Australia for scheduling a women’s international match on January 26.

Gardner, a proud indigenous Australian, condemned the decision to play a game on a date that commemorates “the beginning of the genocide, the massacres and the dispossession”.

In a player-orchestrated move, Australia will wear an indigenous jersey in the match against Pakistan.

Their socks and wristbands will also feature indigenous colors and motifs.

AFL star Bailey Smith wants the date of Australia Day formally changed, labeling the iconic public holiday Invasion Day on social media.

The Western Bulldogs midfielder took to Instagram on Wednesday, encouraging his more than 355,000 followers to “consider how you spend your day tomorrow and show empathy towards our First Nations people.”

Gardner received full support from captain Meg Lanning, who said the team was keen to use their social media platforms to educate Australians on the issue.

Fellow cricketers Jason Gillespie and Dan Christian, both of Indian origin, also called publicly for a date change.

A veteran of 71 Tests, Gillespie these days is a highly respected manager with the Adelaide Strikers and South Australia, and the Kamilaroi man is also an advocate for indigenous people.

“I would prefer a day where all Australians can celebrate,” said Gillespie, who was Test’s first indigenous male player. news corporation

“What a lot of people don’t realize is that history shows Australia Day hasn’t always been celebrated on January 26.

Dan Christian (left) has added his voice to the growing chorus of cricketers criticizing the national public holiday of Australia Day.

Christian praised Australian star Ashleigh Gardner for speaking out on the divisive issue

Former Australia Test great Jason Gillespie also publicly backed Gardner’s view

Ash Gardner is a proud Muruwari woman, whose mother and ancestors hail from northwestern New South Wales.

Australia captain Meg Lanning (centre) said the team was united in support of Gardner, who on Sunday slammed Australia Day as the “beginning of genocide”.

“Conversations must continue to explore an alternative.”

Sydney Sixers all-rounder Christian praised Gardner for using her platform as an “Australian cricketer and proud Aboriginal woman, to further conversation” about the meaning of the national holiday.

Writing on Twitter, Christian called on MPs to “make meaningful improvements on the systemic and cyclical issues that affect our people” and urged them to start by “changing the date.”

The date has been officially labeled Australia Day since it formally became a national holiday in 1994.

But while some see January 26 as a day of celebration, for many, particularly indigenous Australians, it is a date that signifies pain and trauma.