Feature Article
Australia Day is celebrated in OZ a little like 4th of July in the U. S. Australians are given a public holiday to embrace their National identity. Each year we come together as a Nation to celebrate all that’ s great about our country and being Australian. The day means different things to different people. For some, it’ s about getting a good vantage point at community-driven events like the Lotterywest Skyshow- where the Perth foreshore and Swan River are lit up with fireworks in sync. to Aussie tunes provided by the sponsoring radio station. Others choose to BBQ, watch the cricket, and chill out with family and friends while listening to the Triple J Hottest 100. This year my family looks forward to spending Australia Day back home, boating with friends in the protected waters of Garden Island, just off the coast of Perth. The weather is always beautiful, so Chad will inevitably be in the water scuba diving while the rest of us sit back to enjoy the game of beach cricket that always unfolds as the eskies empty. If the kids last long enough, we will also try to catch a glimpse of the fireworks from the Applecross foreshore. For us, Australia Day is about relaxing, getting out into the great outdoors with family and friends, and enjoying our beautiful homeland together. I think that Australia Day should also be about welcoming all new citizens to our shores as well as remembering and acknowledging our indigenous heritage. The 26th of January marks the anniversary of the arrival of the British First Fleet in 1788 and the meeting of two cultures. It wouldn’ t hurt to pause a moment and reflect on the cultural significance of the land we are enjoying and thank the Noongar people who have cared for it for centuries. My family and I love being expats and even though we’ ve been away for many years, the‘ lucky country’ will always be our home. Happy Australia Day everyone! Tracy Guyatt.
Guyatt Family Tracy, Chad, Jaiden, Summer and Savannah
We like to celebrate Australia Day at home with a few mates over for a BBQ. Not always a sober event but everyone enjoys themselves, it’ s a great day to catch up with friends and family and to remember just how lucky we are to live in this great country of ours. On my recent visit to Vietnam I realised the community spirit in Vietnam was alive and strong with a great mix of expats making our stay one my son and I will never forget. When I was younger I developed a great interest in the Australian participation in the war and last year take the family over there for a holiday. To fulfil my desire to see where Australia was based we went on multiple tours in and around Nui Dat, Long Tan, Long Phuc and other places I can’ t pronounce let alone spell. The 50th anniversary of Long Tan gave me the perfect opportunity to take my son Nathan and my mate Craig Lane over to Vietnam to install the scenes in Nathan’ s mind so he could tell his mates of his adventures from personal experience. We found the country to be absolutly beautiful complete with some of the friendliest people we have ever met along with all the friendliest Aussie expats, oh and some Kiwi’ s as well. Now Vietnam has become our family holiday destination and everyone is looking forward to our next visit. Australia Day like ANAC Day are important days for me and we are so grateful to be able to call Australia home, in saying that I can’ t wait to get back to Vietnam and catch up with my new-found friends again. I’ ll burn a few snaggas for you guys on the 26th. Happy New Year and Happy Australia Day everyone! Alan Swinbourne Aberdeen NSW
Alan, Nathan and Craig The MAG Vung Tau 33