Every year Australians debate over whether to celebrate Australia Day on January 26.

The date marks the anniversary of the First Fleet's arrival in Sydney. But to many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it represents the beginning of the loss of their land, people and culture.

A number of alternative dates have been proposed for Australia Day over the years, but the holiday remains unchanged.

So we asked our audience on Facebook Messenger for their thoughts.

Many said they no longer felt comfortable celebrating Australia Day on January 26.

"I just feel like it's not something I can get excited about anymore. Times have changed and we know too much to be ignorant." — Adrienne B

"I'm very much in favour of changing the date … totally understand why Jan 26th is a difficult date for Indigenous Australians. They have to deal with a total rewriting of their history and the idea of the current Government wanting to legislate to make Jan 26 the permanent date of Australia Day makes me furious." — Carolyn S

"We are celebrating the fact that we stole a country from the Aboriginal people. Imagine if another nation rocked up on our shores, murdered a bunch of us and drowned us in sugar, alcohol and turned us into slaves, and then to top it off decided to hold a big party every year on the same day … there'd be riots." — Ray C

"I love a barbecue, a summer public holiday and celebrating with family and friends — all the great things about my country! But if this particular day hurts people in our community, if it's a day of sadness and mourning, and if [we can change] the date to make it an inclusive date that all Australians can celebrate, then let's do it." — Bridget C

For that reason, some have opted out of celebrations today

"We'll be having a quiet day. Not feeling comfortable with celebrating it anymore. We need a conversation or solution to determine how and when to celebrate a national day that is inclusive of all Australians." — Denise O

"I feel more and more guilty about celebrating Australia Day, choosing to opt out of my usual party celebrations today. I think that in order for all Australians to be able to enjoy and show their gratitude for this nation, we need to change the day of Australia Day to something which encompasses the history and traditions of our multicultural Australia." — Charlie P

"Sitting it out. Genocide should not be celebrated." — Bastiaan V

But others believe Australia Day should be about celebrating the country's achievements and how far it has come

"Australia Day is our national day to unite us in celebrating the success, opportunity and lifestyle we all enjoy here. Any agendas of changing the date are insulting and seek to divide this great nation." — Adam M

"I believe Australia Day should be about celebrating the cultural melting pot that Australia is. Hundreds of years of immigration has led us here, and I think that's something to celebrate. I do however believe there should be an official public holiday to celebrate the amazing Aboriginal culture!" — Shannen A

"It's a day to celebrate modern Australia. I celebrate our Indigenous heritage, our cultural diversity and our Australian way of life. I used to want to change the date, however I believe that the campaign has taken away from the reason we celebrate Australia Day. It should be about celebrating our society as it is now. However I do respect the reasons for wanting to change the date." — Alyza B

Though a few said it was just another day off

"Australia Day is just an opportunity for me to gain penalty rates. I do not feel the need to have a day to celebrate being Australian. I am grateful every day to live in such a great country. Having a 'Federation Day' instead of Australia Day I'm sure would make a lot of people happy. But at the end of the day, I don't really care that much. Any public holiday is a day for me to enjoy." — Samuel W

"I think the politicisation of the day has made it devoid of meaning much like Christmas and Easter. It's just another public holiday where I get a day off work." — Michael M

And others celebrated around the triple j countdown

"We usually go to a boozy barbecue with friends to listen to the triple j countdown, but now the countdown isn't on, we're having a quiet weekend." — Holly C