With Australia Day just around the corner, Abu Dhabi Week looks at the growing influence of ‘down under’ expats here in the capital
For people living abroad, their homeland’s national day can bring mixed emotions. Modern technology may usually shorten that feeling of distance from the ‘motherland’, but as the big day approaches, home can once again feel a very long way away.
But a National Day ‘away’ can inspire even greater patriotism among expats as they gather with fellow countrymen to enjoy a few ‘home comforts’.
26th January is Australia Day; it marks the arrival of the first British fleet on the shores of Sydney, New South Wales in 1788. In more recent years the historical focus also acknowledges Aboriginal tribes, the traditional owners of the land. It’s also an occasion to recognise the efforts of those who make significant contributions to what’s long been known as the ‘lucky country’ and to celebrate the diverse and rich cultures it embraces.
The Australian Embassy in Abu Dhabi hosts an official function for the anniversary, and this weekend many of the 7,000 Australians and their New Zealand cousins living in the UAE capital will be flying the flag at backyard BBQ’s. They will not be “throwing shrimps on the barbie “, a long-held myth that has its origins in a tourism campaign pitched at the American market. For the record Australians call them ‘prawns’. Staples are likely to include snags (sausages), burgers with beetroot, meat pies, lamingtons and Pavlova, though the Kiwi’s will argue that the meringue and cream dessert belongs to them. Of course there may be vegemite sandwiches but it’s more likely that they will have had it on toast for breakfast.
On Friday around 400 people will attend an annual event hosted by community group Aussies Abroad. Chairman Mohanned Hourani says the day has a typically relaxed atmosphere. “There are many non Australians who come, just because they know they’re going to have a good time.’
‘Mateship’ is a key element of the Australian psyche and Aussies Abroad prides itself on supporting and connecting expats whilst also encouraging immersion in the culture of their host nation. “They’re great at it,” says Hourani. “When Australians make friends, they make them for life.”
The land ‘down under’ may be where the heart is for Australian expats but an increasing number are basing themselves in the emirates. At the last count, the number stood at 16,000; just nudging the top ten places that Australians relocate to around the world.
The Australian National business council of Dubai shows that 350 companies in the UAE are Australian owned, a figure that Chairman Craig Holding believes will only continue to increase as more seize the opportunities of location and the growing economy.
Relations between Australia and the UAE are also prospering, with trade between the two countries exceeding $4 billion annually. Investments are across many sectors including education, construction, finance and livestock.
Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard who visited the region recently described the relationship as “a consistency of strategic alignment of deep friendship, of strong and growing economical ties.”
You can take the Australians out of Australia but you can’t take the Australia out of Australians and this weekend you’ll find them singing ‘loud and proud’.
They’re unlikely to know more than the first verse of their National Anthem but they will know the words to the ‘unofficial anthems’ of Waltzing Matilda and Land Down Under.
Yes, the British may quip that Australia’s heritage was founded on the convicts that it banished, but Aussies are renowned for their good humour. And anyway we all know who won the cricket!
Did you know? Australia is…
An island, a country and a continent
The world’s largest exporter of red meat and wool
The smallest and driest inhabited continent in the world
Has 60,000km of coastline
The only country in the world to have Kangaroos, Emus and Koala Bears
Has the world’s largest population of wild camels
