Federation, reflection days can mark progress, history We’re sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss January 25, 2021 — 12.05am Normal text size Advertisement There is clearly an appetite in this country to annually renew and celebrate our national spirit while reflecting on the sins of our beginnings (“Date with destiny”, January 23-24). Moving Australia Day to January 1, the date of Federation in 1901, would allow us to mark the first steps towards independence from Great Britain without the day being overly burdened by guilt and introspection. January 26 could then be re-designated as national reflection day, an opportunity to contemplate the Indigenous experience since 1788 and to renew the national commitment to equality and inclusiveness for all who live here. A mature community should be able to acknowledge its shortcomings, both historic and contemporary.