Happy Australia Invasion Day!

Australia day is commemorated on the 26 of January and marks several things. First, it reminds us of the day that the pink aliens landed in New South Wales, Australia, in 1788 and thus began hundreds of years of theft, murder, abuse, kidnapping, rape, pillaging. That's why it is also called Invasion day in some circles.

Although perhaps the timing is inopportune, it is secondly a day to celebrate Australia and the people of Australia. Awards and honours are given out to those who have made notable contributions to the country over the last year. I received an email congratulating a mathematician on being honoured for their contribution to mathematics education. The government house is open for tours in Melbourne. And people have the day off work, so many head to the beach or the park.

We were invited to the park with a group of people from my work, to meet "under the gum trees northwest of the large playground." There were a lot of gum trees, and a lot of people under them. But we did find our group and had a very nice picnic.

Under the gum trees.

It was a large park, with a small lake. We took a walk around the perimeter, just because we could, and because one of us was banned from electronic devices for the day anyway. So why not?

Jells Lake.

Back home, at the park out our back windows, there were lots of parties and cricket games. We took a while to cool off, though, inside.

And finally, later in the evening, we took a tram to the city center at the Docklands, to see the fireworks. The bridge was lit up in green and gold, colors of Australia.

And the fireworks came in all colors.

Happy Australia day!

A third thing marked by Australia day is the very end of the summer holidays. Jonathan goes back to school tomorrow, to start year seven, first day of high school. We are all very excited about starting school again, where we means Jonathan, Tim, me, and probably the entire state of Victoria. He got a uniform and school supplies, including a laptop, and a student card for public transit.

Tomorrow: first day of school pictures. Provided I remember to take them....