It’s the Australia Day Book Giveaway
Thanks to Shelleyrae from Book’d Out for setting up an Australia Day Book Giveaway again this year. Click here to visit the site and find other wonderful opportunities to win books. And what ever you’re doing to celebrate it – enjoy!!
So what does Australia Day mean to you? Is it a chance for a long weekend getaway before the kids go back to school? Or is it a chance to get everything sorted before that happens?
Maybe it’s time to head to one of the many Australia Day celebrations or have lunch with friends. Do you stop and think about why we celebrate an arbitrary date in January or do you just enjoy the moment?
I’m not big on the public celebrations and having been in aviation for 26 years I haven’t often had the day off anyway. But I always stop and contemplate what it is to be Australian. If I were to sit down with my closest friends there’d be less than fifty percent of us who are Australian by birth. I was born in Canada and Capt G was born in the UK. Others were born in Jersey, UK, Fiji and Thailand and USA. Yet we all consider ourselves Australian and that, I think, is the wonderful thing about this country.
It is a melting pot and, with the recent heatwave, that was actual as well as metaphorical! So many cultures transplanted to these southern shores have influenced our food, our fashion, our music and even our literature. I hope that it makes us more tolerant and it certainly makes us some of the world’s most travelled people.
The school-leaving rite of passage to head overseas still persists today although the UK isn’t necessarily the most popular destinations as young adults head off to visit the land of their parents’ birth. Hopping on a plane and flying for twenty hours doesn’t faze us. Although when I see the red tail of Qantas aircraft parked by an icy terminal it always sends a little rush of warmth and nostalgia through me.
I think the same spirit that sent our young men off to the World Wars, seeking an adventure as much as justice, still holds strong for today’s young people. Maybe it’s something to do with being on the bottom of the world, so far from anywhere, that sends them rushing over the horizon.
What ever the reason, I hope Australia continues to grow as a tolerant nation who welcomes new comers, embraces different traditions, but never loses sight of its past.
And for me, the Peter Allen song, ‘I Still Call Australia Home,’ will always be as powerful as the national anthem.
So to enter my giveaway I’d love to know what songs make you think of Australia? Is it ‘I Come From a Land Down Under?’,Khe Sanh, or something more classical?
To go into the draw you need to leave a comment by midnight 28th January. I’ll announce the winner on the 2nd February.
For Australian Residents you’ll go into the draw to win a copy of Bronwyn Parry’s wonderful book,’DARKENING SKIES.’
For international readers you’ll go into the draw for an e-book copy of Phillipa Fioretti’s latest release ‘FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY’.
You need to tell me which book draw you’d like to be entered in. And don’t forget to visit all the other blogs involved in this great celebration of Australia. Visit Book’d Out’s post here for all the links 🙂
| Write Note Reviews | Jennifer Collin |
| Sherryl Caulfield | Literary Exploration |
| Lisa Walker | Wendy Orr |
Hi Helene, while I agree with most other posters’ nominations, Icehouse’s “Great Southern Land” is pure Australia to me 🙂 While I’m in Australia, I’m a huge Bronwyn fan and have already read all her books… Would it be possible for me to go in the draw for For One Night Only? Thanks, J
Beth, it’s definitely a moving song and when it’s played during times of natural disaster it’s even more heartbreaking.
And you’re in the draw for Bron’s book!!
Ah, Austen Tayshus is very clever, Karla 🙂 And you’re in the draw for Darkening Skies!!
Oops, I forgot to say that I’d love to be in the draw for Darkening Skies please! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
” I am Australian” always makes me teary when I hear it as it reminds me of the differences we have but the underlying great Australian spirit that makes us united, especially when some of our fellow Australians face extreme adversity.
I adore Austen Tayshus with “Australiana”. It’s so Australian, and a brilliant piece of comedy.
Darkening Skies please!
No! Really? Brenda, I’m surprised that you haven’t read her stories before. I predict once you read For One Night Only you’ll be hunting down her back list. She has a unique voice and I really can’t compare her to another author – I’m sure she’s a rising star of the future.
Kelly, great choices. I can still remember the debate when the Australian National anthem was changed and Waltzing Matilda missed out by a narrow margin…
And you’re in the draw for Bron’s wonderful story 🙂
Thanks Melissa, Slim Dusty recorded so many memorable songs, didn’t he? A true Aussie Icon 🙂
You’re in the draw for Bron’s book!
Thanks Helene 🙂 Yes I love that song! I haven’t read anything by Phillipa yet, so hopefully this will be my first 😉
I Still Call Australia Home by Peter Allen and Waltzing Matilda, it’s too hard to choose. I think since we love our sport, Waltzing Matilda might just sneak in.
Darkening Skies looks awesome.
Happy Australia Day Aussies.
The song that reminds me of Australia is ‘Waltzing Matilda” by Slim Dusty.
