Bring Ya Thongs

In the lead up to January 26, we're exploring Australia through the eyes of CQ writers, poets and artists through our series Australia: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.  It all begins here, with this joyful celebration of outdoors life by Rockhampton poet Belinda Hemmens.

Bring Ya Thongs

Belinda Hemmens

Bring Ya Thongs

Bring ya hats, not ya caps, to celebrate with me,
We'll grab our mates, head for the pub, the fish and chips are free.
Fellow Aussies, one and all, just bring along the sauce,
Have a laugh together, it’s the Aussie way of course.
Friends are family, days are hot,
Head out in the tinny and check the crab pot.
Go for a swim in the Aussie surf,
Avoid irukandjis - they're the worst.
We’ll dry off with a walk back to the car,
Bloody hot sand, feels like hot tar.
So we run, and laugh, and run some more,
Tonight that sunburn'll be mighty sore.
An Aussie life is rough, and real,
And that sunburn - hell, are we going to peel!
Stories round the fire and we'll sing our Aussie songs,
We'll have a day to remember - bring ya thongs!

- Belinda Hemmens

There's more to come in our Australia: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow series all this week.