Australia Day 2009
Australia Day 2009 would be a day for many to remember, and for many reasons. A day of music, fun and sun for a community of revellers doing all they could to display their love for this great country on our day of days...
Heaps more pictures below. Please note there are a LOT of pictures in this post, if there are any that wont appear, or come up with a red X, hit the refresh button and they will eventually load.
Arriving at 8am, I was devastated when I saw all tables and gazebos taken after we had planned so much for this years Australia Day Triple J Hottest 100 countdown at the harbour. The years before had proven a hit and it was fast becoming larger and larger. Beginning the tradition of the Australia Day waterslide many years earlier, we had brought a slide which we did not need, thanks to the numerous others who not only took a liking to the idea, but certainly took it to the next level...
Across the park I had noticed 6 large speakers being stacked alongside 2 Amps at a table in preparation for something very loud. The suns rays, hiding behind the clouds for a lot of the day, had been amplified by the many litres of beer consumed since the early morning and failing to find a table, we had to set up under the patchy & limited shade of some trees near the carpark.
Our view was a reasonable one though, with much entertainment splashing from the large slide rolling down the hill- as scores of drunken Aussies launched simultaneously into a slippery destruction derby of bodies, bowling each other over or simply just bowling themselves over all in the name of fun.
Doc had informed me that he was getting ready to mix in the valley on the other side of the park. Sharon, Tegan and I set out to meet up at the other side, walking through the fields of flag draped hooligans and painted families, avoiding flying objects from people playing, and really wishing that I had shoes on my feet. The wetlands permit expired at 4pm, which was roughly the same time as numerous police officers swooped the grounds, handing out tickets for drinking in public, and more terribly making people tip out their drinks. A few arrests were made and a few fights had errupted in the afternoon, causing complete chaos for those who had not already departed. The Triple J Hottest 100 countdown had also caused frustration when "Sex on fire" made #1 which we discovered after the main unit from a descent sized stereo smashed on the ground and toppled to a stop at our feet. I understood the guy's angry actions, hell I would have done the same had there been a stereo nearby that I could throw...
I mean, number one? Really? Meh.
I had to laugh out loud at the ridiculous and petty actions of a female officer, obviously pissed off that she had to work on such a day. A group of guys tried to leave the harbour when three officers were arresting someone beside their car. Unfortunately for the driver, upon attempting to reverse out of his park, had left the handbrake on causing the car to heath upwards a little which made a reasonable distraction. To everyones surprise the officer exploded at the driver, smashing her notepad against the door of the car whilst yelling at him that it is an offence to try and drive off with the handbrake on. I couldnt help but mock an overly dramatised reaction to a simple mistake on the drivers behalf. After seeing enough blood and police to frown upon such a great day earlier, we decided it was time to leave.
The next day I found myself in the waiting room of the local hospital, just another Australia day casualty to join the many others. A few people in particular seemed to all have interesting stories, if only I could read minds. I realised that day, that I may not be quite as nimble as I used to be. Or maybe I should stretch first.
Thanks to everybody who made it happen, except for those who smashed glass everywhere, causing mass casualties and ensuring this event wont be taking place next year...