The Prime Minister being dragged to safety inside her car was not a good look for the 2012 Australia Day, but in the end nobody was harmed, so we can move on from an incident like that.

That's because it's better that we focus on the mostly positive vibes from sun-up to sunrise on Australia Day 2012.

The flags, T-shirts, hats, tops, shorts, and even cossies, with the flag on them were everywhere to be seen.

You turned the cricket on TV and the Adelaide Oval was awash with the Aussie flag worn in various ways, as suggested above. It was quite a sight.

The same scene was being repeated in hundreds, if not thousands, of places across the country, including right here in Liverpool, as our achievers received Australia Day honours.

There's no doubt seeing this overflowing of patriotic fervour begged the question: are we justified in enjoying such an unrestrained celebration?

And the answer, without a shadow of a doubt, is yes, my oath, cobber.

Last week's column went into a lot of the reasons we have for celebrating this wonderful country of ours, so there is no need to go over them again.

But after reading all the day's newspapers, listening to a lot of radio in the car, and watching way too much TV, I did end up having a favourite Australia Day moment.

It came from a news report by veteran reporter Ray Martin on Channel 9, from Manly's Australia Day activities.

Martin was interviewing world-famous author Thomas Keneally, who told the reporter a story about how Australians tended to receive newly arrived migrants.

Keneally said a mate of his tells it best: "They're very funny people these Australians. When we first arrive, Australians don't like it one bit and don't like us at all. When they talk to us, they say, hey, you wog bastards. But then they get to know us, and start to love us. And then they call out to us: hey, you wog bastards!"

Having been there, done that myself, I saw the truth of the story straight away, as well as the fact that it was hilariously funny.

Can't wait for more such great yarns in next year's Australia Day.