AUSTRALIA DAY 2017
G'day folks,
Happy Australia Day. Australia Day is on January 26 and commemorates the
establishment of the first European settlement at Port Jackson, now part of
Sydney, in 1788.
What Do People Do?
Many
people have a day off work and use the day among other things to barbecue, go
to outdoor concerts, and to play or watch sports events.
Different
places in Australia celebrate the day differently. For example, Sydney has boat
races including a ferry race and the tall ships race, while Adelaide celebrates
with a parade, concert, fireworks, and a cricket match.
Australian
citizenship ceremonies are often held on Australia Day. These are ceremonies to
welcome immigrants who have been granted citizenship to the country. Although
official, these ceremonies often have a festive atmosphere.
Public Life
Australia
Day is a public holiday in all states and territories. All schools and post
offices are closed. Some public transport services do not operate, and others
run a reduced service. Stores are often open, but may have reduced opening
hours. There may be some congestion on roads, particularly close to major
events.
Background
January
26 marks the landing of Captain Arthur Phillip at Port Jackson in 1788. The
landing is known as the First Fleet and had 11 ships with convicts. The arrival
of the First Fleet represents the founding of the colony New South Wales.
In 1818,
on the 30th anniversary of the founding of the colony, the Governor of New
South Wales gave all government employees a holiday. He also celebrated the day
with a 30-gun salute and a ball. In the following years, employees of banks and
other organizations were also given holidays.
Initially,
it was only New South Wales that celebrated the day, and it was known as First
Landing Day or Foundation Day. In 1838, 50 years after the First Fleet arrived,
Foundation Day was declared Australia's first public holiday in New South
Wales.
By 1935,
January 26 was known as Australia Day in all states except New South Wales,
where it was still called Anniversary Day. From 1946, January 26 was called
Australia Day in all states and territories, and since 1994, the Australia Day
public holiday has been on January 26 throughout the country.
Because
it marks the day of colonization, Aboriginal Australians often feel that the
celebrations on Australia Day exclude them. The day has been renamed Invasion
Day, and protests do appear side-by-side the celebrations.
In recent
years, efforts have been made to make the holiday include all Australians, and
in 2013, the Australian flag and Aboriginal flag were raised on the Sydney
Harbour Bridge for the first time on Australia Day.
Symbols
The
symbols of Australia are commonly used on Australia Day: The Australian
national flag, with its representations of the Union Jack, the Commonwealth
Star, and the five stars of the Southern Cross. The national anthem, Advance
Australia Fair, is played, but also Australia’s unofficial anthem, Waltzing
Matilda, is a common song to be heard.
Other
symbols include the Golden Wattle, which is the national floral emblem, the
opal, which is the national gemstone, and the national colours of green and
gold.
Clancy's comment: Sadly, many Australians have no respect for this day. To them, it's just another public holiday.
I'm ...
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