Blog Topic Number 2

http://www.smh.com.au/national/asylum-seekers-duped-dropped-at-wrong-island-20110403-1ctbs.html  This link helps to focus on the issue of immigration in Australia and has a lot to do with the way the country really came to be.  The article talks about the issue of people smugglers doing what they do best, smuggling Afghan asylum seekers to what they tell them is Australia's Ashmore reef, when rather it is a small island that belongs to Indonesia that lays roughly 50 kilometers away from the Ashmore reef of Australia.  This is becoming a chronic problem for authorities in the area reportedly, as it is the fourth time in recent history an event like this has taken place.  The smugglers, were they to be caught would face up to twenty years in prison, the asylum seekers themselves have been taken to West Timor to be delt with. 
     Now clearly these are a little different circumstances than the humble beginnings of Australia (referring to the first fleet with a hefty share of convicts from Great Britain who established the first colony in Australia) but it cannot help but remind me of the story.  There are some similar circumstances, the crew of the first fleet were desperate seeking a new beginning  in a new place, and the Asylum seekers from Afghan origins are essentially doing the same thing.  Australia was first documented by the 'modern' world as being noted by Able Tasman on his global reconnaissance in1642 to be followed by James Cook between 1768 and 1780.  Soon after the first fleet arrived with about 750 convicts, the convicts were soon outnumbered by even more free settlers arrived and eventually outnumbered the convicts.  So it seems to me that although it is a small example, the circle of Australia's modern origin is still taking place today.  Information in the book found on page 640.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/australia-day-2011-kicks-off-in-sydney/story-fn6bm90q-1225994752280  This is an article which relates to the celebration of Australia Day.  It was posted on January 26th 2011, and talks about the kicking off of the ceremonies for the holiday in Australia.  Events that honor the indigenous people of Australia were first and there was a swimming event featuring some prominent people to help raise money and awareness for the flooding that at this time had caused huge amounts of damage in Australia.  When they asked one participant what Australia day meant to him, he said, "Pride, humility and I guess that true Aussie spirit - the picking yourself up and dusting yourself off when times are tough... It's in our blood."  I think that is a great way of looking at it from an Australian's view point.  As talked about earlier in this post, the first fleet was the first colonization of Australia, and that is where this holiday comes from, the celebration of the arrival of these people to Australia's shores.  Though those people found conflict with the native people of Australia, and really there is still tension today, the ceremony we now see does honor them as well and is a great event for all Australians.  Information in colonization and first fleet found on 639-41.