Australia Day 2015 | Darling Harbour Sydney

Darling Harbour is home (and host) to the nation’s biggest harbourside party every year on 26 January.

The Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority is proud to once again bring Darling Harbour to life for you on Australia Day, as part of our commitment to supporting the NSW visitor economy.

There are so many ways to be Australian; celebrate them all at Darling Harbour with our program of family fun, festivities and fireworks!

We’re all about free entertainment! The kids will love the colourful Circus Playground at Palm Grove, where they can learn to juggle, hula hoop and stilt-walk.

Enjoy live world music as artists from the Culture Beats program return to the stage, showcasing sounds from traditional Cretan music to West African rhythms.

Watch out for musical lifeguards and kangaroos on stilts around the bay, and look out for a Bollywood flash mob, lawn-bowling swing-dancers and contemporary Indigenous performers busting out their best moves at Pier 26.

Witness a heart-warming twilight concert from The Voice’s Darren Percival, enjoy the official NSW Australia Day ceremony, catch international superstar DJ Havana Brown performing live at Darling Quarter, then be wowed by spectacular fireworks and music shows lighting up Cockle Bay and NEW location, Tumbalong Park.

With all this and more on offer and so many bars and restaurants to choose from, Darling Harbour is the only place to celebrate our nation’s day with your family and friends.

Event Accessibility:

An accessible viewing area is available at Palm Grove located at the southern end of Cockle Bay, opposite IMAX.

View accessibility map

Australia Day 2015 in Sydney

Watch The Wiggles perform at the Sydney Opera House on Australia Day

This year Australia Day celebrations run over a long weekend from 24-26 January, 2015. It's a day of fun for all, with the highlight for families being the Summer Playground in Hyde Park. Much of the action takes place on and around Sydney Harbour.

WugulOra marks the start of Australia Day celebrations with the raising of the Aboriginal and Australian flags on the Sydney Harbour Bridge from 7:30am. Pack a picnic and your sunblock and head to the a spot by the harbour to enjoy all the action. In the evening, Darling Harbour becomes the site of more Australia Day activities.

Enjoy family fun on Australia Day at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, with two free Australia Day concerts featuring performances by The Wiggles and friends, Jessica Mauboy, Justice Crew, Sheppard and Russell Morris! Enter the ballot for your chance to bring the family along for free!

Australia Day | Sydney Concerts

Australia Day Concert at the Sydney Opera House - The Wiggles

Bennelong Point

Sydney NSW 2000

January 2015

Australia Day Concert at the Sydney Opera House - Leading Australian Artists

Bennelong Point

Sydney NSW 2000

January 2015

For more information visit www.australiaday.com.au

Richie Benaud Becomes ‘Lambassador’ for Australia Day Lamb Campaign

Richie Benaud is spruiking lamb for Australia Day this year. Picture: Damian Shaw

HE’S been the recognisable dry, voice of Australian cricket for decades, now Richie Benaud will be lending his vocal talents to the Aussie lamb industry.

The national treasure is joining Sam Kekovich as a ‘lambassador’ for this year’s Australia Day lamb campaign.

Benaud has been missing from the Channel 9 commentary team this summer as he battles skin cancer, but he’s found time to implore Aussies to celebrate Australia Day with some chops and cutlets.

“To me, Australia Day is the perfect excuse to get together with friends and family over a BBQ and tuck into some delicious lamb chops,” Benaud said.




Sam Kekovich will have some competition at his lamb barbecues now. Picture: Stuart Quinn

Kekovich has become synonymous with the lamb campaign, while this is the first campaign involving Benaud.

“Just like cricket, the annual lamb campaign is synonymous with Australia Day and I’m thrilled to be part of it in 2015,” Benaud said.

Meat & Livestock Australia spokesman Michael Edmonds said Kekovich and Benaud would form a brilliant team.

“We are very proud of how previous campaigns have captured the nation’s attention over the past 10 years,’’ Edmonds.

“For 2015 we wanted to evolve the campaign and it was only fitting to have one of Australia’s most treasured icons, Richie Benaud join Sam on his annual crusade to get Aussies together over lamb on Australia Day.”

Jessica Mauboy Celebrates Launch of free Australia Day Concerts at Sydney Opera House

The iconic Opera House will serve as the picturesque location for Australia Day celebrations in 2015.

To amp up the atmosphere, two free concerts will be held on January 26 with approximately 7,000 free tickets available to the public via ballot.

Popular children's group The Wiggles will be one of the main acts on the festive day, with another concert consisting of favourite Aussie performers, including Jessica, Justice Crew and Geronimo hit makers, Sheppard.

Actress Jessica has already performed at the Opera House and has fond memories of the venue.

