I sit here
on my national day
thinking about
what I will write.

The words
start out
with an introduction,
and then comes
my thoughts.

Who am I,
what does it mean
to be Australian,
what is Australia,
are some of the questions
that pass through
my mind.

For a start,
Australians
are passionate.

Passionate
about everything,
be it sport,
be it work,
be it play,
be it anything.

Australians
first and foremost,
believe
in giving everyone
a fair go.

If you need
a hand,
ask,
and everyone
will help.

If you want
to have a chat,
say G’day,
and see how,
in a few minutes
you have a new friend.

If you give
of your best,
everyone
will be there
to say
well done,
and thank you.

Mind you,
Australians
are also humble.

They do things
not for recognition,
they do them,
because
they like helping.

If you act
too cocky,
watch out,
they will
bring you down
to size.

Big-noting
is for others,
Australians believe
in equality
for all.

If you treat them
with disrespect,
they will
disown you.

If you treat them
with contempt,
they will
ignore you.

Australians
are unusual
in many ways,
one of them
is how
they compliment.

You will hear
an Australian male
call his good mate,
“a bastard.”

Now,
to anyone else
that would be
an insult.

Not to this man,
for he knows
swear words,
said in the right way,
are a huge compliment.

Anyway,
Australians
don’t waste their words
on people
who treat them poorly,
they simply
ignore them.

For all that Australia
is,
for all that Australia
could be,
it is
a remarkable place.

For there will be
few places
in the world,
where you
will be welcomed
with open arms,
a friendly smile,
and a drink.

There are
few places
in our world,
where you truly are
equal.

There are
few places
in our world,
where people
say what they mean,
and do what they say.

For Australians
are
doers.

Give them
a challenge,
and watch them
overcome it.

Give them
an opportunity
and watch them
excel at it.

Give them
a go,
and you will
be so happy
that you did.

Australians,
a big island,
a big country,
a big heart.

Come one
come many,
come all,
celebrate
with us
on Australia Day.

© Gary Dodd 2008