WITH over 5000 Australia Day events scheduled for NSW alone, it seems everyone will be celebrating on January 26.
And let’s face it, it’s not every day you can wear the national flag around your shoulders with a painted green and gold face plastered with ‘I love Australia’ tattoos., which is exactly why when every January 26 rolls around, Erin Freeney, 21,of Hilltop, digs out her extensive collection of Australia Day gear to follow an annual tradition.
With painted “Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!” car windows, anyone would recognise the driver of this little white car as quite the patriotic citizen.
And one look inside would confirm that.
Wearing a national flag bikini, board shorts and thongs with hair held back by a novelty flag headband, Ms Freeney sits beside a national flag tote bag and matching towel.
For the past four years Ms Freeney has made the trek with the same group of friends to a beach at Shoalhaven for some fun in the sun.
This is followed by a house party with all the traditional trimmings. Lamingtons, fruit-filled pavolva, sausage rolls and the good old meat pie are on the menu followed by a game of Australia Day decorated cards.
“It’s Australia Day. It’s the best day of the year and you get to spend it with your friends,” Ms Freeney said.
Which is also why Canyonleigh residents Nolene Ryan and husband Keith make the trip to Sydney for a private function aboard a paddleboat on Sydney Harbour.
Celebrating in style with 40 family and friends, Mrs Ryan plans to decorate her face with the national flag in preparation for what she describes as a fantastic day.
“It’s beautiful. Everybody is there to celebrate the country and you see people wearing clothes with the flag on them, and the tattoos which you put on the back of your hand so people can see them when you wave,” Mrs Ryan said.
Moss Vale resident Daniel Marshall also makes the trip into Sydney to ride the ferry around Sydney Harbour while watching the ferry races.
Similarly, former Highlands resident Ian Heggie follows a ten-year tradition of hosting overseas guests and a lamb barbecue to see out the day.
Mittagong Fire Brigade captain Craig Morris however gets into the thick of Highlands celebrations by cruising down the Old Hume Highway through Berrima in a fire truck for the annual grand parade.
“It’s a really good feeling. You see most locals and those from Mittagong cheer pretty loudly,” Mr Morris said.
“It’s like their way of saying thanks for what we do.”
But Australia Day is for people big and small and Olivia Kurtzman, 7, waits every year for her favourite part of the parade - the music float.
So whether it’s partying aboard a paddleboat on Sydney Harbour, lighting up the barbie in keeping with this year’s theme, or taking a trip to the beach for some fun in the sun, dig out your Australia Day gear and wear it proud, because this is our day to celebrate.
Happy Australia Day!
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