GROWING UP AUSTRALIAN

Tomorrow is Australia Day.

When I was 9, my Dad packed the whole family up and took us to live in Australia. All I knew about Australia was that there were kangaroos and koalas. Other than that I had no idea and it all felt like a big adventure.

As a child, growing up Australian meant:

• Living in the red dirt of Port Hedland and having the most exciting year ever.
• Meeting my first Aboriginal people and being entranced by their stories, especially at school.
• Living through a cyclone which destroyed Port Hedland.
• Joining Brownies and wearing our akubra like hats.
• Being able to cycle around the town without fear.
• Getting the first colour TV on the street and having all the local kids knock on the door at 7am to watch Sesame street in colour.
• Eating polony knob sandwiches in white bread.
  

It also meant:

•  Moving to the city of Perth, two days drive away.
• Starting at another new school and being made to feel dumb because I was smart. You work that out.
• Swimming at the beach, between the flags and getting dumped.
• Falling in love with Australian Rules footy.
• Being able to recite the entire Australian test cricket team in order.
• Watching Countdown on Sunday nights.
• Being a "Sherbet" fanatic.
• Fish and chips for a treat.
• Peters icecream with a spoon.
• Reading " Picnic at Hanging Rock" over and over again.
  
• Vegimite rolls on fresh bread!

As I moved out of school and into university, growing up Australian meant:

• A free education (unfortunately no more).
• Excellent healthcare.
• Singing to Hoodoo Gurus.
• Kings Park, the beach, Rottnest with friends.
• Meeting many others from Australia's diverse cultural background.

 And now I'm older:

• Moving back to the peace and laid back lifestyle of regional western Australia.
• Marrying an Aussie.
• Learning more Aussie slang than I ever knew existed!
• Eating foods I had never tried - mutton, mullet, clinkers!
• Learning about wildflowers.
• Giving birth to my two little Aussies.
• Learning how to cook the best pavlova in the world...if I say so myself!
• Travelling around this wonderful country and seeing how truly blessed we are. Australia is just stunning.
• Learning about Anzac Day
• Teaching some of the nicest young Aussies ever and becoming a part of their life. 

Yes folks, I've grown up Australian. A part of my heart will always be with Malta, the country we left, but I am Australian and proud of it.

Happy Australia Day everyone!
Till next time...xxx