SPECIAL EVENTS IN MARCH AND APRIL
MARCH
SHEFFIELD SHIELD MATCH
Australia prides itself on being a sporting nation. The Sheffield Shield is a major, first class cricket competition played domestically in Australia with the first tournament played in 1892. It is played between the six state teams.
The format of the game is the following: Each of the six state teams plays each other in an annual double round-robin series of home and away 4 day matches. A 5-day final is then played between the top two teams. The most successful team has been the NSW Blues (with 45 titles), though the current champions are the Victorian Bushrangers.
Another highlight of our sporting nation is the
AUSTRALIAN SURF LIFE SAVING CHAMPIONSHIPS held in mid March.
With a history dating back to 1915, this championship is the biggest sporting event of its type in the world. It is a uniquely Australian competition with more than 7,500 surf lifesavers contesting almost 300 events including Ironman and Iron woman racing, surf boats, ski paddling, beach flags and other activities in and out of the sand and in the surf.
CULTURAL FESTIVALS
Cultural performances, exhibitions, competitions and film festivals are held throughout many rural country areas during March. Such events aim to bring the community together and to foster closer, rural relationships. The “Heart of Gold International Film Festival” for example, is held in the picturesque, regional, gold-mining town of Gympie. This Film Festival encourages films that are thought provoking but also uplifting and entertaining in a way that also express a positive view of humanity and the world.
ST PATRICKS DAY, March 17
St Patrick is one of Ireland’s patron saints, yet many Australians come together on St Patrick’s Day to celebrate Irish culture and to remember his life and achievements. The connection between Australia and Ireland arose early in Australia’s history when the Irish were among the first Europeans to settle in Australia. They came as convicts, free settlers or as migrants seeking to escape famine in their homeland. Today, almost one third of Australians are believed to have some Irish ancestry and the St Patrick’s Day celebration is one way of preserving Irish traditions and customs in Australia.
APRIL
EASTER
This is a crucial religious period in the Christian year, when Jesus was resurrected from the dead after the third day of his crucifixion. Important events underlying Easter are the execution of Jesus, his burial and his resurrection from the dead –His resurrection, demonstrating His power over death; and that only through Him, can people have hope of eternal life; “For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).
SCHOOL TERM HOLIDAYS
The Australian school year is divided into four terms of around 10-12 weeks. The terms are separated by a short vacation varying from one to three weeks.
The first term break usually begins on the Thursday before Good Friday and students return to school about one week after Easter.
ANZAC DAY
Each year, on April 25th, Australia commemorates ANZAC day. It is a time to remember and to honour those who served their country in times of war. The ANZAC acronym stands for the combined forces of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp, who fought in Gallipoli, although ANZAC day has been broadened to include solders in both major world wars, and other wars since then.
