Annalise Braakensiek

Australia is such a magical, culturally and geographically diverse country. I am singularly blessed to be able to call Australia home.

Both my parents were born overseas but I was born in Paddington, NSW Australia. Having Norwegian and Czech blood running in my veins and having had a German-speaking grandmother as well as a Dutch-Indonesian adoptive father may seem like potential for quite a hotch-potch.

On the contrary, it makes me proud to know that so many in my family chose to uproot and give me the opportunity to be the real Aussie me that I am. It also gives me a gene pool which I cherish, not to speak of all the opportunities for a second, third and fourth language to be easily within my grasp.

Australian multiculturalism encourages us to widely spread one’s national pride. My language skills have both encouraged and aided my extensive world travel. Each destination has seen me promote Australia whilst reminiscing about some gem at home that I missed at the time. Bondi Beach for example.

I love all beaches but Bondi says “home sand” to me. Every morning my husband and I start the day with an early morning power walk with our dear dog named “Girl”. We walk along the stunning coastline past McKenzies, Tamarama, Bronte and on to Clovelly and back, its the most heavenly way to embrace the day! The smell as the wave’s crash against the shore, the sea breeze, the light sparkling on the waves, whale watching in winter, often sighting dolphins in summer…it’s pure home made magic.

I believe “Bursting with pride” should be a tag line for Australians – I do and I’m sure many others do too. We `have so much to be proud of!

When the 2000 Olympics were on, I was in London working on a TV show, deeply regretting my geographical location, so, so wanting to be back in my home town of Sydney amongst all the excitement. Every time Australia won a medal, regardless of which sport, I nearly cried with pride, or screamed with excitement or both! I think this was a pivotal point in really understanding my deep love for Australia. There truly is no place like home…

Australia Day is not only a day to have fun with friends, family and celebrations, but a day to reflect on our immense fortune to be living in a country where we are safe, where we can express our thoughts and live our beliefs. It is a day to honour our indigenous brothers and sisters and try and understand the immense impact that our history has had on them.

It is a day to look at our personal commitment to our country, our world and ask our selves what we are doing to nurture and protect what we are so fortunate to have.

This day means so much to me that my husband Danny and I chose it to be our wedding day.

Annalise Braakensiek is an Australian model, actress and TV presenter and is one of Australia’s most popular and multi-faceted celebrities. An internationally recognised cover girl and Logie Award nominee, Annalise is also a keen designer, vegetarian chef and entrepreneur, whose passion for healthy living, the environment and animal rights shines through in all she does.