Happy Australia day !!!!

Blowin's picture
Blowin started the topic in Thursday, 25 Jan 2018 at 10:03am

Sure the long weekend officially starts tomorrow, but patience has never been my strong suit and today is just too damn fine to waste with thoughts of routine So I’ve kicked this thing off early.

Actually started with a bang last night as another earthquake shook me from sleep. It was a stinker of a night . Building up to some monsoonal activity and the hot , still nights are here with a vengeance. Laying with the sheets bunched on the floor and the air from the fan brushing my skin.

Then I was woken by the Big Fella of the mob of greys that gets around the traps. He seemed to think that indoors was the place to be. First time I’ve seen a kangaroo trying to negotiate a fly screen door. Stupid prick.

Third event for the night and it sounds like someone’s after my tinny - the Sea Wok . Throw on some shorts and bolt down the path to investigate straight into an industrial sized spiders web. Still asleep , I actually feel the Big Golden orb running across my chest trying to escape.

The boat was fine . The spider and myself came to an agreement to stay the fuck away from each other from now on. Back to bed.

Woke up bleary to a perfect day. Northerly beats me to the punch . Surfing’s out so it’s coffees at the kiosk then a quick dive to spear some lunch.

Fish in the fridge , the days heating up and I’m planning on cracking my first beer at 14:30.

Feel free to join me.

Time to take stock of the incredible life we’ve got in this amazing country.

You might not like the premise, but I reckon this holiday rules. It’s the celebration of Australia at its peak. Everyone has let go of the old year and made inroads on the next. The craziness and release of the Chrissy / New Years is behind us and the summer has been wrung of every bit of fun available. The caravan parks and coastal towns are still chockers but the last hurrah is upon us. It’s been great and I’ve had a ball.

So raise a glass or an ice cream or a halal salad or whatever the fuck you want in recognition of how good we’ve got it here under Huey’s benevolent gaze.

udo's picture
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udo Thursday, 25 Jan 2018 at 10:05am

Yes .

Blowin's picture
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Blowin Thursday, 25 Jan 2018 at 10:06am

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50young Thursday, 25 Jan 2018 at 10:14am

Well said!! Happy Straya day to you all

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amb Thursday, 25 Jan 2018 at 10:29am

here here

Blowin's picture
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Blowin Thursday, 25 Jan 2018 at 2:30pm

As Gough said - It’s time .

Got to admit I snuck in a couple of early ones with the pay day mob .

Was getting colourful when I left !

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Halibut Thursday, 25 Jan 2018 at 3:03pm

,

davetherave's picture
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davetherave Thursday, 25 Jan 2018 at 3:14pm

goof stuff Blowin. I just had a chiko roll, beers-possible??? Big Grey felt the tremors. Bet the mob been spooked. Volcanoes, earthquakes, tremors all building towards energy amp on full moon, jan 31. Best way to avoid any crap is to to take Blowin's advice and be thankful and celebrate your life. That's a nice vibration and resonance creates a pattern in the electromagnetic spectrum for ya. Waves are a coming- get shacked everyone.

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bigredcouch Thursday, 25 Jan 2018 at 3:43pm

Minus the fact that some Australians feel like the day celebrates the genocide of the Indigenous race.

Blowin's picture
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Blowin Thursday, 25 Jan 2018 at 3:50pm

That’s it Dave !

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Roystein Thursday, 25 Jan 2018 at 5:26pm

Amen to the OP

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davetherave Thursday, 25 Jan 2018 at 6:23pm

brc. A Prime Minister has said sorry. All of us are. We missed the opportunity to learn knowledge. But Life history shows a record of wasted opportunities- all of us know it. Accept it, admit it, release it and focus on the present to give our future a gift- a gift of unity, a celebration of our diversity and the maturity to not repeat our past mistakes. Australia Day can be whatever you want it to be- wow, freedom to choose- you little beauty- ozzie ozzie ozzie- even cliche's allowed- groan- so don't moan- the seeds been sown- Appreciation.

