BRISBANE
Australia Day is an official public holiday in every state and territory of Australia. Celebrated annually on 26 January, the day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, the unfurling of the British flag there, and the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia.
British sovereignty isn't the main point of the celebrations in modern Oz. However it is traditionally the day when new citizens are welcomed to the country and there are loads of parades...
The above photograph shows Ms Penelope Wensley, Governor of Queensland, inspecting the Band.
There were speeches, sideshows, music and street entertainers by the score. But it wouldn't be Australia without a little beach activity. Just across the bridge from the main Commercial and Business District (CBD) the Brisbane River has a man-made beach complete with golden sands alongside the riverbank. The two stretches of water are separated by a wall or groyne and the beach section was full of families enjoying themselves.
The population of Brisbane were out in force to show the flag; and some very inventive showings of the flag there were. Here are just a few shots of the crowds around the waterside, downtown.
Plus a couple shots of Brisbane's big wheel.
The river by night, looking towards the CBD..jpg)
And the fireworks.
Coincidentally, Chinese New Year fell on the same day this year and so an extra splash of colour floooded around the town centre.
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