AN INTRODUCTION TO THE AUSTRALIAN

LIFESTYLE EXPERIENCE

INTRODUCTION

We want your stay in Australia to be as enjoyable as possible, this page contains information and hints to help you during your Australian lifestyle experience.

Australia is a land which possesses a remarkable diversity and beauty. It is rich in a variety beautiful wilderness areas, clean white beaches, interesting flora and fauna, rivers and lakes, age old mountains, extensive snow fields, desert plains.

HISTORY

Australia is a relatively new country, about 200 years old. It was discovered, according to English history, in 1770 by Captain Cook. There is however much evidence of other European contact dating back to the 1600's. In 1901 Australia was declared a nation.

Aboriginals were believed to have arrived in around 40,000 years ago from Asia. It was known of by the rest of the world after the 1600's by the west coast only. The first European settlement began in 1788 in Sydney when Captain Arthur Phillip arrived with a small English fleet to establish a colony. Australia was first used by Britain as a place it could transport its criminals. The free population increased, working in agriculture, sheep and wool. Gold was discovered in 1851, and the resulting gold rush also increased the population to 2.25 million by 1881. A very large population growth also resulted from the Potato Famine in Ireland in the 1840's.

By 1921 the population has risen to 5.44 million and then increased sharply to 7.4 million due to the post World War II immigration program. During this time people from more than 120 countries settled in Australia. The population is approximately 20 million now. English colonies were established around the continent and eventually became states with their own separate governments. This is still very much the case, however the Australian central or Federal government, makes laws relevant to the Nation as a whole and the states have given away this aspect of their power.

The flag has a blue field with the Union Jack in the top left hand corner. The seven pointed star below in represents the states and territories. The other 5 star to the right represent the constellation of the Southern Cross.

Australia's national anthem is 'ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR'. Although there is no official motto, flora or fauna, by tradition, the golden wattle, kangaroo and emu are widely known as the national flora fauna and bird emblems.

Green and gold have been used traditionally by Olympic and international sporting teams. They became official in 1984. There is no traditional national costume.

January 26th. is Australia's national day celebrating the first settlement. Other days of importance are Anzac Day, April 25th, where the war participants are honoured.

LANGUAGE

The official language is English, by usage, not law, Australians have certainly developed their own accent. There are many jokes about Australian going to the hospital to die (today) washing their hands in a bison (basin). SAVE tends to rhyme with dive, SOAK with howk, HIGH sounds like hoi, HOW like ha-ou, TEA like tuee and RULE like ru-ool. It has its own colloquialisms and slang but differs little from English spoken elsewhere. Spelling generally follows the British form. It is often said that the accent is classless as Australians don't like to think there are class differences in their society. There were many many different Aboriginal languages known but few are used these days.

SCHOOLS

Secondary schools begin at Year 7 (age 12) and go to Year 10 completing the 'School Certificate'. Students can choose to study further to Year 12 completing the 'Higher School Certificate'. Subjects are extensions of primary schooling with additional technical and commercial ones. Transport to schools is usually subsidised by the government.

Post secondary education occurs in either universities, colleges or technical colleges. In general colleges have more emphasis on applied science and technology rather than general academic and professional disciplines. Technical colleges are based on vocational skills training and most of the students are part time. There are very few private tertiary institutions.

Tens of thousands of foreign students study each year at the various educational levels. They are assisted under international plans and scholarships.

SPORTS/HOBBIES

Almost all Australians have a sporting interest of some kind. In coastal areas, everyone seems to go boating, fishing, to the beach or the pool in the Summer season.In the winter, most people follow the Rugby League football competition. The variety of interests available is extremely wide. It could be anything from a full time Olympic athlete to a weekly football social player or watching horse racing on T.V.

Australia has more than 130 national sporting organisations and thousands of club bodies. Many are also involved in non-competitive activities like fishing, bushwalking, boating, horse riding and fitness programs.

Children are mainly involved in rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules, baseball, swimming, cricket, athletics, netball, softball, soccer, hockey, basketball and tennis.

Watching sport is also common for most families. Many thousands of people attend professional football games every week and many more watch all forms of sports on the T.V.

The Melbourne Cup is Australia's most famous and richest horse race. It is run on the first Tuesday in November in Melbourne. It is a holiday in Melbourne and the rest of Australia stops to hear or see the race on radio or T.V.

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