'It was of course where the Australian Idol Grand Final took place in November 2006 and it was on the steps of the Sydney Opera House that I performed my first Number One single Burn,' the former reality TV star recalled.

'To be invited back to this amazing Australian landmark to perform is a wonderful opportunity.'

Justice Crew also have an interesting link with the location, having previously busked outside the famed structure.

'One of our first career highlights was to actually be invited to perform at the Sydney Opera House as Janet Jackson’s opening act,' the group revealed.

'To be at the Sydney Opera House on Australia Day is a real magic moment and we will rise to the occasion with our performance!

Jessica is no stranger to public performances, having recently put on an energetic show at the ARIA music awards last month.

Putting her powerful voice to good use, the musician took to the stage in a strapless blue jumpsuit covered in sequins.

She performed her latest hit Can I Get a Moment, which has achieved gold sales in just over a month.

Despite her star status, Ms Mauboy failed to take out any awards after being nominated for Album of the Year, Best Female Artist and Best Video.

Although she didn't walk away with a trophy this year, Jessica took out Best Female Artist last year and Highest Selling Single for Running Back in 2009.

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

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).

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."

Pacific Sun to Shine on Australia Day

P&O Cruises’ Pacific Sun will anchor in Sydney Harbour during a special Australia Day short break cruise next year.

The cruise ship will begin her three-night cruise on January 25, sailing out through Sydney’s heads before returning to anchor at Athol Buoy, near Mosman, for the Australia Day celebrations.

Pacific Sun passengers will watch the annual Ferrython, a 21-gun salute and a RAAF aerial display, with fares starting from $399 per person quad share.

The cruise ship will sail across the harbour later that day to take up a prime position for the evening fireworks in Darling Harbour.

Said Jenny Lourey, senior vice president of Carnival Australia, “It’s the first time P&O Cruises has scheduled a cruise allowing passengers to experience Australia Day from the heart of Sydney Harbour and we think it will be an amazing day and night for all onboard Pacific Sun.”

(Source: travelmole.com)

A to Z of Aussie Slang - Celebrate Australia Day

Understanding us Aussies can sometimes be a pretty tough ask for people who are not……….Aussies!

So, in keeping with the spirit of Australia Day here is a list of just some of the more popular slang words to help the uninitiated get through their next conversation with a “true blue” Aussie.

A
Ace! : Excellent! Very good!
Aerial pingpong : Australian Rules football (also referred to as Aussie Rules)
Amber fluid : beer
Ambo : ambulance, ambulance driver
Ankle biter : small child
Arvo : afternoon
Aussie (pron. Ozzie) : Australian
Aussie salute : brushing away flies with the hand
Avos : avocados

B
Back of Bourke : a very long way away
Bail out : depart, usually angrily
Banana bender : a person from Queensland
Barbie : barbecue (noun)
Barrack : to cheer on (ie. cheer on your football team playing aerial pingpong )
Bastard : a term of endearment
Bathers : swimming costume
Battler : someone working hard and only just making a living
Beaut, beauty : great, fantastic
Big Smoke : a big city, especially Sydney or Melbourne
Bikkie : biscuit (also "it cost big bikkies" - it was expensive)
Billy : teapot or container for boiling water.
Bingle : motor vehicle accident
Bitzer : mongrel dog (bits of this and bits of that)
Bizzo : business ("mind your own bizzo")
Beyond the Black Stump: a long way away, the back of nowhere, the back of Bourke
Bloke : man, guy
Bloody : very (bloody hard yakka)
Bloody oath! : that's certainly true
Blowie : blow fly
Bludger : lazy person, layabout, somebody who always relies on other people to do things or lend him things
Blue : fight ("he was having a blue with his wife")
Blue : nickname for someone (usually male) with red hair
Blue, make a : make a mistake
Bodgy : of inferior quality
Bog in : commence eating, to attack food with enthusiasm
Bogan : person who takes little pride in his appearance, spends his days slacking and drinking beer
Bogged : Stuck in mud, deep sand (a vehicle).
Bonzer : great, ripper
Boomer : a large male kangaroo
Booze bus : police vehicle used for catching drunk drivers
Boozer : a pub
Bored shitless : very bored
Bottle shop : liquor shop; off-licence
Bottle-o : liquor shop; off-licence
Bottler : something excellent
Bottling, his blood's worth : he's an excellent, helpful bloke.
Brass razoo, he hasn't got a : he's very poor
Brekkie : breakfast
Brick shit house, built like a : big strong bloke
Brickie : bricklayer
Brisvegas : Brisbane, state capital of Queensland
Brizzie : Brisbane, state capital of Queensland
Brown-eyed mullet : a turd in the sea (where you're swimming!)
Brumby : a wild horse
Buck's night : stag party, male gathering the night before the wedding
Buckley's, Buckley's chance : no chance ("New Zealand stands Buckley's of beating Australia at football")
Budgie smugglers : men's bathing costume; speedo’s
Bull bar : stout bar fixed to the front of a vehicle to protect it against hitting kangaroos (also roo bar)
Bundy : short for Bundaberg, Queensland, and the brand of rum that's made there
Bush : the hinterland, the Outback, anywhere that isn't in town
Bush bash : long competitive running or motorcar race through the bush
Bush telly : campfire
Bushie : someone who lives in the Bush
BYO : unlicensed restaurant where you have to Bring Your Own grog, also similar party or barbecue