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Blowin Thursday, 25 Jan 2018 at 7:10pm

You’ve just one upped your own PB post, Dave.

That was epic.

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stunet Thursday, 25 Jan 2018 at 7:01pm

Keep on truckin' Dave!

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davetherave Thursday, 25 Jan 2018 at 7:04pm

thanks boys, life loves ya. lap it up.

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GuySmiley Thursday, 25 Jan 2018 at 7:14pm

Australia Day rose to social and national prominence during the 1990's coinciding with JWH's government's conservative narrative (along with other symbols of our nationalism e.g Anzacs).

Australia Day wasn't a national holiday until 1994.

Respectful debate about the date is legitimate reflecting the increased voice and representation of Aboriginals in our political life. Like the republic debate all this will wash out in the end.

Loved your 10.03 words Blowin, we do live in a great country, we are very lucky. Have a great day everyone.

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indo-dreaming Thursday, 25 Jan 2018 at 8:11pm

Im pleasantly surprised it took nine post to get to the predicted topic, was honestly expecting it to be in the first or second post.

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MRsinglefin Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 7:28am

A quick history read about how it became known as Australia Day
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/5189193/time-will-tell-what-a-differen...

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Fleazool Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 2:43pm

Happy Australia Day to all and sundry
Cheers big ears

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batfink Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 3:21pm

"But Life history shows a record of wasted opportunities- all of us know it. Accept it, admit it, release it "

Sure, but celebrate it? Glorify our making of a nation under a legal fiction, and pretend it isn't there?

Can't abide the jingoism of Australia Day.

Doesn't mean I don't count myself lucky, or keep tabs on the blessings that have come my way. I'll tolerate this day, but not celebrate it.

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blindboy Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 3:32pm

I agree batfink.

Blowin's picture
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Blowin Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 4:19pm

Yes, celebrate it.

Celebrate life .

Celebrate life under the golden southern sun .

Don’t overthink it gents. Grab the person nearest to you and congratulate them on their good fortune to be standing in a country where bombs aren’t dropping , a country where a life spent surfing is considered a life worthwhile, a country where we all get to voice our opinions, a country where everyone gets to get out of bed each day and know that the day is theirs to lead in a manner that they see fit.

And don’t get me started on our beaches or our bush or the stupid amount of space if you need to be alone.

We’re all , each and all of us , gods walking the Earth if we’re lucky enough to find ourselves in Australia today. Right now.

Seize it with both hands because the good times don’t last forever.

Best of luck to everyone.

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zenagain Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 4:41pm

I agree blowin.

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davetherave Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 5:15pm

BF and BB, you blokes blackfellas??????? My grandfather got a job working with Ram Chandra the Snakeman, cause he was the best local to know snakes. You blokes do and think and act how you want- and that's acceptable- in modern day australia- which we are celebrating- 2018.
My Nan died last night and she was all for forgiving fuck ups and looking at life- RIGHT NOW< RIGHT NOW. LOkk, are you blessed, are you dressed or are you depressed. If so just press de button for blessings my friends, they are all around you. Maybe even inside you. I'm listening to the Sunnyboys, drinking beer and watching pretty girls go by, yeah baby, thanks Australia, thanks life.

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blindboy Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 5:26pm

Fair comment but I will not celebrate Australia Day until it is widely accepted in the indigenous community. Thousand marching in Invasion Day protests today suggest that is not the case. But if you want to celebrate I wish you well.

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davetherave Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 5:42pm

Thanks brutha, may you be happy with what you define as being happy is , too.In fact, may you be whatever you like.

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simba Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 6:08pm

And the Australia Day Swellnet Award of the year goes to Davetherave for being the most open and optimistic contributor to grace the annuals of Swellnet. Special mention goes to Blowin for his colourful stories and opinions. Dont worry Ben, Stu and Craig ,you 3 get the best Surf website award ....oi oi oi

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stunet Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 7:10pm

+ 1 for Dave.

