How to get into the Spirit of Australia Day

This Australia Day, Monday 26 January 2009, is more than a public holiday - it's the day we come together as a nation to celebrate Australia and being Australian. There are many ways to celebrate what's great about Australia, from attending organised community events to marking the occasion in your own simple way.

The National Australia Day Council has put together some ideas to get you thinking and planning how you'll get into the spirit this Australia Day:

Think about what it is we celebrate - what is it about Australia that you value most?

Understand your region's Aboriginal history and culture - find out more about the indigenous Australians of your area and their customs. Consider how Aboriginal people feel about Australia Day

Take an Australia Day holiday - visit a part of our country you've never seen before and attend its community Australia Day celebrations

Share a multicultural Aussie barbecue - invite your neighbours, especially those you've never met before and taste the many flavours that make up our nation. Play some cricket!

Revisit our history - read a historic novel or visit your local museum

Enter the Advance Australia Dare competition - www.advanceaustraliadare.com.au - send in your rendition of the anthem

Learn both verses of the national anthem (see below) - did you know the original version of Advance Australia Fair was written in 1878, but only officially proclaimed our national anthem in 1984?

Create an Aussie photo montage - collect all your Australian themed photos together in a fun display on your wall, a Facebook photo album or make an Australian styled photo your computer wallpaper or screensaver
Nominate an Australia who makes you proud for the Australian of the Year Awards www.australianoftheyear.org.auFor more information about Australia Day events around the nation, visit www.australiaday.org.au or contact the Australia Day Committee in your State or Territory.

Advance Australia Fair:
Verse 1
Australians all let us rejoice
For we are young and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

Verse 2
Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.