Australia Day!

[mrjbeam1981]

Good afternoon fellow SAFootyers. I have just been asked to make a speech on Australia Day. I am after peoples responses about the day itself, what it means to them, how do they celebrate it!

I'll start off be saying Australia Day to me means the coming together of friends and family, having a few beers, throwing a snag or 10 on the bbq and eventually watching the Aussies destroy whoever we are playing in the cricket. my only beef about the day is that we don't have the Australia Day test anymore.

I said to some of my mates last year at the cricket, when i see that flag get hoisted up and someone belting out OUR anthem i get goosebumps and i am filled with immense pride!

I'm going to try and keep this speech less political as i can. I know some members of my community may not like what i have to say, but to be honest (my opinion only) to move forward we need to acknowledge the past, and move forward together.

[CENTURION]

give Bruce Ruxton & Pauline Hanson a buzz & get their thoughts

[JK]

Can't say that my method of celebration is much different at all to yours Joel ... Weather permitting you dress as if you're going to spend the day on the Hill at the cricket regardless of whether you're actually going or not, you have ample beer on ice, the barby burning and you enjoy the company of mates!

I'm off the wagon this January which I think I'll manage no worries ... Jan 26th however will be the tough one to get through!!

Best of luck with your speech mate!

[Dutchy]

JJJ Hottest 100 in the Background of what has already been said...

[Lunchcutter]

We have a tradition which is a family picnic (extended family on gradmothers side Gransden/ Cox / Halls/ Holmes/ Barnes / Denton ) side and we all pack up our picnic baskets and goodies and head off to rymill park by the lake - this is a family tradition with 4 generations attending... we set up, hoist our flags, put the j's on and kick back... always love this special day held on Australia Day each year - has been going for just over 100 years and is very important to us.

[Thiele]

Always try and go to the Australia Day Parade in town. Then this year of to Nanna's Birthday Party with all of the family

[Blue Boy]

JJJ Hottest 100 in the Background of what has already been said...

With the above some cold beer with some sort of bbq goin situation plus the cricket on mute !!!

[Leaping Lindner]

Australia Day means another year has passed and we still have that "cleaning rag" in the top left hand corner of our flag. Whilst I appreciate the history of the occassion I still tend to look at it as Sydney's day. For me the federation of the states (January 1st 1901) is a more significant day. But that's just me.

[Leaping Lindner]

JJJ Hottest 100 in the Background of what has already been said...

With the above some cold beer with some sort of bbq goin situation plus the cricket on mute !!!

The way JJJ is these days you are better off having the radio on mute and the sound on the TV

[heater31]

JJJ Hottest 100 in the Background of what has already been said...

With the above some cold beer with some sort of bbq goin situation plus the cricket on mute !!!

The way JJJ is these days you are better off having the radio on mute and the sound on the TV

its better than any of the tripe the commerical stations serve up

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

Australia Day = Beer
Labour Day = Beer
Proclamation Day = Beer
Adelaide Cup Day = Beer
Queen's Birthday = Beer
Anzac Day = Beer, Respect + Bombers vs Pies

...Developing a pattern here?
In fact ANY day off work = Beer

Except for Good Friday (All the pubs are shut!)
But commonsense means stocking up beforehand...
or go to the Brickworks!

[longtimewaiting_2]

a channel on foxtel has a kingswood country marathon on australia day cold beer barbie and tv

[Rushby Hinds]

So JB, I guess that means that you aren't going to the cricket with me then....

[Magpiespower]

Australia Day doesn't mean sweet FA to me.

ANZAC Day is our true national day of celebration/rememberance.

Plastic flags, barbies, the Hottest 100 and Australia Day honours won't change that.

[Leaping Lindner]

JJJ Hottest 100 in the Background of what has already been said...

With the above some cold beer with some sort of bbq goin situation plus the cricket on mute !!!

The way JJJ is these days you are better off having the radio on mute and the sound on the TV

its better than any of the tripe the commerical stations serve up

Only just. Let's not forget last year's top two "Wish you Well" and "Catch my disease". Oh yes! JJJ are living on the edge these days.

[TroyGFC]

Australia Day doesn't mean sweet FA to me.

ANZAC Day is our true national day of celebration/rememberance.

Plastic flags, barbies, the Hottest 100 and Australia Day honours won't change that.

I am with you. But still any day paid to be off work is good but why stop at the few we have I vote to have off other religous days such as Ramadam (sp?).

As Snaggletooth said many beers, whats better is it falls on a Friday this year.

[Dutchy]

Australia Day doesn't mean sweet FA to me.

ANZAC Day is our true national day of celebration/rememberance.

Plastic flags, barbies, the Hottest 100 and Australia Day honours won't change that.

you celebrate Anzac day????

[JK]

Australia Day doesn't mean sweet FA to me.

ANZAC Day is our true national day of celebration/rememberance.

Plastic flags, barbies, the Hottest 100 and Australia Day honours won't change that.

you celebrate Anzac day????

I would have thought celebrate was the right choice of words ... Celebrate the courage of those who sacrificed for this country ... People will view it differently I guess, but I pay my respects first and then celebrate the day and what it stands for

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

ANZAC Day's a time to look back & respect those Great Australians & New Zealanders who gave their lives so we can enjoy the freedom to have a piss-up on April 25th (Or any other day for that matter!)

'Lest we forget'

Centrals versus Eagles Grand Final Replay on that day too!
...could be interesting!

[Dutchy]

Rememberance and respect, if thats with a few beers fine.....but no celebration, its not Christmas...