Because it’s not Australia day without rubber thongs (even if they are your husband’s)

Matthew asked me what Australia day means. We had just sung the national anthem at the kitchen bench, having just sliced some cheese to snack on (we don’t like Vegemite, sadly). I said it’s a day we feel proud to be Australian, and that we are lucky to live in this country.

However, these emotion-driven responses didn’t satisfy my curious son, and he asked, ‘but why do we have Australia day?’ I explained that a man called Captain Cook landed in Australia and met the Aboriginal people who were already here because they were here first. Georgia told us some things that she had learnt at school and then I went and got the cricket set from the laundry.

What ensued was a family game of cricket. Being a big portion of my childhood memories, I’d like my babies to remember summer games of cricket too.

I tell you what: we’re grateful for the fielding efforts of our old kelpie, d’Artagnan. She’s awesome, even if she does sneak in a few extra chews on the ball sometimes. Ella and Jac tottered off together, rolling in the sandpit and the grass (those two are awesome together).

I think, for Australia day, you need to wear your rubber thongs for cricket.

Giving the children an Australia flag to flap about was more or less a good decision – nobody was poked in the eye at least, and they seemed to enjoy it!

For our feast, we cooked a BBQ, of course, with good old’ snags, bread and sauce, as well as abalone! We ate chips and salad (beetroot, carrot, onion, baby spinach, avocado) and sipped some brut cuvée and/or lemonade made in the soda stream.

Dinner! Delicious: abalone sliced and fried with butter, garlic and mushroom in some oil on the side burner of the BBQ. I grated up the goodies for the salad (refrained from using zucchini, sadly).

A little bit of cheese (pickled onion vintage cheddar) and sparkly.

I spoke a bit with the children about what makes us proud to be in Australia. We didn’t go into too much depth. At their age their world is the one existing in our home, where they are safe and happy, and I am more than happy to keep it that way for them for as long as I can.

Hills hoist. I am grateful for this Aussie icon. I think it’s re-erection in our backyard has made our yard complete. And my laundry jobs even more enjoyable (I love doing the laundry!).

Happy Australia day. What makes you feel proud (or grateful) to be an Aussie?