As with every other person who has come to our wonderful Australia, be they Aboriginal, European, Asian or African, they chose to come here because it was a land of peace and opportunity.

Australia Day is just that: a celebration of this land that we call home, not the people who chose to live here.

We are so fortunate to live in relative peace, not fearing for our lives and our homes and families every day. People, not land, cause problems.

We are a multicultural family: first son, Aussie Pom working all his working life to keep our people safe; our lovely adopted part-Aboriginal daughter, whose job and dedication is to improve the lives of our indigenous population. Unfortunately, our second son, who was of Austrian Hungarian birth, is no longer with us.

We are all fair dinkum Aussies. Our greatest fear is that terrorism, drugs and the greed of people will ruin our beautiful country.

Australians all, rejoice in our beautiful Australia on Australia Day and appreciate the opportunity to show the rest of the world that we can live happily together, not in fear.

I am so fortunate with a wonderful caring husband and family. Thank you, Australia.