One of my squad mates (the fabulous Michelle Euperio)
has started writing a series of blogs about each of the countries we’ll
be visiting over the next year. This is the second of that series, about Australia! Read on, and find out a few things you might never have
known before (Dena, you’re more than welcome to opt out, or point out anything Michelle missed that you see as absolutely important to know)!
has started writing a series of blogs about each of the countries we’ll
be visiting over the next year. This is the second of that series, about Australia! Read on, and find out a few things you might never have
known before (Dena, you’re more than welcome to opt out, or point out anything Michelle missed that you see as absolutely important to know)!
———————————————
Hey Beautiful people! Here is Month 2 of where we’ll be going…..
Australia
Capital: Canberra
Climate: generally arid to semi-arid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north
Population: 21.4 million (2008)
Ethnic Make-up: Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%
Religions: Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3%, non-Christian 11%, other 12.6%
Australia is the world’s smallest continent and the world’s sixth largest country.
Sydney Opera House
is one of the major tourist attractions and is considered as one of the
beautiful buildings of the twentieth century. This building was
completed in the 1960s and has excellent acoustics. It has around 1,000
rooms and can seat a combined total of over 5,000 people at a time. The
roof of the Sydney Opera House weighs more than 161,000 tons.
is one of the major tourist attractions and is considered as one of the
beautiful buildings of the twentieth century. This building was
completed in the 1960s and has excellent acoustics. It has around 1,000
rooms and can seat a combined total of over 5,000 people at a time. The
roof of the Sydney Opera House weighs more than 161,000 tons.
While an Australian may say, ‘G’day’ or ‘G’day, mate’, this may sound patronizing from a foreigner. Visitors should simply say, ‘Hello’ or ‘Hello, how are you?’ 
Aussies from Queensland are often called “banana benders” and people from Western Australia “sandgropers“.
Aussies from Queensland are often called “banana benders” and people from Western Australia “sandgropers“.
In 2008, 105,000 Australians experienced homelessness. 23% of the homeless are children. 2 out of 3 children who need support are turned away and as well as 80% of families.
22% say they are homeless due to domestic violence.
Since 1985, the Federal, State and Territory governments have funded Australia’s homeless service system through the Support Accommodation Assistnce Program (SAAP) and have created 1,300 homeless service assistance services across Australia.
The koala bear (how presh is that?), emu, kookaburra and platypus (one of 2 mammals that lay eggs!) all call Australia home.
At the Australian Zoo, the animals aren’t in cages; instead they roam through semi-natural habitats spread over acres, many of which you can walk directly through.
The Tasmanian Devil
is the largest known carnivorous marsupial living in the world today
and has the jaw strength of a crocodile… (Bugs bunny wouldn’t stand a
chance against this guy!)
is the largest known carnivorous marsupial living in the world today
and has the jaw strength of a crocodile… (Bugs bunny wouldn’t stand a
chance against this guy!)
awww so sweet….
not quite…. 
not quite….
Aborigines are Australia’s indigenous people and are rougly about 2% (400,000) of the population.
Aboriginal music is often recognizable for its most famous instrument, the didgeridoo:
a wind instrument typically made from bamboo that extends about five
feet and produces a low, vibrating hum. Didgeridoos are played in
formal ceremonies at sunsets, circumcisions, and funerals.
a wind instrument typically made from bamboo that extends about five
feet and produces a low, vibrating hum. Didgeridoos are played in
formal ceremonies at sunsets, circumcisions, and funerals.
Table manners are continental
— hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while
eating. Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork
parallel on your plate with the handles facing to the right.
— hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while
eating. Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork
parallel on your plate with the handles facing to the right.
Anna Creek Station,
the world’s largest cattle station/ranch is in Australia and the size
of the country Belgium. (Everything is not bigger in Texas!)
the world’s largest cattle station/ranch is in Australia and the size
of the country Belgium. (Everything is not bigger in Texas!)
Melbourne’s motto is Vires acquirit eundo (We gather strength as we grow).
