Emma Garlett: WA's Aboriginal resistance heroes deserve a day to celebrate

West Australian

a day ago

Here's the good news: West Australians could soon be getting two extra days off per year.
And the even better news: we get a say in what those extra days off will be for.
West Australians have long been shortchanged when it comes to public holidays. We get 11 a year compared to 13 in most of the Eastern States.
A shake-up of the public holiday calendar is set to rectify that, with the Government calling for input into the changes.
Public holidays are more than just an extra day off work or school.
They are a statement about who we are as a society. They announce to that society's members and the world at large the achievements and milestones that the community believes are worthy of celebration or commemoration.
It's a fantastic opportunity for WA to officially recognise its Aboriginal history.
We are talking about the custodians of the oldest continuous living cultures on Earth. Surely that's an achievement and a history that is deserving of a day off to celebrate?
And there are plenty of moments in WA's proud Aboriginal history to celebrate.
Yagan is a name that is probably familiar to Perth residents. Born around 1795, he was a Noongar leader and warrior is the namesake of Yagan Square in the CBD. He was initially friendly with the early settlers and was a champion of culture, place and authority in the early years of the Swan River Colony. To many Noongar West Aussies, Yagan is a symbol of our recognition and rights.
Unfortunately, it did not end well for Yagan. He was shot in 1833 and his head was cut off and sent to England where it was kept at the Royal Institute in Liverpool until 1964. It wasn't until 1997 that it was finally returned to Australia and another 13 years before it was reburied. The date of that reburial — July 10, the anniversary of Yagan's last full day alive — would be fitting to celebrate Yagan Day.
Alternatively, there's Fanny Balbuk, who was a Noongar woman born in 1840 on Matagarup (Heirisson Island).
She was determined never to give up her land. She was resolute, even as Perth's settlement encroached further onto her lands. She continued to maintain her traditional rights, regardless of what was in her way. She would walk her lands, gathering foods, knocking down fences if she needed to.
She was a true resistance fighter. Without the knowledge she passed down, the Noongar Native Title claim of 2006 may not have been successful.
The date of that claim, September 19, could be celebrated as a day dedicated to Fanny's memory, to celebrate her commitment to fighting for her culture.
This is not just about a day off. This is saying that we as West Australians recognise and value our Aboriginal history.
Emma Garlett is a legal academic and Nylyaparli-Yamatji-Nyungar woman