C
Cab Sav : Cabernet Sauvignon (a variety of wine grape)
Cactus : dead, not functioning ("this bloody washing machine is cactus")
Cane toad : a person from Queensland
Captain Cook : look (noun) ("let's have a Captain Cook")
Cark it : to die, cease functioning
Cat's piss, as mean as : mean, stingy, uncharitable
Chewie : chewing gum
Chokkie : chocolate
Chook : a chicken
Chrissie : Christmas
Chuck a sickie : take the day off sick from work when you're perfectly healthy
Chunder : vomit
Clacker : anus (from Latin cloaca = sewer)

Clayton's : fake, substitute
Cleanskin : Bottle of wine without a label. Usually bought in bulk by companies who then add their own personalised label and use the wine as e.g. gifts to clients
Cleanskin : cattle that have not been branded, earmarked or castrated.
Click : kilometre - "it's 10 clicks away"
Clucky : feeling broody or maternal
Coathanger : Sydney Harbour Bridge
Cobber : friend
Cockie : farmer (Farmers were called cockies in the early days of European settlement because, like the birds of the same name, they made their homes on the edges of permanent waterholes)
Cockie : cockatoo
Cockie : cockroach
Cockroach : a person from New South Wales
Coldie : a beer
Come a gutser : make a bad mistake, have an accident
Compo : Workers' Compensation pay
Cooee, not within : figuratively a long way away, far off - England weren't within cooee of beating Australia at cricket
Cooee, within : nearby - He lives within cooee of Sydney.
Cook (noun) : One's wife
Corker : something excellent. A good stroke in cricket might be described as a 'corker of a shot'
Counter lunch/Countery : pub lunch
Cozzie : swimming costume
Crack a fat : get an erection or get angry
Crack onto (someone) : to hit on someone, pursue someone romantically
Cranky : in a bad mood, angry
Cream (verb) : defeat by a large margin
Crook : sick, or badly made
Crow eater : a person from South Australia
Cubby house : Small, usually timber, house in the garden used as a children's plaything.
Cut lunch : sandwiches
Cut lunch commando : army reservist
Cut snake, mad as a : very angry

D
Dag : a funny person, nerd, goof
Daks : trousers
Damper : bread made from flour and water
Date : arse[hole] ("get off your fat date")
Dead horse : Tomato sauce
Deadset : true, the truth
Dero : tramp, hobo, homeless person (from "derelict")
Dickhead : see "whacker"
Digger : a soldier
Dill : an idiot
Dingo's breakfast : a yawn, a leak and a good look round (i.e. no breakfast)
Dinkum, fair dinkum : true, real, genuine ("I'm a dinkum Aussie"; "is he fair dinkum?")
Dinky-di : the real thing, genuine
Dipstick : a loser, idiot
Divvy van : Police vehicle used for transporting criminals. Named after the protective 'division' between the driver and the villains.
Dob (somebody) in : inform on somebody. Hence dobber, a tell-tale
Docket : a bill, receipt
Doco : documentary
Dog : unattractive woman
Dog's balls, stands out like : obvious
Dog's eye : meat pie
Dole bludger : somebody on social assistance when unjustified
Donger : penis
Doodle : penis
Doovalacky : used whenever you can't remember what something is called. Thingummyjig, whatsit.
Down Under : Australia and New Zealand
Drongo : a dope, stupid person
Dropkick : see 'dipstick'
Drum : information, tip-off ("I'll give you the drum")
Dummy, spit the : get very upset at something
Dunny : outside lavatory
Durry : tobacco, cigarette



E



Earbashing : nagging, non-stop chatter
Ekka : the Brisbane Exhibition, an annual show
Esky : large insulated food/drink container for picnics, barbecues etc.
Exy : expensive

