Australia Day 2009
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Australia Day 2009 - 26th January
I would like to invite you all to help me celebrate the birthday of the best F***ing Country in the world. (that is how we use the f word in a nice way) :)
OK big deal I hear some of you ask, and that is your right.
So just stop there for one minute and think about this.
Australia is one of the so called "free" countries left in the world that you can actually still express an opinion openly and not get thrown into jail.
I think the first two lines of our National Anthem pretty well sums it up:-
Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free
I consider it an Honour and a privilege to be an Aussie and I'm mighty proud of my country. Check out some things that make me so proud at the Australian Governments "It's an Honour Website"
But enough of that this is a happy day for us and I would like to let you know a few things about us!
Australias National Anthem
We as Australians are very proud of our National Anthem and stand proud whenever it is sung at the Olympic Games and other National Events.
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM
Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We’ll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
Professor Michael Dodson AM
Australians of the Year
On Australia Day every year we award special Australians awards for being good citizens. I have made a list of the major awards:-
Australian of the Year......................Professor Michael Dodson AM
Senior Australian of the Year...........Pat LaManna OAM
Junior Australian of the Year............Jonty Bush
Australia's Local Hero......................Graeme Drew
Prof. Michael Dodson who has been described as courageous and humble Aboriginal leader has fought long and hard for the welfare of his people.
Mick was born itn the Kimberley area, which is on the coast of Western Australia JUST north of Perth.
In his own words Mick calls himself a "persistant bugger" . He doesn't shy away from difficult questions or issues. As Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia, Mick's dream is to achieve reconciliation in this country, and a better future for his people. An outstanding Australian, Mick represents integrity, wisdom and compassion. A broader out line of the awards can be viewed at the National Ausralia Day Council Website.
The Last Twelve Months
I would like to present my thoughts on the events of the last twelve months as they effect (or not) my family, friends , fellow Australians and myself.
In no particular order, just off the top of my head, and I would invite comment from anyone who feels that I have made an error or ommission.
- Australia's ruling Labour Party is spending money that they do not seem to have. That is a concern. Although I was happy with the hand out to the Pensioners before Christmas last year. It would seem that Mr Rudd has finally decided that it is time to look at the problems Australia faces rather than trying to fix the whole world.
- It may not have a direct effect on us but I am convinced that America made correct choice in electing Mr Obama. Only time will tell?
- It concerns me deeply that people moving to Australia from other countries are bringing the trouble and tribulations that they were trying to get away from, placing my families welfare in danger.
- The reconciliation process in Australia is progressing and will go ahead in leaps and bounds with Mick Dodson's appointment.
- My two Grand children are another year older and looking more beautiful by the day.
- I joined HubPages and I am greatly enjoying the experiences of meeting people from different countries and walks of life.
- Last but not least, I am still married to the loveliest lady in the world. (God know how she puts up with me.)
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Comments
Liked your hub ...it's a beauty....Hope you are having a good one ag.... great Australian of the Year choice don't you think?? cheers
Thanks Sidd, I hope you are having a good Republic Day. I believe that Australia will become a Republic in the not so distant furture>
Annie thanks for the kind words. I think the choice of Mick Dodson was good, but I felt he was out of line when he suggested changeing the date. I believe there is a time and a place for everything and today was neither the time or the place.
All the same I do understand where he is coming from.
Have you seen our weather forecast? The hottest week in 100 years.!!!!
What a top f***ing hub matey. Thanks for sharing your personal highlights :)
I must agree with point number one whole heartedly. It's a big bloody concern and I hope they know what they are doing. Point number's 5 and 7 warm my heart....it is nice to know that you appreciate all you have and value them dearly.
Wishing you and your family all the best.
Shaye
G'day Shaye, I appreciate your kind words,
I am concerned with what 09 is going to bring but I'm sure if we all pull our heads in we will come out of it OK. I don't really know what else the government can do? At least they are giving the money to people who will spend it to get the economy moving.
