| This Tuesday (26th January) most of Australia will be | | | | many of their population. On top of that, laws gave |
| adorning themselves and their homes with the | | | | them no claim to the land and as the European settlers |
| Australian flag. You can also expect to see traditional | | | | grew, the aborigines were pushed out. |
| Aussie Barbies, entertainment and celebrations in all | | | | Should Australia Day be moved? |
| corners of the country. | | | | The Australian's are now much more sympathetic |
| Australia Day is a public holiday across every state of | | | | toward the Aboriginals and appreciate that they are an |
| Australia and marks the end of the long summer | | | | important part of Australian history and culture. It |
| holiday. It's the last day of parties and celebrations | | | | therefore does seem inappropriate to celebrate the |
| before life returns to the normalities of work and | | | | National Day of Australia on this day. |
| school. It is the official National day of Australia. | | | | So should the date of Australia Day be changed? The |
| Two official items mark the day itself. The first is the | | | | Australian's are a hugely patriotic nation and should be |
| "Order of Australia" which is where the Queen of | | | | able to celebrate all that is wonderful about being |
| England (and Australia) recognises certain chivalry acts | | | | Australian - Enjoying the sunshine, beaches and surf, |
| from Australian citizens, both from the military and | | | | eating wonderful seafood and meats cooked to |
| normal walks of life. The Australian States also | | | | perfection on the Barbie and of course they know |
| nominate those who have excelled in their field for the | | | | how to party with music and dancing. So lets move |
| Australian of the Year Award. | | | | the date so that the Australian's can celebrate without |
| Why do the Australian's celebrate Australia Day? | | | | feeling guilty about the culture and lives of Aboriginal |
| Australia Day commemorates the landing of the first | | | | Australia. |
| fleet of British ships in 1788 at Sydney Cove and the | | | | Where to Celebrate Australia Day? |
| hoisting of the British flag. This was when British | | | | In most towns you will find some sort of entertainment |
| sovereignty of Australia began. It is no wonder then | | | | for Australia Day. The capital cities are however the |
| that many groups of Australia, particularly the | | | | best places. Sydney in particular puts on some |
| indigenous groups, dislike Australia day and choose to | | | | fantastic entertainment including ferry races on the |
| protest on the day. For them, it marks the start of the | | | | harbour, fireworks at Darling Harbour as well as kids |
| destruction of their culture and aboriginal Australia. | | | | shows and more entertainment in and around The |
| Aboriginal Australia | | | | Rocks and Hyde Park. Expect it to be busy but worth |
| Before the European settlement, it is estimated that | | | | the effort. |
| the indigenous population of Australia was around | | | | So whether you are Aussie, or just visiting Australia, |
| 315,000. | | | | make sure you embrace this National Day and |
| With the European settlers came old world diseases | | | | celebrate the good things about being Australian. |
| that the aborigines could not survive. This wiped out | | | | Wishing you all a great Australia Day! |