Certainly we in Oz have a lot to be thankful for - a beautiful country with unique flora and fauna and a pleasant (most of the time) climate. It's true that a lot of our ancestors came here under rather dire circumstances, but many of them eventually achieved not only freedom, but land ownership and a successful business career. A good example is Mary Reiby. Several places in Sydney are named after her, and her face is on our $20 note. The entrepreneurial spirit is very strong here.

We have Australia Day on January 26, which celebrates the anniversary of Captain Arthur Phillip unfurling the British flag at Sydney Cove and proclaiming British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia on 26 January 1788. More here Australia Day - an historic timeline. It's a public holiday that is accompanied by naturalisation ceremonies, concerts, fireworks, and the Great Aussie Barbeque, usually in stinking hot weather. Many, like me, would prefer to just stay indoors and try to keep cool.

However many Indigenous Australians think of it as Invasion or Survival Day - an annual reminder of the occupation of the country they had inhabited for tens of thousands of years and recalls the damage to their relationship with the land, culture, traditions and beliefs that followed. Although attempts are being made to use it to promote understanding, respect and reconciliation with our aboriginal people, I personally think that particular date can't help being a reminder to them.

I wish we had a significant day in a cooler part of the year. Some people hold a "Christmas in July" party just so they can have the traditional hot dinner in weather that is more conducive. I'd like to see another day, like Thanksgiving, in about May, that would fit in with the "harvest" idea just before winter. I've never heard any suggestion of it though, so I guess I'll just have to make up my own. We could do "Samhain" at home. That would be nice.