This year we celebrate 223 years since the arrival of the First Fleet. I also, personally, celebrate 223 years since the arrival of my convict ancestors, and that my family has been a part of this country right from the very beginning.
So, on this; the one day of the year when public displays of national pride having nothing to do with sporting events; let me share a few things I love about my country…
- the bush, because of all its beautiful and unique flora and fauna, most of which is only found in this country
- the ocean: Great Barrier Reef , need I say more? If you’ve never seen it first hand, I highly recommend it, because nowhere else on earth comes close.
- koalas, because they’re unbelievably cute and always pee on tourists… without fail… every darn time.
- cricket. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I have three brothers so I never really stood a chance of avoiding it. It’s fabulous when we’re beating our arch-rivals, the British, and when we’re not, there’s nothing like a nanna-nap on the lounge, in front of the tv, on a hot summer’s day. The terminology is also helpful when seeking to confuse non-cricket-fans, or anyone not from a Commonwealth country.
- Federation, and the fact that our country was formed through debate, consultation and voting, rather than bloody conflict. Most historians will claim this was deliberate, but I’m not most historians, and I say it was because we were lazy, and still are today. Why fight when there’s an easier, less strenuous way? Being lazy (or laid-back) is the Aussie way. We even have the beer helmet so we don’t have to keep lifting those wickedly heavy stubbies and cans all the way to our mouths. Need I argue on? Well I won’t. I’m too lazy.
Stay safe and look out for your mates.
