Australian Community

Celebrating a nation on Australia Day

January 26 is Australia Day, a public holiday and the nation’s largest communal celebration of all things Australia. The day marks the arrival of the first Europeans in 1788, and has become the occasion for all Australians of all backgrounds to reflect on the heritage, history and special fortune of living in “the lucky country.”

Australians never need much of an excuse for a celebration, and while Australia Day includes a raft of official ceremonies like flag raisings, new citizenship proceedings and the bestowing of national awards like the Order of Australia and Australian of the Year; the heart of Australia Day tradition has come to revolve around the unofficial and informal activities that characterise the day. It simply wouldn’t be Australia Day without a fireworks show and a backyard barbecue.

In Canberra, of course, the Prime Minister hosts the official ceremonies, while in Sydney the day’s events begin with the Woggan-ma-gule Morning Ceremony, a tribute to the areas indigenous inhabitants. Throughout the day and across Australia a series of events celebrate Australia’s heritage and just about everywhere the day’s events culminate in a massive fireworks display. In Sydney it is over the famous harbour, in Melbourne it’s over the Yarra River off Federation Square, and in Perth as many as 250,000 people congregate along the Swan River to enjoy the nation’s largest community celebration.

All across Australia, from Queensland to Tasmania, the people celebrate their unique heritage with the irreverent joy that is the hallmark of the Australian character.

WARDANDI COMMUNITY AT YALLINGUP - If you are looking for an afternoon activity which will be both educational and fun, consider visiting the Wardan Aboriginal Center. Located in Yallingup in the Margaret River region, the center allows guests the opportunity to participate in a wide range of cultural activities. You will have the opportunity to follow the 1 km Bush Story Trail, which allows you to re-live the history of the area. Men in the community will be happy to show you rock pools on the beach where abalone can still be found, or you can choose to go with the women to hunt for witchetty grub, sea cabbage, and sea celery.

Australian Community Festivals

Australia is the location of many small community festivals which are held within its borders every year. Many of these festivals take place in the remote communities of the Aborigines. The Barunga Festival, which is held in an Aboriginal community, is one such festival and features a battle of the bands. The Gunbalanya Open Day or Oenpelli, which is located 320 km east of Darwin, Australia, invites visitors to spend their afternoon in one of these communities. The Merrepen Arts Festival, which is held each June, takes place on the banks of the Daly River. (photo credit: media.australia)

Australian Community

Celebrating a nation on Australia Day

Communities around Australia

Australian Community Festivals