Australia Day is celebrated on January 26, and is considered Australia's founding day. It marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of British Ships, near the current location of Sydney, at Port Jackson, New South Wales. In 1818, January 26 was declared a legal holiday, marking the 30th anniversary of the British settlement in Australia.
The first penal colony had over 800 British prisoners who were sentenced to serve time at this far away colony's of Britain. The settlement was on the verge of starvation for
several years, as the soil was poor and the prisoners did not know the techniques of farming. It wasn't until 1792, that the colony appeared to be sustainable.
The continent was officially christened “Australia” in 1824. The name “Australia” was first suggested by Captain Matthew Flinders, an English navigator and surveyor. “Australia” means “southern” in Latin. Flinders was the first explorer to sail entirely around Australia and identify it as a continent. So appropriately, there are numerous landmarks in Australia that are named after him.
The continent was officially christened “Australia” in 1824. The name “Australia” was first suggested by Captain Matthew Flinders, an English navigator and surveyor. “Australia” means “southern” in Latin. Flinders was the first explorer to sail entirely around Australia and identify it as a continent. So appropriately, there are numerous landmarks in Australia that are named after him.
Over the
next 80 years, the population steadily increased, and five additional
self-governing colonies were created. On January 1, 1901, all six colonies
united to form the Commonwealth of Australia. There currently are six States, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, and of note the people of the Northern Territory voted to remain a Territory and not become a State.
The main symbols of Australia Day are the symbols of
Australia. These include the Australian national flag, with its representations
of the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star and the five stars of the Southern
Cross.
Other symbols are the opal, which is the national gemstone, and include the Golden Wattle, which is the national floral emblem.
When in flower, the golden wattle displays the national color of green and gold. It is ideally suited to withstand Australia's droughts, winds and bushfires. The resilience of wattle represents the spirit of the Australian people(sound familiar to American's people?). Golden wattle is a symbol of unity as it grows everywhere in Australia. Indigenous peoples used the tannin from the bark as an antiseptic.
On Australia Day there are many activities at all three levels of Australian government, which are national, state and local districts. Foremost, many people become citizens of Australia on
Australia Day at Citizenship Ceremonies across the nation. They receive their citizen certificate from the Prime Minister. The lawns
of Parliament House in Canberra (national capitol) is the site of this prestigious event. It was interesting to watch this event on national T.V.
 |
| Australian Flag |
Other symbols are the opal, which is the national gemstone, and include the Golden Wattle, which is the national floral emblem.
When in flower, the golden wattle displays the national color of green and gold. It is ideally suited to withstand Australia's droughts, winds and bushfires. The resilience of wattle represents the spirit of the Australian people(sound familiar to American's people?). Golden wattle is a symbol of unity as it grows everywhere in Australia. Indigenous peoples used the tannin from the bark as an antiseptic.
 |
| Golden Wattle Australia's National Floral Emblem |
These ceremonies also have
awards, which go to four individuals who have made outstanding achievements at the national, state and local level. National award
recipients enjoy tea with the Prime Minister and lunch with the Governor
General. Then the honors are conducted from a podium in front of Parliament
House. The award
categories are:
- Australian of the Year
- Senior Australian of the Year
- Young Australian of the Year
- Australia’s Local Hero
Local ceremonies and activities are different for each district. In the small town of Cowell, where we attended Australia Day, the local activities included a free breakfast of bacon, sausage, eggs, toast--of course with Vegemite, all cooked and served by the district council members. How's that for serving your township? What nice role modeling!
The national anthem "Advance Australia Fair" opened the award ceremonies (I felt a bit stupid when I automatically put my hand over my heart---well give me a break--- habits are automatic). The town's CEO and mayor presented individuals with these awards along with a description of the community service they had done. Cowell had an additional award category entitled, "Event of the Year." The Lions Club organization was the recipient. Once a month they sponsor a community market, as a fundraiser for their club, where local crafts, food items, products and produce are sold.