I would love to win Darkening Skies by Bronwyn Parry’s
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
Shannon, I haven’t read that book – I’ll have to book so I’ll add it my reading list!
Welcome back from Canada and I’ll add you to the draw for Bron’s book so you can feel right at home again 🙂
Brenda, that GANGgajang’s song is fabulous isn’t it!
I’ll put you in the draw for Phillipa’s wonderful new book – a little grittier than her first two but still has the same lightness of touch and witty dialogue. She’s visiting my blog on the 4th Feb and it’s a lovely post:)
That sounds like a wonderful way to spend Australia Day, Melissa! The Aussie Day Beach BBQ at Trinity Beach was always very special and I suspect I wake up tomorrow morning wishing I was back there…
And you’re in the draw for Darkening Skies!
Ha, love that, Juliet! What a fabulous song to sing with an audience!
You’re in the draw for Bronwyn’s terrific Australian story 🙂
I love this one – GANGgajang’s “Sound of Then” (This is Australia) – so easy to sing along to, and reminds you of Australia wherever you are 🙂
I already own (and have read) Darkening Skies Helene, so For One Night Only would be great. Thanks for the opportunity to win, and have a great Aussie Day weekend 🙂 x
Happy Australia Day! We love celebrating it down the beach with our friends and all our kids together. Definitely the song, I come for a land down under. When that plays in London pubs you know the Aussies straight away! Entering for Darkening Skies please.
Hi Helene, happy Australia Day! I live in Tassie (just recently returned from living in Canada, actually!) and would love to win a copy of Darkening Skies.
Incidentally, one of my favourite books of last year was Jackie French’s new novel, The Road to Gundagai. Absolutely wonderful book!
Hi Helene, I’d love to enter for the copy of Darkening Skies.
It would have to be ‘I come from a land down under’! I was at a conference once with US presenters and all the audience sang the song together for them, it was fun! 🙂
Jess, of course you can go into the draw for Phillipa’s wonderful book – I’m loving it!!
Sounds like you have a great selection on your iPod – and I’ll have to go and listen to the Black Saturday National Day of Mourning version again. It’s been a while…
Thanks for dropping by!
Hayley, you’re in the draw! I don’t think I’ve heard the corrupted version of Road to Gundagai before – very clever 😀 And how wonderful to have your Nana out that way – must have made for great holidays!
Anne-Marie, that’s a great song and I haven’t heard it in years! Agree that Waltzing Matilda captures the rural flavour in our country. You’re in the draw for Bron’s book!
Kathryn, glad you enjoyed the post.
Seventh generation South Australian? Wow, sounds like your forebears came out in the original free settlers fleet to that area. It must be wonderful to have that rich connection.
‘I Am Australian’ is another wonderful song! And you’re in the draw for Darkening Skies 🙂
Paul, that’s a perfect song for this time of the year!! Having spent the last sixteen years in north Queensland those images are very strong.
You too have gone into the draw for Bron’s book.
Tien, I still think those QANTAS ads were inspired. And the children in the choirs had some amazing adventures filming them! Thanks for dropping by. You’re in the draw for Darkening Skies 🙂
‘I am Australian’ is my go to Aussie song. I actually quite often listen to it. As well as the original, I have the Black Saturday National Day of Mourning version as well. It never ceases to me make cry (that particular version that is). This version in particualr just sums up everything I love about our country and community, even through times of despair and hardships. My next favourite is probably “I Still Call Australia Home” and then we move into “Land Down Under” territory. All of which are on my ipod 🙂
Even though I’m from Australia, can I enter for the ebook ‘One Night Only’. I saw your post regarding this book on facebook last week and I’ve been eyeing it off ever since 🙂
Road to Gundagai!! But the corrupted version.
‘Oh my gawd
How we roared
In our old T Ford
Along the road to Gundagai!’
Full of Australian icons, slang, and images. Plus, my nanna’s from Gundagai!
May I enter for ‘Datkening Skies’?
’DARKENING SKIES.’ Book for me.
Song that reminds me of Australia is Rolf Harris and Tie me Kangaroo Down Sport. Nothing more Aussie than that song.
My favourite will always be Waltzing Matilda
Hi Helene,
A thought provoking post. I always think of “I am Australian” by the Seekers. I agree, one of the great things about this country is the diverse range of people and cultures that live here, from Indigenous Australians right through to anyone who will be gaining their Australian citizenship tomorrow. I’m a rare thing, a seventh generation South Australian, but my friends and neighbours come from a diverse range of cultures.
PS Would love to win the Bronwyn Parry book.
Helene,
Definitely GANGgajang’s “Sound of Then” (This is Australia) is the one that makes me think of our wonderful country…
“Out on the patio we’d sit,
And the humidity we’d breathe,
We’d watch the lightning crack over canefields
Laugh and think, this is Australia.”
Would love to win the Bronwyn Parry novel!
