It’s a day for reflecting on the history of this nation - both good and bad - a day for celebrating our community’s heroes and their selfless contributions, a day for enjoying a sausage sandwich and cold drink in the sun, spending time on the beach, playing or watching cricket, or listening to Triple J’s Hottest 100 countdown.

Or perhaps all of the above.

For Jellat’s Owen and Alex Whitby it means celebrating the birthday father and son share.

This year it is even more special as tomorrow marks Alex’s 21st birthday.

It is Owen’s 49th.

“Our calculations were a bit off,” Owen jokes about almost having his 50th coincide with his son’s special milestone.

 “It’s a pretty special occasion.

“This year the main focus will be on Alex and his birthday – I’ll be sitting in the background with a few friends.

“I’ll still be enjoying myself though, don’t you worry about that.”

Owen and his wife Gena said their family is patriotic, proud of the flag and normally spends the morning in Littleton Gardens each year “enjoying the free brekkie and throwing a gumboot”.

Adding to the real Aussie flavour of the Whitby family, Owen has worked with Australia Post for 30-odd years, while Alex has just this week completed his mechanic apprenticeship with Tarra Motors.

They are also both volunteer firefighters with the Jellat Rural Fire Service brigade – Alex since he was 16 and Owen “for quite a few years”.

Owen and Gena recalled the day Alex was born, almost three weeks before his due date.

Gena said her doctor had told her everything was progressing well for a February 15 birth so she went home to prepare for Owen’s birthday – and their traditional Australia Day family barbecue - the next day.

However, the party didn’t quite go to plan when Gena went into labour.

“We were ringing around telling everyone not to come and that the barbecue was off,” Gena said.

“Owen was in the hospital saying ‘he’s going to be born today’ – and I still thought we would be having a girl at that stage.”

After Alex’s arrival, Gena said Owen was keen to “wet the baby’s head” with some mates at the pub, but being a Sunday afternoon it was closed.

“He wet the head every night for a week after that though.”

After joining Australia Day festivities in Littleton Gardens tomorrow, Gena said this year they would be celebrating Alex’s birthday with dinner and a big party for friends and family at Bega’s Commercial Hotel.

“I’m forecasting a hot day and poolside recovery on the Sunday as well,” she said.

Alex said he felt lucky to share his Australia Day birthday with his dad each year and looked forward to the regular family get-togethers.

Tomorrow is bound to add some more treasured memories to Gena’s family scrapbook.