Australia Day 2012

This year, as in previous years, Akela was involved with Australia Day. Obviously, this meant that Wilbur was along for the ride.

For those who are not aware (and that would be pretty much every non Australian reading this post – you can’t live in Australia and MISS the day), Australia Day is celebrated on the 26^th January every year.

From Wikipedia(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_Day)  , the following should provide a VERY SHORT history –

Australia Day (previously known as Anniversary Day, Foundation Day, and ANA Day)^[1] is the official national day of Australia. Celebrated annually on 26 January, the date commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788 and the proclamation at that time of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of New Holland.^[2]

Although it was not known as Australia Day until over a century later, records of celebrations on 26 January date back to 1808, with the first official celebration of the formation of New South Wales held in 1818. It is presently an official public holiday in every state and territory of Australia and is marked by the presentation of the Australian of the Year Awards on Australia Day Eve, announcement of the Honours List for the Order of Australia and addresses from the Governor-General and Prime Minister. With community festivals, concerts and citizenship ceremonies the day is celebrated in large and small communities and cities around the nation. Australia Day has become the biggest annual civic event in Australia.^[3]

^{Please enjoy the photos from this year’s event that were held in Salisbury and Elizabeth.}