Yes Shaye, I am very aware of my treasures, and they are not material ones. Money and material things have never been the be all and end all with me.
I hope you and yours also had a great Australia Day!
Thanks again Shaye :-[)
Hi ag - shamefacedly I have to admit that I did not see the ceremony so did not hear the request for a date change - altho I did hear it being mooted yesterday on television - don't agree with this idea altho I too can see why it is desired by some and also not by others....had a very quiet day as at the moment my family are all interstate...so I spent the day (as you do) quietly chatting to my brothers on the phone and hubbing in fact put up another for the poetry challenge...cheers to you and yours today...
Hi aj, It's a pity you did not see it . When Kevin (stay at home) got up to give his reply he gave a very emphatic "NO" to the question of the date change. So I think its off the agenda for quite some time.
Thanks for the cheers and back at ya!
Great hub! I enjoyed the day at home.
earnest thanks for your comment . It has been a great day for Australia!
Do you allow crazy guys like myself into your great country? Australian culture affects the whole world and we are all a bit better for it. I'll drink myself a Fosters tonight, in honor of the Great Australia!
Celebrate with ya...Fosters? ok sounds good...Hope things work out for all of us...G-Ma Hugs
ag - glad about the definite no from kevin747 - staright ot the point is always good and I saw that Malcolm Turnbull agrees with him so that is good also...cheers
G'day goldentoad, Have a Foster's on me , better make that two so you can catch up !!
Hey man the crazier the better, we love eccentrics over here I'm sure we would make you most welcome. You must love sport though! I mean REAL sport like AFL, Cricket, Swimming, Girls. ;-[)
Thanks for dropping into the party!
btw who is that getting flushed?
That being flushed would me and all my brilliant ideas, I am a sports guy, but I have never played Cricket, not too sure if anyone plays it over since we have baseball, our ripped off version of Cricket, but I like swimming with the girls...and I'll make sure I double that Fosters to catch up.
G'day G-Ma J, I already had my share of Foster's but for you G-Ma I'll make an exception . LOL
I am very confident we will all come out of this mess better and stronger!
...G-Ma, Hugs ya back
Wonderful stuff. I would love to live in Australia, not because I need to escape anything (Guernsey is very safe), but because I love the people, the sense of humour and the natural beauty, plus my Uncle (Mum's Brother), lived and worked there for over 30 years and was completely accepted as a true "local" by the time he retired.
G'day misty, I'm sure a girl with your attributes would fit in very well in Australia. Especially around the BBQ. Do you have a bikini ? I've got the pool and the beer :)
So what was your uncles name I reckon I might know him?
Cindy, You are right on about the sense of humour . The rest of the world takes life much too seriously . Ya gotta laugh , sometimes even when things ain't funny. ;-[)
So that's what Adam Gilchrist does now eh? I've got a bikini, beer gut, hairy legs and a slab of VB's. I'll be right over. Don't hold the fact that I'm a Pom against me though. Cheers.
Sure, I got a bikini, no longer the Uncle though.
Wish you all a happy Australia Day!
G"day NDBEES, you, mate can forget the bikini, not even the budgie smugglers. Your job is to just bring the VB's. You should feel honoured to be trusted with such and important job.
Yes I think Gilly is being groomed to be a polly, and we did so admire him???? So what time will you be here its only going to be 41degrees C here today and the next 4 days.????? I think that's about 104 F in old talk.
misty, sorry about the uncle, but good news about the bikini, you will need it today its going to be 41 degrees for the next 4 days. The hottest recorded temp for one week in Melbourne. My puter room is not airconned so I may not be around HubPages very much.
So are we still on or is too hot for you?
Lgali,
The whole of Australia thanks you for your warm wishes!
