Australia

[MG1962]

TX50 is actually wrong. It is convention for a militaryl officer to be referred to historically by the rank or peerage they retired or died at. Example of this is Lord Nelson is rarely if ever refered to Vice Admiral Nelson. Because the peerage superceedss the militiary ranks.

 

[Akhenaten]

Damn, I thought this thread was about that crappy Nicole Kidman/Hugh Jackman movie.

This thread wll pesent a thorough debunking of that . . . thing.

I will personally assist Ms Kidman with any of her bunking requirements.

 

[Akhenaten]

It is true that Old Bob taught in the Philosophy Department of the University of Watermaloo?

I attended Bullamakanka University myself.

 

[HawaiiBigSis]

I'm sure there's a variety of striking phrases a true Aussie could use to describe your state of mind f you think you can drive round it in nine days though, HawaiiBigSis. Nine days!

Eleven days is the best I know of for a round-trip, by a mate of mine on a BMW R100RS. I'd love to hear from others about their best times. Some of the roads are similar to what you would see in the Paris-Dhakar Rally, others are Freeways. You can't do it in the Wet Season, from October - May because the top bit is covered with water which is full of crocodiles hunting taipan snakes and you for lunch. Alternatively, you can bypass this bit and go around the North coast in a small boat with an outboard motor, known as a tinny. (because it's made out of aluminium) You're pretty safe at sea from the crocodiles, because the sharks eat most of them

DRIVING TIME = the amount of time spent actually behind the wheel of a car, doing the driving.

To which must be added sleeping time, eating time, and time out of the car doing other things.

I did not mean to imply that anybody could do a drive around the continent in nine days, nor that a visitor should plan a 10-day visit with the intention of doing any such thing. Mostly my question was geared towards finding out if a circumnavigation by road was possible.

That will become one of the more fascinating aspects of this thread, and it will be huge. The story has been 40 000 years in the making, and we're still adding to it.

The subject will come up often, since the ancient heritage of Australia affects many aspects of who we are today, and the Koori are an integral part of that heritage.

You'll just have to be Patient™

And I look forward to it.

Yes and no. 1 billion times better than Dan Brown, Bryce Courtenay doesn't write reference books, but the settings for his stories are accurate.

You must read some Ion Idriess books.

I hope this thread will flesh out your knowledge of our country, as it meanders along.

Again, I didn't mean to imply that the books were intended to be historically accurate, just were a source of what little tiny bit I know about Australian history. I will note the sources you quote here and elsewhere, and will try to catch up, at least a little...

Koori is as polite and respectful as say, Innuit, or Maori, or Masai. It's the name of their people. There are many clans and tribes under the blamket term of Koori. Context and delivery are the keys, as is the case everywhere.

Gotcha.

I don't quite catch your meaning about the Koori name for Australia. All the blokes I've ever met call it Australia.

Early on, proudnonbeliever said:

Australia, known as Straya (pronounced stray-ya) in the native tongue is a country, a continent and an island, all in one. Beat that.

I thought that was a literal name, but I see now that it's a way of saying the name of the country the way "real" Australians say it. (What can I say -- it was very early in my morning when I wrote that. I guess the sleep hadn't completely left my brain...)

Different tribes, speaking different dialects, would have different names for their surroundings, and given their limited personal mobilty and lack of Google Earth, I doubt they would have felt a need to develop a concept of the Australian continent as a whole, although trade between clans, and stories of the dreaming would have given them a fair idea that it was really, really big.

And I look forward to hearing those stories, as they develop.

Thank you for your brief question. Now go away!

but...but...but... I thought we were supposed to ask questions and stuff. Don't you all want to increase your tourism?

 

[Akhenaten]

Speaking as a non-whinging Pom I'd like to say that I love Australia, and the Australian people*, I had a great few months there and it's a bloody marvellous country. Sydney was spectacular, Melbourne was great, but for me the remote west was unforgettable.

I'm sure there's a variety of striking phrases a true Aussie could use to describe your state of mind f you think you can drive round it in nine days though, HawaiiBigSis. Nine days!


*well, nearly all of them

* Yeah, Crow-eaters mainly.


And there'll always be an England. I for one, have great pride in your alloted section of my flag.

Good-o.

Eskie's in the boot, chockers with chilly chunder tubes, the tin lids are at Nanna's and the sheilas have finally got all their **** in one sock.

Let's get this forni-bloody-catin' show on the frog and toad and see if we can make Tangambalanga in time for a countery.

Anyone bring a map?

Naaah, just keep the big blue bit on the same side and we'll lob back 'ere eventually.

Geez you're a drongo.

Strike me lucky cobber, your the one that forgot the bloody jaffle iron.

Yeah, righteo then, let's went.​

Toodle-pip, old chap.

 

[HawaiiBigSis]

And there'll always be an England. I for one, have great pride in your alloted section of my flag.

And there's an England's flag in the same part of my state's flag as well, and our islands were also "discovered" by Captain Cook.

Our natives just had the good sense to eat him.