And apropos of nothing at all, I'm currently drinking champagne.

Champagne!

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Blowin Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 8:06pm

Nice.

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Ant agonist Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 8:08pm

If I was aboriginal, I would be not celebrating the birthday of genocide and horror.
Its a Fucking sick joke.

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Roystein Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 8:42pm

Yeh ant but what alternative do you have, to show explicit gratitude for living in the country you do? It requires a nationally recognised day to incite the feelings we all feel today, positive or negative, gratitude or despair.
I temper my gratitude and joy of celebrating where I live today with the recognition that there is much work to do with reconciling with the indigenous people of our land.
The way forward might involve increasing the significance, for all Australians, of a day like sorry day.

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bonza Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 8:46pm

"They tell us to 'get over it, forget it and move on!' Move on? Well, Gallipoli was about 100 years ago, so let's f---ing move on from that too. But no – that's 'Aussie spirit'."

Briggs. Smh. Jan 12. 2018.

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indo-dreaming Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 8:50pm

I think this changing the date thing has now just become a power thing, with one side of politics pushing for it to show they have the power and the other side resisting it to show they are not going to be pushed around, each just pandering for certain demographic (left/right)

I think its just one of those things that will happen in time i think the smart move for the liberals is to change the date so Labor can't claim it as a victory once back in power.

Just say we are changing the date in respect to Aboriginal people, but also make it clear the meaning of Australia day and what we celebrate doesn't change, do all your historical reenactments or whatever you like.

IMHO actually dates are irrelevant i think if the date was changed this would become clear, and you would get similar controversy around the day, or maybe I'm wrong maybe if they change the date Aboriginal people are suddenly going to be celebrating Australia day.

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Sheepdog Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 9:38pm

I'm with batfink and BB on this one. When Dave the rave and I were in school together, there was no Australia day. It didn't exist. So it's not like Bastille Day, or July 4..
Jan 26 is a NSW centric day.. It has no relevance to me. It has no relevance to Qld, or Victoria, or S.A or any other state or territory. .... July 9 1900, and Jan 1st 1901 should mean more to all Australians than Jan 26- the day Queen Victoria signed our "freedom", and the day Australia, the WHOLE of Australia, became a federation. But we're too young and immature to celebrate Jan 1st...

And as a white man, I'm not going to tell Joe Pilot (remember him and Freddy, dave) how to feel. Listen to their hurt.. Put all of your made in China flags down for a minute. Have some empathy... That's what an Aussie would do... Listen...

But the most meaningful date/s to me?
On the 10th of August 1967, the amendments voted on re' the 27/5/1967 referendum in regards to recognising Aboriginals and including them in AUSTRALIA'S POPULATION became law.

It's a no brainer... In 1967, our indigenous brothers and sisters were no longer counted as fauna, and included in the census.. I feel sort of dirty that I was actually alive at the time this happened, a mere baby, but alive when Aboriginals were just wild life.

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sypkan Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 10:15pm

Absolutely sheepdog!

We all should feel a little dirty for that one. 1967, such recent history!

But with a ninety something percent result, thats also a proud time for australia

There is lots to celebrate, just choose a better date, especially considering its only been on jan 26 for such a short time. The event hasn't been around long enough to develop the nostalgia to defend yet. But now here we are, caught up in the date culture wars

Just choose a better date and get on with it

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davetherave Friday, 26 Jan 2018 at 11:00pm

well, as usual, everyone is allowed to voice their view. Such a panorama. Just to clarify, Australia Day to me is everyday. Everyday I choose to be kind. I choose to be supportive. I choose to be tolerant. I choose to be respectful. I choose to be appreciative. Sheepdog, Freddy P was from TI???? and Jan 1 to me is my nan's birthday, Jan 26 is the day I learnt she had died. So as far as dates go, you can stick them up your da.....colander oh calender/kenny, or who bloody cares.
I thank everyday for being special regardless of it's so called title.
Yes it's jingoism, christmas is commercial, the easter bunny is bigger than yeshua, it's humanity insanity, bloody entertaining, a little bit whacky, but here we are, so we can enjoy the show, it all helps us grow, so you gotta know, Australians all let us rejoice for we are old, creaky arthritic and pussywhipped- love the anthem boys, just love it. All of the above is in jest. If you can't laugh, well, you can't laugh! No responsibility taken as day leave was not official.

