January 26th, for all Aussies, is Australia Day. This day celebrates all things Aussie (has been known to generate some good pissed arguments – what does it celebrate!?) – first landings, first gaol, first settlement, first meat pie eaten, first hottest 100 countdown or the first game of backyard cricket ever played. Whether celebrating the historical or your own personal reasons, all are accepted and just the excuse for a good ol’ get together on this special special day (off). This year it falls on a Tuesday, so best not to keep of track of productivity in your workplace from Jan 23rd – 27th, because it’s basically another long weekend and if you can’t legally get the Monday off, I’m sure you can think of another way to get out of work (see ‘sickies’ blog!!).
Indeed, the festivities start the arvo before when everyone knocks off work and heads to the pub, essential for lining the stomach ready for tomorrow. Those health conscious Aussies will be up at the crack run-walking round the block before heading to the nearest beach to reward themselves for their hard exercise regime with a sausage sarnie from the Aussie day brekkie. Walk -run back shovelling the greasy brekkie roll in the mouth and your average Aussie is on his/her way. Shit, shower and slip slap, fill the esky (cool box) with a few beers, some bbq food, then hit a mate’s house for the arvo festivities of hottest 100 (see blog), backyard cricket (if you have one) and beer sculling.
If you are not Australian but have been invited to a party, you may want to get into the spirit of things by learning a few Aussie words or slogans (see ‘English’ blog) or by bringing Aussie beer (see ‘beer’ blog) or beetroot with you (see ‘beetroot’ blog).
If you want to cement your new found Aussieness, you could get a tattoo, or if you feel this is a little too extreme for a working holiday, you can get a flag and drape it around yourself like a cape, or possibly, and probably the safest – just grab a VB and kick back.
A word of warning – some bottle shops may very well be un Australian and only serve mid strength beers on Australia day, after pressure from Police. Get around this potential disaster by purchasing your tipple the night before., but don’t drink it all on Monday.
This sore point has come around because, Australia Day, whilst being a day indeed for Aussies to have a day off and kick back with some mates and beers, is also an excuse for a minority who can’t handle their beer to spout nationalistic bullshit, confusing national pride with racism and using the flag to oust Indians and anyone from the Middle East, whilst not exactly being sure of their ‘pure Australian’ backgrounds themselves. NEWS FLASH – Australia Day is not only a day for Bogans or the hooligan element, all Aussies love a bbq, all Aussies love a drink and good conversation, and all Aussies are proud of Australia, so why not enjoy the day?
If this day is about anything, it’s about the settlement of new cultures, the tolerance of different religions and an acceptance and understanding that the country is a rich and diverse one. We can be proud without being idiots!
Happy Australia Day folks!