LOL. What if I shave my legs and promise not to mention how you lost to the Proteas.
teehee...very funny all. For what it's worth, "America Day" (July 4th) is usually one of the hottest days of the year. Is there some rule that national birthdays *must* to be celebrated at the height of summer, or was there something about sweating one's arse off that inspired independence? (P.S. Bunch of perverts here! Not good enough that you saw Misty's tits, now you want her to drop the bikini? For shame, for shame!) ;D
Well Jama, Rockinjoe has already removed my panties!!! (see his hub on what Hubtivity should show if you haven't seen it already).
LOL AG, It's never TOO hot for me, and I am game, just need to raise the money for the air fare and I'm there :)
Hey guys I don't even think Misty's pair of beautiful tits or rockinjoes wifes bare chest or Jacko's rambling ass, could get me aroused tonight .The temperature on our property today topped 45 degrees C. and will not go under 30 all night.
It is now 9.30 pm and still on 37c which is the old one hundred.
Hey JamaGenee I didn't want Misty to drop her bikini . But seeing you raised the subject I wonder what Misty has to say about that. She may get sunburned but I have plenty of 30+ suncream!
Now NDBEES you really didn't think you would get away with that remark about the Proteas. I thought you were a Pom. Why would you stick up for those SA guys. We have to put up with Tony Grieg commentating on the TV. And in a moment of weakness OK if you shave your legs AND bring the COLD beer you can come.
Thanks mate. A slab of VB's is winging it's way round now.
Hey Ag, great hub. It's nice to be proud of where you live, it's a part of you. I have missed you terribly and was hoping you might be up for some mischief tonight in the form of a hubjacking? Are you interested?
gwendymom, I miss hanging out with you and the rest of my mates at Hubpages something awful, and if you knew me a tad better you would know that I find it very very hard to say "no' to a beautiful lady such as yourself. but unfortunatetly the heat here is almost unbearable ( the perspiration is just dripping off my elbows and other bits) 45C and climbing. I was just watching Fox news and see America is getting the other extreme. I hope you are all snuggled up with your family. Our aircon is not coping all that well so we are off to the Mall for the afternoon.
gmom, I promise I will get up to mischief with you (Hubjacking) at the first available time. Pick the Hub and I'll be there. (hugs)
Ok, Ag, I'll forgive you this time, but only because your cute and witty.
Nice hub, Ag, and great that you take such pride and feel so strongly for your country. Good luck in everything for your country and your family!
Happy Australia day to aguvulpes. You are a great guy!
gmom, In that case I will make a good match for my gdaughter's Elmo doll,
E -L-MMM-O, LOL. I do appreciate your forgiveness!
Chris, mate I am sure that you feel the same about your own country. We all know that we have our imperfections but personally I would not choose to live in another country (and I have seen a few). Even with this bloody heat. I have just ventured onto the computer and it is still around 37C at 8.30pm.
Chris thanks again for your best wishes.
SweetiePie. thanks for your wishes, I do my best to be a straight shooter!
Happy Australia Day!
Hopefully happy every day!
hsofyan, thanks for your best wishes. I do try to make every day a happy day!
Aussie aussie aussie - oi, oi, oi!!!
You missed the potential reference to Sam Kekovich!!
Keep it up, cobber!!
Sailaway, I did seriously consider Sam the man but I thought the humor may very well have got lost. lol
btw have you met Sam's nephew yet ?
Mate. Thanks for the comment.
Australians all let us rejoice
for we have homes and roofs,
whilst aboriginal australia
sleep in rented shelters
Our land abounds in natures gifts
Uranium and desalination plants are on the list
to make up for bad environmental policies....
I like your TS Eliot quotes.. thankyou.
One of my favorite cricketers, happy to see invasion day celebrated with the real australians taking centre stage.
And your political comments interesting and insightful.
Labor lost the plot for a short time, but I think they may move back again. Nothing like a few bankers to attempt incitement of fear with mortgage rate increases.
Lovely to see aussies here and your vacation australia hubs are fantastic!!!
SiddSingh says:
10 months ago
Hi Ag,
Wish you a happy Australia Day!
26th January is also celebrated in India as the Republic Day. We celebrate it with a lot of pomp and show.