Idle on Labour Day
YESTERDAY was just another public holiday to many on the Sunshine Coast as they basked in the warm autumn sun, not really caring why they had the day off.
Anna Mendes played in the sand with her daughters Poppi, 2, and Maggie, 10 months, while her husband hit the waves at Maroochydore Beach.
Anna said she was aware it was Labour Day, but did not really know what it was all about.
"It's another public holiday," she said.
Labour Day is an annual public holiday which falls on different days across Australia.
It is the commemoration of the campaign conducted by trade unions in the 19th century to achieve an eight-hour working day.
Labour Day celebrates the efforts of the labour union movement to create balance - eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation and eight hours for rest.
Mary Devitt, 19, of Buddina, said she worked shifts, so it wasn't unusual for her to have the day off.
"I thought it was the Queen's birthday for a little while," she said.
"I was at O'malley's last night (Sunday) and wondering why it was so busy."
When Mary figured out it was Labour Day, she admitted she did not know what it was all about.
"I try not to question public holidays, I just go with it," she said.
"I know I should care, but it was just a day off."
