While my friends and family celebrated Father’s Day months ago, I’m doing my gift-shopping now. The United States and the United Kingdom both honor dads in June, but Australia waits until early September. (Australia celebrates Mother’s Day in May like much of the world.) Different sources date the first celebration of Father’s Day in Australia to 1935 or 1936. An article from the Western Herald in 1964 dated the celebration to 1935 and explained that it was now officially designated as the first Sunday in September throughout the Commonwealth.
Various theories explain why Australia celebrates Father’s Day in September. I call my two favorites the Empty Calendar Theory and the Retail Therapy Theory.
The Empty Calendar Theory
According to this theory, Australia’s spring calendar is too crowded. There’s the long weekend for Easter, ANZAC Day, and the Queen’s Birthday. There’s also Mother’s Day, Labour Day, and May Day.
Dads need their own space, so Australians wait until September to celebrate.
The Retail Therapy Theory
This is the retail version of the Empty Calendar Theory. Retailers prefer their holidays spaced out because consumers need some recovery time after all the spring holidays mentioned above.
Also, when Father’s Day falls in September, it’s at the beginning of spring Down Under. Retailers can market gifts for Dad like camping, fishing, and sporting equipment—all big sellers with the coming of warmer weather.
This year, we decided to embrace the Australian way of celebrating Father’s Day. Next year, my husband promised, he’s lobbying for celebrating both in June AND September.
Various theories explain why Australia celebrates Father’s Day in September. I call my two favorites the Empty Calendar Theory and the Retail Therapy Theory.
The Empty Calendar Theory
According to this theory, Australia’s spring calendar is too crowded. There’s the long weekend for Easter, ANZAC Day, and the Queen’s Birthday. There’s also Mother’s Day, Labour Day, and May Day.
Dads need their own space, so Australians wait until September to celebrate.
The Retail Therapy Theory
This is the retail version of the Empty Calendar Theory. Retailers prefer their holidays spaced out because consumers need some recovery time after all the spring holidays mentioned above.
Also, when Father’s Day falls in September, it’s at the beginning of spring Down Under. Retailers can market gifts for Dad like camping, fishing, and sporting equipment—all big sellers with the coming of warmer weather.
This year, we decided to embrace the Australian way of celebrating Father’s Day. Next year, my husband promised, he’s lobbying for celebrating both in June AND September.
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