Let's pretend it's Thursday, and not Friday! Sorry for the delay...
This week, to celebrate Australia Day, I wanted to write about what it is I actually love about this fair country. To keep it fair for my international readers, the prompt this week is to document what it is you love about your country...here goes...
Australia is beautiful!
Dorothea Mackeller described Australia best in her poem "My Country"...
"...I love a sunburnt country, A land of sweeping plains, Of ragged mountain ranges, Of droughts and flooding rains. I love her far horizons, I love her jewel-sea, Her beauty and her terror The wide brown land for me!..."The photos below show Australia's diverse landscape...the rainforest, city, red centre, farmland, bushland and beaches. Australia has it all! There's not too many countries in the world, where you can experience all of this in one location.
She'll be right mate...
I love the Australian sense of mateship...the fact that during times of need, Aussies will step up and help each other out...no matter what. There have been so many wonderful examples of this, most recently in Queensland following the January 2011 floods and Cyclone Yasi. Aussies are not only generous with their wallets, but with their time...thousands of people headed north to help complete strangers rebuild their lives and their homes...offering a shoulder to cry on, digging through rubble, or cleaning up. The news reports would bring a tear to my eye; not just for the devastation, but for the resilience of the Aussie spirit. Through all the grief and exhaustion, it never faded. They pick themselves up and move on. Supporting their mates, and working together. Love that!
Australia is the lucky country...and our children are the winners...
They certainly are living in the lucky country. Both of our children were born in a public hospital, and were afforded the luxury of free health care from the moment they were conceived. Seth was really ill when he was born (his Apgar score was 1), and from the very first minute, he had a team of dedicated and skillful doctors and nurses caring for him. There was no question about what insurance cover I have before they performed any procedures...all patients are treated equally. In this case, for free.
Both of our children go to school, and while we pay for their education at a semi-private school...they would receive the very same education at any one of the public schools in our area. The public education system in Australia is also free. There isn't a question about their gender, whether they will have the school supplies necessary, or whether they live in an isolated area and can't travel to school ...all children are given equal access. The Australian government is dedicated to children's education and investing in their futures, and for that I am thankful.
I love that Australia is so multicultural, and that our children have the opportunity to interact with, and relate to so many cultures. That wouldn't be possible if it weren't for migrants coming to this country, and the indigenous people of Australia. Everyone coming together is what makes this country great! My children's own background is diverse...a combination of ancestors that came from England (one of which is a First Fleeter), Scotland, New Zealand, Greece and Bulgaria...all immigrants seeking to start a new life in the lucky country. Although our kids are Aussie born and bred, we still enjoy the traditions of our ancestors...and we're free to do so. Love that!
There's no place like home...
I have travelled abroad, and let me tell you...when you're in a pub in London and they start playing Khe Sanh, you sing along...whether you like the song or not. Then, as you're landing in Sydney, and "Have you ever seen Sydney from a 747 at night?" comes over the speakers...you may just shed a tear. You're home. Australia is my home, and it always will be.There is so much more that I could write about, but I will leave it there, and turn it over to you! What three things do you love about your country? Link up your posts below, and don't forget to share the Thursday Three love, by adding this button, and visiting some of the other linkers.