 

[Akhenaten]

TX50 is actually wrong. It is convention for a militaryl officer to be referred to historically by the rank or peerage they retired or died at. Example of this is Lord Nelson is rarely if ever refered to Vice Admiral Nelson. Because the peerage superceedss the militiary ranks.

I believe that TX50 was making the valid point that I had simply forgotten the post-nominal for Cook's Fellowship of the Royal Society.

There is no real question that he is entitled to be referred to by the highest rank attained - Captain. The point, I think, is that I was creating an anchronism.

Did you know that the three branches of the Australian Defence Force have set precedence?

The Navy is the Senior Service, then follows Army. The Air Force just fly about, not following anything much. They're easily distracted and get the best rations. WWJD?

 

[Altered Statesman]

Australian's all eat pies with sauce,
For breakfast lunch and tea,

I can't remember the rest but we used to sing it at school instead of our anthem.

I love the use of the word 'girt' in our anthem, I firmly believe that it should be used much more in society. eg: If you keep on working out at the gym, you will soon be girt by muscle.

I don't know why we chose to use the word girt since it doesn't really help rhyme any lines but I like it anyway.

 

[Damien Evans]

And there's an England's flag in the same part of my state's flag as well, and our islands were also "discovered" by Captain Cook.

Our natives just had the good sense to eat him.

Unusual way to settle a disagreement though.

*Bugger, we can't agree, ah well lets spear him!*

 

[learner]

Australian's all eat pies with sauce,
For breakfast lunch and tea,

I can't remember the rest but we used to sing it at school instead of our anthem.

I love the use of the word 'girt' in our anthem, I firmly believe that it should be used much more in society. eg: If you keep on working out at the gym, you will soon be girt by muscle.

I don't know why we chose to use the word girt since it doesn't really help rhyme any lines but I like it anyway.

"Girt" or "Gert" is a Somerset, England term for big, large, massive. etc. I believe we sent some of our best over to you in chains. Gert chains.
I use the term many times, daily. It irritates the well spoken. Of which I aint one of.

 

[Damien Evans]

Two islands actually. Your omission likely resulted from my error in the OP in failing to acknowledge our Southern Gem, the beautiful island state of Tasmania.


From my book-learning at school we was taught that tazzy is linked to the mainland by a land bridge that since the first fleet landed has gone under water. If i remember rightly tazzy was called van diemens land then.

edit - regardless, tazzy has awesome landscapes and best of all, the beer they make with the tazzy tiger on it, cascade i think, bloody bewdiful

The land bridge sank at the end of the last Ice Age, circa 10,000 BCE.

 

[Akhenaten]

DRIVING TIME = the amount of time spent actually behind the wheel of a car, doing the driving.

Yes. Nine days means 9 x 24 hours driving.

To which must be added sleeping time, eating time, and time out of the car doing other things.

Nup. It's shift work. One sleeps and dreams of getting out of the car, the other eats and drives.

I did not mean to imply that anybody could do a drive around the continent in nine days, nor that a visitor should plan a 10-day visit with the intention of doing any such thing. Mostly my question was geared towards finding out if a circumnavigation by road was possible.

Yes. My proviso about the wet season in the North remains though.

I believe Kotatsu has done a similar trip by road/air recently. I'll send a PM and ask K to drop by here, if possible. Another visitor's perspective may be useful to you.

And I look forward to it.

This next website that I've linked to is run by the Koori. A visit will, I hope, show you the pride they have in their heritage, as well as provide a feel for how the Koori view their own place in modern Australia. I think it's as good a starting point as any, and may prompt you to ask specific questions. The forum will answer as best we can. The site will not present the totally positive spin that I do, and I'm sure you know the value of getting the whole story, warts and all.


Koori Mail

Again, I didn't mean to imply that the books were intended to be historically accurate, just were a source of what little tiny bit I know about Australian history. I will note the sources you quote here and elsewhere, and will try to catch up, at least a little...

Take your time. Life is too short to rush.

Gotcha.

Ow!

Early on, proudnonbeliever said:

Australia, known as Straya (pronounced stray-ya) in the native tongue is a country, a continent and an island, all in one. Beat that.

I thought that was a literal name, but I see now that it's a way of saying the name of the country the way "real" Australians say it. (What can I say -- it was very early in my morning when I wrote that. I guess the sleep hadn't completely left my brain...)

Ooohhhhhh. I see. Straya is Australia in our sekrit language, Strine. The video on this page should be quite instructive.


The language of poetic deception

And I look forward to hearing those stories, as they develop.

Joy is in the ears that hear - Saltheart Foamfollower

but...but...but... I thought we were supposed to ask questions and stuff. Don't you all want to increase your tourism?

The language of poetic deception. My language. You'll pick it up.

Ask as many questions as you like. I mean this sincerely. I'm not on my own here, and the forum will always answer you.


Cheers,

Dave


PS Hawaii looks fabulous.


Me want to go but bank say no.
Oh woe! No Pāhoehoe!

 

[Akhenaten]

And there's an England's flag in the same part of my state's flag as well, and our islands were also "discovered" by Captain Cook.

