It's Australia Day, Mates!Aussies Celebrate
When not at a watering hole sinking a few Foster's Lager, you'll find several of the locals enjoying the Australia Day Yabbie Races in Narrandera, New South Wales. Held in a beer garden on a 10-foot wet plastic cover (to ensure a slippery finish), the yabbies (freshwater crayfish) compete in several heats before the final race to declare the fastest yabbie. Winners and losers alike get "thrown on the barbie (barbecue)," much to the dining delight of race spectators. Another way Aussies celebrate the day is at the annual cockroach races at Kangaroo Point, where the little pests compete in a five-race program. Fortunately, these competitors don't end up on the barbie for dinner, and there is plenty of music and good grub to help those with a queasy stomach get over the ghastly sight of the racing roaches. In Sydney Harbor, another race, the Amatil Ferrython, takes place, but this time it won't include prawns or bugs. Ferryboats race around the harbor before hitting the rubbidy-dub (local pub) to bend the elbow (to drink a few lagers) with a few of their mates. Boston Bay, in Port Lincoln, South Australia, is home to the Tunarama Festival, which honors the swarthy shipmates of the vast fishing industry and hosts the World Record John West Tuna Tossing Championship. A four-day extravaganza in Taralga, New South Wales, includes Aussie stockman-related events like sheep-dog trials and an Aussie Day Rodeo. Whether the day is celebrated with a "sky show" (fireworks), yabbie races, cockroach races or racing from boozer to boozer (bar to bar), many an Aussie will end the day-long celebration with an exuberant "Strike me lucky, that was a good time." G'day, mate, and Happy Australia Day! Edited By Shekeria Brown |
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TM
In the land Down Under, Aussies celebrate Australia Day on Jan. 26, marking the beginning of the European settlement. Australia Day gives everyone in Australia --and Australians everywhere -- a reason to party and share a tinnie (beer) with a mate.