X is for………..

So Cat Balou in India issued a Challenge. 

“Mo, bet you a bottle of Peter Rumble Sparkling Shiraz that you can’t come up with something for the letter X”.

Darling girl of little faith, submit your order to Dan Murphy’s now.

For Australian trivia purposes X is for XANTIPPE, a small rural locality in Western Australia’s wheat belt. It is located 220 kms north east of the city of Perth and according to the 2016 Census has a population of 20.

It is the only locality name in Australia that begins with X.

Never heard of it. 

Established in 1925 it once was a thriving farming community. A school opened in 1930 on Struggle Street to cater to the needs of children, though closed in 1940. ( Anyone else getting Tim Winton vibes?)

The locality’s big feature was the water tank built in 1927, designed to pump water to nearby Dalwallinu, but there were major issues pumping the water uphill. It doesn’t even have its own postcode.

It has been suggested that the name means “looking for water from a deeper well” which ties in with the proliferation of Gnamma holes in the area. 

What is a Gnamma hole? According to the Merriam -Webster Dictionary , “a hollow or hole eroded or indented in solid rock of Australian deserts that sometimes contains water.” Apparently these water holes are featured in the 2002 Australian movie, “Rabbit- Proof Fence”  which I will now source for the weekend’s *entertainment.

Western Australia extends across a massive area, at least one third of Australia. Honestly, I am familiar only with the Margaret River area and have no  enthusiasm to explore Xantippe and its environs. However, if anyone can shed any further light I’de be pleased to hear.

*Entertainment is a poor choice of word for this movie. Based on the book of the same name it is the true story of several young Indigenous girls taken away from their parents who escape the mission to return to their families. The Stolen Generation should not equate to entertainment.

#A-ZChallenge 2024

Australian Trivia

W is for War Memorials/Museums

Yesterday was ANZAC Day in Australia, a day during which the nation commemorates the victims of war and recognises the role of our armed forces. The day commences with a Dawn Service at the local cenotaph to remember the ill-fated campaign where Allied troops landed on the narrow beaches of the Gallipoli peninsula during WW1. This is generally followed by a march past, followed by lunch and other  “festivities.”

Cleveland, Qld

Australian regional memorials have long been at the heart of community commemoration of our servicemen and women.

When driving through most Australian towns, large or small, you can almost always find a war memorial, often at the town centre. They come in the form of granite obelisks, memorial gates, statues and more. They are found in parks, hospitals, post offices, swimming pools and halls. They include honour rolls found in bowling clubs, schools, town halls and other community buildings. Statues of mostly First World War soldiers, known as ‘Digger memorials’, are also a distinctive feature in regional towns.

Surat, Qld

There is a website collating these memorials in Australia. Go here :                       https://placesofpride.awm.gov.au/memorials

I admit to being a total sucker for our country towns. Their buildings, cemeteries, museums and war memorials offer so much more in the way of history than anything printed in the travel brochures or offered at Tourist Information Centres.

During a short road trip last week to see the Dingo Fence, and bonus find the  Rabbit Fence which I will share another time, we visited the Miles Historical Village on the Western Downs. Of particular interest was the War Museum loaded with local information pertinent to Miles in which I learnt that the Americans during WW2 established six artillery storage facilities near Miles, one being a current mine site which on occasion has unearthed refuse artillery. 

Oh, how this kind of useless information fuels my soul……

It must be an age thing but for the first time in twenty years I was unable to crawl out of bed at 4am to greet the dawn. I set the alarm alright, but just couldn’t face it. Instead, I listened to Vera Lynn for the day and read an article about a newly erected monument in rural Blackall, Queensland, of WW1 nurse Sister Greta Norman Towner, “as a reminder of the significant contribution Australian women in service have made to the nation.” Interestingly, this monument stands in the park opposite the statue of her brother Lieutenant Edgar Thomas Towner, VC MC.

