On Australia Day we come together as a nation to celebrate what's great about Australia and being Australian. It's the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation. It's the day for us to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future. Though 26 January marks this specific event, today's Australia Day celebrations reflect contemporary Australia: our diverse society and landscape, our remarkable achievements and our bright future. It also is an opportunity to reflect on our nation's history, and to consider how we can make Australia an even better place in future. On Australia Day, over half of the nation’s population of 21 million attend either an organised community event, or get together with family and friends with the intention of celebrating our national day. Many more spend the public holiday relaxing with family and friends. Yet Australia Day is much more than barbeques and fireworks. It is more than another public holiday. It is more than the pride and excitement of new citizens who call themselves Australian for the first time on 26 January after being conferred citizenship. At its core, Australia Day is a day driven by communities, and the celebrations held in each town, suburb or city unified by the celebration of what’s great about Australia and being Australian are the foundation of its ongoing success.

For well over a century Australians have been concerned to define a national identity. In her recently released study, Being Australian, Catriona Elder says:

‘Being Australian is not simply about the pleasure of the past and the excitement of the future... It is not just about that funny feeling a citizen might get when the Australian flag is raised at the Olympics. Being Australian also encompasses feelings, ideas and emotions that vary from joy to shame, guilt to confusion, hatred to love. Yet, in most national narratives these feelings of anxiety are erased or repressed in favour of the pleasurable aspects of national identity. Finding pleasure in being Australian is valuable; however exploring and explaining the anxiety and fear that lie at the heart of the idea of being Australian is also important.’

The editor hopes you like the format and is intending to progressively improve the appearance and articles contain herein. I am hoping that I am able to maintain the Chatter’s good name and circulation so I would be open to any positive suggestions anyone may have. Feel free to email me at Toogoomchater@gmail.com. I am hoping to have our own personal web site up and running soon and then we will be able to invite past and present residents of the district to access our web page if they have missed a publication. Soon all the people in the district will be able to get their monthly Chatter from the web.

Who remembers the local public transport used to ferry people around Toogoom some years back. This photo was supplied by Dave the proprietor of "Dave’s Lawns". Now do you remember?