January 26 is Australia Day, the national holiday of the “Land Down Under.” The day, which commemorates the first European colony in Australia begun in 1788, is marked with fireworks, parades, ferry races, and family gatherings.
Australia Day is also when the Australian Prime Minister announces the annual “Australian of the Year” award. This year’s winner is country singer, Lee Kernaghan. Past winners have included opera singer, Dame Joan Sutherland; cricketer, Steve Waugh; and tennis player, Evonne Goolagong.
Happy Australia Day to all of our friends “Down Under.”
(image provided courtesy of australiaday.gov.au)