And for those Aussie readers with a few free hours on their hands the AWM is calling for volunteers to help preserve war diaries and records within their collection by transcribing. It’s easy and I failed typing in a business course. Go here:https://transcribe.awm.gov.au/

#A-ZChallenge 2024

Australian Trivia

V is for Vegemite

Vegemite, the Australian sandwich spread, has a reputation much like Coriander (also known as Cilantro ) – people either love it or hate it. There is no middle ground.

I hail from a generation of Vegemite fanciers and grew up just like the song lyrics suggested – as a ” happy little vegemite”. My preference is to lay it on thick with oozing butter, and preferably on hot crumpets with a pot of tea. ( In the scheme of things , what’s a cholesterol issue? We all have a use by date. Thus my penchant for cheese and prawns too.) 

On the following scale I’m a serial killer.

Some trivia about Vegemite you may not be aware of:

1. Vegemite is banned from some Australian gaols. This is to prevent inmates extracting the yeast to make booze.
2. In the late 1930’s Vegemite gained momentum as a health product because of its high concentration of B vitamins.
3. It became a staple in soldiers’ ration packs during World War 2. Posters hung up during wartime bore the slogan :“Vegemite: Keeping fighting men fighting fit.” 
4. To drum up publicity around their new product, The Fred Walker Company launched a nationwide competition to name it ahead of its debut. Hundreds of submissions were collected, and Walker’s daughter pulled the winning entry out of a hat. The coiners of the name “Vegemite” were awarded a £50 prize.
5. In 1984, a 66 cent jar of Vegemite became the  first product electronically scanned at a checkout in Australia at a Woolworths. 

Vegemite is more versatile than you realise. I add it to gravy when cooking, as well as stews and casseroles.

When my daughter was home for Easter following her first twelve months on contract in India all she wanted ( after prawns, bubbles and a *movie night) was a Vegemite Scroll.

Ingredients 

• 2 cups self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting 
• 80g butter, chilled, chopped 
• 2 tsp caster sugar 
• 2/3 cup milk 
• 2 tbsp Vegemite 
• 1 cup grated tasty cheese 

• Step 1 
  Preheat oven to 220C/200C fan-forced. Grease a 12-hole (1/3-cup-capacity) muffin pan. 
  
  Step 2 
  Process 2 cups self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting, 80g butter, chilled, chopped and 2 tsp caster sugar in a food processor until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Transfer to a bowl. Make a well. Add 2/3 cup milk. Season with salt and pepper. Stir with a butter knife to form a sticky dough. Turn out onto a well-floured surface. Knead gently. Using a floured rolling pin, roll out to form a 20cm x 40cm rectangle. 
• Step 3 
  Spread dough with 2 tbsp Vegemite, leaving a 1cm border. Sprinkle with 1 cup grated tasty cheese. Roll up dough from 1 long edge to enclose filling. Trim ends. Cut into 12 equal slices. Place, cut-side up, into holes of prepared pan. 
• Step 4 
  Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden and just firm to the touch. Stand in pan for 5 minutes. Carefully transfer to a baking paper-lined wire rack. Serve warm or cold.

*I wont share the name of the movie. Just be reassured that I raised this kid well and she has exquisite taste.

#A-ZChallenge2024

Australian Trivia

U is for Uluru

And ” It’s Raining On The Rock.”

Uluru is one of Australia’s most recognisable natural landmarks and has been a popular destination for tourists since the late 1930s. It is also one of the most important indigenous sites in Australia. Previously known as Ayres Rock, Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. The area around the formation is home to an abundance of springs,waterholes, rock caves and rock paintings. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Situated in the heart of the Australian Outback Uluru stands 350 metres high, with most of its bulk lying underground, and has a total circumference of nearly 10 kilometres. 

As Uluru has made media headlines over the years, from dingos stealing babies, tourists disrespecting the cultural significance of the sandstone monolith, and the number of heart attacks and falls that happen during the rock climb, for today let’s be reminded of what happens on those rare occasions when there is so much rain fall that waterfalls cascade down the surface of Uluru.

