“It’s the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation.”
source: Australia Day
Today we celebrate Australia Day the 26th January 2010. On this day 222 years ago was the arrival of the First Fleet into Sydney Cove and is officially declared a public holiday in every State and Territory around Australia since 1994.
The Founding of Australia
The Founding of Australia 1788
Although Captain James Cook explored and claimed Botany Bay in 1770, it wasn’t until 1788 when the First Fleet arrived under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip that Australia was established as a penal colony.
Australia Day has been previously known as Foundation Day and has also been referred to as Invasion Day by some groups within Australian society. The controversy stems from the belief that it was the destruction of Indigenous culture by the British.
Whatever your beliefs are of this day, my wish is for you to enjoy it and celebrate as you see fit.
How to Celebrate Australia Day
As far as I can tell there are no hard and fast rules on how to celebrate this day. The main thing is to enjoy yourself whatever you do. Celebrating with friends and family is always cool and as we know, the more the merrier extends to this holiday. Participate in any way you can and feel proud to be an Australian.
Activities can include :-
Aussie Thongs
- A day at the beach with the cricket bat or or volley ball.
- Lots of beer
- Attending official events and/or concerts
- Holding a BBQ at home
- Visit museums and learn about our history
- Dress up in Aussie colours
- Organise a competition for the best outfit
- Watch the fireworks
- Fly the Australian Flag at home or on your car
- Make Lamingtons or Pavlova
Most of all, enjoy the day.
The Aussie BBQ
We enjoyed some Australia Day Burgers on the BBQ for dinner. I used the following recipe and they were delicious.
Ingredients:
- 500 g lean Beef mince
- 1/2 Onion — finely chopped
- 1 TSP chopped fresh garlic
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh Parsley
- 1/2 cup HEINZ tomato ketchup
- 1 egg — lightly beaten
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- salt and freshly ground black pepper — to taste
- 6 Hamburger buns—split and toasted ( 6 to 8 )
- your favourite burger ingredients—choose from:
- tomato — beetroot,
- pineapple, avocado, lettuce, Cheese,
- Bacon, onions
- and/or egg
Of course you may have celebrated in your own unique way. I’d love to know what you got up to and hope you had a Happy Australia Day!
- Enjoyed a quite lunch, Salmon steak… yum
- Walked in the opposite direction from anyone wearing the Australian flag as a cape
- Walked in the opposite direction from anyone wearing a Southern Cross tattoo (aka swazi-cross or the Southern Crosstika)
- Stayed alive because I did the above, yay
I had a real classic Ausie Day, a visit from two beautiful grand kids of mine , Andrew & Calan and the meal of the day for us was grilled Lamb Chops ! I am a proud Australian & am ever grateful to the Universe for placing me in such a great country .
Hey…….Life Is Good……… try some today!!
.-= Allen Sentance Fisherman´s last blog ..Tribute To SENO My Brother =-.
@Michelle – Glad to hear you’re stayin’ alive
@Allen – Grilled Lamb Chops are making my mouth water. Especially since Nanny cooked them
Glad you had a beautiful day with your grandkids. Gratitude for the simplest of pleasures is what keeps the world going around. We do live in the best country in the world… I may be biased. Blessings my friend.
Dressing up and watching fireworks can be really amazing. I have many friends in Australia.
bohzo (hello)
Australia has always been one of my favorite places that I would like to visit!
.-= Pokagon Indian´s last blog ..New Buffalo =-.
Hi! Yes, I know I’m late but here goes anyway. A belated happy Australia Day to eveyone here! PS I still have my Aussie flag tattoos on! Take Care – Peter
.-= Peter McCartney´s last blog ..The case for compulsory private health insurance in Australia =-.
A well detailed guide, thank you Ange. Of course there was 1 thing missing: pack your family in the car and head up to the NSW Central Coast. Hope to see you all here for Australia Day 2011.