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Barbecues, bikinis and some very big bangs

khunking

Alfrescian
Loyal
KATHERINE FEENEY

<CITE>January 26, 2010 - 3:03PM </CITE>
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Revellers get into the Australia Day spirit at the South Bank beach. Photo: Katherine Feeney

Indigenous land rights protesters competed with the national anthem at the official Australia Day flag raising ceremony at Brisbane's South Bank today.
But if the assembled group of dignitaries gathered for the event - including Queensland Governor Penny Wenlsley and Premier Anna Bligh - were put off by the encroaching march, they didn't show it.
Crossing the Victoria Bridge towards the cultural centre forecourt, where both the Aboriginal and Australian national flags were put up together, protesters under police escort passed by without incident.
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While the march briefly attracted the curiosity of Australia Day crowds, little could steal the spotlight from the day's major drawcards, with the commotion of the 21-gun salute sending spectators running from all corners of the Parklands for a better look.
As the smoke settled and the F-111s thundered off overhead, an air of jubilation prevailed; applause and plastic flag waving marking the end of official proceedings and the start of a very public celebration of national identity.
As temperatures nudge 32 degrees in the River City, huge crowds have packed Brisbane's riverside playground, many of them bedecked in Australiana memorabilia.
Long-serving Australian Aid worker Jim Buchanan brought out his Jake the Peg costume for another year in an homage to Rolf Harris' famous Aussie larrikin that proved a hit with camera-toting tourists.
"This is the third year I've come down in the costume," Mr Buchanan said of his original ensemble, made in 1985 by a Singaporean tailor for an Australian embassy costume ball.
"I love it, it's all part of celebrating the day and people find it entertaining as well.
"Australia Day to me is a time to come together. It's about unity and goodwill - something you look forward to every day, like Christmas."
Mr Buchanan said he was disheartened by talk of changing the Australian flag.
"There's so much we should be proud of and our flag is a symbol of our heritage," he said.
"If they change the flag once, then there's nothing stopping them from changing it further."
There was no shortage of flags on display at South Bank's annual Australia Day Festival today, with the blue, white and red assuming myriad forms - from bikinis to umbrellas, beach towels and fake tattoos.
As well as the official flag ceremony, crowds have been treated to an all-day music and dancing at the Suncorp Piazza, echoed by the AusSounds hip-hop concert on the Rainforest Green.
Circus performances and workshops kept families occupied as part of The Big Backyard program and bathers at Streets Beach enjoyed a dip an a movie marathon ahead of the Australia Day fireworks scheduled for 7pm.
Across town, dozens of new Australian citizens swore the oath of allegiance in the yet-to-be-opened Clem 7 tunnel at Bowen Hills, while others chose to celebrate with some good-old fashioned spectator sport: cockroach races at the Story Bridge Hotel and the equine variety at Doomben Racecourse.
A minor transport blip delayed celebrations for those heading into the city this morning, when trains were halted due to a safety scare.
But in fine Australian tradition, much of the revellery has taken place outdoors, with Brisbanites having to get in early for access to the city's 600 public barbecues, 800 picnic shelters and 1900 picnic tables.
 
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