As a national holiday, Australia Day is a designated date on which annual celebrations mark and commemorate the nationhood of Australia. This nationhood is symbolised not by the date of independence, nor by the date of becoming a republic. Neither has it ever been a significant date for a patron saint or a ruler’s birthday, accession or removal. Rather, Australia Day is the date of the founding of Sydney, the first European settlement in Australia, the state capital of New South Wales, and currently the most populous city in Australia and Oceania.
According to Wikipedia:
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Celebrated annually on 26 January, it marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British Ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales, and raising of the Flag of Great Britain at that site by Governor Arthur Phillip. In contemporary Australia, celebrations reflect the diverse society and landscape of the nation, and are marked by community and family events, reflections on Australian history, official community awards, and citizenship ceremonies welcoming new immigrants into the Australian community.
The meaning and significance of Australia Day has evolved over time. Unofficially, or historically, the date has also been variously named “Anniversary Day”, “Invasion Day”, “Foundation Day”, and “ANA Day”. 26 January 1788 marked the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia (then known as New Holland). Although it was not known as Australia Day until over a century later…
Each year, Australia Day is also celebrated at the Government House of Queensland. The connections between New South Wales and Queensland in relation to Australia Day and the Governor of Queensland can be succinctly explained by the following two excerpts:
The Office of the Governor of Queensland was established in 1859 when Queensland was separated from New South Wales as a self-governing colony. The Governor is the personal representative of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Queensland, and is appointed by Commission. The powers of the Governor are derived from the Commission of Appointment, from the provisions of various pieces of Constitutional legislation and from a number of Acts of the State Parliament.
The Governor performs a number of ceremonial and public duties including the swearing-in of Ministers, opening Parliament, receiving calls from Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Heads of State, hosting visiting parliamentary and trade delegations at Government House, participating in numerous conferences and functions, and presiding at major occasions such as Australia Day and Anzac Day activities when the community commemorates events of national significance.
Flag of the Governor of Queensland (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Patron of the Queensland Orchid Society in 2013 is the Queensland Governor, Ms Penelope Wensley, AC, who provides patronage to a range of community groups. 
This Vice-Regal Patronage assists the Queensland Orchid Society “by enhancing its profile within the community, underpinning its bona fides, and giving it access to the Governor’s support and advice . . . . in a range of ways, involving advocacy, awareness raising, hosting of events and attendance at selected, key events arranged by the particular organisation.”
Coat of Arms of Queensland (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Celebrate Australia Day at Government House
Gates open 10 am to 3pm.
Click here for Flyer
Previous Celebrations of Australia Day at Government House
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Her Excellency, Ms Penelope Wensley AC and Mr Stuart McCosker attended the 2011 Australia Day Flag Raising Ceremony, at the Kangaroo Point Park, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane, greeted by Brigadier Paul McLachlan ADC, Commander, Headquarters 7th Brigade, where the Governor delivered an Australia day message, then joined the Premier of Queensland and Minister for the Arts, the Honourable Anna Bligh MP, the Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for the Arts and Multicultural Affairs, Mr John-Paul Langbroek, Turrbal Elder and Songwoman, Maroochy Barambah, Torres Strait Islander Elder, Mr Thomas Sebasio, the Right Honourable, the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Cr Campbell Newman, Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson APM, senior representatives of the Armed Services and other dignitaries, in observing the raising of the Australian, Queensland, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags by Australian Defence Force personnel.
2011 Australia Day Flag Raising Ceremony, at the Kangaroo Point Park, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Her Excellency and Mr McCosker hosted an “Open Day” in celebration of Australia Day 2010, featuring guided tours of Government House and gardens, presentations and displays by Queensland historical and community associations and entertainment by the Australian Army Band, Brisbane, the Queensland Police Pipes and Drums, the Marist Brothers Saxophone Quartet, the Brisbane Grammar School Choir, the Royal Queensland Regiment and the Queensland Mounted Infantry Historical Troop.
2010 Australia Day Open Day at Government House
2010 Australia Day Open Day at Government House
Government Garden Tour with Mr Ross McKinnon AM, Curator, Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens and Mr Richard Symmonds, QBuild Horticultural Coordinator, Government House
Australian National Anthem
Related Articles and Websites
- The Office of the Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency The Honourable Ms Penelope Wensley AC (wensley.govhouse.qld.gov.au)
- Government House Queensland (govhouse.qld.gov.au)
- Australia Day Open Day at Government House Queensland (eventfinda.com.au)
- Australia Day 2013 – Government House (blogs.slq.qld.gov.au)
- Australia Day 2011 – Government House (blogs.slq.qld.gov.au)
- Cooktown Orchid (Dendrobium bigibbum, Dendrobium phalaenopsis, Vappodes phalaenopsis): Floral Emblem of Queensland, Australia (queenslandorchid.wordpress.com)
- About (queenslandorchid.wordpress.com)
- ❀Queensland Orchids ✿ (queenslandorchid.wordpress.com)
- 80th Anniversary of The Queensland Orchid Society Inc (queenslandorchid.wordpress.com)
- Charlie Robino: Loving Orchids in Far North Queensland (queenslandorchid.wordpress.com)
- Leo Li and His Exceptional Orchid Photography (queenslandorchid.wordpress.com)
- Queensland Orchids in Wikipedia (queenslandorchid.wordpress.com)
- Introduction (queenslandorchid.wordpress.com)
- ✿❀ Queensland Orchid Society ❀✿ (pottedplantsociety.wordpress.com)
- ✿❀ Queensland Orchid Society ❀✿ (soundeagle.wordpress.com)
- Glorious Orchid Specimens in 2013 Spring Show Competition (queenslandorchid.wordpress.com)
- Glorious Orchid Specimens in 2013 Spring Show Competition (pottedplantsociety.wordpress.com)
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Driving SoundEagle,
I pulled up to the curb in the rola . I’d touched base with SoundEagle just yesterday & wow, what a smooth operator – here I was picking HIM up!!! I’d met SoundEagle on FB as the webmaster of Queensland Orchid Society the previous spring & I was nervous to be putting a face to the correspondent for the first time. He had sent an elaborate invitation & hey as it turned out I was to be visiting & staying with a friend in Toowong – not too far away from SoundEagle’s residence.
