Tuesday, 26 January 2010

Australia Day

Today marks the 222nd Anniversary of the establishment of the penal colony of Sydney, when, in 1788, Captain Arthur Philip, the first Governor of the State of New South Wales, raised the Union Jack in Sydney Cove and claimed terra australis for the British Crown. The fact that there was a well established and thriving aboriginal settlement around the cove, the state and the continent, was not considered worthy of note.

Today I will be in Melbourne, watching the first day of the Quarter Finals of the Australian Open Tennis in Rod Laver Arena. I will be back at my desk on Thursday 28th January.

25 comments:

  1. Good point. But happy Australia Day in any case.
    Lovely photo makes me want to be there.
    Have a good time in Melbourne.

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  2. alors je te souhaite un joyeux "Australia Day"...et cette année c'est un français qui gagne l'open de tennis d'australie ;o)

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  3. Great image. Happy Austria day! I don't think any of the new settlements really cared about the natives in any part of the globe.

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  4. Happy Australia Day! The building behind the flag is magnificent. Have a good trip!

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  5. Great occasion marked by a beautiful photo. Have a wonderful time at the tennis,

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  6. Translucent flags and a strong stone building. Lovely photo, happy Australia Day.

    Three Rivers Daily Photo

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  7. People across the world forget the basic notion that others were there first. Nevertheless, I can see what people would want to claim Australia. It looks like a wonderful place.

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  8. Australia and North America have at least two things in common. We stole it from the original owners.

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  9. Happy Australia day.
    We are going to put the Aussi flag out in the snow and selebrate.
    Have a good one

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  10. Congratulations. Enjoy the day and tennis. Danish Caroline is out, I have heard.

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  11. Happy Australia Day Linda - hope you're enjoying the Tennis. Pity Leyton couldn't have won but Roger is way to good.

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  12. Happy Australia day, Julie. Our forefathers have a lot to answer for. I'm reading Kings in Grass Castles by Mary Durack and it is awful how the aboriginese were treated in the Kimberley in the late 1890's and early 1900's. Enjoy the tennis and Melbourne.

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  13. Very important day for your country, I've seen Australia and I don't know if it was really like in this film at that time but the landscapes in Australia are impressive and it's a great country. I'll get there once in my life, sure.
    Bye and take care!
    Serge

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  14. It is certainly interesting for me to read this blog. Thank you for it. I like such themes and anything connected to this matter. BTW, try to add some images :).

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  15. Nice photo - I like the banner. Enjoy the tennis - today's set for 30º.
    Cheers.
    Melbourne Daily Photo

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  16. Enyoy the tennis and Happy Australia Day. Was thinking of going to the Yarbun festival in Victoria Park but its too damn humid. Don't feel like going into town and fighting through flag wearing crowds.

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  17. Well seen and well said. :)
    Hope you have fun at the tennis too!

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  18. Happy Australia Day for you.
    And thank you for reminding to continue to speak about aboriginal life to my students, as many times they do not know about it.
    Please have a wonderful time with the Tennis.

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  19. aveagoodone....and don't forget the aerogard....do they even make that anymore? cheers

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  20. You found a good set of flags for your photo ... we seem to have lots more of them these days ... is there new patriotism growing I wonder.

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  21. I'm late, late, sorry. Just popping in to wish you a Happy Australia Day. I've been watching the tennis which reminded me.

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  22. I will leave your comment this time, Johan. I am pleased you have replaced what I thought was an inappropriate photograph.

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  23. You found a banner in a great spot with flags nearby. Brilliant work.

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