Our natives just had the good sense to eat him.

Eat? Cite?


You don't visit England very often, do you?

 

[Altered Statesman]

I believe we sent some of our best over to you in chains.

I was watching a doco the other night on the evolution of English and it said most, if not all Aussie words come from the English/Irish crims, or my ancestors, that were brought over here by Capt. Cookiemonster and his mates (to paraphrase).

 

[Akhenaten]

Australian's all eat pies with sauce,
For breakfast lunch and tea,

I can't remember the rest but we used to sing it at school instead of our anthem.

Football, meat pies, kangaroos and holden cars.

It's jingoistic advertising fluff unworthy of a link. You've done well to forget it.

The Happy Little Vegemite Song

We're happy little Vegemites as bright as bright can be,

We all enjoy our Vegemite for breakfast, lunch and tea,

Our mummy says we're growing stronger every single week,

Because we love our Vegemite,
We all adore our Vegemite,

It puts a rose in every cheek!​

Now THAT is an anthem.

I love the use of the word 'girt' in our anthem, I firmly believe that it should be used much more in society. eg: If you keep on working out at the gym, you will soon be girt by muscle.

I believe Wildy and lionking will chip in on this one.

I don't know why we chose to use the word girt since it doesn't really help rhyme any lines but I like it anyway.

ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We’ll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.​

It'll do.

 

[Akhenaten]

Unusual way to settle a disagreement though.

*Bugger, we can't agree, ah well lets spear him!*

I don't think I can agree on a spear.


The Death of Captain James Cook RN FRS

"Captain Cook was advanced a few paces before the Marines when they fired, the Stones flew as thick as hail which knocked the Lieut. down & as he was rising a fellow stuck him in the back with a Spear, however he recovered himself shot the Indian dead and escaped into the Water. Captain Cook was now the only Man on the Rock, he was seen walking down towards the Pinnace, holding his left hand against the Back of his head to guard it from the Stones & carrying his Musket under the other Arm. An Indian came running behind him, stopping once or twice as he advanced, as if he was afraid that he should turn round, then taking him unaware he sprung to him, knocked him on the back of his head with a large Club taken out of a fence, & instantly fled with the greatest precipitation; the blow made Captain Cook stagger two or three paces, he then fell on his hand & one knee & dropped his Musket, as he was rising another Indian came running to him & before he could recover himself from the Fall drew out an iron Dagger he concealed under his feathered Cloak & stuck it with all his force into the back of his Neck, which made Capt. Cook tumble into the Water in a kind of a bite by the side of the rock where the water is about knee deep; here he was followed by a croud of people who endeavoured to keep him under water, but struggling very strong with them he got his head up & looking towards the Pinnace which was not above a boat hook's Length from him waved his hands to them for Assistance, which it seems it was not in their Power to give".

"The Indians got him under water again but he disengaged himself & got his head up once more & not being able to swim he endeavoured to scramble on the Rock, when a fellow gave him a blow on the head with a large Club and he was seen alive no more."

Not speared.

 

[Clintsc9]

I'm enjoying reading this thread. But it is no wonder the rest of the world is confused about us.
Keep it up. Confusion is a good state. (Though mostly it is called Qld. )

Just for info back in '03 we rode a Honda Goldwing around Australia on Hwy 1 taking 26 days. That didn't give us much of a chance to see the scenery. For that you need several months.

 

[MG1962]

I have always had a bit of an attachment to this poem. I recall reading it years ago. In particular the last verse has always touched me

​

Our Flag​

Author: Unknown
Our Flag wears the stars that blaze at night,
In our Southern skies of blue,
And a little old flag in the corner,
That’s part of our heritage too.
It’s for the English, the Scots and the Irish,
Who were sent to the ends of the earth,
The rogues and schemers, the doers and dreamers,
Who gave modern Australia its birth.
And you, who are shouting to change it,
You don’t seem to understand,
It’s the flag of our laws and our language,
Not the flag of a faraway land.
Though there are plenty of people who'll tell you,
How when Europe was plunged into night,
That little old flag in the corner,
Was their symbol of freedom and light.
It doesn’t mean we owe allegiance,
To a forgotten imperial dream,
We’ve the stars to show where we’re going,
And the old flag to show where we’ve been.
It’s only an old piece of bunting,
It’s only an old piece of rag,
But there are thousands who’ve died for its honour,
And shed of their blood for OUR FLAG.​

 

[Akhenaten]

I was watching a doco the other night on the evolution of English and it said most, if not all Aussie words come from the English/Irish crims, or my ancestors, . . .

What kind of galah would say that? Must be a proper drongo, that feller.

. . .that were brought over here by Capt. Cookiemonster and his mates (to paraphrase).

Captain Arthur Phillip RN, to para-paraphrase. He gives his name to Port Phillip Bay, the Location of Melbourne, Victoria.

 

[Akhenaten]

Thank you all. That was totally sick, but I'm stuffed. Seeya 'round like a rissole.

Clintsc9, you are next in line for a response. Goldwings are kewl. That's not your response


Remember . . . The Aten shines on us all, eventually.