F
Face, off one's : drunk ("He was off his face by 6 o’clock")
Fair dinkum : true, genuine
Fair go : a chance ("give a bloke a fair go")
Fair suck of the sav! : exclamation of wonder, awe, disbelief (see also "sav")
Fairy floss : candy floss, cotton candy
Feral (n.) : a hippie
Figjam : "F*ck I'm good; just ask me". Nickname for people who have a very high opinion of themselves.
Flat out like a lizard drinking : flat out, very busy
Flick : to give something or somebody the flick is to get rid of it or him/her
Flick it on : to sell something, usually for a quick profit, soon after buying it.
Fly wire : gauze flyscreen covering a window or doorway.
Footy : Australian Rules football (not that game played with a round ball)
Fossick : to prospect, e.g. for gold
Fossicker : prospector, e.g. for gold
Franger : condom
Fremantle Doctor : the cooling afternoon breeze that arrives in Perth from the direction of Freeo
Freo : Fremantle in Western Australia
Fruit loop : fool
Full : drunk



G



G'Day : hello!
Gabba : Wooloongabba - the Brisbane cricket ground
GAFA (pron. gaffa) : the big nothingness of the Australian Outback. Great Australian F**k All.
Galah : fool, silly person. Named after the bird of the same name because of its antics and the noise it makes.
Garbo, garbologist : municipal garbage collector
Give it a burl : try it, have a go
Gobful, give a : to abuse, usually justifiably ("The neighbours were having a noisy party so I went and gave them a gobful")
Gobsmacked : surprised, astounded
Going off : used of a night spot or party that is a lot of fun - "the place was really going off"
Good oil : useful information, a good idea, the truth
Good onya : good for you, well done
Goog, as full as a : drunk. "Goog" is a variation of the northern English slangword "goggie" meaning an egg.
Greenie : environmentalist
Grinning like a fox : very happy, smugly satisfied
Grog : liquor, beer ("bring your own grog, you bludger")
Grouse (adj.) : great, terrific, very good
Grundies : undies, underwear (from Reg Grundy, a television person)
Gutful of piss : drunk, "he's got a gutful of piss"
Gyno : gynaecologist

H
Harold Holt, to do the : To bolt. (Also "to do the Harold")
Heaps : a lot, e.g. "thanks heaps", "(s)he earned heaps of money" etc.
Holy dooley! : an exclamation of surprise = "Good heavens!", "My goodness!" "Good grief!" or similar
Hoon : hooligan
Hooroo : goodbye

I

Icy pole : popsicle
Ice block : popsicle

J
Jackaroo : a male trainee station manager or station hand (a station is a big farm/grazing property)
Jillaroo : a female trainee station manager or station hand
Joey : baby kangaroo
Journo : journalist
Jug : electric kettle
Jumbuck : sheep

K
Kangaroos loose in the top paddock : Intellectually inadequate ("he's got kangaroos loose in the top paddock")
Kelpie : Australian sheepdog originally bred from Scottish collie
Kero : kerosene
Kindie : kindergarten
Knock : to criticise
Knock back : refusal (noun), refuse (transitive verb)
Knocker : somebody who criticises

L
Lair : a flashily dressed young man of brash and vulgar behaviour, to dress up in flashy clothes, to renovate or dress up something in bad taste
Lair it up : to behave in a brash and vulgar manner
Larrikin : a bloke who is always enjoying himself, harmless prankster
Lend of, to have a : to take advantage of somebody's gullibility, to have someone on ("he's having a lend of you")
Lippy : lipstick
Lizard drinking, flat out like a : flat out, busy
Lob, lob in : drop in to see someone ("the rellies have lobbed")
Lollies : sweets, candy
Longneck : 750ml bottle of beer in South Australia
Lucky Country, The : Australia, where else?
Lunch, who opened their? : OK, who farted?



M
Maccas (pron. "mackers") : McDonald's (the hamburger place)
Mallee bull, as fit as a : very fit and strong. The Mallee is very arid beef country in Victoria/South Australia.
Mate : buddy, friend
Mate's rate, mate's discount : cheaper than usual for a "friend"
Matilda : swagman's bedding, sleeping roll
Metho : methylated spirits
Mexican : a person from south of the Queensland or New South Wales border
Mickey Mouse : inconsequential, frivolous or not very good!
Middy : 285 ml beer glass in New South Wales
Milk bar : corner shop that sells takeaway food
Milko : milkman
Mob : group of people, not necessarily troublesome
Mob : family or herd (?) of kangaroos
Mongrel : despicable person
Moolah : money
Mozzie : mosquito
Muddy : mud crab (a great delicacy)
Mug : friendly insult ("have a go, yer mug"), gullible person
Mull : grass (the kind you smoke)
Muster : round up sheep or cattle
Mystery bag : a sausage

N
Nasho : National Service (compulsory military service – no longer in Australia – replaced by voluntary Army Reservists)
Naughty, have a : have sex
Never Never : the Outback, centre of Australia
Nipper : young surf lifesaver
No drama : same as 'no worries'
No worries : Expression of forgiveness or reassurance (No problem; forget about it; I can do it; Yes, I'll do it)
No-hoper : somebody who'll never do well
Not the full quid : not bright intellectually
Nuddy, in the : naked



O
Ocker : an unsophisticated person
Offsider : an assistant, helper
Old fella : penis
Oldies : parents - "I'll have to ask my oldies"
Op shop : opportunity shop, thrift store, place where second hand goods are sold.
Outback : interior of Australia
Oz : Australia!

