Australia Day

[Hagar]

We had our first ever "Samelessly Patriotic Australia day BBQ", including flag bunting, Aussie balloons, snags and XXXX (the one true beer). No lamb though.


I dunno if other Aussies remember a time here, not so long ago, when it was rare to see the Australian flag anywhere other than in political/military situations and in TV ads. It was considered a bit strange (naff) and definitely uncool. It was like the only house in your suburb that displayed a flag was always owned by a former serviceman, who was almost certainly an officer, and definitely scared the kids witless and intimidated the other neighbours with his immaculate lawn, garden and house.

It's changed recently. We're more patriotic, and not simply in the "we-kicked-your-ass-at-sport" kind of way. I'm not sure if it's a product of being "at war" or a feeling of being proud of who we are and where we live. It's probably a bit of both.

It was bloody awful to see the flag claimed as gang colours by thugs in the Cronulla Riots, but fucking beautiful to see it re-claimed as a national symbol by peaceful fans at the BigDayOut concerts.

I think we've got a good sort of patriotism going on at the mo'

Cheers!