Hi everyone, it’s Anzac Day here today. It is a national public holiday and a day that we remember and give thanks for all of our service men and women who have fought for Australia since the dreadful events of Gallipoli in 1915, where over 8,000 soldiers lives were lost.

Aussies love a holiday, but I must give credit where credit is due. An awful lot of Aussies attend the dawn ceremonies that are held throughout the country. In the large cities and the smallest of outback towns, where there is a cenotaph, there’ll be an Anzac Day ceremony. Of course, in typical Aussie fashion, the chance of a day off is not wasted. By mid morning, many Aussies will have set up their tables and chairs in the many parks and recreation centres, stacked the barbie with snags and bacon and enjoyed a friendly game of cricket, between beers and burgers.

Sport somehow goes hand in hand with holidays, and both the major football codes, Aussie Rules (AFL) and Rugby League have headline matches set on this very special day. These games are attended in very big numbers and it’s certainly a bragging right for 12 months that these teams compete readily for.
If you’d like to learn more about Anzac Day in Australia, here’s a link to an article written by the previous Australia editor that will be of interest: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art30937.asp

Last week I posted an article on the Australia site titled “Climbing Mount Kosciusko”. My husband I have just returned from this very challenge and I’ve written about it here: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art170615.asp

Don’t forget the Australia forum is there for your comments. Pop over and see what the chat is all about: http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php/forums/315/1/Australia

Here’s a rundown of current news and events happening in Australia throughout the last week:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/ The Australian
http://afr.com/ The Financial Review
http://www.smh.com.au Sydney Morning Herald
So, onto my goodies for you this week. I hope you find these interesting:

http://dailypicksandflicks.com/2011/09/30/white-humpback-whale-calf-seen-near-australia-photo/ the rarest sight you’ll ever see!

http://dailypicksandflicks.com/2011/10/15/koala-drinks-from-hose-video/ Koala drinks from hose in suburban backyard

http://www.odditycentral.com/funny/researcher-proves-youre-washing-your-clothes-more-often-than-you-should.html interesting research into washing too much is happening in OZ.


Judie Bellingham, Australia Editor
http://Australia.bellaonline.com

One of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com