P
Pash : a long passionate kiss; hence "pashing on"
Pav : Pavlova - a rich, creamy Australian / New Zealand dessert
Perve (noun & verb) : looking lustfully at the opposite sex
Piece of piss : easy task
Pig's arse! : I don't agree with you
Piker : Someone who doesn't want to fit in with others socially, leaves parties early
Pink slip, get the : get the sack (from the colour of the termination form)
Piss : beer. Hence "hit the piss", "sink some piss"
Plate, bring a : Instruction on party or BBQ invitation to bring your own food. It doesn't mean they're short of crockery!
Plonk : cheap wine
Pokies : poker machines, fruit machines, gambling slot machines
Polly : politician
Pom, pommy, pommie : an Englishman
Pommy bastard : an Englishman (see also 'bastard')
Pommy shower : using deodorant instead of taking a shower
Pommy's towel, as dry as a : very dry - based on the canard that Poms bathe about once a month
Porky : Lie, untruth (pork pie = lie)
Postie : postman, mailman
Pot : 285 ml beer glass in Queensland and Victoria
Pozzy : position - get a good pozzy at the football stadium
Prezzy : present, gift



Q
Quid, make a : earn a living - "are you making a quid?"
Quid, not the full : of low IQ. [Historical note: 'quid' is slang for a pound. £1 became $2 when Australia converted to decimal currency]

R
Rack off : push off! get lost! get out of here! also "rack off hairy legs!".
Rage : party
Rage on : to continue partying - "we raged on until 3am"
Rapt : pleased, delighted
Ratbag : mild insult
Raw prawn, to come the : to bullshit, to be generally disagreeable
Reckon! : you bet! Absolutely!
Rego : vehicle registration
Rellie or relo : family relative
Ridgy-didge : original, genuine
Right, she’ll be : it'll be all right
Right, that'd be : Accepting bad news as inevitable. ("I went fishing but caught nothing." "Yeah, that'd be right.")
Rip snorter : great, fantastic - "it was a rip snorter of a party"
Ripper : great, fantastic - "it was a ripper party"
Ripper, you little! : Exclamation of delight or as a reaction to good news
Road train : big truck with many trailers
Roadie : a beer you buy to take away with you
Rock up : to turn up, to arrive - "we rocked up at their house at 8pm"
Rollie : a cigarette that you roll yourself
Roo : kangaroo
Roo bar : stout bar fixed to the front of a vehicle to protect it against hitting kangaroos (also bull bar)
Root (verb and noun) : synonym for f*ck in nearly all its senses: "I feel rooted"; "this washing machine is rooted"; "(s)he's a good root". A very useful word in fairly polite company.
Root rat : somebody who is constantly looking for sex.
Rotten : drunk - "I went out last night and got rotten"
Rubbish (verb) : to criticize

S
Salute, Aussie : brushing flies away
Salvos, the : Salvation Army, bless them
Sandgroper : a person from Western Australia
Sanger : a sandwich
Sav : saveloy (see also "fair suck of the sav!")
Schooner : large beer glass in Queensland; medium beer glass in South Australia
Scratchy : instant lottery ticket
Screamer : party lover; "two pot screamer" - somebody who gets drunk on very little alcohol
Servo : petrol station
Shag on a rock, stands out like a : very obvious
Shark biscuit : somebody new to surfing
She'll be right : it'll turn out okay
Sheepshagger : A New Zealander
Sheila : a woman
Shit house (adj.) : of poor quality, unenjoyable ("this car is shit house", "the movie was shit house")
Shit house (noun) : toilet, lavatory
Shonky : dubious, underhanded. E.g. a shonky practice, shonky business etc.
Shoot through : to leave
Shout : turn to buy - a round of drinks usually ("it's your shout")
Show pony : someone who tries hard, by his dress or behaviour, to impress those around him.
Sickie : day off sick from work (chuck a sickie = take the day off sick from work when you're perfectly healthy!)
Skite : boast, brag
Skull/Skol (a beer) : to drink a beer in a single draught without taking a breath
Slab : a carton of 24 bottles or cans of beer
Smoko : smoke or coffee break
Snag : a sausage
Sook : person or animal who is soft, tame, inoffensive. Hence sooky (adj.)
Spag bol : spaghetti bolognese
Spewin' : very angry
Spiffy, pretty spiffy : great, excellent
Spit the dummy : get very upset at something
Sprung : caught doing something wrong
Spunk : a good looking person (of either sex)
Squizz (noun) : look - "take a squizz at this"
Stickybeak : nosy person
Stoked : very pleased
Strewth : exclamation, mild oath ("Strewth, that Chris is a bonzer bloke")
Strides : trousers
Stubby : a 375ml. beer bottle
Stubby holder : polystyrene insulated holder for a stubby
Stuffed, I feel : I'm tired
Stuffed, I'll be : expression of surprise
Sunbake : sunbathe
Sunnies : sunglasses
Surfies : people who go surfing - usually more often than they go to work!
Swag : rolled up bedding etc. carried by a swagman
Swaggie : swagman



