We're a Weird Mob: Australians' Bizarre Behaviour

People do some weird things overseas, which is why I wrote a post about it some time ago. Things like sticking your entire family on a scooter, or taking your goat on the bus. Or eating chips with mayo.

But it occurs to me that for foreigners coming to Australia for the first time, it would seem like we do some pretty strange stuff here as well.

So in the interests of fairness, and with a lot of help from a band of expat friends of mine, I've compiled this list of the bizarre things that Australians get up to.

Shortening all words

Whatevs, it's not like we shorten everything. Except sunnies. And boardies. And footy. And snags. And chucking a uey. And calling Barry, Baz. And Sharon, Shaz. And Robert, Robbo. I even travelled with a girl who referred to her binoculars as "binos".

"Bring a plate"

When my mum first arrived in Australia she was invited to a friend's barbecue and told to "bring a plate". So she brought a plate. An empty plate. She was a little embarrassed to find that everyone else had brought some food on theirs.

BYO

It's great when foreigners first realise this: "You can take your own wine to a restaurant? Geez, can you take your own beer to the pub?"

Watching the footy

Because there's no such thing as just "footy". There are four sports here that could qualify as "footy", and you can never be quite sure which one people are talking about. Still, you gotta love the footy.

Buying a beer

What the hell is a "pony"? And who came up with "schooner"? And why do "handles" not have actual handles? And in which other country is it normal to order a "pot of gold"? South Australia takes the grand prize for weirdness though, with a glass called a "pint" that doesn't hold a full pint.

Taking a day off for the Queen's birthday

I'm not arguing about it or anything, but it's not even on the Queen's actual birthday. And the Brits don't celebrate it, so why do we?

Having a bank robber as a national icon

Ned Kelly was no Robin Hood, was he? No altruistic man of the people. He just shot some cops and wore a bucket on his head. And we revere this guy? (OK, I know there's a lot more to this story, but from a foreigner's perspective, it's pretty odd.)

Dressing really fancy for the races...

Then getting absolutely obliterated. There's nothing more Australian than seeing a smartly dressed couple stumble out of the races, her with high heels in hand, him with a tie around his head, and start drunkenly screaming at taxis going past.

"How's it going?"

This has to be up there with the American "what's up" as the most nonsensical greeting around. How's what going? I remember a few exchange students at uni talking about this, saying, "It took me a while to realise that Australians don't actually want to know how you are going. They just want you to say 'good'."

Complaining about the rain in London

Somewhat stunningly, a mate of mine pointed out that Sydney gets more rain each year than London. Ouch.

Having celebrity TV shows that don't feature any celebrities

Australia's pool of actual, legitimate celebrities is frighteningly shallow, but that doesn't stop the networks from pumping out "celebrity" versions of their reality shows featuring people you've never heard of. We have chefs dancing on primetime TV. It's embarrassing.

Eating seafood on Christmas Day

I'm all for a few prawns and bugs on the 25th of December, but if you're from the Northern Hemisphere and were expecting a turkey roast, it might seem a little bizarre.

Worshipping meat pies

It's pastry filled with bits of meat, and slathered in tomato sauce. Not exactly a gastronomic masterpiece, but that doesn't stop us getting all excited about eating a lukewarm one at the footy.

Worshipping swimmers

Just between you and me, swimming's not really a sport, is it? It's a pastime; a survival technique. But anyone who wins gold medals over here is a big deal. Heck, we even treat walking as a real sport once every four years.

Playing the pokies

Surely the dreariest, most antisocial form of gambling there is, and yet Aussies are mad for it. We flock to pubs and clubs around the country to pour money into the gaping mouths of these flashing, dinging monsters. Sigh.

Travelling... Elsewhere

Australians love to travel, right? Well sure, as long as it's not in Australia. No, we can't tell you what WA is like, and we haven't been to Adelaide. But what do you want to know about Bali?

Rugging up for winter

Northern Hemisphere folk think it's hilarious, just as we have a chuckle when everyone strips down to their bikinis in England when the temperature nudges 20. In Australia, a brief dip into the teens will mean the scarves and coats are out for the next few months.

Wearing our thongs on our feet

This is for the Americans, who always look a little confused when you ask them if they've seen our thongs. Or, do you think I should wear thongs today? Sounds a little inappropriate... but at least it's not as dumb as jandals.

