Austourist.com

Happy Australia Day

26th January the day we celebrate our nation and our pride in it.

There are lots of celebrations all around the country -- nearly every town has something happening on Australia Day, from the huge musical extravaganzas and fireworks in the cities, to the street BBQs held all over the country.

In Australia, we're either descended from convicts, immigrants or the indigenous people, and these facts have given us as a nation, certain traits which really do stand out:

1. We don't like rules
2. We don't like being told what to do
3. We'll fight for what is right
4. We just keep trying... and we just keep going  ("little Aussie Battlers")
and
5. We'll do anything for a mate - even if we've only just met him/her

The date of Australia Day has been under review for over 150 years.  There are some good reasons for this:
Australia Day started as a commemoration of the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, the hoisting of the British flag there, and the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia.  Indigenous people and their supporters see this (justifiably, I'm sure) as a reason to change the date, because it certainly isn't a reason to cheer for the country for them!

The holiday in various forms and under various names has been held since 1808, when the Armed Corps overthrew Governor William Bligh (yes, the "Mutiny on the Bounty" Bligh, who was from all reports NOT a nice man!).  This has come to be known as the Rum Rebellion, and was the only successful armed takeover of government in Australia's history.

Even though either of these "celebrations" may or may not be valid, the fact is, that what we are celebrating is the wonderful, huge and diverse country we live in, and being part of the community as it is today.

Before:

So, whether you're having a few tinnies around the BBQ or having a few tinnies at the pub or cracking an Australian bottle of red or white at the seaside-- I wish you a VERY happy day!

After:

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 Welcome to the First annual 

"Worst Caravan Park Manager in Australia" Award!

 (drum roll)

...and the winner is ...

Christopher Dorn
from Lake Glenbawn State Park!

Okay, I seldom feel the need to rant about poor service - well, publicly at least, but I have never encountered a worse Caravan Park Manager in my life!

Now, I realise I come from the Northern Rivers (read - lower Gold Coast) where Tourism is king and patrons are considered bread and butter and treated very well indeed, and I realise that it's not necessarily the same everywhere.

I'm not talking about staff putting up with rude people, or meeting unreasonable demands, but just plain good manners and most importantly, a friendly greeting. Click to Continue...

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Day 26 - Thurs 10th Dec, 2009 - Sheba Dams

Today's Lesson: There are some amazing towns out there in Aus.

<-- Sheba Dams near Hanging Rock    

We went into town for petrol and drove around Nundle for quite a while.  It’s a beautiful historic town with lots of background and history, and plenty of things to see and do.  We met Anne at the Visitors Information Centre, and she was wonderfully helpful and showed us the rock collection that was donated by the family of the late Gil Bennet.  It’s really very impressive and well worth a look.  Anne also had a number of maps and other great info.  The Tourist Info Centre is located just next to the Nundle Caravan Park.  Don’t miss it! Click to Continue...

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John has been ill with arteriosclerosis for fifteen years and has had a quadruple bypass (that failed) as well as a first time in Australia heart surgery operation that was a huge success! I got breast cancer in 2004. We lost our businesses shortly after and our home and were sent into bankruptcy. This is NOT WHO WE ARE -this is just what happened. We decided this year that it was time to "smell the roses" and enjoy life - one day at a time.  So, we packed the cat (Mac) and our large dog (Zep) into our 1998 Verada, and off we go!  Click to Continue...

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