Because January is the month we celebrate Australia Day (the day that commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet into Sydney Cove in 1788), one of my favourite days, I decided I wanted to share my love of Australia and Summer on Instagram. So, I created a month-long list of prompts that would capture that (as you do 
). It was a great month on Instagram and I loved that many Instagram friends also took part and between us we shared over 1000 photos about what Australia means to us. Wow!
We all seem to have an appreciation of the “great outdoors,” our big yards, wide open spaces and spending time with friends and family. It was so lovely to see.
For me personally, the challenge was another way to inspire motivation and creativity in taking photos of my favourite time of year.
Here’s the list of daily prompts created to capture our Aussie summer….
Most of the prompts are fairly self-explanatory and you can probably see why I would have them on there, but I feel I should explain some of the more random prompts….clothesline, for example! …Way back in 1945, an Australian man named Lance Hill invented a rotary, height-adjustable clothesline, the infamous Hills Hoist. Hills Hoists are synonymous with our big backyards (I say this in a truly generalistic way….not everyone in Australia has a big backyard!) and ability to dry clothes outside for most months of the year. They were also great for swinging around on as kids It just so happened that our new place had a hills hoist and I had to have it on the monthly list!
Another explanation may (or may not) be required for the word thongs. In Australia, when we say we are wearing a pair of thongs, we mean we are wearing a pair of flip-flops, jandals or sandals, depending on where you come from. They’re very common in the summer months and I own about 7 pairs of them, Havaianas in particular! I won’t buy any other brand!
Below are the photos I took. As you can see, there were lots of blue skies (which have all vanished in the past week!), trips to the beach, barbecues and road trips. It was a fun month 
Calendar created using the “Collect” app.
In response to What does Australia mean to you?, there were so many different responses but they all lead to the fact that we’re a pretty proud bunch! My response was “Australia means, in simplest terms, home. Proud, free, safe, awesome.”
What does your country mean to you? Are there any things/icons that are just so typical for your country? Do you have a day that celebrates your countries birth and identity?
What a great collection of photos…I tried to enlarge the pics because I wanted a better look. The thong explanation makes me chuckle…definitely a different meaning than here in Canada. Guess if this was representing Canada we’d have toques and igloos (he, he).
Thank you
Ah, yes igloos and toques! I’d been thinking maple syrup, mountains and Degrassi High (was a big fan of that show!)!
I just love how the English language has so many interpretations of one word…or how one thing can be called so many different words!! There was many a time when I lived in Canada when I was misunderstood…or when I didn’t understand! Funny language.
Lovely collection of photos Ali! Do you have a similar list for February?
Thank you
No, I’m not doing a list for February…too time consuming! I may do one for each season perhaps? Will keep you posted!
Gorgeous! Especially love the thong photo and the yellow car. Soooo tempted to sign up for Instagram… do I really need another reason to be on my computer though?
I love Instagram, just love it….but it is a big time waster (I enjoy it, so don’t really consider it a waste!). You should try it out…it will suck you in though
Very inspiring project; I can really tell that you were very excited about this.
In Luxembourg we have our National Day, which we celebrate on 23 June. The eve is always marked by celebrations and fireworks.
LUXESSED
Wow!! Beautiful collection of photos.
Thongs…hahaha!! Now that is food for thought. Amazing how the same word in the same language can have such vastly different meanings in two different cultures.
Thank you again
I know, it is crazy how many words there are that have multiple meanings!!
Ohhh I love the photos you posted
I get this question a lot from my friends who are overseas ‘What does Australia mean to you?’ I have a lot of trouble answering that hahaha i think of beaches, sun, seas, VEGEMITE and LAMINGTONS ahhaa can we get anymore Aussie than that?
Definitely can’t get any more Aussie than that! Love lamingtons…and vegemite for that matter, too!
What a beautiful journey you take us on each month. I love your collaboration of pictures. They are beautiful! Loving the flip flops!!
Thanks Judy! I do like taking (and sharing) my photos!
Great project, I love the yellow ute. I think of country Australia, utes, bundy stickers and dirt. Occasionally jeans, beer and tractors.
That about sums it up! How could I have forgotten bundy stickers though, so Aussie!
Your photos are actually beautiful my friend, really capture the essence of Australia
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thank you for your lovely comment
Great photos! A lot of people in the US call flip-flops “thongs” too. A Hill’s Hoist is new to me, though – thanks for the info!
I didn’t realise that some people in the States called them thongs too! I always just got laughed at!! English is a funny language!
What a fabulous array of great & fun pictures, Ali!
Thankyou
It was a fun month!