Australia Day

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to accompany my husband on a business trip to Australia. It's a country I've wanted to go to since I saw the film "The Man From Snowy River" in the mid-80s. Of course, the movie is set in the 19th century and doesn't reflect what the country is like today, but for some reason it sparked an interest in me. So when I had the chance to finally see this country that I had been dreaming about for years, I couldn't pass up the opportunity. And I was not disappointed!

Australia, as we now know it, was created as a British colony in the late 18th century as a penal colony. The first fleet of ships arrived in what is now Sydney harbor on January 26, 1788. Even in the early days of the colony, this date was celebrated. By the mid-19th century, transportation of convicts to Australia was beginning to wane, but January 26th was still marked by dinners and other celebrations in the state of New South Wales. However, it wasn't until 1994 that Australia Day was officially celebrated throughout the entire country on January 26th.

In keeping with the nation striving to improve its relationship with the indigenous people of Australia, the nation has attempted to include the history and culture of the Aborigines. Since Australia Day celebrates the arrival of the British, it has not always been a day of joy for the Aboriginal people. Over the years they have either been forced into participating or boycotting the celebration, although most of the country didn't even notice. Now, all of Australia is celebrated. And it is celebrated in ways that most Americans would find familiar - fireworks, concerts, and parades.

Australia Day 2012 update:
Unfortunately, there was some controversy surrounding this year's festival, which has already taken place due to the time difference (Australia is 16 hours ahead of Monroeville).  A large group of Aborigines surrounded a restaurant in Canberra, where Prime Minister Julia Gillard was meeting with the Opposition leader and trapped them inside. Riot police had to be brought in to escort them out. Click here for more information on the incident.

Below are some links to websites about Australia and Australia Day.

Australian Government website:  http://australia.gov.au/about-australia

Australia Day Information : http://www.australiaday.org.au/

Additional Australia Day Information: http://www.australiaday.com.au/

Books about Australia (history and travel):

The Fatal Shore by Robert Hughes

In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

A Brief History of Australia by Barbara West

A Traveller's History of Australia by John H. Chambers

The Original Australians: Story of the Aboriginal People by Josephine Flood

A Concise History of Australia by Stuart Macintyre

Keep Australia On Your Left: A True Story Of An Attempt To Circumnavigate Australia By Kayak by Eric Stiller

Travel Guides:

Australia (Insight Guides)

Australia (Berlitz)

Frommer's Australia

Australia (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

Documentaries (DVDs):

Dreamtime of the Aborigines

Australia Revealed

Modern Indigenous Culture

Feature Films:

Australia (2008)

Danny Deckchair (2003)

Ned Kelly (2003)

Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

Muriel's Wedding (1994)

Strictly Ballroom (1993)

Crocodile Dundee (1986)

Mad Max (1979)

-- Post by Tracy