Being Arthur

We are called: The Lucky Country

I was born in America, and I still carry a deep love for it. But Australia is home.

It’s Australia Day, and I’m proud to be Australian—not because the country is perfect, but because it keeps trying to be better. Over the years I’ve spent here, I’ve learned a great deal about myself, about community, and about what it means to belong.

I’ve watched Australia grow more diverse and try to be more honest about who it is. People from different cultures and religions work to live alongside one another with respect. Sometimes we fall short, but what matters is the willingness to face division and keep moving forward together. That coexistence isn’t accidental; it has been built, negotiated, transformed, and protected over time.

I value the fundamentals Australia gets right: universal healthcare, strong education, real opportunities, and the ability to build a good life without constant fear about the future. In many ways, it offers the promise people often associate with the American Dream—supported by a stronger social safety net.

Australia is also a beautiful place, in its landscapes and in its quieter way of life. I feel fortunate to be here, to share in its freedoms and opportunities, and to call it home.

On Australia Day 2026, I celebrate not just a country—but the life we have been able to build within it.