Want to party with some Aussies? Eat some snags off the barbie? Bowl some backyard cricket? Then check these out for a cracker of a day. Words (including Australianisms) Caitlyn Davey.
Every year on January 26, Australians are barbecuing, swimming, wearing flags as capes, and having an all-round good time. You can too, because Abu Dhabi’s Aussies Abroad community are hosting the official Australia Day party. The great outdoors, a bonza band and a sizzling barbeque will have you feeling immersed in the Australian way of life.
There can’t be anyone more relevant to party with than Aussies Abroad. Head down to Le Royal Meridien on January 24 to celebrate the land of plenty with Aussies and their mates (everyone is a mate!). There will be free-flowing beverages and all-you-can-eat tucker plus rocking Aussie anthems and pool access. There will be a bouncy castle (for kids only!), face-painting and ‘traditional music,’ too. So wear your boardies (shorts), pluggers or thongs (flip-flops) and cork-hat (just kidding) and get set for a cracking Australia Day.
TOAD spoke to Le Royal Meridien’s Aussie general manager, Shaun Parsons, to find out more about Australia Day at the hotel.
Do you work closely with Aussies Abroad on this event?
Absolutely. Aussies Abroad are key to the success of this event as they have an engaged database of the Australian community in Abu Dhabi. Another key partner towards the success of this event is the Australian Business Group (AusBG) in Abu Dhabi.
What does Australia Day mean to you?
As a celebration of the birth of our nation, this is a landmark day in Australia. Celebrating with family and friends, having a few drinks, firing up the barbecue and watching the cricket in some nice hot weather are all what Australia Day is all about.
Can we expect to be playing any backyard cricket at the event?
I expect some of our guests will bring cricket sets, as well as some Aussie Rules footballs and rugby balls. We may even see some ‘two up’ – a traditional Australian game using two coins, where players have to predict whether coins tossed into the air will land with similar or opposite faces up – around the pool.
What makes this brunch Australian?
Firstly the food will be full of good old Australian favourites. Australian lamb and beef, Four’n’Twenty meat pies, pavlova, Australian prawns and seafood, Tim Tams and ANZAC biscuits are all staples on Australia Day. In addition we will be featuring Australian beverages, and of course a heavy dose of Australian music from popular local artists.
Are you involved with the planning of the event?
With an Australian executive chef on staff, Justin Galea, we are in good hands on the culinary side of things. I will make sure the overall theme is in keeping with the importance of the day, but as we have a strong working relationship with the Australian community in the capital, the team has a good knowledge of all things Australian, so I am comfortable we will create a special day Australians can relate to. We would like to thank Aussies Abroad, AusBG and our Australian ambassador to the UAE and Qatar, HE Pablo Kang, for their continued support in making Australia Day an event where all Australians in the capital can celebrate an important national event in the Middle East.
What’s your favourite Aussie song?
‘Khe Sanh’ by Cold Chisel.
1pm-7pm. From Dhs140. Le Royal Meridien, Tourist Club, restaurants.lrmad@lemeridien.com (02 695 0413) or toll free 800 101 101.
Go Ape for Australian Grape
Celebrate all things Australian with a vine mixer evening on January 23 at the Westin Abu Dhabi’s Lemon & Lime restaurant. Try a selection of Australian grape complemented by Down Under-centric canapés to whet your Australian palate.
Dhs150, Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa, www.westinabudhabigolfresort.com (02 616 9999).
How to get your Australian nickname
• Firstly, drop the last syllable of your name. Then put either an ‘o’ or an ‘a’ sound on the end. If your name is only one syllable, just add an ‘o’ sound – see John-o, Steve-o, Kate-o, Sam-o.
• If your name has an R sound, this automatically becomes a Z. Erin=Ezza, Barry=Bazza, Karen=Kazza, Sharon becomes Shazza, etc.
• Always, always assume, the shorter the name the better – it’s never Peter – always Pete, never Samantha – always Sam, never David – always Dave (and whack an ‘o’ on for a real humdinger! Dave-o!).
Join Aussies Abroad
You don’t have to be an Aussie to take advantage of everything being organised by this fun social group. There are discounts to events and Etihad Airways flights for members, and all are welcome. Plus, the group puts on great days out for everything from Anzac Day to Christmas brunch.
www.aussiesabroad-abudhabi.com
Triple J Hottest 100
The Australian radio station Triple J hosts its Hottest 100 programme every year, and the countdown is broadcast on Australia Day. Listeners vote on their favourite tunes and the station counts down the top 100 tracks of the previous year (so this Australia Day’s line-up will include 2013’s popular hits). Voting closes on January 20. This has become an Australia Day institution, so if you are hosting an Australia Day party, have this station cranked up. You can listen to Triple J radio with TuneIn, available through the iStore for iPhones and iPads.
Get with the lingo mate!
Know how to understand and converse with Aussies with our quick guide to Australian-isms
Barbie (noun) barbeque
Bonza (adjective) wonderful, excellent or highly enjoyable
Cheerin’ (adjective) I am thrilled with this turn of events
Crikey (exclamation) an expression of surprise
Dunny (noun) toilet
Esky (noun) an insulated box in which to keep your beverages refrigerated
Galah (noun) a fool
G’Day (greeting) hello
Mate (noun) a term of endearment or negativity depending on the tone of voice eg, ‘Thanks mate, you are a top bloke’, or ‘Mate, you need to calm down’
Oath (adjective) most certainly
Old mate (noun) That person whose name I can not remember
Sheila (noun) a refined lady
She’llberight (Expression) it will all be okay, don’t worry
Snags (noun) sausages
Strewth (exclamation) see crikey
Top bloke (noun) a male that is an enjoyable companion
True blue (adjective) genuine, down-to-earth
Tucker (noun) food
A very Australian playlist
Need help getting your Australia Day party playlist together? Here are some suggestions from TOAD to get you started:
Men At Work – Land Down Under
Cold Chisel – Khe Sahn
INXS and Jimmy Barnes – Good Times
Moving Pictures – What About Me?
Choirboys – Run to Paradise
Midnight Oil – Beds are Burning
Hunters and Collectors – Throw Your Arms Around Me
Gotye – Somebody I used to Know
Jimmy ‘Barnsey’ Barnes – Working Class Man
Kylie Minogue – Locomotion
John ‘Farnsey’ Farnham – You’re the Voice
Crowded House – Better Be Home Soon
Powderfinger – My Happiness
Silverchair – Tomorrow
Savage Garden – Truly Madly Deeply
John Paul Young – Love is in the Air
Jet – Are you Gonna Be My Girl?
Natalie Imbruglia – Torn
Peter Andre – Mysterious Girl
