Happy Austrailia Day, Mate!

Australia Day is Australia's official national day, January 26. It commemorates the landing of the First Fleet in Sydney Cove on that day in 1788.

Celebrations
Australia Day is a national public holiday. For some years the holiday was held on the closest Monday, to provide a long weekend. It is now held on the actual anniversary, however should this happen to fall on a weekend, a public holiday is still held on the following Monday.

Australia Day is marked by civic celebrations around the country, including Order of Australia and Australian of the Year awards for outstanding achievement. Air Force air displays are held in some capital cities. Citizenship ceremonies are also held on Australia Day.

Fireworks celebrations are held in many towns and cities around the country. The Perth Lotterywest Skyworks display is billed as the largest Australia Day celebration in the country, with more than a third of the city's population lining the river foreshore for the display.

Two significant events in the Australian music scene occur on Australia Day - the Triple J Hottest 100, usually celebrated by fans with a barbecue and party, and the Sydney leg of the Big Day Out music festival.

Criticism
Many Australians are indifferent to the celebrations and treat the day as just another holiday. The celebrations arouse dislike in others; some comment on how the arrival of the British to Australia affected the Aboriginal people of the country and some term Australia Day "Invasion Day," regarding it as celebrating Aboriginal subjugation. This has also led to discussion about changing the date of Australia Day.

Suggested changes to the date
Some have suggested making ANZAC Day Australia's national day, or changing to January 1, commemorating 1 January 1901 when Australia's six colonies federated into one nation. Each of the alternatives raised also pose problems — ANZAC Day because many war veterans believe that it is their day, also that it is also a New Zealand national holiday, while 1 January is already a public holiday and is in the middle of the Christmas holiday season.

Many supporters of the continued use of Australia Day as Australia's national day point out that 26 January commemorates an actual historical event, similar to ANZAC Day, Bastille Day in France, and July 4 in the United States.

External links

History
Wilson's Almanac on Australia Day (http://www.wilsonsalmanac.com/austday.html)

Official sites
National Australia Day Council (http://www.australiaday.gov.au/)
Australia Day Council, New South Wales (http://www.australiaday.com.au/)
Australia Day Council, Australian Capital Territory (http://www.australiaday.gov.au/act.asp)
Australia Day, Victoria (http://www.australiaday.vic.gov.au/)
Australia Day, Queensland (http://www.premiers.qld.gov.au/awardsevents/events/australiaday/)
Australia Day Council, South Australia (http://www.adcsa.com.au/)
Australia Day Council, Western Australia (http://www.oakridgecg.com.au/ausdaywa/)
Australia Day Council, Tasmania (http://www.tased.edu.au/tasonline/austday/)
Australia Day Council, Northern Territory (http://www.australiadaynt.com.au/)

Critical
The relevancy of Australia Day by Dr Joe Toscano (http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2004/01/61247.php)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_Day"

[ Edited by: freddiefreelance on 2005-01-26 10:44 ]

My mom called me up before sunrise, and said, "Happy Australia Day! Why aren't you drinking yet?!" When I explained that I had to work today, and it wasn't even light out yet, I was called a "right dull stick in the mud." The kicker is that she lives in the same time zone that I do.

[ Edited by: ZebraTiki on 2005-02-23 17:24 ]

I actually just came across this by accident.

Official sites
National Australia Day Council (http://www.australiaday.gov.au/)
Australia Day Council, New South Wales (http://www.australiaday.com.au/)
Australia Day Council, Australian Capital Territory (http://www.australiaday.gov.au/act.asp)
Australia Day, Victoria (http://www.australiaday.vic.gov.au/)
Australia Day, Queensland (http://www.premiers.qld.gov.au/awardsevents/events/australiaday/)
Australia Day Council, South Australia (http://www.adcsa.com.au/)
Australia Day Council, Western Australia (http://www.oakridgecg.com.au/ausdaywa/)
Australia Day Council, Tasmania (http://www.tased.edu.au/tasonline/austday/)
Australia Day Council, Northern Territory (http://www.australiadaynt.com.au/)

A few more...

http://www.fostersbeer.com/AV/AgeVerify.aspx

http://www.colinhay.com/

http://www.vegemite.com.au/vegemite/page?PagecRef=1

http://www.koala-bears.org/

http://www.yahooserious.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Hogan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPu-C5vvzU4

In a time of increasing "political correctness", Christopher Columbus has been slowly falling from favor in the past few decades. Once seen as a hero for discovering the Americas, he is now seen by some as a villian for bringing death, disease, and slavery to the indigenous people. At least in California, Columbus Day is pretty much a non-event. It is a federal holiday so the Post Office is closed but everything else, including schools, is open.

Since Australia Day celebrates the landing of English convict ships in Australia, I wonder if there is starting to be a similar backlash in Australia?

"Since Australia Day celebrates the landing of English convict ships in Australia, I wonder if there is starting to be a similar backlash in Australia?"

If only there were a way to answer the question. Something that would be as easy as reading a paragraph of text already posted in this very thread. Well, maybe one day. But until science can accomplish such a miracle let us celebrate the Wonders of AUSTRALIA...

MadDog Mike :left: DORK!

I guess I skimmed thru too fast :D

No worries (Har!) had it not been for your comment I wouldn't have found that awe inspiring pic of Olivia. It's mesmerizing.

And Violet Crumble and Tim Tams are great. Someone makes/repacks Tim Tams in the States, I saw them at Target. We can get Violet Crumble in Seattle, dunno about the rest of the US.

I have no insight on Yahoo Serious.

Happy Oz day!! Somehow its just not the same in the freezing cold here in London - I should be downing copious amounts of beer and barbecued meat under the scorching sun back home...

yes it is commonly known as Invasion day, and is a solemn reminder of the poor treatment the indigenous people suffered at the hands of the colonisers. (should say still suffering as its legacy has made life diffcult for many). But it is a great day to celebrate everything good about Australia as well.

mmm violet crumble - i brought a big bag back with me from home to the UK, but sadly now just a fond memory...

Oh Happy Day!

For the last 3 years I have spent Australia Day Long Weekend down in Canberra, our fine nation's capital, hanging out with a bunch of mates and having a damn fine time :D