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.
