January 26th is Australia Day and, what a difference a year makes! Last year we were living in our caravan not really knowing anybody and Australia Day passed us by a bit but this year we had a great time.
We got down to the marina early to hear the opening address from our local Worimi Elder. Australia Day has moved on a bit even from when Ian was living here ten years ago, at that time the Aboriginal people called it Invasion Day for obvious reasons and it was met with some animosity but now, at least here, it is a joint celebration. In his speech the Elder talked about the positive impact immigration has had on Australia and it was refreshing to see a country celebrating its national pride for the right reasons. He then went on to sing a couple of songs then all citizens stood and re-pledged their allegiance to Australia, everyone sang the National Anthem, except me who has yet to learn the words, then a general party took off and lasted all morning.
The next band on stage featured the man in the photo with the umbrella hat, a few days later I was told that he was our postman, we didn't recognise him because the posties here ride little motorbikes and are covered from head to toe in high viz. There was a barbecue, a stall selling damper (bread bushmen would make for themselves), face painting and, we could tell it was a big do because there were two bouncy castles (or jumping pillows, I now speak the language).
This all went on until midday when people dispersed to go to their own parties. We had been invited to a friend's house with about twenty other people so Ian had baked one of his famous Tunis Cakes and iced an Australian flag on the top. We cycled over there and I thoroughly enjoyed my first proper Australia Day party, we drank champagne, had a barbecue, sang along to Peter Allen songs then Ian's cake came out with a sparkler in it while everyone sang the National Anthem (I must learn the words before next year).
January 26th is Australia Day and, what a difference a year makes! Last year we were living in our caravan not really knowing anybody and Australia Day passed us by a bit but this year we had a great time.
We got down to the marina early to hear the opening address from our local Worimi Elder. Australia Day has moved on a bit even from when Ian was living here ten years ago, at that time the Aboriginal people called it Invasion Day for obvious reasons and it was met with some animosity but now, at least here, it is a joint celebration. In his speech the Elder talked about the positive impact immigration has had on Australia and it was refreshing to see a country celebrating its national pride for the right reasons. He then went on to sing a couple of songs then all citizens stood and re-pledged their allegiance to Australia, everyone sang the National Anthem, except me who has yet to learn the words, then a general party took off and lasted all morning. 
The next band on stage featured the man in the photo with the umbrella hat, a few days later I was told that he was our postman, we didn't recognise him because the posties here ride little motorbikes and are covered from head to toe in high viz. There was a barbecue, a stall selling damper (bread bushmen would make for themselves), face painting and, we could tell it was a big do because there were two bouncy castles (or jumping pillows, I now speak the language).
This all went on until midday when people dispersed to go to their own parties. We had been invited to a friend's house with about twenty other people so Ian had baked one of his famous Tunis Cakes and iced an Australian flag on the top. We cycled over there and I thoroughly enjoyed my first proper Australia Day party, we drank champagne, had a barbecue, sang along to Peter Allen songs then Ian's cake came out with a sparkler in it while everyone sang the National Anthem (I must learn the words before next year).
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