Proud Australian

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I am a proud Australian
I wear my heart on my sleeve
many come to visit her
and then they never leave

Her beauty it seduces them
her diversity enthrals
she entices them with wonders
she has so many lures

Some aspects of her history
make me stand tall and proud
others make me cringe in shame
of what was then allowed

The very first Australians
have not been treated well
we all must work to change this
and not on bygones dwell

Lets look forward to the future
let all our mobs unite
all the diverse cultures
work to together to get it right

I am a proud Australian
I am sure you are too
lets all join hands and hearts
for we have much to do.

Trish Johnston 26th January 2016

Toast to Australia

Toast to Australia

Lamb chops on the barbie
Throw some prawns on too
Sit back and have a coldie
What does our day mean to you?
Is it all about tradition
The thongs and hat and zinc
The joking Aussie ocker
There’s more to it I think
We have a blessed existence
In this land we call our own
Although there’s great confusion
With all the different time zones
We have every season
On any given day
Be sure to pack accordingly
Before you go away
We are a friendly nation
Or so the others think
Pull up a stump and chat
And we’ll shout another drink
We don’t go chasing kangaroos
Up the city streets
And koalas are not really bears
That’s all tongue in cheek
We have the galahs and cockatoos
With their rowdy rawkus cries
And of course we have the feathered ones
Who clutter up our skies
We have every sport imaginable
Cricket, rugby, league, AFL
Bowls, tennis, Iron man
Far too many to tell
We also have our culture
The arts, entertainment grand
Reflections of the character
Of this wonderful land
So crack the top off a cold one
Pour a glass of wine
Let’s drink a toast to Australia
The greatest country we can find…

Trish Johnston 26th January 2011