Australia Day was a couple of weeks ago and celebration plans were in high gear while we were in Canberra. Stages were being erected at Parliament and signs warned people of impending traffic changes. The show promised a long list of Australian entertainers and personalities jam packed into an amazing fun day.
We thought about staying and taking it in, but we had been on the road living out of suitcases for more than a month and we took the long drive back to Coonabarabran.
On Australia Day we drove out to Baradine’s morning ceremony in front of the community’s hospital. People found shade under a couple of canopies, or here and there under nearby trees and listened to speeches honoring some of the people that make these small towns work: the hospital volunteer, the group that fund-raised and negotiated a building to house a child care program, the promising young star athletes, and more. While Canberra acknowledged the high-profile achievers, in small towns across the country, communities gathered to recognize their own. It was really heart-warming.
After the speeches everyone had some bread and butter with honey, and a slice of cake with tea, coffee, or juice. It was also a nice opportunity to meet up with some of the folks I would be working with this year before the pressures of school started. It wasn’t fancy, but it was very personal, and we loved it.
In the evening we attended Coonabarabran’s celebrations in the park and listened to speeches honoring some of their great people. A community band entertained us with music and the Rotary men cooked up some sausages on buns for everyone after the ceremony. I really do love these kinds of things – there’s lots to love about community coming together to celebrate what is great about their home and the people that live there.
So we didn’t see fireworks, or hear any famous singers, or party with thousands of people in some iconic setting, but we did experience some real heart and soul of Australia Day in our own way with some pretty great folks and are glad we did!
