You won’t catch anyone going to work Down Under next Thursday. January 26th is Australia Day and that means a public holiday across the nation and the biggest civic event of the year. There are community festivals, concerts, sporting events, eating, drinking and more – it’s a day when Australians celebrate all that is great about being Australian.
Australia Day may not be a public holiday in Cayman but the preceding Monday is – it’s Heroes Day and a day off work for most people – and also the ideal opportunity to celebrate Australia Day here.
Spearheaded by Ron Hargraves, owner and chef at Tukka restaurant in East End, this year he’s joined forces with the organisers of the East End Surf Challenge, which takes place on the same day, to ensure that the usually quiet East End of Cayman is where it’s all happening this Monday.
“Me and a couple of mates started this about 10 or 11 years ago,” he told Weekender. “It all started with a bunch of friends and six-pack of beers, as these things often do. Australia Day in Cayman has been held at various locations around the Island and last year had its inaugural year at Tukka. It’s a chance for Aussies and Kiwis in Cayman to all get together, have a few beers and celebrate where we’re from.”
Ron has a full day of fun and games planned for Cayman Australia Day, as well as plenty of Aussie food and, in his own words, “a fair bit of drinking!”
There will be vegemite sandwiches, meat pies, Aussie burgers, kangaroo sausages and lamington’s, all washed down with plenty of Australian and New Zealand wine and Fosters beer.
Following the food, the games will take place, with teams of five (there must be at least one sheila per team) competing for the Gold Boomerang Trophy. There will be fun castles, boat races and a didgeridoo off between the ladies. “It might mean you start by eating a piece of vegemite on toast, drink a Fosters and then take a turn around the castle,” explains Ron.
The event is sponsored by Jacques Scott this year, which will mean lots of sponsored giveaways and a number of Aussie-themed prizes as well.
Because copious amounts of alcohol may be consumed, free buses will be laid on from Royal Palms on Seven Mile Beach and the Brickhouse, departing at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. Revellers will be driven home again at 5.30pm and 6.30pm.
It’s by no means limited to antipodeans only. “It’s open to absolutely anyone that wants to come along,” Ron says. “Last year we had an English team, which was great fun.”
There’s no need to register in advance but don’t forget to go suitably attired in Aussie themed clothes and hats with corks on.
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