January 26 is Australia Day

Our timing can sometimes be very impeccable, especially for this maiden story about Australia. Read through and find out why.

Every January 26 is a national holiday in Australia. The whole country commemorates what is known as Australia Day, the celebration of which varies in each city, state or territory.

But for most Australians, it is a time for family gatherings or reunions enjoyed with barbecues or picnics at the beach, fireworks display, charity walks, parades, concerts, and regattas.

Special highlights of this commemoration are the ceremonies for the annual recognition of outstanding individuals in the Australian of the Year Awards and the Order of Australia.

The Order of Australia, established by Elizabeth II as Queen of Australia in 1975, is given to any living Australian (also non-Australians) who gave the country great pride and honor for his or her achievements or for meritorious service to Australia or humanity.

The Australian of the Year Awards is a distinguished part of the entire Australia Day celebration and viewed by many all over the country. It is an event to dedicate and honor model citizens/Australians. The Australia’s Local Hero Award, Young Australian of the Year, and the Senior Australian of the Year Award are given during this ceremony.

Last year, Prof. Dennistoun McGorry, an Australian psychiatrist, who developed the Early Intervention in Psychosis (a clinical approach to young people with symptoms of psychosis) became the recipient of the Australia’s Local Hero Award.

The Senior Australian of the Year winner for 2010 is Maggie Beer, a restaurateur, while the Young Australian Award went to Mark Donaldson, a member of the Austalian army.

Main organizers as well as local organizing councils of this year’s Australia Day focus their commitment to raising funds for the victims of the recent flood that created havoc in some parts of the country.

A Snippet of History

The celebration of Australia Day is historically tagged to the arrival of the “First Fleet” in Sydney Cove, sent by the British Admiralty in 1778 to establish the first European penal colony in Australia. The First Fleet, composing of 11 ships led by Captain Arthur Phillip, brought along with them almost 800 convicts, both men and women.

This part of Austalia’s history about “convicts” sours original Australian settlers when it comes to celebrating the national day. But, over time, by recreating and reconceptualizing the purpose of Australia Day, the Aussie people are now simply enjoying the annual event as a great nation with diverse culture.

Seeing Australia

So, if you happen to be in Australia unplanned or purposely for this national holiday, do not fail to add iconic places in the "Land Down Under" in your destination list once you are through with the Australia Day events.

You can start with the captivating shores found in Tasmanian national parks, onwards to the trails and breathtaking views of the Blue Mountains, and capped it with the Australian Alps in Victoria or New South Wales.  Such experience will surely give you a lifetime story to tell, simply too big to contain in your luggage.

--- Ireen ---