In Aus we also have a public holiday for the queens birthday, we also have labor day, which is a celebration of the working people, as a public holiday, Australia was once known as the Land of the Long Weekend.
This doesn't do me any good either though, my business is a seven day a week 365 days of the year business, so public holidays for us, just mean we are extra busy.
I'm not really whinging about it though, like you, I would rather be at work than be sick, and being pretty much my own boss, I can chat with you on the computer, while technically still working :)