Cheers,
Paul
The first song I can think of is, of course, ‘I still call Australia Home’ though I think mostly because it’s ingrained in my brain from being aired on tv all the time -Quantas ad was it? hhhmmm… beautiful song though!
Would love to enter Darkening Skies, please 🙂
Jenny, that’s a wonderful rework of the line and so appropriate for the Australia we are today. Thanks for sharing 🙂
And you too are in the draw for Darkening Skies 🙂
Hi Sharon, and welcome!! I’ve had two attempts to get back to Canada for a visit in recent years and I’m determined to have another go soon!!
You’re in the running for Phillipa’s wonderful book 🙂
Wow, Gabrielle, that’s a comprehensive list and a resounding yes to all of them! Thanks for sharing them all 🙂
You’re in the running for Bron’s book 🙂
“I still call Australia home” though I always sing it quietly as I “now call Australia home.” In the town where I live in rural Queensland we sing it as part of our Anzac Day commemoration – led by the daughter of a Vietnamese boat person and a Scots immigrant in a German migrant town riven by the world wars. Amazing.
And Bronwyn Parry please…
Sherry, I get all teary when I hear the Tenterfield Saddler… It’s a very moving song.
And you’re in the draw for Darkening Skies 🙂
Dale, I must make an effort and get to an AFL match one day! The Gabba is just down the road from Mum’s house and I’ve never set foot in the ground! Love the National Anthem 🙂
You’re in the running for Bron’s wonderful story.
Hello from a fellow Canadian!
Surprised to read that & happy you’ve included int’l entries – which is what I’ll enter for -TY for your generosity and the great info you’ve posted!
Happy AU Day !
I am indeed compelled to comment here and I thank you Helene for leaving such a provocative poke in the arm.
As some know me, I am around words, music and images. Sometimes knee deep in music, other times chest-high in words and then up to my eyeballs in images.
You’ve opened the flood gates in me with your post and so I shall now point form and limit extrapolation. I could give 100K on all the images, words and sounds that my list stimulates that which is Australian of me.
In no particular order my Australia consists of:
Icehouse’s Great Southern Land
Redgum’s I Was Only 19
John Williamson Cootamundra Wattle, and notably Raining on the Rock
Eric Bogle’s And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda
Goanna’s Solid Rock
Sara Storer’s Raining On the Plains
Although not a patriotic tune, the lyrics and music of Your The Voice as sung by John Farnham speaks to me as a person living in a nation of such wonderful social potential.
Seemingly a bent toward country music in my list… if you saw my library however, you’d wonder where on earth my tastes truly reside…
I too cannot define what is Australia. My beloved’s heritage is from across the seas and I also believe that we have a wonderful opportunity in our country to be a great mix – of all the delicious flavours.
Thanks Helene, Gabrielle
and I’d like to enter in the Darkening Skies Draw
Hi Helene
Yes, your years as a pilot would certainly lend an interesting perspective to that Peter Allen song. So many songs to choose from but I’m going to opt for another Allen classic as it’s been on my mind a lot lately – Tenterfield Saddler.
Cheers,
Sherryl (clearly an Aussie!)
Going to be very traditional here and go with Advance Australia Fair. After all that’s what’s sung at the AFL grand final. Darkening Skies looks a good read.
Margaret, Waltzing Matilda is so evocative of our rural spirit, isn’t it. Thanks for dropping by and you’re in the draw for Darkening Skies 🙂
Love that song too, Elise. And it’s a great one to belt out at the top of our lungs. You’re in the draw for Bron’s wonderful book!
You’re in the draw, Emma! Seems like that’s a popular song!!
Thanks for dropping by, Elizabeth.
Being a bit of a sailing fanatic I can’t help but remember the win in the America’s Cup as Australia II sailed out with that blaring from speakers. It always sends a tingle up my spine. I’m convinced the strong bond in that team was as important as the winged keel and integral to that bond was the song.
(And totally agree with your comment on the bogus copyright…)
Khe Sanh, for me, Helene. Not just because of the lyrics, but because of the times in my life I’ve found myself in a group, and we’ve been singing along like our lives depended on it.
I’d like to enter to win Darkening Skies.
Have a great long weekend!
I’d like to enter to win ‘Darkening Shies’.
‘Waltzing Matilda’ and ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ are the tunes that make me think of Australia.
international readers you’ll go into the draw for an e-book copy of Phillipa Fioretti’s latest release ‘FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY’.I Come From a Land Down Under?Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Hi Helene
Thanks for the giveaway. I’d love to win a copy of Darkening Skies (or Pip Fioretti’s, for that matter, but I’m here in Oz).
The song that still resonates with me is definitely “I Come from a Land Downunder”. It was a theme song when I went travelling to Europe decades ago and still retains its magic. (Pity about the bogus copyright suit about the “Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree” song.)
Hope you get lots of entries.
Cheers
Elizabeth