Today is Australia’s national holiday, so we hope all our friends there have a chance to catch up on their sewing between the surf, barbeques, lamingtons and other traditional Aussie pastimes. This is very similar to the 4th of July or Independence Day celebrations in the USA. It’s mid-summer in Australia and it’s been a hot year so far, so the beach is sounding pretty good.
Australia Day commemorates the anniversary of the First Fleet of British Ships arriving at Port Jackson in Sydney way back in 1788. Since then, Australia has grown and developed into one of the most modern, peaceful and welcoming societies anywhere.
You may not know it, but Australia is one of our largest communities of readers. With well over 31,000 active users per month in the country, Australia is our fourth largest market after only the US, UK and Canada.
Something You May Not Know
Although I currently live in Singapore and I grew up in Panama, I have had the pleasure and the privilege to call Australia home for over 20 years. My husband and I moved to Melbourne and then to Sydney, Australia in 1996 and I became an Australian citizen in 2000. Both my children were born in Sydney in 1999 and 2001 so it's fair to say Australia and Sydney holds a place near and dear to my heart.
So to all my fellow Australians, I wish you a Happy Australia Day!
I have to admit the sparkling blue water and the blue skies still make my heart happy every time I land in Sydney. I will not bore you with the many times we have moved in an out of Australia over the years (many…), but today at least we still hold a small foothold in the Hunter Valley in the small town of Dungog in the state of New South Wales and about three hours north of Sydney. Hopefully, everyone read my Christmas message from Dungog this year and saw some of the pics.
Announcing The Upcoming Australiana Series
Consider this one of my first New Year's resolutions. I am going to talk about me a bit more in my articles and about the readers a lot more too. I am one of those people that love what they do. I love to meet anyone and everything that has to do with creating, drawing, textiles, traveling and of course SEWING!
I've been collecting a lot of new and interesting content from my visits to Australia and I'm planning to publish these in a series of posts about the wonderful sewing and crafting communities in Australia, particularly in the small towns. There will be articles on quilting, felting, fabric dying, and interviews with local textile artists. I hope you'll find it interesting so stay tuned!
Wonderful – I have been scanning pages for ages to find something with an Aussie content. Being true blue it will be great to have an Aussie Quilt to attempt – after I finish the two I’m on. One nearly done (My Sampler of many shapes) and one ready to start. (A BOM project). I’m a Northern – Central Queenslander – Eons away from the bright lights – where I see roos in my paddocks in the early mornings, Kookaburras laughing, Magpies singing and feeding their (noisy) babies, and peace & quiet at night to observe O’Ryan’s Belt, the two pointers and the Southern Cross. – The Great South Land of The Holy Spirit.
Hmmm, thank you for the wonderful description of your piece of “God’s Country” as I hear so many call Australia. I am not a quilter but I will try my best to find someone experience that is and it is willing to share her talents with you. Blessings…
Happy Australia Day from Illinois, USA! Australia has always been a place I would love to visit some day! I shall put it on my bucket list! Am looking forward to your upcoming Australiana Series! Sounds very intriguing!
Thank you, Joanie! What a great idea to make a bucket list. I had to google it to find out what it was. I am watching the movie tonight. Do come, it is worth every penny. Thank you for reading the blog 🙂
Happy Australia Day from Wyoming, USA! Summer sounds really nice right now after getting a foot of snow we got a week ago. Thanks for all the ideas you give us and for the notifications of all the giveaways. I look forward to seeing the new things you have planned for us this year!
Thank you and you are most welcome! Linda, stay warm, please:)
wow Happy Aussie Day! Our son is in Melbourne working on his master’s degree in Environmental Engineering and he loves it there! We miss him but some day hope to visit your wonderful country!
Melbourne is a fantastic city! In fact, it was the first city I lived when first arrived in Australia. I am sure your son is having a good time. Great Food, safe, clean with a hint of Europe. The best mode of transport: trams, and bikes. What is not to love? I do hope you make it there 🙂
A very happy Australia Day! I was so very lucky to visit Sydney and surrounds last year for a very short visit. I absolutely fell in love with your country and will return. Everything Australia is great, so Myra, please write and share as much as you can!
