This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/26/beers-barbecues-bull-riding-thousands-celebrate-australia-day

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Australia Day: beers, barbecues and bull-riding as thousands celebrate Australia Day: beers, barbecues and bull-riding as thousands celebrate
(7 months later)
Hundreds of thousands gathered around the country to mark Hundreds of thousands gathered around the country to mark Australia's national holiday on Sunday with the traditional barbecues and beers joined by more unusual pursuits including bull-riding and pineapple throwing.
Australia's national holiday on Sunday with the traditional barbecues and beers joined by more unusual pursuits including bull-riding and pineapple throwing. Major events included a parade involving more than 60 cultural and community groups along the main streets of Melbourne, the annual ferry race in Sydney harbour and the country's biggest firework display in Perth.
Major events included a
parade involving more than 60 cultural and community groups along the
main streets of Melbourne, the annual ferry race in Sydney harbour and the country's biggest firework display in Perth.
But for 17,900 Australians the day meant something more than public celebrations and back-yard get-togethers as they received their certificates making them citizens for the first time.But for 17,900 Australians the day meant something more than public celebrations and back-yard get-togethers as they received their certificates making them citizens for the first time.
Niels-Jorgen Toxvaerd, 65, on Sunday received his citizenship Niels-Jorgen Toxvaerd, 65, on Sunday received his citizenship certificate from prime minister Tony Abbott and cut a birthday cake with Governor-General Quentin Bryce at Canberra's national citizenship ceremony.
certificate from prime minister Tony Abbott and cut a birthday cake with
Governor-General Quentin Bryce at Canberra's national citizenship
ceremony.
Born in Denmark, he has lived in Australia for 20 years and says he realised over the past few years he felt more Australian than Danish.Born in Denmark, he has lived in Australia for 20 years and says he realised over the past few years he felt more Australian than Danish.
"When you are a first-generation immigrant you're always a little bit lightfooted, where to actually belong," he told AAP."When you are a first-generation immigrant you're always a little bit lightfooted, where to actually belong," he told AAP.
"It was a very emotional thing for me just to take the last step "It was a very emotional thing for me just to take the last step and become a citizen, being able to vote and being able to fully participate in Australian society.
and become a citizen, being able to vote and being able to fully
participate in Australian society.
"I've realised that's really where I belong now.""I've realised that's really where I belong now."
Mr Abbott's welcomed those receiving their citizenship on Sunday to team Australia.Mr Abbott's welcomed those receiving their citizenship on Sunday to team Australia.
"To the almost 18,000 taking the pledge around Australia, I say welcome to the team," he said. "Today, across our country, we celebrate one of the greatest gifts imaginable - to be an Australian.""To the almost 18,000 taking the pledge around Australia, I say welcome to the team," he said. "Today, across our country, we celebrate one of the greatest gifts imaginable - to be an Australian."
Queenslanders celebrated with bull riding in Redland Bay, pig Queenslanders celebrated with bull riding in Redland Bay, pig racing in Paddington and cockroach racing at Brisbane's Story Bridge Hotel.
racing in Paddington and cockroach racing at Brisbane's Story Bridge
Hotel.
There was also an attempt to set a world record for the longest line of giant inflatable thongs on the Sunshine Coast.There was also an attempt to set a world record for the longest line of giant inflatable thongs on the Sunshine Coast.
In east Brisbane, punters got amongst it for $500 prize money at a pineapple-throwing competition.In east Brisbane, punters got amongst it for $500 prize money at a pineapple-throwing competition.
"I didn't really have a strategy," entrant Catherine McKinnel told AAP. "I just had a few beers and thought it would be a good idea to smash a pineapple.""I didn't really have a strategy," entrant Catherine McKinnel told AAP. "I just had a few beers and thought it would be a good idea to smash a pineapple."
Addressing the crowd in Melbourne, Victorian governor Alex Chernov said the day Addressing the crowd in Melbourne, Victorian governor Alex Chernov said the day was about celebrating aspects of the nation that make Australians proud.
was about celebrating aspects of the nation that make Australians proud. Chernov said Australia Day was a reminder of the opportunities and challenges that the country faces and a reminder to recognise indigenous history.
Chernov said Australia Day was a reminder of the opportunities
and challenges that the country faces and a reminder to recognise
indigenous history.
Parade attendee Nick George, 46, of Viewbank said he felt lucky to be an Australian.Parade attendee Nick George, 46, of Viewbank said he felt lucky to be an Australian.
"To be Australian is to work hard, to look after family and those in need," Mr George said. "We have a lot of freedom and choices in this country.""To be Australian is to work hard, to look after family and those in need," Mr George said. "We have a lot of freedom and choices in this country."
The threat of rain did not deter NSW revellers from packing the Harbour foreshore, some waving Australian flags or wearing green and yellow face paint.
The threat of rain did not deter NSW revellers from packing the Tens of thousands of Sydneysiders and visitors flowed into the city for the celebration, billed as the biggest in Sydney since the Bicentenary, with more than 14 hours of entertainment planned.
Harbour foreshore, some waving Australian flags or wearing green and Aboriginal celebrants on Sunday morning lit a fire at the Sydney Opera House before the flame, along with offerings from around the world, was carried aboard a boat.
yellow face paint.
Tens of thousands of Sydneysiders and visitors flowed into the
city for the celebration, billed as the biggest in Sydney since the
Bicentenary, with more than 14 hours of entertainment planned.
Aboriginal celebrants on Sunday morning lit a fire at the Sydney
Opera House before the flame, along with offerings from around the
world, was carried aboard a boat.
The vessel met up with bark canoes under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and a traditional smoking ceremony was carried out.The vessel met up with bark canoes under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and a traditional smoking ceremony was carried out.
Roseville resident and mother of two Belinda Pratley said she makes the trip into the city every year.Roseville resident and mother of two Belinda Pratley said she makes the trip into the city every year.
"I think it's a day that we can come together as a country and "I think it's a day that we can come together as a country and celebrate that we are a country. A unique country - our multi-cultural lifestyle - and celebrate that we're here and that it's a great place," she said.
celebrate that we are a country. A unique country - our multi-cultural Victorians waving Australian flags celebrated cultural diversity with a parade involving more than 60 cultural and community groups along the main streets of Melbourne.
lifestyle - and celebrate that we're here and that it's a great place,"
she said.
Victorians waving Australian flags celebrated cultural diversity
with a parade involving more than 60 cultural and community groups along
the main streets of Melbourne.
Multiculturalism was a key theme of the day, with nearly 4500 new Victorians making their pledges to become Australian citizens.Multiculturalism was a key theme of the day, with nearly 4500 new Victorians making their pledges to become Australian citizens.
The nation's biggest citizenship ceremony has been held in the The nation's biggest citizenship ceremony has been held in the northern Perth suburb of Wanneroo, where 751 people became Australians.
northern Perth suburb of Wanneroo, where 751 people became Australians.
West Australian Premier Colin Barnett told the new citizens that they would be treasured.West Australian Premier Colin Barnett told the new citizens that they would be treasured.
"You'll have the protection and care of Australia, wherever you "You'll have the protection and care of Australia, wherever you are on the planet. You'll have access to laws of Australia - safety for you, and your family and for your property," he said.
are on the planet. You'll have access to laws of Australia - safety for
you, and your family and for your property," he said.