I STRONGLY believe Lunar New Year Should become a NEW national holiday in Australia, here is why...

With Sydney being the home to the largest Chinese population outside China (of course) in the Oceania region and a large number of other countries celebrating the fabulous event known as Lunar New Year in Australia, it's time for Australia to have a public holiday NOT to be ashamed of.

After the confusion over Australia Day (some rename it Invasion Day, Triple J's Hottest 100 has become more of tradition than anything more cultural than enjoying 100 damn HOT tunes, others wear the Australian flag, drink beer and generally act like the bogans we are becoming famous for overseas) and the Australian of the Year award, it's time for us to have a day dedicated to family, wishing good wishes and kindness towards others.

Australia's public holidays are largely a joke in 2016 and don't get me started on Anzac Day. Last year was fucking horrific, Anzac programming largely drew people in their droves to Netflix, Stan and Presto to avoid the wall to wall coverage on commercial television. And I love the ABC but you guys fucked up last year majorly, the overkill on Anzac programming was a national embarrassment. With another useless "war" taking place "on terror" in the Middle East that we blindly followed the US into (AGAIN!) it's not a day about being proud, but wondering how many politicians will we have to follow into these ridiculous "wars".

Lunar New Year is such a lovely time for families, friends and communities to come together, enjoy good food and company in a time when the world is so all over the shop.

The idea of people all returning home for time with their loved ones and amazing food is seriously so touching for me. Eating, being together and simply enjoying each others company rather than playing two up and pissing it up a wall to the point of being violent or physically ill.

If we want Australia to be great, it's about engaging with the community, having inclusive events, respecting other cultures and making the people who make this country up feel valued and respected. I for one have been lucky enough to experience Tet (Vietnamese New Year) for a number of years now, and in all honesty this period/time/day feels so much more special than Christmas, so much less stressful and so much love and HOPE around the table.

I advise all of you dear readers to experience the wonders of Lunar New Year, wish you're neighbours Kung hei fat choy or if they are Viet Chuc Mung Nam Moi, head to you're local China town or head to a Lunar New Years event or markets. Get amongst some culture gang. Unlike "Australian" holidays there is a lot more than a 100 years worth of history with some of our neighbours most cherished times of the year.

Australians lets embrace diversity and learn something about some of our nearest and dearest neighbours, it's time to get cultured and put down the VB for five minutes. The cricket season is over and thank god the Australian Open has fucked off from our TV's. Dragon's, the Year of the Monkey and amazing food awaits...