Australia Day

Australia Day is celebrated on 26th January every year. Commemorating the establishment of the first European settlement in Australia, the day is declared a national holiday throughout Australia.

It was on this day in 1788 that Capt. Arthur Phillip, a British naval administrator, hoisted the Union Jack for the first time in the soils of this continent. Initially observed by the politicians and businessmen of New South Wales, Australia Day's emotional appeal spread across the nation in the succeeding years. Australia Day at present is the biggest state sponsored celebration in this country.

In addition to the Prime Minister's address to the nation, eminent Australians are invited to several fora to address the nation with their vision for the country's future. “Order of Australia” and “Australian of the Year Award” are conferred on citizens who've made outstanding performances in their respective fields. “Australia Day Achievement Medallion Award” is for the chosen few who have excelled either in non-governmental or governmental sector.

Apart from the ceremonial singing of “Advance Australia Fair,” Australia's national anthem, spectacular events are organized across the country. In New South Wales, the major event venues include: Royal Botanic Gardens, The Rocks, Pyrmont, Darling Harbour and Hyde Park. Australia Day regatta, considered to be the oldest boat race event in the world, is organized in Sydney Harbour on this day. Sporting events, horse races and fireworks are also part of the festivities.

Though white Australia has a tinge of remorse over European hegemony over Australian aborigines in history, the former does not allow the ill-feeling to mar Australia Day celebrations. A cradle of democratic ethos, civil liberties and citizen rights, this nation is at present capable of correcting the mistakes that it might have slipped into in history. National Australia Day Council, the organizing body of Australia Day, has come up with a Reconciliation Action Plan in support of the declarations at the 40th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum. The Referendum upheld the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be considered as Australian citizens.

Another important initiative on this auspicious day is the Australia Day Ambassador Program. With the aim of inspiring members of local communities all around the country, high achieving, patriotic Australians visit the regions and take part in the region's Australia Day activities. Spreading a sense of oneness and generating patriotic spirit in citizens, ambassadors add substance and verve to Australia Day celebrations. Began in New South Wales in 1991, the program was later successfully implemented in other states and territories like Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT and Queensland. “Woolsworths”, the fresh food dealer of Australia, is the sponsor of Australia Day Ambassador program since 2001.

Australian of the year award
While country music legend Lee Kernaghan OAM was declared Australian of the Year 2008, Jonathon Welch, a choral conductor whose music bands helped depressed minds reinvent the joys of life, was declared Australia's Local Hero 2008. The other two awards, Senior Australian of the Year 2008 and Young Australian of the Year 2008 were conferred on micro-credit pioneer David Bussau AM and world motoGP champion Casey Stoner respectively.