Harrington Australia day speeches by Addison Bayly and Kailani Tavares
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Just imagine waking up to snow on Christmas. It could never be a holiday.
00:06 We have a hot Christmas filled with pee parties and barbies or playing in the warm summer sand on the beaches.
00:13 Being Aussie is a massive privilege and I'm very proud to be Australian.
00:17 I also get to encounter many friendly kangaroos which only exist in Australia.
00:23 I love sharing learning with my friends and enjoying the amazing view from the Sunburn Lake.
00:29 Australia is home to six states and two territories.
00:33 One of them being New South Wales which we should all be very glad to live in.
00:37 I wrote this speech to celebrate Standing Australia Day which is the official national day in Australia.
00:43 Celebrated on the 26th of January every year.
00:46 It marks the 1788 landing of the first fleet and raising of the Union Flag by Arthur Phillips at Sydney Cove in New South Wales.
00:55 Australian Day is a day to acknowledge past wrongs and pay respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians survival, resilience and enduring culture.
01:05 Australian Day is also referred to as Survival Day or Invasion Day particularly by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
01:14 This is because it recognises a painful part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history.
01:19 One question I've always had and always will have is, what does it mean to be Australian?
01:25 Being Australian means waking up to the laugh of kookaburras and the chirping black-collared toons.
01:31 I just love riding my pet kangaroo to school.
01:35 Okay, all jokes aside, that would be really cool, wouldn't it?
01:39 Being Australian is about accepting everyone for who they are and not for what they look like or where they come from.
01:46 And as others have said, Australia is my world.
01:50 Perhaps it might be time for us all to walk together and develop Australia into the future as a country with respect for one another's talents, cultures and beliefs.
02:00 Thank you for listening.
02:02 Some people refer to Australia as the land down under.
02:05 For most people, Australia is known for its beauty, crystal clear beaches, the Great Barrier Reef, rainforests, our beautiful conifer-like koalas, kangaroos, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and as well, the Opera House and Kukina Shukla Maw.
02:22 Australian culture is life-like and welcoming.
02:26 I believe it's a privilege to be Australian because Australians have access to basic necessities such as medical and welfare that most countries do not have.
02:37 We have a low crime rate, have an abundance of natural resources, a stable political system, we enjoy a safe lifestyle and so much more.
02:47 Another reason I adore being Australian is because we have such a multicultural background.
02:53 With Australia's main focus being to support equal rights and equal opportunities, Australia is known as the land of opportunity.
03:02 Australia has become a safe place for other nationalities with almost half of our current population either born overseas or has at least one parent born overseas.
03:13 I am lucky enough to live in one of the most culturally diverse states in Australia, being New South Wales.
03:21 My mum was born in England and she moved to Australia with her family when she was only three.
03:27 Ned tells me how Australians were accepting and welcoming of real life and now she lives happily on the farm.
03:34 As you can see, this is a big part of why I am so grateful to be Australian.
03:40 Multiculturalism is a massive part of Australia and why I love Australia.
03:46 As you may know the saying, we come from every culture, every race, every faith, every nation.
03:52 Australia also has four principles of multiculturalism.
03:56 Responsibilities for all, respect for each person, fairness for each person and benefits for all.
04:04 One of the many reasons I love being Australian is it is well known for its big sporting culture.
04:10 80% of Australians agree that sport is a significant part of Australian culture, which is very true.
04:17 But to see all of the people come together as one and play their hardest is the best part about sport. Don't you agree?
04:25 Right now there is Australia left and sure I was disappointed when Alex Dean-Lenoir lost in the fourth round to Woodrow.
04:33 But all that matters is that he tried his hardest.
04:36 Australia has so many sports to choose from but cricket is definitely worth watching.
04:43 But if cricket or tennis is not your thing, how about soccer?
04:48 Australia was lucky enough to host the Women's FIFA World Cup where they came from.
04:54 The Matildas aren't just great in the field, they are also role models for women around Australia as well.
05:00 They have inspired so many girls and women around Australia and how do I know this?
05:06 Because they surely have inspired me.
05:08 Research has shown that women and children are the most inspiring team in all of Australia.
05:14 Australia can mean so many different things to different people but the only thing that matters is that we celebrate the simple act of being together.
05:24 Australia is a part of who we are and what we stand for.
05:28 Lastly, I would just like to thank the community for letting me have this opportunity.
05:33 Australia is not a place to sing, it's a place to live.
05:36 I hope my speech inspires you to ask the question, what does Australia mean to you?
05:41 Thank you.
05:43 (audience applauding)