Australia Day in Australia

Australia Day is on January 26 and commemorates the establishment of the first European settlement at Port Jackson, now part of Sydney, in 1788. It is an opportunity for Australians to come together to celebrate their country and culture. There are reflections on the achievements of the nation and explorations of way to make the country even better in the future.

Australians show their pride for their country on Australia Day.©iStockphoto.com/RichVintage

What do people do?

Many people have a day off work and use the day to picnic in a park, to go shopping or to play or to watch sports events. In some places, particularly Lake Burley Griffin, spectacular public fireworks displays are held. In addition, the Australian of the Year Awards are presented. These are awards for Australians who have made an outstanding contribution to their country or community.

In some towns and cities, citizenship ceremonies are held on Australia Day. These are ceremonies to welcome immigrants to the country who have been granted Australian citizenship. Although official, these ceremonies often have a festive atmosphere.

Public life

Australia Day is a public holiday in all states and territories. All schools and post offices are closed. Some public transport services do not operate and others run a reduced service. Stores are often open, but may have reduced opening hours. There may be some congestion on roads, particularly close to major events.

Background

On January 26, 1788, the First Fleet of 11 ships from Great Britain arrived at Port Jackson, which now forms Sydney Harbour. The First Fleet was led by Captain Arthur Philip. He established the Colony of New South Wales, the first penal colony in Australia. By 1808, January 26 was being celebrated as “First Landing Day” or “Foundation Day” with drinking and merriment.

Thirty years after the arrival of the First Fleet, in 1818, the Governor of Australia ordered a 30-gun salute, hosted a dinner ball at Government House and gave government employees a holiday. In the following years, employees of banks and other organizations were also given holidays. In the following decades, horse racing and regattas were popular activities on January 26.

In 1838, Foundation Day was Australia's first public holiday. It was also the occasion of the first public celebrations of the founding of Australia. The shores of Sydney Harbour were crowded and there was a firework display. By 1888, January 26 had become known as 'Anniversary Day' was celebrated in all colonies except Adelaide. In 1888, the centenary of the arrival of the First Fleet was celebrated with ceremonies, exhibitions, banquets, regattas, fireworks and the unveiling of a statue of Queen Victoria.

By 1935, January 26 was known as Australia Day in all states except New South Wales, where it was still called Anniversary Day. In 1938, large scale celebrations were held. These included a re-enactment of the landing of the First Fleet, which did not mention the convict status of many of the passengers on these ships. The re-enactment is included the removal of a group of Aborigines. Shortly before the celebrations, a group of Aboriginal activists arranged a “Day of Mourning”. They used this to campaign for citizenship and equal rights for Aborigines.

From 1946, January 26 was known as Australia Day in all states. However, the public holiday was moved to the Monday nearest to January 26 to create a long weekend.  Since 1994, the Australia Day public holiday has been on January 26 in all states and territories.

The anniversary of the first permanent European settlement in Australia is not a cause for celebration for all citizens. Indigenous Australians often feel that the celebrations on Australia Day exclude them and their culture, which was thriving for thousands of years before the arrival of the First Fleet.

Symbols

The main symbols of Australia Day are the symbols of Australia. These include the Australian national flag, with its representations of the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star and the five stars of the Southern Cross, and the national anthem "Advance Australia Fair". Other symbols include the Golden Wattle, which is the national floral emblem, the opal, which is the national gemstone and the national colors of green and gold.

Lire la suite...

New Zealand's monolingualism could inhibit our chances of becoming a more globally responsive nation, according to AUT's Associate Professor Sharon Harvey.

Despite more than 160 languages being spoken in New Zealand, our public institutions continue to conduct their affairs mostly in English; Harvey, AUT's head of the School of Language and Culture, says lack of a coherent national policy means harnessing language strengths are not part of strategic planning at any level in New Zealand.

She believes that the globalised nature of contemporary society means multilingualism is of greater social, cultural or economical value than ever before.

"It helps us stand in the shoes of the other, to develop international competency and to operate effectively in a global society," she says.

(...)

Lire la suite...

Lire la suite...

A new, generic school uniform range is being touted as a way to help parents reduce the cost of kids going back to class.

Postie's new unbranded Schoolzone range goes on sale tomorrow throughout the country, with a range of T-shirts, polos, skirts, skorts and shorts on offer.

Postie chief executive Richard Binns said parents would be able to buy quality uniforms for less than $50.

The new range was in response to demand from parents, he said, and was durable enough that it " won't need to be replaced after the first week back at school".

It may come as a welcome relief for parents facing expensive shopping trips for uniforms over the next few weeks, or having to hunt for quality second-hand items.

But school chiefs warn that parents need to check how flexible their children's schools are.

Papamoa mum Melissa Maurice said the new range was a fantastic option. Two of her four children study at Mt Maunganui College.

Shannon, 15, needs a new school skirt this year which will cost $85. Quinn, 13, is starting at the school and will need a complete uniform.

Maurice hoped the school would not be too strict and would allow generic items from Postie.

"If I can save $20 on a pair of shorts, that can go towards his school shoes."

The only option to save money on uniforms previously had been to buy them second-hand, she said. "But second-hand uniforms in good condition are like gold. A new uniform gives kids self confidence when they're transitioning to a new school."

Phil Harding, president of the Principals' Federation, said the usefulness of the Postie range would depend on the attitude of schools.

Some demand uniforms that can only be bought through certain suppliers whereas others are more relaxed, asking for shorts in a particular colour or a plain white polo.

"It's pretty common to see a logo on it somewhere," Harding said. "I think most schools, if there's not individual branding on the uniform, they're moving that way and becoming more ornate."

Binns said generic uniform items had been popular in the past.

"Historically, Postie has sold more generic uniforms than school-specific so we are expecting a positive response from parents about the new range," he said.

Lire la suite...

Lire la suite...

Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane orchestrated one of the great MCG partnerships as Australian frustrations mounted in the Boxing Day Test, before the old stager Ryan Harris barged into India's suspect lower order. 

The stand of 262 between Kohli, India's captain-in-waiting, and Rahane, his audacious middle-order accomplice, wrested the momentum away from the home team for a tick under four hours. But India need to win in Melbourne to keep the battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy alive, and their cause was again undermined by the lack of sting in their tail.

Harris' heroics — 4-69 on a slow drop-in pitch that offered little assistance to the bowlers — meant Australia still held a narrow lead of 68 at stumps on day three. (...)

Lire la suite...

Lire la suite...

Lire la suite...

Lire la suite...

Lire la suite...