Australia Day

26 January 2006

Australia Day is a public holiday in all states and territories down under, and is the nation’s biggest public celebration. It commemorates the first fleet landing in Sydney Cove on this day in 1788. The celebrations are held on whatever day the 26 th of January falls on, but if it happens to be on a weekend, the following Monday will be given as a public holiday. The celebrations include the awarding of Australian of the Year, barbeques, parties and the Sydney Big Day Out. The Perth Lotterywest Skyworks Display is renowned as the country’s biggest Australia Day event, where one third of the city’s population gathers on the riverbanks to celebrate.

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