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Australia Day 2013: a day for family, friends and reflection


Australia Day on January 26 is a family and friends day for all Australians and all in Australia. It’s a day to celebrate what’s great about living in the country. It’s also a time to reflect on its original custodians, where people have come from, and historical milestones. 

Australia Day is a popular day for people with permanent residency to officially become Australians during the citizenship ceremony. Citizen ceremonies are held throughout the year, but on Australia Day the numbers rise, particularly in Canberra, the nation’s capital. I’ve attended several to witness the citizenship of friends, in the open air next to Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin, amid the official speeches, the jet flyover, and the 21-gun salute - after the Aussie breakfast. This year will be particularly special as it is the country's 225th birthday and it is the Centenary of Canberra – its 100th birthday on March 12.


Canberra Times reported that at the free Aussie Breakfast, starting at 7:30am on Saturday January 26 and served by volunteers, there will be 4,500 sausages, 40 kilograms of onions, 250 loaves of bread, and 4,000 pieces of fruit.


Australia Day events start on Thursday January 24 with an Australia Day dinner, with the Australian of the Year Awards presented on the lawns of Parliament House on Friday evening, followed by a concert of Australian performers. A day at the horse races – Australia Day Race Day – is also held on Friday (http://www.thoroughbredpark.com.au). The Australian of the Year has been awarded each year since 1960. Sixteen people from each state and territory were selected, and from these 128 people, 32 are national finalists. On the day, 4 people will received an award: Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, and Australia’s Local Hero (http://www.australianoftheyear.org.au).


The main festivities (all free, with the exception of some rides, games, and food) are held on Saturday January 26. They commence at 7:30am with the free Aussie Breakfast and children’s concert, followed by the flag raising ceremony, flyover and 21-gun salute at 9:00am, with the Australian Citizenship Ceremony at 9:30am. The National Museum of Australia will commence its Museum on the Move: Family Festival at 10:30 (http://www.nma.gov.au) as will the Belconnen Arts Centre activities (http://www.belconnenartscentre.com.au). In the afternoon, the Chief Minister’s Regatta will be held at the Canberra Yacht Club (http://www.canberrayachtclub.com.au) and the National Film and Sound Archive will hold Free Australia Day Screenings of Aussie feature films (http://www.nfsa.gov.au/arc). The day ends with Fireworks Spectacular at 9:30pm.


The next day, on Sunday January 27, the Australian War Memorial presents a free series of class films of the First World War (http://www.awm.gov.au/events) and on Monday January 28, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Museums and Galleries will celebrate Australia Day at Lanyon Homestead with a free open house and picnic.


More information at: http://www.australiaday.org.au/act
Information from The Canberra Times special “Australia Day in the Capital” on January 19, 2013

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