What do you think are the weirdest things Australians do?

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/travel/blogs/the-backpacker/were-a-weird-mob-australians-bizarre-behaviour-20120609-202em.html#ixzz2AvAvUCwt

Perth Skyshow 2012 - Skyworks: Lightning and Fireworks Ignite Perth Skies in Stunning Australia Day Skyshow

Crowd numbers were slightly down on last year, but the Australia Day celebrations in Perth still attracted 250,000, despite the heat and rain.

Police said today that 139 arrests and summons were made statewide during the Skyworks.

There were 169 move-on notices issued, 67 alcohol related offences and 39 people were charged with disorderly conduct.

Police said four people were charged with driving under the influence with six people caught driving with a blood alcohol level over 0.08%.

There were nine assault charges laid, three assault on a public officer charges and seven drug related offences.

But West Australians were well-behaved during Australia Day celebrations across the state yesterday, police said.

Lightning and Fireworks Ignite Perth Skies in Stunning Australia Day Skyshow

Australia Day (feat. our correspondent Ken Oathcarn)

Australia Day. It's a day of high jinx, high revelry and high people in Australia; a day when a large and vocal majority come together to "celebrate what's great" about this country.

But what is the meaning of all this fanfare? What is the true origin of this passionately marked day of facepaint and binge drinking? Is everyone in Australia so keen on this particular anniversary?

To get to bottom of these questions, and more, join your amiable host Robert Foster as he conducts a high-octane, high-frequency satellite link-up with a representative of the Mainstream Australian media: multi-Logie award-winning broadcaster, entertainer, emu-wrangler and true blue Aussie, Kenneth Oathcarn.

WARNING: contains adult Australian vernacular - viewer discretion is strongly advised.

Written, produced and performed by Hugo Farrant (Robert Foster) & Giordano Nanni (Ken Oathcarn).

Maggie's Australia Day Pavlova

MAGGIE Beer shows how to make Australia's favourite dessert, writes Simon Wilkinson.

So what will you be putting on top of the pavlova this Australia Day? That magical circle of billowing white meringue is a blank canvas, as much at home with the wildly fragrant fruit of the tropics as the peaches, nectarines and berries of the southern climes or classically the passionfruit that's grown on a vine trailing over the back shed.

That expression of person and place is one factor that makes the pavlova an Aussie icon just as much as that other spectacular white structure on Sydney harbour. A meringue opera house now there's a thought.

The people who voted in our poll on taste.com.au certainly think so, declaring pav their choice of dessert for Australia Day, ahead of other frontrunners lamingtons and peach melba.

Two Big Australia Day Skyshows for Perth

The biggest Australia Day party will again be in Perth with the country's biggest fireworks skyshow on the Swan River foreshore.

The City of Perth Skyworks will light up the sky from 8pm (WST), with an Australian Spirit theme.

Internationally-known entertainer Rolf Harris will also contribute a "special feature" for the soundtrack.

But before the pyrotechnics begin, the city will also host free entertainment throughout the afternoon for families.

The Youth Zone concert at Langley Park will begin at 4.30pm with headline acts Amy Meredith and Stone Circle, as well as paintballing and cars.

Earlier, Survival Perth will be held in the Supreme Court Gardens to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture.

Aboriginal artists will perform music over six hours including Kwarbah Djookian, James Scott, Ulla Shay, Walkabout Boys, Bartlett Brothers and The Yabu Band.

Across the river, the City of South Perth will host Celebration Zone at Sir James Mitchell Park with various entertainment and activities.

For those south of the river, the City of Fremantle will celebrate Australia Day with a free sausage sizzle and entertainment, as well as face painting and giant bubbles.

Performers will include the Vegemite Dancers, Aboriginal Dancers, Sunshine Brothers and Blue Shaddy, and the Village Art Markets will also be operating at the Esplanade.

From 8pm, the Cities of Fremantle and Cockburn will co-host the Indian Ocean Skyshow, launching the fireworks from a barge 300m off the coast at Bathers Bay.

Spectators are advised to view the show from Bathers Beach foreshore, the Round House, Esplanade Park, North Mole, Monument Hill, South Beach and Fishing Boat Harbour.