Australian singer/song writer, John Williamson, celebrated such an occurrence in his song, “It’s Raining On The Rock”. In 2011 Williamson said “it’s a song that probably means a lot to me because it’s about the heart of the country and I think the rock represents that. The ancient nature of the country that was here before any of us is the one thing that can draw us all together, putting religion, politics and race aside.”

#A-ZChallenge 2024

Australian Trivia

T is for Tasmania

Tasmania is an island state of Australia. It is located 240 kilometres (150 miles) to the south of the Australian mainland, separated from it by the Bass Straight, with the archipelago containing the southern most point of the country. 

Some facts about the beautiful island state of Tasmania :-

*Tasmania is the world’s 26th largest island.

*Tasmania has the world’s cleanest air.

*More than 20% of Tasmania is Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

*Tasmania has the oldest trees in the world

*Tasmania has dense rainforests 

*The Tasmanian Devil is the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world

*Tasmania has over 2000km of walking tracks and 18 national parks

*Tasmania was once known as the “Apple Isle” as it was one of the world’s major producers.

*Tasmania is home to some of Australia’s oldest rocks, dating back to the Precambrian era about 1.4 billion years ago. 

*Tasmania is the home of the world’s largest lavender farm.

*The Cascade Brewery, based in Hobart, is Australia’s oldest brewery that is still in operation, having been established in 1824 by Peter Degraves. 

*English-born artist John Skinner Prout and his wife, a harpist, spent time travelling around Tasmania, and it was in Hobart in 1845 that he held a painting exhibition –Australia’s first known art exhibition. 

*Henry Savery, who originated from Somerset, England, actually published what was Australia’s first novel in Hobart, although at the time this was published anonymously.He was living in Tasmania and writing for The Tasmanian newspaper when he wrote Quintus Servinton – A Tale Founded Upon Incidents of Real Occurrence, which was published in 1831. This also made Henry Australia’s first novelist.

*The island of Tasmania includes 334 surrounding islands, most are uninhabited, and some are privately owned.

*Holland, which is renowned for its tulips, actually imports tulips from Tasmania.

*There are no passenger trains in Tasmania. Only freight trains exist, and a few privately owned restored historic steam and diesel trains, which offer rides through the Tasmanian wilderness and coastline. 

*Tasmania is like a small town with only 2% of Australia’s population, of just over half a million people.

*Tasmania  has 69 golf courses.

* Mary, Queen Consort of Denmark, was born in Tasmania

Some personal thoughts about Tasmania:

For one reason or another I’ve been visiting Tassie every couple of years since I was 21 years of age. I love these trips and despite the island being small in size I continue to discover new and interesting places. I’ve toured in a camper van and have also played Lady Muck, sleeping in the same beds as Heads of State, ( and opting for the floor because their politics were offensive.)

Some of my favourite things about Tassie include scallop pies, apple cider, wombats, farmland, historic buildings, book shops, log fires, Grant Burge Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay, the Cradle Mountain National Park, and the glorious east coast.

And I didn’t mention Mr Flynn once.

S is for (The) Seekers

The Seekers were an Australian musical group originally formed in 1962. They were the first Australian pop music group (with a touch of folk) to achieve major chart and sales success in the United Kingdom and the United States. 

Essentially Australia’s first “supergroup” the band’s most popular configuration consisted of Judith Durham, Athol Guy, Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley with best selling songs including “Georgie Girl”, “I’ll Never Find Another You” and ” The Carnival Is Over.”

In 1967 The Seekers were named joint “Australians of the Year”. In 1995 the group was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. They were individually honoured as Officers of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of June 2014.

Sadly, we lost lead singer Judith Durham in 2022.

Have a listen to this: considered by many as an alternative National Anthem.

https://youtu.be/BVUU68X6F5g?si=zmdZ4TLSWkGzV5xp

#A-ZChallenge 2024

Australian Trivia

R is for Red Dog

Louis de Bernières is an English novelist, best known for his 1994 historical war novel, “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.” I’ve mentioned previously that I would have enjoyed the movie of the same name about Italian soldiers who occupy the Greek Island of Cephalonia during World War 2 except for three things:

1. Nicholas Cage
2. Nicholas Cage
3. Nicholas Cage

The writer holidayed in Australia at one stage where he came upon a statue of a dog during a visit to the Pilbara region of Western Australia. What can I tell you about the Pilbara? It’s remote mining country, wickedly hot and with nothing but red dust for miles.

