Perfect day to celebrate
IT started with a hunt for a pint of cold beer and a meat pie.
For Ewald Jaske, it was his “sole mission” on Australia Day.
The German-born migrant has lived in the country since 1988, but was dressed in full blown patriot mode – an Australia shirt emblazoned in green and gold, complete with the Southern Cross and our national coat of arms.
Mr Jaske, who lives at Pacific Pines, was out and about with his family at the Broadwater Parklands at Southport for Australia Day celebrations, where hundreds of revellers flocked to beat the heat. After living in Canberra for a number of years, Mr Jaske said he discovered the Gold Coast and “it was too good to be true”.
“We love it here we have been on the Coast now for over 20 years and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else,” he said.
“You couldn’t ask for a better day today for Australia Day and I’ll tell you what – it’s my sole mission today to get a pint of cold beer and a meat pie. I’m looking for the fastest route.”
Barnes Leota, 30, from Samoa, was hunched over a charcoal barbecue at the Broadwater Parklands and enjoying the festivities with his nine siblings and parents.
When asked if he was ready for his photo for The Bulletin, he said
“let me do some push-ups to look really pumped up”.
He said the gettogethers over the grill were not a regular occurrence, but “an Australia Day special”.
“We get together on special occasions like Christmas, Easter, New Year’s and Australia Day,” he said.
“We don’t have to be doing much but enjoy spending time as a big family, putting on good food and listening to good music.”
Mr Leota said he moved to Brisbane from Sydney recently and says “I love the Goldy”.
Melbourne resident Justine Newton was lapping up the sun at the Broadwater, keeping an eye on her two-year-old daughter India.
“During the school holidays we escape to the Gold Coast and the kids just love it,” Ms Newton said.
When asked if she was having her ideal Australia Day, Ms Newton said “we are chilling at the beach and that’s what it’s all about”.
Brisbane resident Eammon Edgar says it was his yearly tradition to set up an Australian-themed marquee down on the beach at Burleigh Heads.
His marquee is filled with Australian flags, props and memorabilia so people can take photos.
Mr Edgar, who is of Tongan heritage, was sprawled out on a beach chair, feet in the sand and beer in hand, an Australian flag umbrella keeping him cool.
“Six Tongan families come down here every year and we all get together and everyone brings a tray of food – we love it.
On his growing memorabilia marquee, he says “my missus gets mad at me every time I buy something new for it, but I love it”.
“I love being patriotic about Australia”.