1. Australia Day National January Australia Day commemorates the anniversary of Captain Arthur Phillip’s first hoisting of the Union Jack over Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788.

This is a statutory public holiday and a day for Australians of all backgrounds to celebrate the reunification of the motherland.

A variety of activities of different sizes will be held across the country.

In Sydney, thousands of people gathered along the shores of Sydney Harbor to watch the celebrations on the water.

There are group breakfasts, beach dances, bonfires and concerts, parades and celebrations, sporting events, cultural and historical exhibitions and fireworks displays in towns and urban areas.

There will also be a citizenship ceremony to welcome new residents to the area.

Australians celebrate this day as a nation to celebrate and show how proud they are to be Australian!

Australia Day usually kicks off with a formal ceremony in the morning: the flag is raised, the national anthem is sung, a gun salute is fired, medals are awarded to special group projects or individuals, and a ceremony is held to welcome the country's new citizens.

The festival also offers a free barbecue breakfast and hosts fun beach parties, bonfires, concerts, parades and celebrations, sporting events, programs, and exciting fireworks displays.

The history of Australia Day As early as 1787, King George III announced that Australia would be a new penal colony for British convicts, which also sealed Australia's fate.

Exile to Botany Bay was a severe penalty at the time.

Penalties ranged from a minimum of seven years to lifelong exile, as well as varying degrees of physical labor.

The 11-ship First Fleet set sail from Plymouth on May 13, 1787, under the command of Arthur Phillip.

More than 1,400 people lived in tiny spaces and made the arduous voyage.

Captain Phillip decided that Botany Bay was not suitable for permanent settlement, so he led the fleet south to Port Jackson and landed on January 26, 1788 after eight months at sea.

Philip named the place Sydney Cove after Lord Sydney, the British Home Secretary.

The first fleet brought over 700 prisoners (188 women), 700 sailors, Royal Navy and Marine personnel and their families, 209 chickens, 74 pigs, 35 ducks, 29 sheep

, 29 geese, 19 goats, 18 turkeys, 5 cows, 4 stallions, 3 mares and 2 bulls.

Australia Day provides us with a unique opportunity to recognize Indigenous Australians’ place in our nation’s history and to promote understanding, respect and harmony.

Australians celebrate this day as a nation to celebrate and show how proud they are to be Australian!

The Outstanding Australian Awards The Outstanding Australian Awards are designed to reward the achievements and contributions of outstanding Australians, covering all ages and fields.

Awards are given in 4 categories: Outstanding Australian, Outstanding Australian Achiever of the Year (60 and over), Outstanding Young Australian of the Year (16 to 25 years old) and Local Australian Heroes.

The awards were presented in the capital, Canberra, on the eve of Australia Day.

2. Perth International Arts Festival, Western Australia, Perth February-March Experience the real Perth summer at the Perth International Arts Festival.

The festival brings together Australia's top talent with renowned international artists at venues across the city.

You can enjoy the most avant-garde drama and modern dance, dramatic classics and classical ballet.

You can also listen to the symphony or watch a band perform in the nightly festival bar.

You can also attend artist interviews and view colorful visual art in indoor and outdoor galleries.

Watch an open-air movie under the stars, or express your love for writing, storytelling and creativity at the Perth Writers Festival.

The 1-week Writers Festival includes over 100 literary events, plus 1 day dedicated to children.

3. Anzac Day National April 25 April 25 each year is Anzac Day, which is one of the most important public holidays in Australia.

The purpose is to commemorate the first major military action by the Australian and New Zealand Combined Regiments during the First World War.

Early morning commemorative ceremonies and parades will be held in many towns and cities across Australia, where residents collectively pay high respect to soldiers who have served in the military.