Australia Day: Fireys symbolise what makes us great

Scott Morrison has used the national holiday to praise Australia’s inclusive national identity and pay tribute to the volunteer firefighters.

Scarlett Ettershank, 9 and Jess Brown, 11, celebrate at Brighton Beach in Melbourne. Picture: David Geraghty

Scott Morrison has used the national holiday to praise Australia’s inclusive national identity and pay tribute to the volunteer firefighters who have devoted the summer months to safeguard their communities and symbolised the “greatness” of Australia as a nation.

Speaking on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin in the nation’s capital, the Prime Minister said Australia Day was an opportunity to reflect on the qualities that united all Australians.

“Our national identity, which we celebrate today, is not a negative or exclusive tribalism,” he said.

A family enjoying Coffs Harbour's 2020 Australia Day ceremony.

Navy, Army and RFS volunteers play cricket aboard HMAS Canberra. Picture: Nikki Short

“Rather it is the positive identity that comes from living a life as a good citizen, who thinks and believes in something greater than their own self.

“This is the greatness of Australia. This is the strength of Australia. This is our secret. This is why as Australians we prevail.”

Mr Morrison and his young daughters, Lily and Abbey, started their Australia Day in Canberra by laying a wreath at the National Emergency Services Memorial to honour the six firefighters who have died so far in the horrific summer.

A man celebrates at the Australia Day parade. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Mr Morrison dedicated his speech to the many firefighters who have kept Australia safe over summer. Firefighters will also soon be eligible for the National Emergency Medal for “sustained or significant service” during the bushfire crisis.

“The National Emergency Medal will honour the selflessness, courage and sacrifice that we have all witnessed this summer,” Mr Morrison said.

Shelley Rigby and Fraser Pettigrew at Hidden Valley for the annual Variety NT Australia Day Ute run. Picture: Che Chorley

“This Australia Day we honour and especially celebrate our wonderful volunteers. Our firefighters — especially those who never returned home from the firegrounds.

“Our emergency services and forestry workers. The members of our Defence Force, including the 3000 reservists who answered the call.”

Mr Morrison paid a special tribute to his father, John, who died last week at the age of 84.

“As my late father, John, taught me through his own life’s example, life is about what you contribute and not what you accumulate,” he said. “The spirit of the volunteer understands that our nation’s greatness lies not in the great buildings behind me here, but in the strength and vitality of the thousands of local communities that together make up our incredible nation.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and daughters Abbey and Lily arrive at an Australia Day citizenship ceremony and flag raising event. Picture: AAP

The sentiment was shared by millions of revellers across the nation on Sunday. Between ravishing drought and raging bushfires, it has been a devastating year for many but Australians — old and new — turned out in their droves to celebrate the thing that makes the Lucky Country so lucky: the strength and resilience of those fortunate enough to call it home.

From the tropics of the Top End to the tip of Tasmania, parks and beaches were awash in a sea of red, white and blue as Australians — old and new — came together for Australia Day parties and parades.

Under sunny skies, Sydney revellers were treated to a range of entertainment, including the popular Ferrython race and a 21-gun army salute.

Protestors are seen during the Invasion Day rally in Brisbane. Picture: AAP

In an Australia Day first, the Sydney Opera House sails were illuminated with projections including a tribute collage to firefighters and communities affected by bushfires this summer.

In Melbourne, thousands of people lined the street for the annual Australia Day parade, waving the nation’s flag in excitement. CFA firefighters led the parade through the city’s centre, as they were met by cheers from the crowd — a thank you for their work fighting the state’s horrific bushfires this summer.

For many, it was a day to rejoice in an Aussie tradition of heading to the beach. Melbourne mother Sarah Ettershank said her daughter Scarlett, 9, loved playing with friends at their local beach in Brighton. “It was an opportunity for all the kids and parents to get out and enjoy the sunshine and celebrate this gorgeous country that we live in.”

Thousands of Tasmanians ­embraced the sunny, but windy day to celebrate the day on Hobart’s beaches. On Sandy Bay’s Long Beach, celebrations were in full swing for the 172nd Sandy Bay Regatta.

On Australia’s west coast, crowds in Perth celebrated with a sky show above the Swan River.

In the Northern Territory, Darwin Council held its annual Australia Day flag raising and citizenship ceremony.

Jefersonia Moniz, 20, moved to Darwin with her mother more than seven years ago after her ­father died in East Timor.

“I feel really good, it is something that I have been wanting to happen for a long time, there are more opportunities with school and stuff, it is really good in Darwin,” Ms Moniz said.

Across the country, 27,400 people from more than 160 countries became Australians on Sunday.

New Australians pose with Governor General David Hurley, Mrs Linda Hurley, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the citizenship ceremony at Lake Burley Griffin on January 26.