It’s a question that will never go away, according to the Wagga’s Labour branch. 

The highly contentious debate was reignited at a member’s meeting this month, receiving enough ‘yes’ votes to move the motion to Labour’s state conference in coming weeks. 

While some residents believe the January 26 public holiday wrongly celebrates a day of mourning, others say it keeps a history, that should not be forgotten, alive. 

Conference chair Tim Kurylowicz said he was impressed with the thoughtful contributions of both sides. 

“I think this issue isn’t going to go away,” Mr Kurylowicz said. “It’s a debate Australia has to have.” 

Wiradjuri elders Aunty Isobel Reid and Uncle Greg Packer both said it was more important to move on that it was to linger in the pain of the past. 

Stolen generation survivor Aunty Isobel said the change wouldn’t make a difference. 

“Australia day has always been Australia Day to me,” Aunty Isobel said. “It should be for everybody … I’m someone who believes we need to move on.”

Aunty Isobel said she understood why others felt differently but it was something they had to deal with. 

“That’s history now … maybe it’s time for us to move on,” she said. “(Australia Day) is about bringing people together.”

Uncle Greg said the power behind the history of the day gave it “oomph”. 

He said if the date was changed it would lose its meaning. 

“It’s important for people to think about the meaning,” Uncle Greg said. “To me, changing the day is sweeping stuff under the carpet … it wont have as much impact.”

But others, like Wiradjuri man James Ingram, say the day is a reminder of the death, destruction and disease that came from Captain Cook’s arrival. 

He said a lot of aboriginal people felt the same way.

“We can celebrate being together on a different day,” Mr Ingram said. 

“There needs to be better consultation to work towards a day that suites us all, so we can all celebrate being Australian, not just a select few.”