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mr mick Saturday, 27 Jan 2018 at 6:49am

As i wake up with a slight?! hangover i must say i'm a proud aussie, but not proud of some of the nongas who i had a beer with yesterday, still living with their archaic bogan views on this subject. I asked them could you forget & forgive if your mother, grandmother ,son, daughter,
was taken from you just because of skin colour? Years later finding out they had died before you got to know them, be with them as family, learn from them, love them. The answer..
move on, get over it, shit happens...i guess one can only say that when one hasn't experienced losing a special someone. We still have a lot to learn! The 26th ,NSW becomes a colony, Jan 1st 1901 this land becomes AUSTRALIA , a nation. That's the day!

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GuySmiley Saturday, 27 Jan 2018 at 7:30am

I think the date ought to be changed. January 1st (agree with Sheepdog and others). But celebrate Australia Day without being a republic and changing the flag??? .... so change the date to January the 1st, become a republic and get rid of the Union Jack from the flag and you have right there a reason for a massive big party under the Southern Cross ... and after the hangover clears we could think about getting an independent foreign policy ... more reason to be a proud Aussie and hit the piss a 2nd time round.

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shoredump Saturday, 27 Jan 2018 at 8:08am

Yep, change the day. The trouble with January 1, the most logical choice, is that day is already reserved as a holiday for sleep ins and hang overs. It wouldn’t work. July 9 would be ok, Be we lose that summer bbq vibe it’s got going, and would become less “celebrated”. It’s actually a tricky little problem with no perfect solution. Best wait till we become a republic, and move it to that day.

Cheers to you Blowin, and all the other legends that make this land such a pleasure

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sharkman Saturday, 27 Jan 2018 at 9:16am

So some people see Australia day ,as a time to celebrate their personal well being and happiness , but I would like to think Australia day is about reflecting on how we , collectively as Australians are faring?
If you look back over the past year how are we as a Nation travelling?
Would you take into account , how our politicians performed this year ,are our environmental policies working , refugees , are our indigenous people better off , is the economy working for everyone , how would you rate the future Australia and what is being left for our kids?
Some people just liked to go and have a Barby Q , get pissed , self gratification , or the classic , " I'm alright Jack!" , the idea of Australia collectively celebrating a National day is fine , but for who?

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indo-dreaming Saturday, 27 Jan 2018 at 9:34am

Yesterday the influence of Australia day was close to zero for me, i caught up with family but we didn't mention anything about Australia day, it was obvious it was a public holiday because the roads were busy, but when i was out and about i saw no signs of Australia day like flags etc, even on my Facebook feed i think i only saw one Aussie flag and maybe five post max on Australia day which i quickly skipped over, then this thread here, i didn't even smell any BBQ's going or no party or music in our area, i didn't turn the TV on so saw nothing in that way, we had Indonesian friends over for dinner but Australia day subject never came up, i pretty much forgot it was Australia day until i saw this thread.

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davetherave Saturday, 27 Jan 2018 at 11:06am

