Australia Day in WA

January 26 is Australia Day, the birth-of-a-nation holiday celebrated on the anniversary of the first shipload of convicts landing in the country in 1788. If you are a Sydneysider, it is merely a paid day-off. If you are an Aborigine, it is a day maybe not best remembered. If you live in Western Australia...it's PARTY TIME!


Patriotism swells in the hearts of the smallest communities and the Big City with an unapologetic glee and chant of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie...Oi,Oi, Oi" at every turn. The day is full of activities: community breakfasts, citizenship ceremonies, civic awards, concerts, cycle races, Aboriginal dance programs, bouncy castles & Ferris wheels, regatta competitions on the water, a five-hour air show in the sky and the day ends with a magnificent fireworks display over the River and from the tops of the skyscrapers. Even the the sun got into the action with a partial solar eclipse.



Of course, one must dress for the occasion. Aussie clothing is an absolute must. The more the merrier: shirts, pants, skirts,hats, socks, temporary tattoos, sunglasses, carry a flag. Better yet, wear that flag. Literally. These exuberant gals made dresses out of the national flag. Many people tied the flag around their necks to wear it like a super-hero cape.

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie...Oi, Oi, Oi!

We did not spend the entire day on the north or south foreshores. Part of our celebrations included cooking supper in our homemade solar oven. We learned to make the simple but effective appliance on Saturday from some genuine B&Bers (Birkenstock and Burlap underwearers.) Heated nachos that day, baked potatoes the next and on OZ Day, the piece de resistance-Kangaroo Chilli. Yes, real Roo meat, tomatoes and chiles that we grew ourselves all cooked to perfection in 4 Down-Under hours. Then to view the fireworks from our own balcony. What a grand day!

Admit it, you are jealous.