Terra Australis

Today is Australia Day.  

On this day in 1788, the British First Fleet arrived at Sydney Cove in New South Wales with the primary purpose of establishing a penal colony in Terra Australis Incognita (unknown land of the south).  I learned that from the priest at mass this morning.

There was a flag beside the altar today, the priest's homily was about Australia Day and the National Anthem was sang after the mass. The priest spoke about how the fleet under Captain Arthur Philip's command arrived in this land in 1788, and how Matthew Flinders circumnavigated Australia between 1802 and 1803.  (Seems this cartographer created extremely accurate maps of the Australian continent.)   I learned that "Advance Australia Fair" replaced "God Save the Queen" as the National Anthem in the 1970's.  

The priest talked about the Australian flag which is comprised of the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star and the representation of the Southern Cross.  He explained that the flag is very Christian, considering the Union Jack is composed of the crosses of St. George (England), St. Andrew (Scotland) and St. Patrick (Scotland).   

Cross of St George

Cross of St Andrew

Cross of St Patrick

I didn't really realise that the Commonwealth Star with its seven points represents the original six federating colonies plus the added point for the Territory of Papua (and other future territories).  Whenever I saw this star, all I could think about was the fact that 360 is not divisible by 7 so it must be difficult to draw this star.

The end of the homily was an open invitation for anyone to approach the priest on a starry night if they needed help finding the Southern Cross.

(There it is!)

(Just kidding.  I haven't seen the Southern Cross yet.

I may have to take up the priest on his offer.)

Happy Australia Day!