Fly the flag for Australia today... ideally on your face
Australia Day is drawing to a close Down Under, where the lucky Aussies have enjoyed a public holiday to celebrate the great nation, its heritage, history and its humour. They’ve been thronging in their thousands, with all the major cities putting on firework displays, live music and a general carnival atmosphere.
It’s the height of summer Down Under, and the typical Aussie household will take in the local celebrations and spend the day with friends and family, usually in the backyard or on the beach, enjoying the good life in the sunshine with cold beers and great, fresh food.
They’re probably calling it a night about now, but here in the frigid northern hemisphere the day is young and there’s still time to come over a bit Antipodean and keep the trans-global party going.
So if you’d like to tip your Akubra hat to the Great Southern Land, feel free to pick and choose from this menu of a few of the essential ingredients that make up a proper Australia Day.
1. Throw a barbecue
So it’s the middle of winter – who cares? Rug up, head outside and fire up the barbecue – you can warm your hands on it while your sausages cook. Or have an indoor barbie on the griddle pan if it’s really too grim outside. Add some fish and skewers for a light, fresh, southern-hemisphere take and serve with cold beer – preferably Australian.
2. Fly the flag
String up the Southern Cross – Australia’s national flag – at the front of your house, car or wherever. Whether large or small, bunting or bedspread, it’ll bring joy to any Aussies who spot it. Even better is to follow the great Australia Day tradition of painting the flag onto your body – preferably your face.
 3. Plan an Aussie menu
Pop into the supermarket on your way home and snap up anything Aussie for an Australia Day dinner… Think snapper fillet with snow peas and pumpkin puree, spicy Thai noodles, surf ‘n’ turf (steak with prawns), meat pie or just Vegemite on toast. Follow with Anzac cookies, peach Melba or pavlova and wash down with a good Aussie wine.
4. Compile an Aussie playlist
Think beyond the Best of Kylie, and whack on the likes of the Avalanches, the Bee Gees, Silverchair, Powderfinger or Xavier Rudd. To transport yourself straight to the red earth and big skies of the Outback, try country star Slim Dusty or some traditional Aboriginal music. Or if classical is more your thing there’s the likes of Nellie Melba and Joan Sutherland. Enjoy.
5. Go a-Waltzing MatildaÂ
Learn and sing Australia’s unofficial national anthem, Waltzing Matilda (here’s how it’s done!)
If you have a musical streak, dig out your guitar, piano, tin whistle or whatever and have a living-room jamming sesh.
Right then, off you go – enjoy yourselves in proper Aussie style. All of us at Embrace Australia wish you a very happy Australia Day. 
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