T
Tallie : 750ml bottle of beer
Taswegian : derogatory term for a person from Tasmania
Tea : supper
Technicolor yawn : vomit
Tee-up : to set up (an appointment)
Thingo : Wadjamacallit, thingummy, whatsit
Thongs : cheap rubber backless sandals
Throw-down : small bottle of beer which you can throw down quickly.
Tickets, to have on oneself : to have a high opinion of oneself
Tinny : can of beer
Tinny : small aluminium boat
Togs : swim suit
Too right! : definitely!
Top End : far north of Australia
Trackie daks/dacks : tracksuit pants
Trackies : track suit
Troppo, gone : to have escaped to a state of tropical madness; to have lost the veneer of civilisation after spending too long in the tropics.
Trough lolly : the solid piece of perfumed disinfectant in a men's urinal
Truckie : truck driver
True blue : patriotic
Tucker : food
Tucker-bag : food bag
Turps : turpentine, alcoholic drink
Turps, hit the : go on a drinking binge
Two up : gambling game played by spinning two coins simultaneously

U
Ugg boots : Australian sheepskin boots worn by surfers since at least the 1960s to keep warm while out of the water. Also worn by airmen during WW1 and WW2 because of the need to maintain warmth in non-pressurized planes at high altitudes.
Uni : university
Unit : flat, apartment
Up oneself : have a high opinion of oneself - "he's really up himself"
Up somebody, get : to rebuke somebody - "the boss got up me for being late"
Useful as tits on a bull : unhelpful or incompetent person or thing - "he, she or it is about as useful as tits on a bull" etc. etc.
Ute : utility vehicle, pickup truck

V
Veggies : vegetables
Vee dub : Volkswagen
Veg out : relax in front of the TV (like a vegetable)
Vejjo : vegetarian
Vinnie's : St. Vincent De Paul's (charity thrift stores and hostels)

W
WACA (pron. whacker) : Western Australian Cricket Association and the Perth cricket ground
Waggin' school : playing truant
Walkabout : a walk in the Outback by Aborigines that lasts for an indefinite amount of time
Walkabout, it's gone : it's lost, can't be found
Weekend warrior : army reservist
Whacker, whacka : Idiot; somebody who talks drivel; somebody with whom you have little patience; a dickhead
Whinge : complain
White pointers : topless (female) sunbathers
Whiteant (verb) : to criticise something to deter somebody from buying it. A car dealer might whiteant another dealer's cars or a real estate salesman might whiteant another agent's property
Wobbly : excitable behaviour ("I complained about the food and the waiter threw a wobbly")
Wobbly boot on, he's got the : drunk
Wog : flu or trivial illness
Wombat : somebody who eats, roots and leaves (see also root)
Woop Woop : invented name for any small unimportant town - "he lives in Woop Woop"
Wowser : straight-laced person, prude, puritan, spoilsport
Wuss : coward; nervous person or animal

X
XXXX : pronounced Four X, brand of beer made in Queensland

Y
Yabber : talk (a lot)
Yabby : inland freshwater crayfish found in Australia (Cherax destructor)
Yakka : work (noun)
Yewy : u-turn in traffic ("chuck a yewy at the next traffic lights")
Yobbo : an uncouth person

Z
Zack : sixpence (5 cents) - "it isn't worth a zack", "he hasn't got a zack"

Become a “26er” - Australia Day

Are you are resident of Victoria and were you born on the 26th January…………..or do you know someone who meets this criteria?????

While Australia Day is a day for everyone to enjoy, the Australia Day Committee (Victoria) does run one exclusive club that only a select few are lucky enough to join! The 26ers Club is a club for those Victorian residents who are born on 26 January and share their day with our country’s national day.

