April 26th is 'Hug an Australian Day'
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| Source: Pixabay |
I just discovered that April 26th is "Hug an Australian Day". Since we almost immigrated to Australia in the 1970s and had some Australian friends who were helping us prepare, 'Hug an Australian Day' is the perfect time for me to say thank you to them and all the Australians we've met over the years.
Origin of "Hug An Australian Day"
An Annual Holiday for our Aussie Friends
'Hug an Australian Day' is an annual holiday created by Thomas & Ruth Roy, under the name of Wellcat Holidays & Herbs. Their origin stems from a desire to 'show our great appreciation for all the love and support the Aussies have given us over the years.' It's a great opportunity for us to do our part in improving international relations. And hugs benefit the receiver as well as the giver.
So, on April 26th (or anytime the opportunity presents itself) HUG an Australian!
Definition of 'HUG'
Hug means to clasp tightly in the arms, especially with affection; embrace. On April 26th, let's all 'embrace' our Australian friends!
Australia Travel Guide
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| Lonely Planet Discover Australia |
While
traveling around Australia looking for Australians to 'hug', you will
find this full color country travel guide very handy. An easy way to keep all
the essentials to get to the heart of Australia right at your fingertips
... the places to eat, sights, cultural information, maps, transport
tips (and at least a few Aussies to hug) all together.
Australian Animals
Kangaroo
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| Kangaroo & Joey Poster Print |
The kangaroo has become Australia's national image and is the one we all associate with this country.
The Koala
This cute & cuddly looking Australian animal has been called a koala bear, but it is not a bear; it is a marsupial. It lives in the coastal regions of Australia and their main diet is leaves from the Eucalyptus tree.
Koalas sleep about 20 hours a day, due mainly to receiving very little energy from their diet. Their life span is between 13 and 18 years and they have very few predators.
The koala is very popular at Australian zoos and wildlife parks as it is at the top of the list of 'animals to see' when visiting Australia. It is also popular as souvenirs. It's appeal seems to come from its childlike body and teddy bear-like face and makes one wish to 'hug' this animal.
Australian Gifts
Australian animals, the Koala and the Kangaroo, are very popular as gifts in many forms.My Crocheted Interpretation... of the Little Blue Fairy Penguin
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| Little Blue Fairy Penguin on Etsy |
An extra-special hug to my online Aussie friend, Samantha Seegreen, for giving me such a great idea for an addition to my Etsy line of crocheted penguins with her story about the Little Blue Fairy Penguin.
My crocheted interpretation of the Blue Penguin (native to Australia) can be found in my Etsy Shop "Coastal Crochet Crafts".
The Platypus
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| Duck Billed Platypus on Amazon |
The platypus, found only in Eastern Australia and in Tasmania, is the animal emblem of New South Wales. The platypus is a very strange-looking animal with a bill like a duck, a tail like a beaver and feet like the otter. It is sometimes called a duck-billed platypus.
Happy 'Australia Day'
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| Source: Pixabay |
Australia Day is also another perfect time to 'hug' your favorite Australian and wish them well.
April 26 - Hug an Australian Day
Australia has so much to offer - from endless beaches to sophisticated cities to Outback adventures, along with the wonderful people in this fantastic country! No wonder they have a "Hug an Australian Day".
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| Available on Amazon |
Images of Australia...
Hugs to Photographer Jeff Drewitz of New South Wales. Jeff is an established landscape and wildlife photographer who presents Australia's natural beauty in all its stunning diversity in this collection of color images.
© 2012 Wednesday-Elf. Updated 4/26/2021
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
I have always wanted to visit Australia and I have no doubt, I would find a few that I would want to hug. I have truly fascinated by all of the Australian animals that look so cuddly. Of course, they might not truly be very cuddly. I likely end up smacked by a kangaroo :)
ReplyDeleteHa, ha, Mouse. Smacked by a kangaroo! I would love not only to see the country of Australia, but to meet the many Australians I've met online over the years. What fun that would be.
ReplyDeleteI, too have a number of Australian friends I've met online. Also think Australian animals are some of the most interesting in the world. Someone once said that the platypus is evidence that God has a sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Barbara. I've met SO many wonderful Australians since the advent of the World Wide Web. I'd love to visit Australia today and meet all of them in person.
ReplyDeleteI've met some of the nicest and most helpful Australians online. Wish I had a couple of those in arm's reach!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Susan. I've met some super Australians online and feel as if I knew them as we communicate regularly. Would LOVE to meet (and hug) them. One special one from Etsy and several from the old Squidoo days! :)
DeleteAustralia intrigues me. I've wanted to visit since I was a young child - just old enough to know that other countries exist. I wish I had a local Aussie to hug!
ReplyDeleteWe almost moved there once, Dawn Rae. Today I know several Australians online and would REALLY like to visit to meet them all (and hug them). LOL.
DeleteIt's a wonderful country, this Australia we call home. Only one problem - if you're born Australian, it's a life sentence.
ReplyDeleteNo complaints here in the deep south of South Australia, even more than 7 decades down the track!
Lovely article, thank you so very much.
Thank YOU, Christine. I'd definitely HUG you, if I could. :) Consider this a virtual hug on this Hug An Australian Day.
DeleteI have hugged a koala, which was very special, but their claws ... let's just say I wouldn't try and hug one in the wild I always keep my distance and just take some photos or simply enjoy watching them.
ReplyDeleteWe're very lucky to be able to call Australia home as I am always captivated by it's beauty and it's wildlife be it koalas, kangaroos, kookaburras or more. One day I'm going to see a platypus in the wild - that will be a dream come true as I wanted a platypus as a pet when I was a child growing up in the UK!
Thank you for this inspirational post Miss Wednesday Elf, never heard that this is the day to hug us, learn soothing new everyday! I love love love our koalas, they are just so beautiful, see a few roaming our golf course (borders a national park) and everyone stops to take a pic. Not so with the kangaroos, have hundreds laying around the course, they do so much damage, I always steer clear of them, you never know what they will do. Thank you friend for my hug........ cheers!
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