One Nissan Pathfinder, a trailer, six kayaks and an entourage of friends and family to meet meant my Australia Day in our nation’s capital city was spent in a cliché Aussie scenario – by the water with plenty of food, drinks, music and water activities on the Murrumbidgee River.
Before this adventure, I’d never been to Canberra, which meant everything was a new experience. On the first day I arrived, my best friend, Christina, and I spent the evening on her and her partner Dave’s back deck, watching the sunset until around 9pm.
As an unashamed tourist, beyond 8pm, I spent taking photos of just how bright the sky was at 15-minute intervals. Dave found this just as amusing as I did when he took pictures of geckos during his first visit to Rockhampton in March 2022. He couldn’t believe we had these little creatures running around on our walls, and we didn’t do anything about them.
On the day we spent by the water, we arrived at 9am and enjoyed the sunshine until leaving at 8pm.
The weather turned it on for this Central Queenslander, and the packing I’d done for cooler weather proved unnecessary. I was warned about Canberra’s weather reputation, but lucky for me, warm clothing wasn’t required in this instance.
The sun was ferocious, and it took an 11-hour day in the ACT sun to burn the skin of this Central Queenslander, even with multiple applications of sun cream. A sun-safe advocate who lost in this instance.
With the intention of the trip purely to spend time with my best friend who’d moved to Canberra a few years ago, to make the most of the adventure, I decided to do a Tourist in my Capital Territory experience and take in a lot of what Canberra and the ACT have to offer. From the National Museum Gallery to the National Library, the Royal Australian Mint, Parliament House, The War Memorial and the Botanical Gardens. A five-day bloggable adventure putting visitcanberra.com.au to the test.
Just as I’d amused my family with my Tourist in my own town adventure around the Rockhampton region and the Capricorn Coast, this itinerary entertained Christina and Dave.
Considering the reaction was similar to my family’s, it prompted me to reflect on our relationships in our individual lives. The relationships where friends become family, and you couldn’t imagine your world without them. The relationships where your uncle isn’t your uncle, because he’s your dad’s good mate from primary school. Or, in Christina’s case, it’s where Aunty Tina isn’t a biological aunt, but she wears the title regardless, having watched my children grow up since they were born and having been there for all those big moments when we lived in Brisbane together.
When watching Christina’s daughter, Mel, with her blended family and entourage of friends on this gorgeous and warm day, it was refreshing to see her version of friends who’ve become family. Having been discharged from the Army and finding her home in Canberra now that transfers aren’t on the cards, Mel’s four children are growing up surrounded by friends who will always be like aunts and uncles to her children.
As with most reflective moments, it prompted me to consider my circumstances when observing another’s.
I’m thankful every day for the large and diverse family I have.
At this time of year, the appreciation for the support shown to my immediate family is reminded as we reach an anniversary in our small business.
When Nathan and I trekked around Queensland before landing home in Rockhampton between 2001 and 2010, we were supported. Whenever there are significant life moments, we are supported.
From living in western Queensland to the South East, through job changes and a personally challenging career in mining, leaving me alone most nights, we were supported. We have a handful of people who’ll always ask us tough and challenging questions, and for that, I am thankful.
Today marks six years since we’ve been in business for ourselves, leaving behind the security of two good incomes. Leaping into the opportunity all those years ago was aided by our friend’s and family’s support. That support continues each day even though they may be unaware of the impact their support continues to provide.
For me, there isn’t anything else as important as family and good friends.