It's expected to reach 40C on Australia Day so people are being warned to remain hydrated.

The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) warns those attending the Skyworks to leave the sparklers at home because they can easily start a fire.

Police will also be out in force to target anti-social behaviour and alcohol-fuelled violence.

Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan said there would be designated alcohol zones.

"Drinking outside the zones is against the law and offenders face a $200 fine," he said.

"Under the Liquor Act, police have the power to seize alcohol, even if its unopened, from anyone drinking and deemed to be causing or likely to cause undue offence, annoyance, disturbance or inconvenience to others."

Last year, police issued almost 50 move on notices and 23 people were arrested.

Two Big Australia Day Skyshows for Perth

Australia Day at Sydney Olympic Park 2012

Sydney Olympic Park and Auburn Council invite you to celebrate what's great on Australia Day at Bicentennial Park with free family entertainment.

There will be plenty of food stalls to satisfy your hunger plus free rides for the kids.

The stage will be jam packed with entertainment for all ages and there will be a great variety of community stalls on display.

To end the day a sparkling fireworks finale!

View the Sydney Olympic Park Australia Day Map

www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au

Bicentennial Drive
Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127

Phone: (02) 9714 7888

http://www.sydney.com/events/australia-day-at-sydney-olympic-park-2012

Australia Day at Sydney Olympic Park 2012

Thumbs up for Barbie Girl - 2012 Lamb Australia Day Video Advert

AGFORCE'S Richard Pietsch has given a big "thumbs up" to this year's Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) Sam Kekovich Australia Day lamb campaign, but says the lamb industry still has a way to go before hitting the highs of 2011.

The AgForce Sheep and Wool president says while it is certain the Kekovich campaigns have given lambs sales a incredible boost over the past eight years, consumption was down in 2011 compared to previous years.

"MLA reported that for 2011, tighter supplies and a 9 per cent jump in retail prices during 2010-11 had quelled consumer demand which had risen steadily for the previous 10 years," Mr Pietsch said.

Australia's weekly servings of fresh meat during 2010-11 increased 3pc compared with the previous year, to average 135.5 million serves.

Lamb was served 22.55m times in January and February 2011, up from 21.86m serves on the same period the previous year.

In 2010-11, lamb represented 16pc share of total fresh meat sales at retail outlets. Beef purchases were steady, on average accounting for 38pc of total sales.

Pork and chicken purchases edged up over the 12 months to June 2011, to 13pc and 29pc, respectively.

Mr Pietsch says this year's summer barbecue-themed Sam Kekovich Australia Day lamb campaign, based on the pop song Barbie Girl from the 1990s band Aqua, was likely to be effective, but may not be everyone's cup of tea.

"I'm not sure that this year's campaign appeals to me, but when we are selling lamb to consumers, Sam's ads in the lead-up to Australia Day have a significant effect," Mr Pietsch said.

"The real test of the campaign is increasing lamb sales and ensuring the profitability of the entire industry."

Lamb producers have enjoyed strong prices through 2011.

AgForce Sheep and Wool policy director Rachael Pratt said this year's Sam Kekovich ads had certainly drawn a mixed reaction from Queensland lamb producers.

"Some producers certainly don't like it," Ms Pratt said.

Keep reading

Chops on for Australia Day

AUSTRALIA Day is synonymous with barbecues and the great outdoors and this year will be no exception with temperatures expected to be in the high 30s towards the end of the week.

In the lead-up to the public holiday, butchers around the region are busily preparing in a bid to meet (or should that be meat) demand.

Lamb is the choice of the day when it comes to Australia Day celebrations thanks to the highly publicised Sam Kekovich campaigns.

And at a local level, butchers are also expecting to see an increase in lamb sales during this period.

Geoff Williams of Willhome Farm Fresh Meats said lamb was always a top seller in the lead-up to Australia Day.

"The emphasis on Australia Day is having something good and quick to prepare for the barbecue and lamb fits that bill," Mr Williams said.

"We expect to be quite busy this week."

These sentiments were echoed by Greg Sait of Sait's Family Butcher.

He said while there was a strong emphasis on lamb for Australia Day, gone were the days where families were restricted to the traditional lamb cutlet.

Gourmet lamb sausages, marinated lamb and other fancy lamb cuts were proving to popular amongst his customers.

