Australia Day 2023

Every year Australia Day, held on January 26, is the focus of huge controversy and debate. While many Australians see it as a chance to celebrate the country's lifestyle,culture and achievements, typically through barbecues and public events, the date is not a happy one for Australia's Indigenous people.

What you talking about mate? Our mob were here first!

Since the first settlers, Australians have celebrated a national day. In the process, they have also defined what it means to be Australian. January 26 has traditionally marked the landing of Captain Phillip at Port Jackson in present-day Sydney, thereby claiming Australia for the British Empire. Early settlers, perhaps naturally, marked the anniversary of the colony's establishment. 

Australia Day has consequently evolved from a small commemorative New South Wales holiday into a major national celebration. Though it has often been criticised, it has nevertheless emerged as the most inclusive celebration of a national day in Australia, expressing the national diversity which has become such an important part of the Australian national character.

 Whereas once it celebrated the staunchly British nature of Australian society (or was disparaged for this approach), it now embraces multicultural Australia, including all ethnic backgrounds, racial differences and political viewpoints. Australia Day today is a celebration of diversity and tolerance in Australian society.

ANZAC Day rememberance

 

 

The 11th Bn on the Pyramids in Egypt prior to the landing at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli . Not many of the soldiers in this picture survived the 8 month campaign.

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, and is commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all those who died and served in military operations for their countries. Anzac Day is also observed in the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tonga.

Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs. Anzac Day remains one of the most important national occasions of both Australia and New Zealand. This is a rare instance of two sovereign countries not only sharing the same remembrance day, but making reference to both countries in its name.

In Australia and New Zealand, Anzac Day commemoration features solemn "Dawn Services", a tradition started in Albany, Western Australia on 25 April 1923 and now held at war memorials around both countries, accompanied by thoughts of those lost at war to the ceremonial sounds of The Last Post on the bugle. The fourth stanza of Laurence Binyon's poem For the Fallen (known as the "Ode of Remembrance") is often recited.

At the Australian War Memorial, following events such as the Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services, families often place artificial red poppies beside the names of relatives on the Memorial's Roll of Honour. In Australia, sprigs of rosemary are often worn on lapels and in New Zealand poppies have taken on this role.

In more recent times the families and young people have been encouraged to take part in dawn services, and services in Australian capital cities have seen some of the largest turnouts ever. Reflecting this change, the ceremonies have become more elaborate, incorporating hymns, readings, pipers and rifle volleys. Others, though, have retained the simple format of the dawn stand-to, familiar to so many soldiers.

Two-up has also been legalised on ANZAC Day, when it is played in Returned Servicemen's Leagues (RSL) clubs and hotels. Two-up was played extensively by Australia's soldiers during world war 1

Ode of Remembrance

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.

Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Kangaroo inside a emu recipe

Roasted Emu stuffed with Kangaroo 

KANGAMU

Dont go cooking lamb or beef on Australia day use Kangaroo or Emu our Aussie Coat of Arms.

Chuck some Roo or Emu on the Barbie its lean its tasty and goes great with Beer and Bundy Rum not just Beer or Rum both together remember its Australia Day you have to get smashed.

Aussie Meat Pie (Roo Pie)

1kg Kangaroo mince 

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium brown onion, finely chopped

2 rashers fatty bacon, rind trimmed chopped small

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 tablespoons plain flour

2 cups salt-reduced beef stock

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

4 sheets frozen ready-rolled shortcrust pastry, partially thawed, halved diagonally

2 sheets frozen ready-rolled puff pastry, partially thawed, quartered

1 egg, lightly beaten

Tomato sauce,

 Cook Roo mince, bacon and onion in a frying pan for 8 to 10 minutes or till brown.

Add tomato paste and flour. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until combined. Add stock and thyme. Stir to combine.

Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low.

Simmer for 30 minutes or until sauce has thickened and meat is tender. Season with pepper. Remove from heat.

Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan-forced. Line eight 7.5cm round pie moulds with shortcrust pastry. Trim excess.

Fill cases with kangaroo mixture. Top with puff pastry. Trim excess. Press edges together with a fork to seal.

Using a small sharp knife, cut a small cross in pie tops. Brush with egg. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden. Serve with tomatoe sauce

Enjoy with a shit load of Beer and a bottle of Bundy 

Emu Burgers

3 kg minced Emu

2 bacon rashers 

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

6 large onion slices

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

3 hamburger buns

Bbq Sauce

Beetroot

Tomatoe

Lettuce

Pineapple

8 Bundy and cokes

Combine Emu, worcestershire sauce, dry mustard and salt and pepper, mixing well. Shape into six patties and chuck on barbie with the onion and bacon. melt some cheese on the burgers when nearly cooked.

Toast buns on barbie, chuck on the emu burger, bacon, bbq sauce beetroot, tomatoe, lettuce, pineapple,(leave off what you dont like) and serve with heaps of nice cold cans of Bundie and coke

Makes 6 servings.

Welcome to country ceremony

Ceremonies and protocols are an important part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Incorporating ceremonies into Australia Day activities allows the wider community to share in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, and promote a stronger sense of shared nationhood. Such ceremonies include Welcome to Country to welcome visitors into a community and Smoking Ceremonies to clear impurities from the land or sea.