Australia Day weekend, 2008 was a fun, relaxing, three day break. Apart from getting a bit sun burnt, I had a great time, hec… isn’t being sun burnt part of being Australian. My weekend included beach, beer, bbq’s and a boat. I just wish we had more celebrations during the year like Australia Day.

Australia Day is a day to celebrate everything thats great about Australia and being Australian. And what better place to celebrate it than on the Central Coast. Everywhere I went people were celebrating in one way or another including a bbq on the front lawn with the neighbors or the local park, going down to the local pub or club and having a few beers or taking the family out to one of the many free events around the Central Coast.

Many people flocked to Gosford, Woy Woy, The Entrance and heaps of other places to see the entertainment and fireworks. I’m pretty sure a few people let of some of their own fireworks stash by the sound of the wizz’s and bangs around the Central Coast. Everywhere I looked there I saw deep blue, red and white stripes and our most famous icon the southern cross, the Australian flag was shown everywhere and it is definitely something we should be proud of and respect.

Below is some more info on the first celebrations of Australia Day, if you have any thoughts on Australia Day or want to let us know how you spent your day please feel free to leave a comment below.

History Of Australia Day

On January 26, 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip took formal possession of the colony of New South Wales and became its first Governor.

The fledging colony soon began to celebrate the anniversary of this date. Manning Clarke notes that in 1808 the “anniversary of the foundation of the colony” was observed in the traditional manner with “drinking and merriment”.

The first official celebrations were held in 1818 to mark the 30th anniversary of white settlement. Governor Macquarie officiated at a thirty-gun salute during the day and a dinner ball at Government House that evening.