Glitter Graphics

Australians have been celebrating Australia Day for 10 hours longer than I have and I don't even get a public holiday for it (See, that's what happens when you desert those sunny shores and move to Sweden). Even the Australian version of Google got in the act.



When I was in Australia, the day was not really celebrated in a huge way - more a day for a barbeque lunch, dinner at that Hindley Street icon, Jerusalem and perhaps popping down to the Torrens to sit on the riverbank and watch the annual Skyshow. The big thing was that it was a day off, but other images that come to mind are of searing heat and bushfires, tennis and cricket, and the end of the summer school holidays.



For those of us overseas, the day is a time to gather with our fellow countrymen and revel in a deep sense of shared values and national identity. We enjoy just being Australian. The big events in Stockholm are tonight's beach party at The Dancin' Dingo where copious amounts of beer will be consumed and We are Australian will ring out into the chilly, snowy night. Then there's the footy club bash on Saturday night at Foggy Dew and of course the annual bbq in the snow on Sunday.

To all Australians, wherever you are in the world, I hope you have a wonderful day.

And special wishes to all those fighting bushfires across the country today. May all of you return safely to your loved ones when your work is done.