Right on queue he arrived impeccably dressed & coiffured ,very handsome & engaging .We conversed as if we’d known each other for a life time & before I knew it we were standing at the gate of the governor’s residence . I was giggling & feeling intoxicated – such was the effect SoundEagle had on me. It was like being with James Bond!!!!
James swept me off my feet – I mean, he showed me the large gardens including a rose garden that had previous serving governor’s favourite roses planted. He took me through the large house chatting effortlessly with the staff on-route. It was about this time the Governor sought out Bond & suggested they talk under the weeping tree in the grounds. James introduced me to the chauffeur Rhett & politely excused himself to interview the Governor/Patron of Queensland Orchid Society.
Rhett was a lovely man & a fountain of knowledge regarding the stable of cars including a real Rolls Royce & not a Corolla !!!! He said the Rolls wasn’t originally fitted with air conditioning & through necessity this was done .It was suggested I join the governor & Bond for refreshments & it wasn’t long & She had to mingle with some of the visitors .Penny was a very gracious host.
Bond suggested we leave & visit the gorgeous suburb of Paddington to peruse the antique shops & if your’e reading this I highly suggest you do the same!! Censorship prevents me writing any further however I will say a good day was had by all ;-)))
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K.W what an adventure…something most Aussies will never experience. A real honor to be invited there and greeted like cellebrity…but of course you are in your own right we… ..that is all that love and know you accept this and enjoy the love of orchids with you on QOSI. The garden tour must have been a dream come true… It must have been incredible for you to walk around in the beauty of those gardens, perfectly manicured lawn and scented flowers. Very foftunate indeed to spend time with the lady Govenor/Patron and enjoy her company.
Leaves us all green with envy I assure you. Best regards, Your friend. Barbara.
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Today is indeed a big day for Australia. Your day has also turned out to be as big as your attention and appetite can enjoy in both quality and quantity.
SoundEagle is delighted and impressed by your jollification and merrymaking during this long weekend in your determination to make the most of your vacation leading up to one or more crescendos, as described earlier today:
May you thoroughly enjoy the rest of the week!
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Thank you for the memory and for accompanying SoundEagle. May you have a happy and meaningful Australia Day!
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Thank you K.W. Australia Day was certainly celebrated with much gusto by us all..two of our group were originally from other nations and are now 100% Australians plus another Australian born from immigrant parents..what a truly cosmopolitan group we were. This will indeed go down as our very best ever Australia Day Celebration. I hope yours was as wonderful as ours. All the very best wishes to you Barbara and Max.
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May you also enjoy the Chinese New Year too!
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Just a wee note to say kw would have preferred I call him sound-eagle however, as any dinky die Aussie knows -that is way too long !! I think kw, in the time I have known him has become more Aussie – do you agree ? I actually saw a response from him recently that said “yep” :-)He is well educated & has degrees to prove that his grammatical expertise is 2nd to none . Thank you kw for keeping our grammatical standards high in these techno times .Nobody does it better & we all love you xx
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Hello kw , well yes I did celebrate in true blue Aussie style with both senior & junior Scott – Harden togeather with bush walking buddies Leonie & Robert Benge & Rob Sherrin . Our menu comprised of Eastwood delicacies, Leonie’s home cooking & master chef Craig’s BBQ pork skewers, lamb cutlets ( complete with a magic crust ) , kohl rabi salad , potato salad (Leonie special) & a trifle ( thanks Leonie ) The only thing we were missing was YOU ! & maybe Barbara ( boot & all) & QA( Mick from Adelaide) & Charlie & Jane ( from Far North Qsld & last but not least James ( our Ibis avian friend ) Happy Aussie Day kw …..
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Speaking of food, please visit the much improved and extended post entitled 🐒 Monkey Orchids and Chinese New Year of 2016 🏮 to see a video demonstrating a very special (and unusual) recipe, not to mention that there is also another new comment from SoundEagle addressing you there. This recipe will also be of interest to Craig the clever harrier.
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