It was on 26 Jan 1788 that the english Captain Arthur Phillip, arrived in Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) with the First Fleet of convicts and marines to start a new colony. Arthur Phillip erected the British Union Flag and became the first governor of New South Wales. We celebrate Australia Day every year on 26 Jan. It is our birthday. However, some aboriginal members of our society are not happy celebrating on this day. They call it the day of mourning because it is the day they lost their land. They would like to change the date or abolish it altogether. Some of them protest march on the day. Others are happy to keep the day and celebrate all different people living together in our wonderful country.
We celebrated in our village with a few typical Australian activities. We had a barbecue, a thong (flip flop) throwing competition, an Australian song sing-a-long and lamingtons to eat. (Chocolate coated pieces of sponge rolled in coconut.)
We celebrated in our village with a few typical Australian activities. We had a barbecue, a thong (flip flop) throwing competition, an Australian song sing-a-long and lamingtons to eat. (Chocolate coated pieces of sponge rolled in coconut.)
Australian Song sing-a-long with the village singers and musos.
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| In Australia we call these thongs not to be confused with string, backed undies. |
Thong throwing competition. We had to get the thong into a bucket.
Aussie comfort food, lamingtons.
We were asked to dress up in Aussie gear for the day. Bill found some friends with the same kind of weird glasses.
After the fun and games some stayed behind for more singing together fun.
That evening we were invited to go to our friends appartment in town for dinner and to watch the fireworks.
Kathy and Rob have a great view from their balcony.
We walked to the cliffs at Kangaroo Point to watch the fireworks at South Bank.
Part of Brisbane from the cliffs at Kangaroo Point.
We had a fun filled Australia Day and a hot one.
Beautiful photos Diane! I always love fireworks and those lamington's look so delicious.
ReplyDeletewow do they ever have a wonderful view. your day is much like our 4th of July.. Happy Austraila day. we just saw your PM on the news talking about the day with the indigent dancers and protesters. also much like we are here. people are people no matter where they live.
ReplyDeleteNice to see the local habits to celebrate Australia Day.
ReplyDeleteHello Diane, Happy Australia Day, looks like a fun celebration. The Lamingtons do look yummy! And the fireworks are beautiful. Enjoy your day and weekend!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good old fashioned holiday. Not enough of those these days. Happy Australia Day.
ReplyDeleteAny excuse to celebrate... You seem to have such a wonderful social life.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a very fun day celebrating Australia's birthday. I'm a bit late, but Happy Birthday Australia!
ReplyDeleteI love your photos greetings from Europe
ReplyDeleteA great reason to celebrate. Everyone looks like they are having so much fun. I love Bill's glasses but I think they would be a bit hard to see out of with the lettering on the lenses! Viva Australia!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great day you had Diane.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos of the fireworks.
Very nice views indeed. Assuming she is a resident, you are fortunate to have a pianist among you and looks like the day was great fun. Yes, we always have explain the thong.
ReplyDeleteHappy Australia Day! You obviously had lots of fun, and the views of the city (and fireworks) are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteHappy Aussie Day!
ReplyDeleteThat was a real nice celebration ! We don't have original inhabitants but on our national day there are always protesters against the King. Fortunately only very few and mostly Flemish.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a brilliant time Diane 😊
ReplyDeleteEvery year I think I will remember to wish my Australian blog friends Happy Australia Day and every year I forget. It seems like a good idea to include all the kinds of people who live in your beautiful country in the celebration. We have some similar protests around our Columbus Day and of course the Native American people are right, he didn't really discover America ... they were here first.
ReplyDeleteThe fireworks look wonderful -- good to have friends in such a great location for them. And it looks like you two are having a wonderful time in your new(ish) village ... and making more friends .. as you do everywhere you go of course!!
That is a great view from the apartment of the fireworks and I send you wishes for a happy Australia Day a few days late. That Australian comfort food looks delish.
ReplyDeleteHappy Australia Day! The photos are great - and thank you for clarifying the thong issue.
ReplyDeleteYou guys certainly get up to a lot of fun in the village.
ReplyDeleteHappy Australia Day.....Looks like you two had a marvelous day... I was going to ask what Lamingtons were.. Glad you told us and then showed us a picture.... I 'assume' (HAHA HA) that by saying 'sponge' that you meant Sponge CAKE.....I certainly didn't want to eat a sponge like I used in the kitchen... (Again --I'm being SILLY.)
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
Hello Diane!
ReplyDeleteGlad to meet you!
Happy Australia 🇦🇺 Day!
What a lovely celebration!
Great pictures of the fireworks and amazing view!
My dad lives in Gold Coast!
I sure miss Lamigtons!
Enjoy your new week!
Dimi...
As a Hebridean Kiwi I've never come to terms with Jandals being called Thongs. Unfortunately the term gave me a dose of Utter Silliness so I hope you enjoyed your thing thong. After all thongs aren't what they used to be.,
ReplyDeleteIt sure looks y’all had fun. Beautiful view, fireworks are pretty too
ReplyDeleteWhat a great day you had! Beaut photos :D)
ReplyDeleteLooks like lots of fun, good food and great fireworks -- the three "Fs"
ReplyDeleteHappy belated Australia Day to you, Diane & Bill. The glasses and especially the shirt were fun!
It certainly looks like everybody was having a great time celebrating!
ReplyDelete