Membership is free and you can join at any time throughout the year, by sending a copy of your birth date proof (birth certificate, passport or driver's license) and current mailing address in Victoria to the Committee:

The 26ers Club
Australia Day Committee (Victoria)
Ground Floor
1 Treasury Place
MELBOURNE VIC 3002

As a member of the club you will receive a certificate and lapel pin. For your birthday each year you receive a birthday card and an invitation from the Chair of the Committee to participate in both the People’s March and the 26ers Cake Cutting ceremony on Australia Day in Melbourne.

Australia Day Motorfest 2011 NRMA

The NRMA Motorfest® will once again be showcasing over 1,000 vintage, veteran and classic vehicles, including motorcycles, ex military cars, vintage fire engines and cars from Sydney’s speedway.

Proud vehicle owners will happily answer questions and share memories and experiences, so come down for a cheerful chat and a closer look at the vehicles.

Location: Macquarie, College & Bent Streets Sydney CBD

Find Sydney Accommodation

The Australian Flag

One of the central point of Australia Day celebrations is the Australian Flag.

It can be seen everywhere.

The colonies of Australia federated to become a single Commonwealth in 1901. That year, Australia’s first Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Sir Edmund Barton announced an international competition to design a flag for the new nation. It attracted 32,823 entries. Five near-identical entries were awarded equal first and the designers shared the £200 prize.

The Australian National Flag was flown for the first time in September 1901 at the Exhibition Building in Melbourne, the seat of the federal government at the time.

The Australian National Flag can be flown every day of the year. As the nation’s foremost symbol, the flag should be used with respect and dignity.

Some flag tips

· The Australian flag should always be raised first and lowered first when displayed with other flags.

· The flag must not be allowed to fall or lie on the ground.

· The flag must be illuminated if it is flown at night.

· The flag should be hung so the Union Jack is always in the uppermost left corner.

· The flag should never be flown in a damaged, faded, or dilapidated condition.

· The flag should be raised no earlier than first light and lowered no later than dusk.

· The flag should not be flown upside down, even as a signal of distress.

Test your knowledge of Australia Day

Here are some fun activities to test your general knowledge about Australia and Australia Day.

CROSSWORD

See if you can complete the following Australia Day Crossword http://www.australiaday.org.au/pages/images/Crossword.pdf

So how well did you do? Find the answers here http://www.australiaday.org.au/pages/images/Crossword-answers.pdf

FIND-A-WORD

See if you can complete the following Australia Day Find-A-Word http://www.australiaday.org.au/pages/images/Find-a-word.pdf

So how well did you do? Find the answers here http://www.australiaday.org.au/pages/images/Find-a-word%20-%20answers.pdf

TRIVIA QUESTIONS (and ANSWERS)

Australian Trivia 1 http://www.australiaday.org.au/pages/images/Australian%20Trivia%20-%20QandAs.pdf

Australian Trivia 2 http://www.australiaday.org.au/pages/images/Australian%20Trivia%202011.pdf

A to Z of Event Ideas for Australia Day

A to Z of Event Ideas for Australia Day

Here are a few more ideas of things to do to make your Australia Day celebrations even more exciting.

A - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance festival, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Welcome to Country, Affirmation ceremony, Afternoon tea, Animal farm, Arts and crafts exhibition, Athletics, Aussie slang contest, Australiana quiz

B - Balloon art, Basketball competition, Battle of the bands, Bazaar, BBQ-s for breakfast, lunch, dinner, Beer can regatta, Billy boiling competition, Billy tea and damper feast, Billycart races, Birdman rally, Boat race, Boomerang throwing, Bowls tournament, Breakfast, Bush dance, Bush picnic, Bushman's relay, Bush regeneration day, Bush tucker tasting, Bush walking tour, Buskers

C - Cat competition/judging, Celebrity dunking, Celtic festival, Chinese lion/dragon, Chocolate wheel, Church services, Citizen awards, Citizenship ceremony, Civic reception, Clowns, Coach rides, Collage, Colouring-in competition, Concert, Coo-ee competition, Cow pat bingo, Cricket match, Croquet

D - Damper cooking, Dance display/competition, Debating, Disco, Dog competition/judging

E - Eating competition, Egg and spoon race, Emergency services open day/display, Essay competition, Exhibitions

F - Face painting, Family tree displays, Fashion parade, , Film festival, Fire engine rides, Fire service demonstrations, Fire station open day, Fireworks, Fishing competition,
Flag raising ceremony, Flyball demonstration, Food and wine festival, Fun run, Futuristic day

G - Garden competition, Golf tournament, Greyhound racing, Gumboot throwing

H - Harness racing, Hat competition, Heritage walk, Historical building tour, Historical display, Horse racing, Horse shoe tossing, Horse shodding display

I - Ice scuptures, In-line skating demonstration, Invite your local member, Iron man/woman competition