Meanwhile, Jodie Fordham of Doeys Meat said "quick and easy to prepare" was the key when it came to Australia Day preparations.

She said while they did sell a lot of lamb during this period, there was "an overall barbecue theme across the board" with sausages, chops and kebabs a popular choice.

Meat and Livestock Australia general marketing manger, Glen Feist, said the Sam Kekovich campaign had set the scene for strong lamb sales during this key promotional period in the past.

"Australians spent a total of $2.2 billion on lamb in 2010-2011," Mr Feist said.

"Our 2011 campaign supported retailers to set a record for sales during the Australia Day week, with Australians spending $17.1 billion on lamb, 12 per cent higher than the same time in 2010."

View source

Top 5 things to do on Australia Day in Perth

Top 5 things to do on Australia Day in Perth

1. Travel back in time

The world's best preserved example of a 19th century port streetscape is in Fremantle. Today 'Freo' is known for its laid-back ambience, street cafe culture, fresh fish and chips, gelato, and its aware winning micro-breweries.

2. The Perth scene

Perth is brimming with a plethora of small bars and restaurants cropping up everywhere in the CBD. Explore the city's laneways and back streets and enjoy the quality and sometimes quirky places to eat and drink at.

3. Picnic and barbecues

Western Australia is teeming with postcard-perfect picnic grounds. Picnicking on the river's edge, a game of frisbee at the park and feasting on a good old Aussie barbecue are popular pastimes in this sunny State.

4. Rediscover your favourite Perth beach

Perth beaches are nothing short of stunning and a trip along the Sunset Coast Tourist Drive is a great way to take in the sandy shores and turquoise waters.

5. Sample the delights of the Swan Valley

From wine tasting to art galleries, the Swan Valley is a perfect spot to awaken the senses, tantalise the tastebuds and escape the hustle and bustle of city life. You'll find some of Western Australia's finest wines and local produce here.

(Source: www.westernaustralia.com)

Top 5 things to do on Australia Day in Perth

Celebrate Australia Day in WA

West Australians are getting ready to celebrate one of the State's favourite holidays, and with January 26 falling on a Thursday this year, it's a good chance for many to take an extra day off on Friday to enjoy a four-day weekend and a mini-break in the State.

The Australia Day public holiday presents the perfect time to experience Australian culture as well as take advantage of the many free activities happening around WA.

Around the city, popular celebration locations include vantage points around Perth City and the Swan River for spectacular views of the evening City of Perth Australia Day Skyworks, Western Australia's biggest annual community event, and Cottesloe Beach, where the Haviaianas Australia Day Thong Challenge will take place to raise money for Australian junior lifesaving group Nippers.

Across the State, fireworks will also add a wow-factor to celebrations in Bunbury and Fremantle; Williams, Busselton, and Kalgoorlie will host Australia day breakfast celebrations; the Wind on Water Festival takes place in Geraldton; Rockingham will hold the Fly the Flag Festival, and ceremonies and festivities will take place in Mandurah, Corrigin and towns across WA.

For those lucky enough to also have the Friday off and a four day weekend, it's the perfect chance to getaway for a few days. Whether it's wineries, caves, the coast, camping, fishing, exploring historic towns, taking a WA great drive or soaking up the nostalgia of the outback, the long weekend presents a great time to explore and unwind.

(Source: Travmedia.com)

Darling Harbour Australia Day - FREE

Get everyone together to celebrate Australia Day at Darling Harbour with a huge day of free entertainment including the official NSW Australia Day Spectacular.

Children's Stage
The Village Green, Darling Quarter
11.30am - 4.30pm
Join Playschool star Jay Laga'aia, indigenous musical group Circular Rhythm, ARIA Award-winning children's show Chrissy's Island Family and energetic African musicians Afro Beats.

World Music and Dance Program
Palm Grove
12 noon - 6pm

Six hours of the best world music featuring the energy and rhythm of Afro Moses and Moses O'Jah; Celtic favourites and originals from Seltic Sirens; Assyrian party music from Azadoota; and gypsy, Cuban and Zimbabwean dance music courtesy of Marsala.

Australia Day Spectacular
Cockle Bay
7pm - 9pm

The biggest event on the NSW Australia Day calendar! Includes address from the Governor of NSW, boat parades, an action-packed Water Police rescue, culminating in a breathtaking symphony of light, sound, music and fireworks.