I will Jane and hope you make it back. Indeed it is a great country 🙂
Happy Australia Day. I’ve wanted to visit ever since doing a report on Australia in 6th grade. I’m now Waaaay beyond that, but still dreaming of the day. Just a week ago we had about 10″ of snow in the yard, so I’m envious of your heat. I’m one of your regular followers from the U.S., in the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Love all the goodies you give us, and the great inspiration. Thanks bunches!!!
Hi Vivian, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for regularly reading the blog!. I hope one day your dreams of visiting Australia comes true, It is a wonderful place:)
Happy Australia to you, I hope that you had a lovely day. I am enjoying your webpage. I live in Ruse a suburb of Sydney. 🙂
So beautiful Amber you live in Paradise! can not get more Australian than that beach!
Love this info. Thank you, Im in Virginia half way between Richmond and Williamsburg. I lived in WIlliamsburg for years raising my children. So much history there as well. Happy Austrailia day to you!
Happy Australia day from USA!
It sounds lovely there. There’s about 8″ of snow in my back yard, but the snow has almost melted off the pine trees. It’s so beautiful up here in the Rocky mountains. When it’s winter there, do you get snow where you are in Dungog? BTW, what is a lamington? Pardon my ignorance, please. Hope you had a fun holiday. I’m looking forward to your articles. XO! Cheryl
HI, Cheryl always so great to hear from you:) Your place sounds idyllic, hopefully, this Autumn I can get make my way to your country. I always have a great time in Australia. No snow at all, very rarely frost, it is a region that produces wine so the winters are never colder than 35 F. Lamington is a delicious sponge cake, the best recipe I can give you is on this wonderful site: http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/australian-lamingtons/ Big Hug from Singapore.
Happy Australia Day and Happy 74th Birthday Donna Marie from Saint John, NB, Canada, terry M-E
Thank you Terry in Saint John, NB, Canada. It was Grand, especially meeting new friends who love this website.
You make me want to sell my house and move on over! Especially since it was only 10 degrees this morning. Blessings on your Happy Austrailia Day and looking forward to more about you and sewing ideas.!
Thank you Deborah, sounds cold where you are. Check out the pajama top this Sunday to keep you warm 🙂 Big HuG!
Thank you. Happy Australia Day to you. We are certainly lucky to call Australia home. Our community, a small seaside town north of Brisbane went all out. We live near one of the beaches and today was a beautiful clear day but, very hot and humid. It was lovely to see so many families out utilising the barbecues, the lagoon and the beaches, culminating in fireworks tonight. Now, I am relaxing at my machine.
Lovely way to spend the day!
Happy Australia Day from the USA! I’m just waking up here in Green Valley, Arizona, to celebrate my 74th birthday as you are all probably tucking in after a day and night of celebration. I hope to go pick up the “new” to me sewing machine my husband found for my gift and get back to my volunteer creating for US vets and their families. Right now I’m making swaddlers, blankets and burp clothes for some first time homeless vet moms. You have a grand blog. Really enjoy it and all the tips. Yes, even after a lifetime I find I can always learn more….such as I had no idea Australia and I shared a Celebration Day!!! Congratulations to us all!!! Donna Maria
Happy Birthday!
Thank you Elizabet Burnett.
I took my young family to the Kiama Show today and tried to explain the reason for the pavilion exhibits, my boys were so fascinated (but jolly curious!). I loved the quilting and be that’s something I want to learn and try this year.
We parked a long way from the cliffside showground (is right by the ocean) and passed dozens of family groups enjoying the sun and a day off work. Not one group was speaking English, it was the happiest Australia Day sound I’ve been ever heard. We’ve come a long way ?
Roast lamb for dinner, great way to celebrate Australia Day even though it was 38 degree Celsius. xx
Thank you ! I got some sneaky sewing in while the kids were playing on the slip and slide in the back yard before a barbie and a few beers. It’s a shame our national day date is so difficult for some of our national groups but for me I love to enjoy our diversity and I hope that Australia Day soon becomes a day of celebration and unification for all of us (and sneaky sewing too !)