But I digress. Back to the statue …….

The dog’s name on the statue was “Red Dog” ( 1971 – 1979), a kelpie/cattle dog cross.

He had a series of owners and lengthy periods travelling on his own, essentially becoming a beloved friend and mascot of the greater Pilbara community. “Red Dog” was made a member of the Dampier Salts Sport and Social Club and the Transport Workers Union and was also given a bank account with the Bank of New South Wales which was said to have used him as a mascot, with the slogan. “If Red banks at the Wales, then you can too.“

When “Red Dog” died, presumed poisoned, a local vet had him buried in a secret unmarked grave. There is a plaque, fixed to a boulder, very close to this site, just outside of the town of Cossack WA. The plaque states: 

                                   ” Red Dog

                                     The Pilbara Wanderer

                                      Erected by the many friends

                                      Made during his travels.”

This story so inspired de Bernieres that he wrote the novella, “Red Dog”, published in 2001, which was adapted to a film of the same name in 2011.

As of 17 November 2011, the film made more than A$21 million at the Australian box office since opening in August 2011.  Red Dog is ranked eighth in the list of (Cinema of Australia) highest-grossing Australian films of all time. Eleven days after opening, Red Dog became the highest-grossing Australian film of 2011. Much of this success is because Nicholas Cage was not involved.

*For bonus trivia, the soundtrack to the movie features some truly great Aussie  pop music.  Grab a glass of plonk and prepare to flit across the lounge room floor.

*I remember seeing this movie with Cat Balou. There was laughter, tears, and bopping to the music in our seats. It was my last time being in a cinema where everyone clapped at the end of the movie.

#A-ZChallenge 2024

Australian Trivia

Q is for Quokkas and Quolls

The quokka is a small marsupial the size of a domestic cat. The quokka is herbivorous and mainly nocturnal.

The quoll is a carnivorous marsupial native to Australia and New Guinea. They are primarily nocturnal and spend most of the day in a den. Of the six species of quoll, four are found in Australia and two in New Guinea. 

Unfortunately, I have never spied either of these creatures in the wild. Add to Must Do List.

#A-ZChallenge 2024

Australian Trivia

P is for Platypus

Australia has around 140 species of land snake, and 32 recorded species of sea snakes. Some 100 Australian snakes are venomous, although only 12 are likely to inflict a wound that could kill you.

Our spiders too have a bad reputation. We have some of the most venomous spiders in the world. Some spider bites can be harmful and need emergency medical treatment. Some too can kill you.

But we’re going to leave those alone and look at the Platypus. These solitary, secretive creatures are nearly extinct and there is a huge push to remedy that situation.

Although not cute and cuddley like the Koala here are my Top Ten Platypus facts :

• The platypus is a mammal. 
• The platypus and the echidna are the only mammals that lay eggs.
• A baby platypus is called a puggle.
• They don’t have stomachs.
• They are carnivores.
• They don’t have teeth.
• They knuckle-walk like gorillas and anteaters
• Female platypuses don’t have nipples. Instead, they release milk from pores in their mammary glands.
• Male platypuses have venomous spurs.
• Platypuses swim with their front feet and steer with their back feet.

Have I seen a platypus in the wild?

Certainly. In the Royal National Park south of Sydney whilst picnicing, and in a stream on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland. On both occasions I held my breath in excitement.

Lastly, some truly weird information. Did you know that in March 1943 the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, telegrammed Australian Prime Minister, John Curtin, requesting six platypuses be sent to Britain forthwith. There was a strict law in place preventing the removal of platypuses from Australia, but given who was asking, Curtin decided to make an exception, just this once.

