Today is the day we fire up our backyard barbies and throw on a few snags for friends and family. Today is the day we head to the beach and return home the not-so-proud owners of a sunburn of sorts, or at the very least a few new freckles on our noses. Today is the day we spend outdoors, dressed in ridiculous looking attire, adorned with the Aussie flag.
However we choose to spend it, Australia Day is a day of celebration and tradition. It's about being with the people you love and care for, doing the things that make us Aussies.
The backyard barbie would have to be my favourite Australia Day tradition and it is one that hasn't changed much over the years. The blokes stand around the barbie, beer in hand, trying to work out who has caught the biggest fish or which footy team will be awarded the wooden spoon. Or, they may swap thoughts about who's V8 did the fastest quarter mile at Bathurst.
The customary dropping of the solitary snag, subsequent dust-off and return to the hot plate is still common practice at the barbie to this day. This ritual is unfailingly well received by other blokes, who express their approval with grunts of single-syllable words of appreciation, like, 'nice one mate'.
Meanwhile, the women gather together indoors, doing the real work, like preparing salads, drinking the bubbly and gossiping about the young and handsome new teacher down at the catholic school, and most importantly, whether or not he is sporting a wedding ring.
Now at the end of the day, we may be sunburnt, full of food and hung over, but it's all good because everyone knows that tomorrow is for chucking a sickie right? It's the Aussie way.
How did you spend your Australia Day?
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