There's no more poignant day to express my heartfelt gratitude to my beautiful parents for choosing this magnificently glorious country, from ALL the choices that they had, to call our home.
I am a VERY proud Australian. I am also a proud Indian too, that's my heritage and one I never forget. Being Australian (and if you've heard my voice, you'll know that I AM 100% Aussie, from the half-eaten jar of Vegemite in my pantry, to the BBQ on my decking, to the stash of beer in my laundry) means a tremendous amount to me.
Everytime my plane touches back down after a trip away, I cry like a baby because it's like coming home to the safety of a mother's welcoming arms. It's safe, it's gorgeous, it's generous and humble, it's home.
I've travelled a lot and have to honestly say, there is no country better than our little patch of Antipodean soil. I am thankful to ALL my gorgeous gorgeous Aussie mates who've accepted and loved me as I am (an Austrindian - I just made that up - hehehe) and have made me forget, from time to time, that I don't LOOK like your typical Australian.
My birth certificate says I wasn't born here but I AM AUSTRALIAN and I love love the feeling that it gives me when I say that.
CARN THE PIES!!!!
For the record, I have lived here for 37 years and I have been an Australian for 35 of those years - oh, it's home awrighty!