THROUGHOUT JANUARY

Circus Oz
Tumbalong Park
4-29 January

Circus Oz is steamrolling into Sydney this January with their special brand of madness and fooling around in the unconventional and fantastical world of Steampunk.

Visit www.circusoz.com/2012
For bookings call Ticketmaster on 136 100 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.au

Australia Day - A Historical Timeline

The Australia Day timeline was compiled by historian Dr Elizabeth Kwan, who wrote a history of Australia Day for the National Australia Day Council

Before 1770 - Aboriginal peoples had been living for more than 40 000 years on the continent we now know as Australia. At least 1600 generations of these peoples had lived and died here.

Europeans from the thirteenth century became interested in details from Asia about this land to the south. From the sixteenth century European cartographers and navigators gave the continent various names, including Terra Australis (Southern Land) and New Holland.

1770 - Captain James Cook raised the Union Jack on what is now called Possession Island on 22 August to claim the eastern half of the continent as New South Wales for Great Britain.

1788 - Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the First Fleet of eleven convict ships from Great Britain, and the first Governor of New South Wales, arrived at Sydney Cove on 26 January and raised the Union Jack to signal the beginning of the colony.

1804 - Early almanacs and calendars and the Sydney Gazette began referring to 26 January as First Landing Day or Foundation Day. In Sydney, celebratory drinking, and later anniversary dinners became customary, especially among emancipists.

1818 - Governor Macquarie acknowledged the day officially as a public holiday on the thirtieth anniversary. The previous year he accepted the recommendation of Captain Matthew Flinders, circumnavigator of the continent, that it be called Australia.

1838 - Proclamation of an annual public holiday for 26 January marked the Jubilee of the British occupation of New South Wales. This was the second year of the anniversary's celebratory Sydney Regatta.

1871 - The Australian Natives' Association, formed as a friendly society to provide medical, sickness and funeral benefits to the native-born of European descent, became a keen advocate from the 1880s of federation of the Australian colonies within the British Empire, and of a national holiday on 26 January.

1888 - Representatives from Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and New Zealand joined NSW leaders in Sydney to celebrate the Centenary. What had begun as a NSW anniversary was becoming an Australian one. The day was known as Anniversary or Foundation Day.

1901 - The Australian colonies federated to form the Commonwealth of Australia. The Union Jack continued as the national flag, taking precedence over the Australian red and blue shipping ensigns gazetted in 1903.

Melbourne was the interim federal capital. The Australian Capital Territory was created out of New South Wales in 1908, the federal capital named Canberra in 1913, and the Parliament House opened there in 1927.

1930 - The Australian Natives' Association in Victoria began a campaign to have 26 January celebrated throughout Australia as Australia Day on a Monday, making a long weekend. The Victorian government agreed with the proposal in 1931, the other states and territories following by 1935.

1938 - While state premiers celebrated the Sesquicentenary together in Sydney, Aboriginal leaders met there for a Day of Mourning to protest at their mistreatment by white Australians and to seek full citizen rights.

1946 - The Australian Natives' Association prompted the formation in Melbourne of an Australia Day Celebrations Committee (later known as the Australia Day Council) to educate the public about the significance of Australia Day. Similar bodies emerged in the other states, which in rotation, acted as the Federal Australia Day Council.

1948 - The Nationality and Citizenship Act created a symbolic Australian citizenship. Australians remained British subjects.

1954 - The Australian blue ensign was designated the Australian national flag and given precedence over the Union Jack. The Australian red ensign was retained as the commercial shipping ensign.

1960 - The first Australian of the Year was appointed: Sir Macfarlane Burnet, a medical scientist. Other annual awards followed: Young Australian of the Year, 1979; Senior Australian of the Year, 1999, and Australia's Local Hero, 2003.

1979 - The Commonwealth government established a National Australia Day Committee in Canberra to make future celebrations 'truly national and Australia-wide'. It took over the coordinating role of the Federal Australia Day Council. In 1984 it became the National Australia Day Council, based in Sydney, with a stronger emphasis on sponsorship. Incorporation as a public company followed in 1990.

