26 Jan Celebrating Australia Day – with our team over in Oz
PX has a very close relationship with Australia, with our history born from advising clients on how to transfer pensions as ex-pats as well as wealth management. And our team in Australia will be enjoying a public holiday and celebrating with national pride. So, what’s Australia Day all about?
A celebration of Australian culture and community
Australia Day is celebrated annually on January 26 each year, and is a big deal for Australians. While the Brits are feeling the chill, they’ll be firing up their BBQs and attending festivals and fireworks alongside an array of sporting and community events. It’s a weekday public holiday – and the if the 26th falls on a weekend then the following Monday becomes the holiday.
The day commemorates the first landing in Australia by Captain Arthur Phillip. This was the first fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain, and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove by Phillip in 1788. This was the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia. But it wasn’t until 1838, on the 50th anniversary of the arrival, that the first official public celebrations were held and another 150 years until it was proclaimed a national holiday.
A day that’s not without its critics
Much like Guy Fawkes in the UK, the actual historic event has been surpassed by reflections on contemporary Australia, its landscape, diversity and achievements.
It’s estimated that at least half of Australia’s population of 26 million attend either an organised community event or celebrate with family and friends. Of course there is also the pride and excitement of new citizens calling themselves Australian for the first time on this date – with naturalisation ceremonies marking conferred citizenship.
The effects that the European settlers had on the indigenous population doesn’t go without criticism at this time, with Aboriginal people also knowing the date as ‘Invasion Day’. Consideration has been taken on whether the day be moved, to remove the link between the day and the arrival of settlers. This is yet to happen, and the National Australia Day Council states that the day is a “day for us to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the generations to come”.
The Aboriginal flag and the Australian flag have been raised together on Sydney Harbour Bridge for Australia Day since 2013.
If you intend to celebrate a positive future on Australia Day, then we hope you have a great time. We’re also here if you want to speak to us about financial and wealth advice.