J - Javelin throwing, Jelly bean guessing competition, Jelly mould competition, Jumping castles

K - Kite flying competition, Kayak races, Kid's relays, Kindness awards, Kilt fashion parade, Knitting competition/display

L - Lamington making, Lamington throwing, Line dancing, Lion dance, Literary awards, Local legends (explore history and recognise local achievers) Lucky dip, Lucky door/gate prize

M - Meat pie eating competition, Merry-go-round, Morning tea, Mouse racing, Multicultural food, Model car/aircraft exhibition, Movie screening, Mural, Music festival

N - Needlecraft display, Noodle market

O - Old time dancing, Open gardens, Outback concert, Oz quiz evening

P - Parade, Pavlova making demonstration, Pet show, Photographic display, Picnic, Poetry readings, Pony rides, Pool party, Public speaking competition, Pumpkin bowling, Puppet show

R - Raft race, Re-enactments, Relays, Republicans vs monarchists cricket match, River procession, Rock climbing wall, Rodeo, Rolling pin toss, Rubber duck races

S - Sack races, Sandcastle building competition, Sao eating competition, Sausage sizzle, Scarecrow building, Shearing demonstration, Sheepdog trials, Shief tossing competition, Show jumping and dressage, Shovelling competition, Singing, Skateboarding demonstration, Skydiving, Sporting competitions, Stalls, Story-telling, Street theatre, Stroll through park, Surf carnival, Swimming carnival, Swimming relays

T - Talent quest, Ten-pin bowling, Thong throwing, Three-legged race, Time capsules, Touch football, Treasure hunt, Tree planting, Triathalon, Tug-of-war, Twilight concert

U - Up hill race, University vs TAFE sporting matches, Ukulele demonstration

V - Vegetable sculptures, Vintage car display, Volleyball

W - Water slide, Welcome to Country, Wheelie bin races, Whip cracking, White elephant stall, Wood chopping, Wooden horse race, Wool bale rolling

X - Xylophone demonstration

Y - Yabby catching competition, Yarn spinning, Yo-yo competition

Z - Zodiac quiz

Australia Day provides communities, families and friends the oppertunity to get together and celebrate

Australia Day provides communities, families and friends the oppertunity to get together and celebrate in a wide range of ways.

The following is a list of some of the more creative things you, your family or your community can do in the lead up to and on Australia Day itself.

Anthem Singer competition (for Flag Raising/Citizenship ceremony etc.)
Photography competition (local library may display, local paper may print, local radio may add to their website)
Colouring in competition for small children (local paper may run this )
Australia Day Trivia Quiz (possible to team up with a local club, could run in conjunction with local paper)
Australia Day Crossword (could run in conjunction with local paper)
Comedy debate (best before Australia Day rather than on the day itself, so it can be a bit irreverent)
Poster design
‘Best Australian Sound Picture’ music from natural objects (sticks, gum leaf, grass, seedpods)—small scale event for a street corner maybe
Most creative use of flags (See Flag and Flag Raising Tool) such as bike decoration, mural, mobile, cake decoration, apron, costume
‘Old sports’ oriented Australia Day activities focusing on local (benign!) rivalries—between towns/localities/sporting groups/clubs/schools/ businesses/
Tug of war
‘Fire fighter’ relay
Tractor pulls
Human machines/Iron man/Iron woman
Water sports
Debates
Sports orienteering
Best Australia Day Hat
Best Historical costume
Best Australia Day Contemporary costume
Best Under 10s dress up
Innovative use of Australiana, the flag (within appropriate guidelines for representation of the flag) or other means of interpreting the theme
Bring a new friend to the Breakfast
Bring a grandparent to the Flag Raising
‘Adopt’ a new Australian on the day
Demonstration /peer teaching/workshops on culturally specific musical instrument
Demonstration /peer teaching/workshops on a culturally specific or game or sport
‘Spicing it up’ using the mortar and pestle (workshop or demonstration)
‘Find it and try it’ bush tucker (needs Indigenous guide)
Community poster with images made by various people (theme suggested) using charcoal of a burnt stick or finger painting or bark
‘Aussie Voices’ concert with multicultural performers
Youth bands are always a good start
Local idol talent quest
‘Rap up Australia’ competition
Air guitar competition
Guitar design competition (specify Australian component—use cardboard guitar template)
Young vs Old events (trivia, local Australia Day version of Spicks and Specs, knitting a scarf)
‘Still call Australia Home’ construction challenge with found materials—construct a shed or small building
Multicultural food stalls
Community picnic / barbeques
Cooking demonstrations
Cooking competitions
family concerts
concerts targeting particular groups
concerts catering for specific interests (rock concert, country and western, folk and blues) Need to involve people experienced at doing this