The campaign features people from various cultural backgrounds, including several Indigenous Australians, and acknowledges the ‘painful’ and ‘raw’ history of our nation.
The new advertisement is set to a poem which states the story of Australia Day and of every person that resides in the nation. It includes the lines “In parts it is painful. In parts it is raw”, and “It tells of many people. From far and wide. And those who’ve been here. Since the beginning of time.”, with many of these lines spoken by Indigenous Australians.
The ad concludes with a collection of diverse people saying “We’re all part of the story” and the slogan “Reflect. Respect. Celebrate.” It departs from previous campaigns focusing on the “Highs and Lows” of Australia’s past, with particular emphasis on its Indigenous history.
The films and the photography were all done as one streamlined production under the lead of Jonathan May, and with David Maurice Smith.
The full poem can be read here:
The story of Australia
Is the story of me
It’s the story of you
It’s the story of we
In parts it is painful
In parts it is raw
It others it’s beautiful
Inspiring great awe
It tells of many people
From far and wide
And those who’ve been here
Since the beginning of time
It brings us together
And tears us apart
We all have our views
So where do we start?
By listening to each other
And sharing our part
The individual stories of some of those who participated in the ads, can be viewed at australiaday.org.au.
