As a stereotype of Australian national identity, the barbecue is ripe for satirical comment. Babakiueria (1986) reverses the historical roles of Indigenous people and white settlers, humorously critiquing Australia’s authoritative approach to understanding Aboriginal culture. This mockumentary reminds us that Australia Day commemorates both settlement and invasion, depending on our perspective.

The surreal dream sequence in the ‘Ozploitation’ vampire flick Thirst (1979) uses the tranquil setting of the picnic ground to heighten the shock as bright red blood seeps from a chicken leg. Similarly, it really is ‘no picnic’ in Walkabout (1970), when a father spontaneously shoots a gun at his own children as they prepare for lunch in the Australian outback. Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) acts as a warning for all of us on our Australia Day picnics: don’t wander into those ominous rocks wearing your best white dress!

Ernest Higgins’s charming home movies, Family and Holiday Scenes 1909-1924, provide some of the earliest examples of family leisure activities in Australia, including footage of immaculately-dressed children playing on Hobart’s Mount Wellington in 1909. Finally, Australia Day is an opportunity to celebrate our rich multicultural heritage. The cheerful festivities of Canberra’s Greek community at their annual Boxing Day picnic are captured in vivid colour in Gerakiteys: Greek Community Picnics (1950).