Australia Day 2012

26th January is Australia - 'celebrating' the arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney Cove in 1788, under Admiral Arthur Phillip (who became the first governor of NSW). Whilst it involves some soul searching ('what does it mean to be Australian?' etc), lots of raucous patriotism and some small scale protests by indigenous groups who very reasonably call it 'Invasion Day', it is largely a day of family bbqs and/or binge drinking. This year it fell on a Thursday - pretty much the worse day of the week to have a public holiday with thousands of people expected to call in sick on Friday, although this article suggests calling in sick today actually boosts Australia's productivity. 


We spent the day with Family Burke; Bryce was on good form....

... meanwhile, all that Australia Day boozing had clearly left Ethan feeling the worse for wear...

But when the screaming starts, nothing gets them to sleep quicker than the sound of a hairdryer.

Mandatory Patrick photo (following the abuse of the 'good boy' stamp) 

The aftermath 

Moments before the giant huntsman spider struck

So to go with the Australia Day theme, here are some video clips - starting with The Bushwackers playing "This is the place for me", from Tamworth last weekend (look out for the table slapping)....

And here is the original of "I am Australian" (with lyrics below), written by Dobe Newton of The Bushwackers and Bruce Woodley of The Seekers; it was also performed by The Bushwackers last weekend....

I came from the dream-time, from the dusty red soil plains

I am the ancient heart, the keeper of the flame.

I stood upon the rocky shore, I watched the tall ships come.

For forty thousand years I've been the first Australian.

We are one, but we are many

And from all the lands on earth we come

We share a dream and sing with one voice:

I am, you are, we are Australian

I came upon the prison ship, bowed down by iron chains.

I cleared the land, endured the lash and waited for the rains.

I'm a settler, I'm a farmer's wife on a dry and barren run

A convict then a free man, I became Australian.

We are one, but we are many

And from all the lands on earth we come

We share a dream and sing with one voice:

I am, you are, we are Australian

I'm the daughter of a digger who sought the mother lode

The girl became a woman on the long and dusty road

I'm a child of the depression, I saw the good times come

I'm a bushy, I'm a battler, I am Australian

We are one, but we are many

And from all the lands on earth we come

We share a dream and sing with one voice:

I am, you are, we are Australian

I'm a teller of stories, I'm a singer of songs

I am Albert Namatjira, I paint the ghostly gums

I am Clancy on his horse, I'm Ned Kelly on the run

I'm the one who waltzed Matilda, I am Australian

We are one, but we are many

And from all the lands on earth we come

We share a dream and sing with one voice:

I am, you are, we are Australian