Australia Day is the official national day of Australia, celebrated on 26th January annually, and as it is only days away, I thought it would be appropriate to tell you how it came to be.
On 26th January in 1788, the First Fleet of eleven ships arrived from Great Britain at Port Jackson, which now forms Sydney Harbour. By 1808, the 26th January was being celebrated as ‘First Landing Day’ or ‘Foundation Day’. This day became a public holiday in 1838, being the first public celebrations of the founding of Australia.
Over the years, 26th January has been known by many names – First Landing Day, Foundation Day and Anniversary Day. It wasn’t until 1935 when it became Australia Day in all states except New South Wales, where it was still called Anniversary Day. However, by 1946, it was known in all states as Australia Day.
It took them a long time to sort that one out!
However, Indigenous Australians – the Aboriginal people, felt that the celebrations on Australia Day excluded them and their culture – a culture that had been thriving for thousands of years before the arrival of the First Fleet from Britain. Proposals have been made to change the date, but without much public support. You can read the whole story here www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_Day
On this day Australia also celebrates the achievement and contribution of notable Australians through the Australian of the Year Awards, by profiling leading citizens who are role models for us all.
Australia Day is a public holiday which means a welcome day off work for most, and all schools are closed. It’s a day for BBQ’s, the beach and back-yard cricket!
Community events are held in most city parks for the public to enjoy the fun, food, music and entertainment to suit everyone. The entertainment could include a Circus, Wood-chopping, camel/pony rides, face-painting, animal nursery, sheep shearing, blacksmith, snake shows – and of course, some tasty Aussie tucker (food)! Something for everyone!
For those who want to celebrate on a smaller scale, there will be lots of bar-b-queues in back yards that day!
Prawns on the barbie!
We live out of town, so our street is having its own celebrations – the obligatory Aussie BBQ – and good food. Seafood is a must for most Aussies that day, so I’ll be picking up some lovely fresh Tiger Prawns to throw on the barbie! It’s also a good way to meet new neighbours who might be new to our area.
Sydney Harbour Regatta (the oldest continuous regatta in the world) where millions of boats and vessels race together in celebration – a fantastic spectacle!
The beach is a popular place on Australia Day to beat the heat. January is very hot. Sounds like a good idea to me!
You can bet that whatever Aussies choose to do on the day, it will be FUN!
Anyone coming? Just bring your own drinks and you’ll be right, mate!
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Thanks Rayya!
Hope you had a fantastic Australia Day in spite of the heat! Ours was a bit wet up here!
Happy Australia Day!
Thank you Eliz!
Happy Australia Day! It is sort of like our 4th of July in that many barbecue on that day as well (hamburgers and hot dogs and not yummy prawns
). I am enjoying your new series. 
Seafood is very popular in Oz.
Glad to hear you are enjoying my new series about Oz!
Happy Anniversary! The 26th is upon us.
It’s still the evening of the 25th here in Oz, just a few more hours to go.
Happy Anniversary too!
Happy Australia Day! I hope your weather cooperates and you have a great time.
It’s not looking good at the moment Bongo – we might be eating inside if this rain doesn’t stop!
Happy Australia Day sweet Barb! Wish I was there to celebrate with you. Most of my life I have wanted to visit Australia. Have a wonderful time and enjoy all that good food. Hugs
Oh, it would be great to have you here with us – but we can pretend – you might just get here one day Mumsy!
Thanks for popping by!
wish you to have great fun on Australia Day Jan 26th!
I’m sure we will, thanks Dietmar!
Happy Australia Day to you Barb and to all Aussies…
Thank you aRVee!
We’ll be celebrating – if we haven’t MELTED by then!
It’s pouring down up here on the Fraser Coast in Queensland! Got some really bad weather coming our way, had some flash flooding already around Brisbane; hope we don’t get the floods we had last year at this time.
Enjoy your Australia Day Robyn – pretty special for you guys after all you’ve been through.
I’ve been reading about it and just RT’ed a government Tweet update.
Tonight is amazing really. Now John has his licence and as it is so hot he has taken the kids to the beach at 10:30pm – he can do that now! The licence makes SUCH a difference.
I’ve stayed home as I have to work in the morning before my hospital tests, but then I have Thursday and Friday off, so a loooong weekend!
In 2010 John and I spent the Australia Day weekend at Anglesea – it was a very special weekend for us. 2011 I was getting ready for the hearing and flew to Qatar.
THIS YEAR is OUR YEAR!!!!! {{{hugs}}}
Shrimp and friends are good enough for me, lets get together (virtualy) much ♥ Jackie
You’re on Jackie!
How FUN! Throw another shrimp on the bar-b for me, Barb!
Consider it done Nancy!
Happy Australia Day to you, soundls like a nice holiday, similar to our July 4th which is fun and festive, good cook outs, parades, and fire works. Have a great holiday.
Thanks Cathy!
Party on my friend! Margie
Hi,
Great post, and you are spot on, it is THE best way to meet any new neighbours.
They say this wet weather is set in till Sunday 29th, all the way down the Queensland coast ( I hope their wrong we had enough floods last year at this time) but regardless of the weather, we will be having the barbie at our place this year, mainly we can still cook on the bar-b-que without getting wet.
Thanks Mags!
Yes, I saw that about the weather – they say it’s going to be quite wild, but hopefully we don’t get the floods like we did last year.
I did also hear that Thursday (Australia Day) is going to be fine so I hope they’re right. Might not be too many people on the beach this year!
Whatever the weather, have a great Australia Day Mags!
Reblogged this on My Global A-Z and commented:
Are you ready for “Australia Day”?
Check out Barb’s post…
To join the My country A-Z challenge please leave a note in comments below or send me an email.
Thanks for the re-blog Pip!
If I sling a few bits in a bag now I might just make it! Well, I can dream…
hehehe! Dreams are great! I’ll save a prawn for you!
Sounds like such a fun day! Have a prawn for me!
Your wish is my command!
Sounds like great fun, Barb … and in the real summer too! Wish I could go there … at least some time!
This is really a great way to learn about other countries customs and celebrations. Only a few years ago, Sweden’s ‘day’ became a public holiday [June 6].
You are welcome any time Rebekah!
You’re right, it’s a great way to learn about other countries, their customs and way of life. You should join (there’s no pressure, no time limits); I’d love to learn more about Sweden!
I’ll get there one day. Save me a steak!
Hope you do get here one day Tilly; there will always be a steak for you!
Sounds like our Independence Day here in the United States. I hope y’all have a fun day!
Yes, same kind of thing really. Fun, food and entertainment all day!
Happy Australia day!!
Thanks Victoria!