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7 unusual facts about Australia Day


Elias C. Laycock

On 26 January 1877, Trickett won over Laycock at an annual regatta in Sydney which commemorates the anniversary of the colonisation of Australia.

Glenbrook, New South Wales

Since 2005, the suburb has been the home of The Australian Gnome Convention organised by the local Rotary Club and held on Australia Day each year.

Goombungee, Queensland

The town hosts an annual Iron man and Iron women competition on Australia Day.

Jacob Nagle

This key historical event is marked annually in Australia by a public holiday and Australia Day celebrations.

Lotterywest

Lotterywest directly sponsors the Perth International Arts Festival, Australia Day celebrations, local film funding body Screenwest, the Scitech organisation, and was the major sponsor of the Lotterywest Skyworks for 15 years (1995–2010)

Merlyn Myer

On Australia Day 1990, Sidney Baillieu was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for service to business and commerce, to government and to the community.

New South Wales state election campaign, 2007

Debnam drew criticism for outlining his vision for "practical multiculturalism" during a citizenship ceremony on 26 January, Australia Day.


Australian citizenship affirmation

Affirmation ceremonies may be included as part of civic occasions, community events, school assemblies or on days of national significance such as Australia Day (26 January), Harmony Day (21 March), Constitution Day (9 July), Wattle Day (1 September) and Australian Citizenship Day (17 September).

Geoffrey Blainey

He was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours list of 2000 for his service to academia, research and scholarship.

Government House, Brisbane

Government House Open Day, when it is open to the general public, is held each year, usually on Australia Day, 26 January and Queensland Day, 6 June.

John Cargher

On Australia Day 1987, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the performing arts in Australia.

Kate Carnell

She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Australia Day Honours list of 2006, for her services and contributions to the Australian Capital Territory.

Lindsay Fox

Fox was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours of 1992, in recognition of service to the transport industry and to the community.

Michelle Grattan

In the Australia Day Honours in 2004, she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her long and distinguished service to Australian journalism.

Stevie Plunder

On 26 January (Australia Day), 1996, exactly four years since The Whitlams were formed, and as their single I Make Hamburgers was breaking into the Triple J Hottest 100 chart, Stevie Plunder was found dead at the bottom of Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains, apparently a suicide.


see also

2013 Australia Day Honours

The Australia Day Honours 2013 were announced on 26 January 2013 by the Governor General of Australia, Quentin Bryce, AC, CVO.

Anne Summers

1989: Australia Day honour of an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for service to journalism and to women's affairs.

Association of Australian Artistes

The inaugural Production Coordinator was Barbara Angell and a fund-raising concert was held in the Australia House basement on Sunday, 25 January 1976, coinciding with the Australia Day Weekend.

Carmen Duncan

She currently serves as an Ambassador for the Breast Care Centre at the Royal Hospital for Women and as the Ambassador for Tenterfield Shire Council for Australia Day.

Jacksonville Axemen

Rugby league was widely exposed to Jacksonville residents during the Australia Day Challenge on January 26, 2008, an exhibition match hosted by actor Russell Crowe between the South Sydney Rabbitohs (Australia) and the Leeds Rhinos (England) - the first international Rugby League match held in the United States.

Jean Isherwood

In 1982 Isherwood heard on the radio that a statue was to be erected as a memorial to Dorothea Mackellar at Gunnedah, on Australia Day, 26 January 1983.

Max Lake

In the 2002 Australia Day Honours, Lake was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for service to the establishment of the boutique wine industry in Australia as a winemaker, judge, promoter and author.

Meelis Zaia

Bishop Meelis Zaia was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) medal on 26 January 2007 in the Australia Day Honours List by the Queen of Australia, Elizabeth II, for his community service through the Assyrian Church of the East and for his pioneering work in the field of education and the establishment of educational facilities.

Ted Egan

Egan was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 1993 Australia Day Honours List for services to the Aboriginal people, and for "an ongoing contribution to the literary heritage of Australia through song and verse".

VKS737

On Australia Day, 26 January 2004, Steve was awarded with the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community, particularly residents and travellers in remote locations, through the Australian National Four Wheel Drive Radio Network Inc.