This year’s Australian Day celebration at Edinburgh’s Globe Bar is to be a fundraiser for the ongoing bushfire relief efforts.
The Cowgate hostelry has a strong affinity with the city’s backpacking community, many of whom visit the Capital from ‘Down Under’.
Each year The Globe marks Australia Day on 26 January with a special party and this year’s festivities are being staged to raise money to assist those badly affected by the natural disaster sweeping the country.
A free BBQ kicks things off at 1.00pm with a range of speciality Australian snacks and beers having been ordered in for the occasion to give the Aussies a taste of home. There will be re-runs of classic Aussie Rules football matches during the day before a DJ takes over in the evening.
Bucket collections will be taken throughout (noon-3.00am), while a special pub quiz the following night (10.00pm) will also be held to raise funds with the first prize including an Aussie goody bag and £50 bar tab. Entry is free but donations to the cause will be encouraged.
The owners of the Globe Bar, The Old Town Pub Co, have pledged to double whatever amount is made.
Chris Skene, manager of The Globe said : “We always celebrate Australia Day here as we have a lot of customers from that part of the world.
“We have had a close connection with the backpacking community in Edinburgh, many of whom are Australian, for some time now, and we have a couple of members of staff from Melbourne.
“On Australia Day, they always look for some place to party and enjoy coming to the Globe.
“It’s a day when they also reminisce about back home. This year will be more emotional than usual given the disastrous fires sweeping the country and we are pleased to do our little bit to help.
“It’s all very well sending our thoughts and wishes but at the end of the day it’s hard cash which is going to make a difference.”
