Blog Topic #2

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/australia-day-to-showcase-national-spirit-20110125-1a404.html
 
This article is about how and where Australia Day is celebrated around the nation. In the Sydney Harbour they are going to celebrate and remember the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. The First Fleet is the name given to the 11 ships which sailed from Great Britain on 13 May 1787 with about 1,487 people, including 778 convicts, to establish the first European colony in Australia, in New South Wales. The fleet was led by Captain Arthur Phillip. The ships arrived at Botany Bay between 18 and 20 January 1788. In other parts of Australia people are going to attempt to set a new world record for people floating on inflatable thongs. According to an editor named Almost Aussie the inflatable thongs are most popular in Australia because  Australians have been wearing thong sandals since the 1960s. They have been wearing them to the beach, to pubs and barbeques, to work, to weddings, on trains and buses, pretty much everywhere. They are even issued out to business class passengers on Australian flights. Some Aussies will head to Caulfield for the horse races and others will watch the annual Dunny Races in front of the Ettamogah Pub. Dunny is Australian slang for toilet, either the room or the specific fixture, especially an outhouse.

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/what-makes-multiculturalism-great-is-mutual-respect-20110216-1awik.html

This article on immigration is actually a speech from Chris Bowen, the Minister of Immigration. It is an edited version of his speech at the Sydney Institute. He is basically speaking about the Australian multiculturalism in Australia. Thirteen thousand people took the pledge of commitment to the Australian nation. There were people wearing the national dress of their homeland, clasping an Australian flag, full of tears as they promise to uphold and obey Australian values and laws. Chris bowen said "those who arrive in Australia are invited to continue to celebrate their cultures within a broader culture of freedom but, more importantly, with respect." He doesn't close the door on anyone as long as the show respect for the Australian country. He also states that multiculturalism is about inviting every individual member of society to be everything they can be and supporting each new arrival in overcoming whatever obstacles they face as they adjust to a new country and society and allowing them to flourish as individuals.

"If Australia is to be free and equal, then it will be multicultural; but if it is is to be multicultural it must remain free and equal."- Chris Bowen