Australia Day (January 26)

[Brad Jefferson]

Happy Australia Day!!

I was glancing at my day calendar and noticed it was "Australia Day".  I'm not sure what this means to Australians (Aussies??), but if any of the HBS members down under can give me their take on this day, I would appreciate it.  What it means to you?  How do you celebrate?  etc.

[It is amazing that we can communicate on this HBS forum even though we are all geographically dispersed around the globe.  We come together to chat on or list to our favorite topic.  The world is immensely large, yet very nice, quaint, friendly, and small.  Isn't the internet great!  I'm learning about other cultures every day.]

Thanks,
Brad

[Trevor Crump]

Hi Brad.  Australia Day...... a public holliday, a day to celebrate anything strange and unusual, from 'toad races' to 'dunny races' (outside toilets) a day that many (new) australians opt to become citizens. the Government pats itsself on the back (at public expence) the Queen hands down awards to top officials. and 200,000 people flock to see a visiting American aircraft carrier in Brisbane.

Reality being, Australia was based on a convict past, we were a place to send convicts too, a jail, so many of US grew up having feelings of embarrasment for our past, whilst countries like US of A have great civic pride, we don't. BUT it's changing. I feel it started only with the America Cup yacht races, 'hey true blue', ' the land down under'.

In general Australia Day is not celebrated for what it is, it's just a reason to drink, do silly things, and not think too much of the past (or the future) 

[Ryan Somerfield]

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE,
OI OI OI
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE
OI OI
AUSSIE
OI
AUSSIE
OI
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE
OI OI OI

GO AUSTRALIA!!!  (and Sydney)

lol on our side of the country,  donno what you do up in bris, but usually BBQ's, beach, singing national anthem with mates,  backyard cricket,  more food, and whateva else you feel like doing,  even buying parts for my dolly lol.

c ya l8r