Australia Day - Boats, barbies, bands and beer!

Australia Day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove 1788, the hoisting of the British flag there on January 26, and the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia.  Now you know why the Indigenous people refer to this as “Invasion Day”. 

Why would a country celebrate the sending of its motherland’s convicts to fend for themselves in an unknown land? Well it also happens to be the anniversary of the Rum Rebellion, the beverage of choice in 1808. This was the only military coup in Australian History and explains why the holiday is often likened to our Independence Day. Now that sounds more like the Aussies we know and love.

But there is more.  In 1999 the Australia vote to become an independent republic was defeated by a mere 46%.  (That’s even closer than Texas ceding from the US!)  The Queen of England is still the head of state, with an appointed Governor General of Australia.  Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was elected in 2007.  The combative election hinged on a referendum to cede from Britain and change the national anthem from “Advance Australia Fair” to “Waltzing Matilda”.  The next referendum is in 2011, and has gained momentum since, during a visit this month, Prince William got in the back of a taxi instead of sharing the front seat with the driver.  Not very mately!   True story as reported by the BBC – you can’t make this stuff up.

Barbies are fired up, there is beer-a-plenty, antique cars and bands galore.  The harbour is choked with boats following the Ferrython and Tall Ships racing from Harbour Bridge around Shark Island and back.  Hundreds of boats surge along in the highly competitive race where using diversion, including smoke screens, to confuse the competition is legit.  Is that a Kanga I see driving that boat? Click here to join the fun!