We decided to see this year’s Australia Day fireworks in Queanbeyan instead of going to Civic like last year. We have just started our 4th year living in this country town. I don’t know why, both my husband and I feel that living here gives us more feelings of being with a community and attached with this town and the people. Last year’s fireworks in our Capital city Canberra was absolute great, but we reckon it would be another kind of experience if we check out Queanbeyan’s own way to celebrate its National Day.

We got the park twice, first at 7pm when the sunset was giving its most beautiful beams of the whole day. Annie & Armadillos was playing the music on the stage which was beautiful. Annie sings well and I tried to name her style, probably it’s a mix of jazz, rock and blues. People scattered on the meadow, sitting on their camping chairs or their own tents. They looked enjoying theirselves very much. Obviously I would say it’s more like a day for kids. They were running all over and shouting, screaming, freely playing whatever they like with their friends. It’s also a perfect opportunity for teenagers boys and girls to start their dates. I can see some of them were catching up. The tables for BBQ were set up where a free BBQ to be served to Seniors or anybody who is interested? (I am not sure.) The scouts were out for promoting their slogan of “get a life”, also the Red Cross and other organizations. Little babies sat in their prams knowing nothing about what is happening, but they definitely enjoyed the sunset and the noise from this community.

The big and old trees in Queanbeyna Park are the witnesses of all this for a century’s time. I was so attracted by their beauty and couldn’t help taking photoes for them. I believe they have souls and feelings for what they seem and I also believe some of them have become the guardians of Queanbeyan durring the long history of this country town. The fireworks was later than it was expected. Some kids got very impatient. A boy was trying to gather his friends doing a protest by shouting “we want fireworks! we want fireworks!!!” It’s funny to see how Aussies try to get and freely express what they want from a very young age.

The fireworks finally started at about 9:25pm. It began with some small things, then went bigger and prettier, finally reached its peak with the most wonderful ones after 20 minutes. The whole sky was lightened by the beautiful and splendid shapes and colours. People were cheering and that moment, was absolutely satisfying everyone’s heart.

The experience was kind of homey and comfortable. I have never been such closed to see the fireworks (just no more than 50 meters), so I felt it very impacting. Comparing to Sydney’s fireworks, it’s nothing, but in here, you can easily find an appropriate spot to sit and watch. It’s so close to your eyes and also your mind. In a larger city, it’s impossible to achieve this. Pretty scene is of course pretty, but also far far away from you. You have to fit your tiny little body into a big strange crowd, and there is nothing like this stiring in your mind and influence you so much. My husband took some vidoes for the fireworks, but it’s a hard thing. He held the camera going up and down as he could expect where the next thing would be. We think that it’s better to set the camera on a tripod and move to a place where the whole scene can be taken into the lense. Maybe next time we will do that?