The median age for brides is 28.9 years of age and for grooms is 30.9 years of age (2006) while 33% choose not to marry. (..choose not to marry until they meet all of us…and we come back in December 2010.. haha jk)
Outback Jack
was a 2004 reality show filmed in the Outback shown on TBS, where 12
“high-maintenance” women vied for the affection of a rugged, outdoorsy
Aussie. Unlike many of The Bachelor’s, he married the woman he chose and they now have a baby girl!
was a 2004 reality show filmed in the Outback shown on TBS, where 12
“high-maintenance” women vied for the affection of a rugged, outdoorsy
Aussie. Unlike many of The Bachelor’s, he married the woman he chose and they now have a baby girl!
(Was I the only one to watch this show? lol)
Most of the Australian cities are closer to the ocean or a beach. You can see a beach every (626 miles) 1000kms.
Australia has almost 112,600 Surf Life Savers,
who collectively spend some 1.4 million hours patrolling Australian
beaches, where they rescue approximately 10,000 people per year .
(They’re like the real life Baywatch with the exception of David
Hasselhoff and the cheesiness… Boys: don’t follow suit.. this is NOT
a MODEST Swimsuit! 😉 )
who collectively spend some 1.4 million hours patrolling Australian
beaches, where they rescue approximately 10,000 people per year .
(They’re like the real life Baywatch with the exception of David
Hasselhoff and the cheesiness… Boys: don’t follow suit.. this is NOT
a MODEST Swimsuit! 😉 )
The snowy mountains of Australia/Australian Alps receive more snow than Switzerland.
There is no tipping in Australia because the term “tip” is also the name used for a garbage dump, rather than having anything to do with gratuities….
After immigration, you need to spend two years as a permanent resident in Australia before you can apply for Australian Citizenship.
The Great Barrier Reef is the longest coral reef in the world! Did you know that the Great Barrier Reef has a mailbox? If you want to post a letter or send a card to your loved ones, all you have to do is take a ferry out there.
The naked eye can detect over 5,500 starsin Australian Outback under ideal viewing conditions. 
Some lingo:
•Aussie – Australian
•Arvo – Afternoon
•Barbie – Barbecue Grill
•Billabong – Pond
•Arvo – Afternoon
•Barbie – Barbecue Grill
•Billabong – Pond
•Billy Tea – Tea made over a camp fire in a tin can
•Brekkie – Breakfast
•Chewie – Chewing Gum
•Clobber – Clothes
•Fairy Floss – Cotton
•Give it a Burl – Try it
•Lollies – Candy
•Lolly Water – Soda
•See you in soup – See you around
•Sunnies – Sunglasses
•Chewie – Chewing Gum
•Clobber – Clothes
•Fairy Floss – Cotton
•Give it a Burl – Try it
•Lollies – Candy
•Lolly Water – Soda
•See you in soup – See you around
•Sunnies – Sunglasses
Australia is lovingly referred to as the “island continent”. It was originally a British penal colony
meaning that murderers and thieves were banished and deported to
Australia as a form of punishment. (Who wouldn’t have loved to been
deported to Australia?)
meaning that murderers and thieves were banished and deported to
Australia as a form of punishment. (Who wouldn’t have loved to been
deported to Australia?)
Can’t
wait to see what amazing things God will do and just like this little
emu…. I am a tad scared but more so excited about Australia! hehehe
wait to see what amazing things God will do and just like this little
emu…. I am a tad scared but more so excited about Australia! hehehe
Sources:
(yes… it’s the dorky journalist in me..)
http://www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com/fun-facts-about-australia.html#ixzz0Wlr9ObF1
http://www.australianhistory.org/australian-facts.php
www.buzzle.com/articles/fun-facts-about-australia.html
http://www.the-discount-travel-guide.com/fun-facts-about-Australia.html
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/australia.html
http://www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/UserFiles/File/Homelessness%20in%20Australia%20for%20web.pdf
http://www.northerntierlibrary.org/ein/richland/Children/didgeridoo.html