After Australia Day morning ceremonies most people spend the rest of the day relaxing with friends and family over a "barbie" (barbecue), which can take place at one of Australia's magnificent beaches (there are so many to choose from), boats, backyards or home patios. It still seems odd to me that January is summer--especially when I hear of all of the snow the Northern Hemisphere,has had this year-- and that play most frequently is on the beach or on a boat. Since Australia Day is during the last week of summer school holidays, just like America's Fourth of July, many take the week off or at least make a long weekend of all of the festivities. Plus many communities have evening fireworks to celebrate the holiday. Sound familiar? Yes, because just as it is--all people all around the world--are all proud of their heritage and country.
After the award ceremony, we were invited to join the Lion's club president, wife, friends, Cowell CEO and his wife for a boat ride to a nearby island for a lunch "barbie". Mike was on-call so he declined, as it is a 30 minutes distance to the island. The job requires that the doctor be within 45 minutes of the hospital--but that amount of time is not in his comfort range.
I could not resist the invitation and joined this delightful group. We had lively conversations on Australian culture and their other world travels. As most everybody in Australia travels internationally--but that is for another blog post. But oh my, did I have a great time zipping along in their boat on the ocean. Any time I can--I will always say yes to play time on the water.
Next week, we are off to the small town of Streaky Bay, in the southwestern part of South Australia, for a week of "off duty." My next post will be about this place, as it is rumored to be one of the best beach towns in South Australia.
The national anthem "Advance Australia Fair" opened the award ceremonies (I felt a bit stupid when I automatically put my hand over my heart---well give me a break--- habits are automatic). The town's CEO and mayor presented individuals with these awards along with a description of the community service they had done. Cowell had an additional award category entitled, "Event of the Year." The Lions Club organization was the recipient. Once a month they sponsor a community market, as a fundraiser for their club, where local crafts, food items, products and produce are sold.
After Australia Day morning ceremonies most people spend the rest of the day relaxing with friends and family over a "barbie" (barbecue), which can take place at one of Australia's magnificent beaches (there are so many to choose from), boats, backyards or home patios. It still seems odd to me that January is summer--especially when I hear of all of the snow the Northern Hemisphere,has had this year-- and that play most frequently is on the beach or on a boat. Since Australia Day is during the last week of summer school holidays, just like America's Fourth of July, many take the week off or at least make a long weekend of all of the festivities. Plus many communities have evening fireworks to celebrate the holiday. Sound familiar? Yes, because just as it is--all people all around the world--are all proud of their heritage and country.
 |
| Beaches, beaches everywhere! Just one of the many beaches Australian's can enjoy with family and friends. |
I could not resist the invitation and joined this delightful group. We had lively conversations on Australian culture and their other world travels. As most everybody in Australia travels internationally--but that is for another blog post. But oh my, did I have a great time zipping along in their boat on the ocean. Any time I can--I will always say yes to play time on the water.
Next week, we are off to the small town of Streaky Bay, in the southwestern part of South Australia, for a week of "off duty." My next post will be about this place, as it is rumored to be one of the best beach towns in South Australia.
Thanks again, Terry, for your most informative post about Australia and "Australia Day". Do they have any controversial feelings about the day (from the perspective of the aboriginals). Seems it would be a hot topic on how the British changed the continent forever just like what happened to North America. Just wondering if they are going down the same path as the controversy about celebrating Columbus Day in USA.
ReplyDeleteYes, Yes and Yes again for similarities between Aboriginals and Native Americans in the United States. This is a hot topic and worth a blog post........stay tuned.
DeleteI want to see a picture of the island you got to go to! Do they eat their Barbie with a BBQ sauce like what is commonly served in the US?
ReplyDeleteI didn't take my camera.....was in such a hurry to not miss the boat. Yes there are many different types of sauces they put on their meats.....and some like it with a lot of brown gravy.
ReplyDelete