Julie Green Art & Photography

G’day,

Back here Down Under, the beers are being chugged, the barbies are on, the lamingtons are out, and the Aussie flags waved about because it’s Bogan Day, I mean Australia Day! There’s a lot of pride in the air.

Among all the talk of racism, drunkenness, shamelessness, swearing, and concern about the country being stolen from the Aboriginals and our need to rethink the day and the flag altogether, I thought it apt to write what Australia means to me.

One of the characteristics that’s shoved in today’s face is the Southern Cross (otherwise known as Crux to Astronomers), made up of 5 stars, a constellation nearly always visible from the Southern Hemisphere. As it acts as a symbol of Australia(ns) and it pinpoints our location in the world, this is about the 5 (good) things Australia means to me.

1. Love
   That’s where I found a gorgeous guy.
2. Nature
   The bushland defines a lot of it for me. I’ve lived near the bush all my life. From bushwalks and mates to meditative adventures, that’s where my heart is. The bush is a totally different world to the one in the city. It’s peaceful. Time stops there.
3. Diversity
   Diversity of the people and experiences that I have, but also diversity of the land. One minute you’re in rainforest, the next in the desert, and the next you’re at the beach. The land is all so different here and I cannot wait to explore this place more.
4. Space
   Just that, there’s bush next to the city and wide open spaces. I hope it will forever retain these beautiful places.
5. Home
   Australia is my home. It is the bush, mates, diversity, love, space, adventures and all of that. It’s a beautiful place to live.

Happy Australia Day!

Blue Mountains bushland, Australia.

Fair dinkum,
Julie