Australia Day is a national holiday on 26 January, the day the 'first fleet' arrived in 1788. For some, including many Aborigines, it should be renamed Invasion Day and there are many uncoordinated campaigns to shift the national holiday to some other day. But there's no agreement on what that might be. Australia, as a nation, came together on 1 January 1900, but that day is already celebrated as New Year's Day. ANZAC day is revered nationally, but celebrates Australia's military achievements.
Anyway, yesterday was OZDay and we usually take part in the various organised events locally. There's a citizenship ceremony in the town hall, where many immigrants receive their Australian credentials. The National Trust's splendid Saumarez Homestead hosts families with plenty of things for kids to do. There's a fun-fair in the parks surrounding Dumaresq Creek. And there's the final fireworks display. But yesterday the three of us did none of these - Dot, myself and Max! Well there's one exception ... I went to see the fireworks, but couldn't persuade anyone to accompany me. I feared that even that would be cancelled as we had a heavy thunder-storm at about 6 pm, about 2.5 hours before the fireworks.
The performance was flawless and brilliant and watched by quite a large crowd of all ages. Before this, I had a quick look at the various fun-fare rides, food-stalls, and the live band whose members appeared quite accomplished. Alas, my pictures were taken after dark!
AS
Anyway, yesterday was OZDay and we usually take part in the various organised events locally. There's a citizenship ceremony in the town hall, where many immigrants receive their Australian credentials. The National Trust's splendid Saumarez Homestead hosts families with plenty of things for kids to do. There's a fun-fair in the parks surrounding Dumaresq Creek. And there's the final fireworks display. But yesterday the three of us did none of these - Dot, myself and Max! Well there's one exception ... I went to see the fireworks, but couldn't persuade anyone to accompany me. I feared that even that would be cancelled as we had a heavy thunder-storm at about 6 pm, about 2.5 hours before the fireworks.
The performance was flawless and brilliant and watched by quite a large crowd of all ages. Before this, I had a quick look at the various fun-fare rides, food-stalls, and the live band whose members appeared quite accomplished. Alas, my pictures were taken after dark!
AS
2 comments:
Happy Australia Day! Admittedly a little late. The fireworks look awesome.
Happy Australia Day, Dad! Why such a quiet day for you all?! At least you got to see these fireworks after the NYE ones were washed out.
Post a Comment