The story goes that Churchill kept a colourful menagerie containing black swans, a lion called Rota, white kangaroos and other creatures. Many of these were gifts from individuals or organisations hoping to gain favour or publicity.

Australia sent a sole platypus to England though sadly, Winston the platypus never made it to the platypussary that had been so carefully constructed for him. Though the journey through the Panama Canal and across the Atlantic was risky, the voyage proved uneventful. Winston was always “lively and ready for his food”. But on 6 November, just four days from Liverpool, the Port Phillip suffered a submarine attack. Winston was found dead in his tank immediately afterwards.

#A-ZChallenge 2024

Australian Trivia

O is for Oodgeroo Noonuccal

     Who? Poet, Educator, Activist, Creative AKA KATH WALKER

Kathleen Jean Mary Ruska was born in November 1920. She was a descendant of the Noonuccal people of Minjerribah. [North Stradbroke Island]. Her totem was Kabool the carpet snake, who could not be eaten by his people.

Kath was strongly influenced by her parents. Mother Lucy was one of the ‘stolen generation’, who was not taught to read or write at the mission, gaining domestic skills instead. Her father, Ted Ruska, was the foreman of a gang of Aboriginal labourers employed by the Queensland Government. Their measley income was supplemented by using the traditional hunter/gatherer skills of the Noonuccal people. 

Lucy was determined her children would read and write. Her father said to her ‘Just ‘cos you’re Aboriginal doesn’t mean you have to be as good as most white children – you have to be better.’

Kath attended Dunwich State School which she left at 13 to become a poorly paid live-in domestic servant. In 1941 she joined the Australian Women’s Army Service. [AWAS]. She was promoted to corporal, worked in switchboard operations and later as a pay clerk.

In 1942 Kath married Bruce Walker – a descendant of the Logan and Albert River Aboriginal people – though a dependence on alcohol led to domestic violence and the complete breakdown of that marriage.

To support herself and young child Kath became a domestic servant for the family of Sir Ralph and Lady Cilento who encouraged Kath to write and taught her to draw and paint.

In 1964 her poetry anthology, “We Are Going”, was the first book to be published by an Aboriginal woman. The title poem ends: 

“The scrubs are gone, the hunting and the laughter.

  The eagle is gone, the emu and the kangaroo are gone from this place. 

   The bora ring is gone The corroboree is gone And we are going.”

“The Dawn is at Hand ” was published in 1966 and the third collection “My People: A Kath Walker Collection,” was published in 1970.

In the 1960’s Oodgeroo fought for Aboriginal rights. In 1963 she met Sir Robert Menzies, the Australian Prime Minister. When he offered her a drink of wine she told him that if he had done that in Queensland he could have been put in gaol. It was not until 1967 that Aboriginal people had the right to vote.

In 1972 Oodgeroo returned to the birthplace of her people – the Noonuccal. She established an education and cultural centre at Moongalba [sitting down place] on Stradbroke Island. By 1987, 26,500 children had experienced sitting down and learning at Moongalba.

In 1988 she adopted a traditional name: Oodgeroo – paperbark tree – and Noonuccal – the name of her people.

Oodgeroo Noonuccal earned many awards:

• 1970 Mary Gilmore Medal

• 1975 Jessie Litchfield Award

• International Acting Award

• Fellowship of Australian Writers’ Award

• Doctor of the University from Griffith University.

In 1970, as Kath Walker, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to the community. In 1987 she returned it as a protest against the forthcoming bicentenary celebrations of Australia. She stated, “Next year, 1988, to me marks 200 years of rape and carnage, all these terrible things that the Aboriginal tribes of Australia have suffered without any recognition even of admitted guilt from the parliaments of England…. From the Aboriginal point of view, what is there to celebrate? … I can no longer with a clear conscience accept the English honour of the MBE and will be returning to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England.“

Oodgeroo Noonuccal died in 1993 at the age of 72.

Note:

This is very much an abridged version of a life and I recommend reading:

#A-ZChallenge 2024

Australian Trivia