sharkman makes some good points. thats why I am continually working behind the scenes to evolve Australia into the community I can visualise. But doing it through a surfing site forum is not the best place. Swellnet forum is a great site. Lot's of interesting people with great ideas and outlook. But when I decided to get the government to investigate corporate tax payments, I went through the freedom of information act people, i went through the ATO, I emailed all the national media about asking how much tax did so and so company pay last year. Fortunately the ABC got and board and we pestered the govt especially to do their jobs as ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE"S OF THE AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC and get these cock suckers to pay some tax. I wanted more, but it was a start.
That was all done through the correct channels though, not through a surfing forum. Go straight to where a decision can be made,bypass all the who-har. Airing your views on Swellnet wont get policy changed, not alone anyway
But for clarification.
I no longer believe in nations, or any of their patriotic fear-vor, we are all beings living on/ in/ within one biosphere. Not just aboriginals have been persecuted/ ripped off/ killed/defamed/mistreated/ frauded/ stolen- fuck we are still doing it to each other today- blind freddy and deaf dora can understand- it doesn't work. WHY, because any energy that is transmitted has to eventually return the transmission to the sender. You give hate- you get hate etc etc. All human being fucking idiotic behaviour and problems stem from this misunderstanding. Treat others how you would like to be treated yourself is not a soundbite or a slogan from a silly bloody religious dogma as some would see it all, but an exact scientific understanding of electro magnetic energy transference in regards to being a human whilst having a life on planet earth.
australia is going okay, we are all going okay, is their room for improvements, I think yes, there is, but this excites me because if we can use our mistake ridden past as a friend that says- don't do this, don't be like this, i think our future and our kids future can be a lot better, but all I can do about that is be the best version of me that I can be- and I wish that for all you as well in whatever way you desire it to be.

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velocityjohnno Saturday, 27 Jan 2018 at 4:07pm

Bravo Blowin and Dave.
That's one thing I do regret that we lost - the knowledge of the energy field lines within the landscape and the people. There was understanding of this within the Indigenous population, hope it can resurface. It's coming back, it will return. Peace to you all. Surfing brain out over Australia day holiday weekend. What a great country, love it, we are all so lucky.

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GuySmiley Saturday, 27 Jan 2018 at 7:36pm

Did someone mention energy fields, maybe cosmic waves?

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Blowin Sunday, 28 Jan 2018 at 9:27am

Finally got some rain just as the last gasp holiday makers have to pack up their campsites and commence the long drive home.

Probably work for dad tomorrow after sitting in traffic for 8 plus hours today.

Then next weekend he’ll realise that the tents been packed away wet and that it’s mouldy as fuck and next weekend will be spent spreading the gear over the lawn in the sunshine trying to dry it.

All part of the fun.

Small, clean , empty waves this morning.

Sing it , Don...

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saltyone Tuesday, 30 Jan 2018 at 10:34am

Cheers sheepdog.. voice of reason amongst a sea of denial. I'm with you.

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mk1 Tuesday, 30 Jan 2018 at 11:14am

Happy to have a day off for Australia Day, such that it is. Have a swim, little paddle and a few beers, but I won't party on Australia Day. It's not a date to celebrate.

It does highlight the conflicted position we as a country now find ourselves in. We have a lot we could celebrate, but much we still need to honestly address. Upon doing that we have the chance to strike out on a new path as one united nation. We didn't ask for this British Colonial legacy, but no one else is going to do the healing for us. So let's get on with that. Indigenous Treaty, Republic, New Flag, New Australia Day to Celebrate!

amb's picture
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amb Tuesday, 30 Jan 2018 at 12:25pm

Anyone know if the majority Hawaiians have a problem with having the unionjack on there flag?

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chook Tuesday, 30 Jan 2018 at 1:59pm

Hawai’s national flag is the Stars and Stripes. Same flag as the rest of the USA.

As to their state flag, my guess is that like every other state flag in the world, the locals wouldn’t have the foggiest what it is. I certainly have no idea what the NSW state flag looks like. But I might just be projecting my ignorance onto others.

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amb Tuesday, 30 Jan 2018 at 2:29pm

I think your selling the Hawaiians a bit short there chook i'd be staggered if they didnt know what there flag looks like. JJF & AI are/were heroes and they are/were always draped in them.

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chook Tuesday, 30 Jan 2018 at 6:07pm

You’re right...I’m totally wrong about US states are their flag.
I haven’t seen the surfers drapped in flags. I Don’t follow comps. But Californians display their state flag with the bear on it everywhere.