#AUSTRALIA

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Another 25 Facts about Australia

Another 25 Facts about Australia

Another 25 Facts about Australia

  1. If all the sails of the Opera House roof were combined, they would create a perfect sphere. The architect was inspired while eating an orange.
  2. The wine cask (goon sack) is an Australian invention
  3. In Australia, Burger King is called "Hungry Jack's"
  4.  Ugg boots are an Australian design where a sheepskin has been turned inside out and made into a boot.
  5. The world's first compulsory seat belt law was put into place in Victoria in 1970.
  6. Canberra was created in 1908 as a compromise when Sydney and Melbourne both wanted to be the capital city.
  7. 10% of Britons think Australia is further away than the Moon, a survey found in 2013
  8. Eucalyptus oil is highly flammable, meaning gum trees may explode if ignited, or in bushfires.
  9. The wattle was adopted as the national floral emblem in 1912.
  10. In 1975, Australia had a government shutdown, which ended with the Queen firing everyone and the government starting again.
  11. Despite sharing the same verbal language, Australian, British and American sign language are all completely different languages.
  12. It has 16 world heritage listed sites including historic townships, cities and landscapes.
  13. In 1979, debris from NASA's space station 'Skylab' crashed in & around Esperance, Western Australia. Esperance then fined NASA $400 for littering.
  14. Chinese explorers travelled to Australia long before Europeans arrived. As early as the 1400s, sailors and fisherman came to Australia for sea-cucumbers and to trade with Indigenous peoples.
  15. Australians refer to English people as Pome, which is actually the acronym for Prisoners of Mother England
  16. Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by total area
  17. Aussie Rules footy was originally designed to help cricketers to keep fit in the off-season.
  18. Australia is the only Western country in the world to not have a Bill of Rights
  19. Australia exports camels to Saudi Arabia
  20. 20 of the world's 25 deadliest snakes are found in Australia, including the entire top 10
  21. An Iraqi man moved to Australia and used the Welfare System as income. Years later, he became successful and wrote a check to the government for every cent they gave him.
  22.  In July 1969, CSIRO's 64-meter (209-foot) radio telescope in Parkes received television signals that allowed 600 million people to watch Neil Armstrong's moonwalk live
  23. A 'real' Australian burger comes with pineapple, fried egg, bacon, cheese and onions, and always beetroot (red beet).
  24. Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, claims to have invented the wireless LAN technology that's the basis of Wi-Fi and they have a patent to prove it.
  25. Australian koalas are in danger of extinction because over half of them have chlamydia
 
 

28 Nov 2015

Balingup
Balingup

Balingup is not only a place of scenic beauty, it also has the Bibbulmun Track passing through it.

Nannup Flower & Garden Festival
Nannup Flower & Garden Festival

Every year there is a wide range of free events, info sessions, an array of open gardens, and a host of market stalls.

Australian Rules Football
Australian Rules Football

If you're looking for a new and exciting sport to watch, look no further than Australian Rules Football!

Monkey Mia / Denham
Monkey Mia / Denham

Monkey Mia, 850kms north of Perth is renowned for its wild, free-ranging friendly bottlenose dolphins.

The Power of Protest in Australia
The Power of Protest in Australia

A reflection on the cultural importance of protest in Australia, its evolution, and why respecting the right to protest is essential to democracy.

The Legal Status of Drugs in Australia
The Legal Status of Drugs in Australia

Many countries have legalised or decriminalised marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes. But is it legal in Australia?

Ceduna [The Nullarbor]
Ceduna [The Nullarbor]

Ceduna is a great base for exploring the pristine ocean and rugged coastline of the Great Australia Bight.

Avon Descent
Avon Descent

The Avon Descent is an annual, 2 day white water event along the Avon and Swan Rivers in Western Australia.

A Guide to Coonawarra
A Guide to Coonawarra

Discover Coonawarra, the "Napa Valley" of Australia, nestled in the picturesque Limestone Coast region of South Australia just a few hours' drive from Adelaide.

Always was, always will be
Always was, Always will be

Let's explore various ways we can celebrate and honour the richness and diversity of Indigenous culture.



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