How did you celebrate Australia Day?
Yesterday was a very special day in Australia, a day for Australians and non-Australians to come together and celebrate everything there is to love about the country.
Backyard barbecues are probably the most popular custom for Australia Day with plenty of sausages (snags) and cold beer in stubbies. Traditional Australian foods include pavlova and lamingtons. You may have also seen a lot of flag flying and a few fireworks displays at night at Darling Harbour. And don’t forget about sport.
Why 26 January?
The date 26 January commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of convict ships in 1788. Over the years, the significance of the date is more about celebrating the make-up of modern day Australia and its diversity. This includes citizenship and affirmation ceremonies, as well as recognising the Australian of the Year – this year it was award-winning actor, Geoffrey Rush.
The Australian Flag
The Australian Flag is the national symbol and it’s very common for the flag to be flown on Australia Day.
- The Australian flag is composed of 3 parts, the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star and the Southern Cross.
- There are proper guidelines and procedures to flying the flag: it’s supposed to be raised briskly and lowered ceremoniously and it can only be flown at night if it is illuminated.
- The Australian flag is never to fall or lie on the ground and shouldn’t be used as a cover, except in the case of a coffin.
- The flag should not be flown if it is damaged or faded. When disposing of an old flag, it should be done in a respectful manner.
- When a flag is being raised, individuals present should stand at attention and officers should salute.
