Why I Love Being Australian!

The Cyclist and I were not always Australians, we started our lives as Africans. After a life threatening incident just over 7 years ago we decided to look for an alternative home for our family.  I am so glad that we did.  We have lived in Australia for 5 years this June and this is the first Australia Day that we celebrate as Australians.

Our Proud Citizenship Moment in November

Australia Day, a major public holiday here, is the day that Australians celebrate the raising of the British flag on Sydney Cove by Captain Arthur Phillip on 26 January 1788.  I have just hung our flags and bunting around our home and am feeling very patriotic at the moment!

Decorating for Australia Day

It is a major event in the calendar and basically nothing really happens in Australia from just before Christmas until after Australia day - the schools will reopen after the summer holiday next week and then it'll be business as usual, no more lazing around on the beaches, time to get back to work mates (a very popular Australian term)!

I truly love being an Australian and these are just a few things that I love about Australia:

The Freedoms- the freedom as a woman to run on my own, go walking or running in the bush, ride my bicycle, walk my dog in the evenings, without any fear for my personal safely.  I feel my life has really opened up living here and the exercise opportunities have increased ten fold.  Previously I always worked out in a gym or ran with a group.  Life here has a high value, something that I cherish for myself and my family.

One of the Many Bushwalks

The stunning natural environment - Number one, I adore the Australian bush, with national parks on our doorstep, I can literally be running on a beautiful trail within 400m from our home.  The awesome gum trees have a life of their own, shedding their bark during the year and changing texture.  The wildlife one sees (wallabies, brush turkeys, goannas) while out there is always a treat and I love the fact that the Australians protect their wildlife and National Parks to such a great extent.



Number two, I absolutely love the beaches and waterways.  Within 15-20 minutes of our doorstep we have waterways and beaches are only a bit further.  In summer we enjoy many a morning in the crystal sea, catching waves and building castles in the sand.  The fact that I can run or cycle to the waterways/ beaches means that I can build in exercise too, bliss.

Freshwater Beach- Another Day in Paradise

A Wonderful Place for Children to Grow Up -  There are an incredible number of sporting and cultural activities available to children here and we are enjoying them in the public school system at a fraction of the cost of any private school.  Both Sportsgirl and The Scientist enjoy school and have had small class sizes, great teachers and sports and music opportunities.  Outside school the kids love the beaches, cycling on the trails and just the fantastic outdoor lifestyle that we have.  There is very little need to resort to screen time as a form of entertainment , although we do ensure that from 12-3 (and sometimes longer) we are out of the sun.

The Food-  I aways try to "Buy Australian".  We really have a great variety of fresh produce.  Having just done a grocery shop I have purchased mangos, watermelon, sweet (rock) melon, grapes, lychees, apples and oranges to enjoy over the Australia Day weekend.  Recently, I grabbed a true Aussie bargain with a huge tray of strawberries for $7.    There is a wide availability and variety of fish and other seafood, my favourite type of protein.  The Cyclist is a big meat eater and steak on the BBQ is a real Australian favourite.  We'll be throwing steak and prawns on the "barbie" in true Australian style.


I love being Australian and shout "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi" with pride.  Yes, I do support Australia in sporting events too.  If my children ever get to that level in sport, they would represent Australia, rather than the country of their birth.  So, of course I support Australia.  The Cyclist is cycling in the Cape Epic in a couple of months time under the Australian flag, luckily we are on the same page!

There are so many things to love about being Australian but to me personal safety and a beautiful environment are paramount.  It is truly the land of opportunity and I feel extremely fortunate to be one of its newest citizens.  We'll be celebrating on the beach, along with many other Australians.



If you are Australian, how do you celebrate Australia Day?

If not, have you been to Australia and experienced the lifestyle here?  Have you heard of Australia Day?