Yes, that's right, another holiday. It is summer remember, and it seems the country wants to make sure everyone has ample opportunity to enjoy it! So what is Australia Day and what do people do for Australia Day, you ask? Here's a quick overview...
January 26 celebrates the "founding" of Australia in 1788. "Founding" is a stretch, as Capt James Cook claimed Australia for Britain 18 years earlier. [To be completely accurate, many different European sailors ran aground or stumbled onto the Great Southern Continent dating back to the early 17th century. Too bad none had the wherewithall to plant a flag or the ability to survive the first meeting with the natives.] January 26 is the day in 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the First Fleet of eleven convict ships from Great Britain and the first governor of New South Wales, arrived at Sydney Cove. These days Australia Day is an opportunity to celebrate everything Australian and to promote "an enduring spirit of mateship and fairness." That's right, mateship, mate! Those in the UK might refer to the day as "Ungrateful Day."
And what do Australian's do for Aussie Day?! From talking with locals throughout the week, it mostly involves beach, barbie, and beers - the order of which is up to you. Similar to our 4th of July. This year, Aussie Day also meant the Police. [And no, not those police ;-) ] Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland - The Police. The show had some interesting history (i) it was the first concert at Melbourne Cricket Ground in 10 years (ii) the last time The Police played in Melbourne in 1984, they broke-up shortly after. I'm not a big Police or a Sting fan - their music is OK. But I must admit, those "old guys" sure did rock the stage and delivered on the all the favorites. Check out the sound clip. Fergie - of the [former?] Black Eye Peas - openned. That confused me as well :-)
We also hit the beach and had a few beers, so as Meatloaf would say, "two out of three ain't bad."
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