1984 - Australians ceased to be British subjects. Advance Australia Fair replaced God Save the Queen as the national anthem.

1988 - Sydney continued to be the centre of Australia Day spectacle and ceremony. The states and territories agreed to celebrate Australia Day in 1988 on 26 January, rather than with a long weekend. Aborigines renamed Australia Day, 'Invasion Day'. The Bondi Pavilion protest concert foreshadowed the Survival Day Concerts from 1992.

1994 - Celebrating Australia Day on 26 January became established. The Australian of the Year Award presentations began alternating between Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane.

2001 - Centenary of federation. The National Australia Day Council's national office had returned to Canberra the previous year. In 2001 the Council transferred from the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts to that of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Australians' growing familiarity with the Australia Day holiday led the Council to focus on shaping their awareness of its significance and meaning.

2004 - The presentation of Australia Day awards — the focus of Australia Day — became fixed in Canberra.

Fantastic Australia Day Website

2012 City of Perth Australia Day Skyworks

Start Time: 8:00PM

End Time: 8:30PM

Location: Perth Water

At 8pm when the sky explodes with the famous Skyworks fireworks display, the accompanying MIX94.5 soundtrack will pay special tribute to our unique people and culture and celebrate the spirit that unites us.

We hope you enjoy the 2012 City of Perth Australia Day which we expect will be the most successful event now it its 28th year, with hundreds of thousands of people gathering in harmony to watch the renowned pyrotechnics display its surely an event not to be missed.

Perth Skyshow: 2012 City of Perth Australia Day Skyworks

Australia Day 'Most important' for Nation

AN overwhelming majority of Australians have nominated Australia Day as the most significant day on the national calendar.

Almost nine in 10 people plan to celebrate the national holiday commemorating the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 in some way, a survey by the National Australia Day Council shows.

It found 93 per cent of people named Australia Day as a day of importance - more than any other national celebration.

More than five million Australians plan to attend public events on January 26 including breakfasts, concerts, fireworks and celebrations of indigenous culture.

Council chief executive Warren Pearson said today the survey found many people felt celebrating Australia Day fulfilled a need to be part of a national community.

"Whether it be through attending major events, taking part in a local community celebration or simply getting your friends and family together, Australia Day plays a significant role in our sense of belonging, unity and identity," he said in a statement.

View the orignal Herald Sun Article

Celebrate Australia Day 2012 at all Ipswich Swim Centres

IPSWICH Australia Day Celebrations will be extended from Bundamba Swim Centre to all Council owned pools as part of the extended flood recovery.

Mayor Paul Pisasale said it was decided just last week to extend Australia Day celebrations throughout Ipswich as part of the recovery from last year's devastating floods.

"Free family fun days will be held at all Swim Centres although the smaller pools at Leichhardt, Goodna and Rosewood will have entry numbers controlled to a maximum of around 250 for safety reasons.

"We commemorated a year of recovery from the flood last week with the unveiling of two monuments and this is just something we felt we could do for the community on Australia Day."

Parks, Sport and recreation Committee Chairperson, Councillor David Morrison said Australia Day celebrations had been held at Council Swim Centres since 1997.

"These celebrations have normally taken the form of a community pool party at Bundamba Swim Centre where up to 1600 people have enjoyed the free community activities.

"It is great to this year be able to extend this to the other Council owned swim centres.

"The basic objective has always been to showcase the Ipswich City Council's swim centres and an active community in the city.

"It displays to the community that Council is interested in providing and operating well-maintained centres that encourage leisure patronage as well as competitive use."

Cr Morrison said the Australia Day celebration in 2011 was supported by Ipswich City Rotary Club and a number of sponsor companies donating goods on the day which were used as give-aways.

"Although the major celebrations will remain at Bundamba where around 1600 people turn out each year, the lessees at Goodna and Rosewood and Leichhardt have agreed to include their centres in Australia Day celebrations as well.

"The smaller pools have offered the community free entry on Australia Day in the past with huge success, but I hope more people join in the true blue celebration of the event this year with prizes on offer nearly all day as part of the flood recovery effort."

Cr Morrison said the pool lessees were offering some tremendous prizes on the day.

"We have some wonderful swim centres across Ipswich and these are absolutely wonderful incentives and reason enough for anyone to turn up at the pool on Australia Day, January 26."