Australians love prawns, an ideal seafood. What people in other countries call a shrimp is a prawn to Australians. Another issue is a lobster. To Australians this delicacy is a crayfish. A young girl in Australia is called a "Sheila". But dancing with a young girl is not "Waltzing Matilda". During the Depression a "Swagman" would carry his belongings in a bag, called "Matilda", over his shoulder on a stick, as he made his way across the land seeking employment. This was called "Waltzing Matilda". This is the essence of Australian Culture.
Though Australia is a Western country, things are different than in New York or London. Barbecues and going to the beach are important aspects of life. Australians pride themselves on having an equitable society, where everyone "gets a fair go". The majority of Australians live in cities along the coast, but cultural values originating in the outback are important to them. They look with affection to life as it was two hundred years ago when life was hard and a person's character was judged by his actions. Aboriginal culture is important to Australians. They have been on this continent for 50,000 years. Their "laid back" attitude to life has infused present day Australian culture. Possibly the "she'll be right mate" attitude of Australians came from them.
New South Wales and Queensland are the prime areas for rugby league, This form of rugby is a game valued by Australian culture. In 1895 the Northern Union broke away from the Rugby Football Union in England. The split was caused by a difference of opinion over pay. The new league wrote new rules of play. Though spectators had to pay to watch the game the new league became very popular. Because the Australian football authorities remained avid supporters of union remaining amateur, players became disheartened. Some of the best union players were signed up by league clubs which could offer good remuneration, particularly when players had injuries. Today things have changed and some player have moved between the two codes because of higher pay. In Australia the league comprised mostly New South Wales clubs, so it was called the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL). It became a truly national league in the 1990s. Now teams from Queensland and Victoria play in the league alongside NSWs clubs.
The Australian identity is linked to the beach and surf. Although Australia is a place where the bush is central to its culture, most Australians live near the coasts, as they have always done. It is the image of Bronzed Aussies swimming in rolling waves on white beaches that is the Australian identity to people overseas. When Australians want to relax they head for the beach. There are no private beaches here. All are open to the public. Australia's first official surf lifesaving club - the first in the world - was founded at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, in 1906. For a hundred years Australia has had surf life saving clubs keeping our beaches safe. Over half a million people have been rescued with a million others receiving first aid. Surf Life Saving Australia has 130,000 members with nearly 40,000 being on duty patroling our beaches. More than 40,000 nippers (children) are being trained at any one time. Trained surf lifesavers regularly visit schools.
Tysaustralia
AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
CRICKET
Yes. Since Captain Cook "discovered" Australia things have changed a great deal
"Waltzing Matilda" written by Banjo Patterson sung by Slim Dusty
2010 History Festival: Writing the Past - Sydney In trying to tell a story, a true story, in the right way, immediately problems arise. Which voices to choose? Whose perspective to write from? What research to select, and what to discard? These and many other questions will be asked at the 2010 History Festival. Author : editor@culture.gov.au (Editor) Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +1000
WordStorm, the Festival of Australasian Writing - Darwin Wordstorm has a unique place in Australia's writers' festival scene, with its strong focus on Indigenous and South East Asian writers. Author : editor@culture.gov.au (Editor) Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +1000
Writing History with Chris Cheng This workshop will investigate Australian history (although we will look at other international avenues as well) and is suitable for anybody who is interested in researching and writing historical fiction. Author : editor@culture.gov.au (Editor) Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +1000
DesignTECH - Sydney The DesignTECH exhibition showcases outstanding projects from the 2009 Higher School Certificate Design and Technology course. Author : editor@culture.gov.au (Editor) Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +1000
The Dreamers - Sydney This exhibition celebrates the lives and work of eight distinguished Aboriginal artists who have contributed significantly to Australia's cultural landscape. Author : editor@culture.gov.au (Editor) Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +1000
South Australian writers Varuna development consultations - Adelaide Peter Bishop of Varuna is in Adelaide from 24-26 February, offering major creative project direction and development consultations. Author : editor@culture.gov.au (Editor) Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +1000
National Play Festival - Brisbane The National Play Festival presents performances of more than 20 new plays in one week, and aims to be Australia's premier showcase of current trends in theatre. Author : editor@culture.gov.au (Editor) Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +1000
Wildlife of Gondwana - Adelaide Wildlife of Gondwana is a travelling exhibition that details the changes in flora and fauna from the great southern supercontinent, Gondwana, from 3.8 billion years ago to the present. Author : editor@culture.gov.au (Editor) Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +1000
Scriptwriting for film and TV with Greg Waters - Sydney This practical course teaches elements of screenwriting craft while developing students’ work. Author : editor@culture.gov.au (Editor) Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +1000
Evolve Awards Design Competition 2010 - national The competition is open to full time professional architects, interior designers or interior design industry professionals in Australia or New Zealand. Author : editor@culture.gov.au (Editor) Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +1000