hehehe.... Sam, eh? Have him come on over. LOVE lamb souvlaki, kebab, chops, grilled, shawarma!

Not the way you "preverts" are thinking, either. You should feel properly sheepish about that!

hehe.... no worries... was referring to the evil thinkers... no Ozzies in that group!

From the sound of it, your ancestors practiced a long distance relationship a long time ago!  Russia and England, eh?

Have a great celebration!  I guess it makes more sense when you remember that it is balmy in Oz, just not in Ohio this time of year!

The mixing was done here.

      Happy Australia Day      

Happy Australia day!

Down a few pints of sheepdip and have a bonzer day 

From Perth:

Wow that is so nice! I have all day to stare at it too

My day will involve:

Washing dishes (two lots)

Washing clothes (well, the machine does it really, I just take the credit)

Going for a jog (I'm doing 5.3km's but can push that out to 6.5ish today, I won't take the dog because he slows me down:

)

Reading "Dragons of Autumn Twilight"

Making crystals from my $4-from-the-tip-shop (store selling items thrown on the dump for the Americans) crystal making kit.

Thank existence for Australia Day!

Australia Day in Australia

Australians show their pride for their country on Australia Day. ©iStockphoto.com/RichVintage

What do people do?

Many people have a day off work and use the day to picnic in a park, to go shopping or to play or to watch sports events. In some places, particularly Lake Burley Griffin, spectacular public fireworks displays are held. In addition, the Australian of the Year Awards are presented. These are awards for Australians who have made an outstanding contribution to their country or community.

In some towns and cities, citizenship ceremonies are held on Australia Day. These are ceremonies to welcome immigrants to the country who have been granted Australian citizenship. Although official, these ceremonies often have a festive atmosphere.

Public life

Australia Day is a public holiday in all states and territories. All schools and post offices are closed. Some public transport services do not operate and others run a reduced service. Stores are often open, but may have reduced opening hours. There may be some congestion on roads, particularly close to major events.

Background

On January 26, 1788, the First Fleet of 11 ships from Great Britain arrived at Port Jackson, which now forms Sydney Harbour. The First Fleet was led by Captain Arthur Philip. He established the Colony of New South Wales, the first penal colony in Australia. By 1808, January 26 was being celebrated as “First Landing Day” or “Foundation Day” with drinking and merriment.

Thirty years after the arrival of the First Fleet, in 1818, the Governor of Australia ordered a 30-gun salute, hosted a dinner ball at Government House and gave government employees a holiday. In the following years, employees of banks and other organizations were also given holidays. In the following decades, horse racing and regattas were popular activities on January 26.

In 1838, Foundation Day was Australia's first public holiday. It was also the occasion of the first public celebrations of the founding of Australia. The shores of Sydney Harbour were crowded and there was a firework display. By 1888, January 26 had become known as 'Anniversary Day' was celebrated in all colonies except Adelaide. In 1888, the centenary of the arrival of the First Fleet was celebrated with ceremonies, exhibitions, banquets, regattas, fireworks and the unveiling of a statue of Queen Victoria.

By 1935, January 26 was known as Australia Day in all states except New South Wales, where it was still called Anniversary Day. In 1938, large scale celebrations were held. These included a re-enactment of the landing of the First Fleet, which did not mention the convict status of many of the passengers on these ships. The re-enactment is included the removal of a group of Aborigines. Shortly before the celebrations, a group of Aboriginal activists arranged a “Day of Mourning”. They used this to campaign for citizenship and equal rights for Aborigines.

From 1946, January 26 was known as Australia Day in all states. However, the public holiday was moved to the Monday nearest to January 26 to create a long weekend.  Since 1994, the Australia Day public holiday has been on January 26 in all states and territories.

The anniversary of the first permanent European settlement in Australia is not a cause for celebration for all citizens. Indigenous Australians often feel that the celebrations on Australia Day exclude them and their culture, which was thriving for thousands of years before the arrival of the First Fleet.

thanks doc... and lovely of you to be aware and post....  

been a very warm day here... 91/92.... woke up to a fog on the harbour.... which lifted... then had a sea fog move in from over Bondi Beach about 11am as the ferry race took place up the harbour.... weird... at it's height...could hardly see across the harbour about midday.....

great flyover and some loops 'round our end of the harbour by the F/A-18 Hornet...  always exhilarating...

and very slow flyover looping around several times in front of us by the A380.... it just looks so majestic gliding around the sky....

hope all our aussies had a nice relaxing day....