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Australia 101 Blog

Susan Wareham
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Australia Day 2009

Wed, 14 Jan, 2009

News Photo - Australia Day 2009

Australia Day Kings Beach

On January 26 each year Australia has a national holiday to celebrate what's great about being Australian.

It's the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation. It's the day for us to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future.

Events

There are over 5,000 events to celebrate Australia day this year. Find an event near you.

Citizenship Ceremonies

Many Australian citizenship ceremonies are held on Australia Day as part of the program of events. Contact your local government council for details or visit www.citizenship.gov.au or contact the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs on 131 880.

History

The tradition of having Australia Day as a national holiday on 26 January is a recent one. Read about Australian history and the evolution of Australia Day.

Australian National Anthem

Lyrics and audio files of the Australian National Anthem.

Indigenous Australia

Understandably, Aboriginal Australians have continued to feel excluded from what has long been a British pioneering settler celebration, symbolised by the raising of the Union Jack and later the Australian flag which bears the British flag.

Debate over the date and nature of Australia Day continues as the National Australia Day Council seeks to meet the challenge of making 26 January a day all Australians can accept and enjoy.

This Australia Day marks the first since Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's formal apology to the Indigenous people of Australia, maybe this shift in government policy will make the day less painful for our first Australians.

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