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
Years ago, I did see the movie, “The Rabbit Proof Fence.” It must have been shortly after it came out. Are you glad to be getting near the end of the alphabet? I have enjoyed this series.
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Thanks, Betty. Yes, pleased to be at the pointy end of the A-Z. I’ve only read 2 books instead of the usual 10. It has been good in that it made me think, which I hadn’t done for the first few months of the year opting to focus on the new babies and the daughter’s visit from India. May is a spoil month: holidays, workshops, reunions and fun. But thanks heaps for sticking with it❤️
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Congratulations on X. I can’t believe it’s already the end of the month. I will miss all of your posts on Australia. Are you doing something next month, another topic? OR. Taking a break? Now, you just have Y & Z. 💕
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Taking a break. Ready to be a bit more playful next month. I have enjoyed the Challenge and probably learn more than you guys do. Happy weekend!
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Look forward to May. Happy weekend to you too!
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Well! Enjoy the Shiraz!🤣💜
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Well earned, my friend….
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Agreed😂💜
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Hmmm well done finding an x . Never heard of it either, went to google maps to see where it was. Appears the nearest we got to it when doing our round Aus trip was New Norcia. Very desolate out there
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Pauline, we forget it is such a big country…..
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We spent a year going round and only touched the outside
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I was speaking with a friend this week who, although she didn’t do AtoZ this year, is preparing for 2025. She lamented a lack of an X place in Australia. I’ll share your post with her.
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Another A-Z entrant? Wonderful.
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Congratulations, May. I was going to suggest “xenophobia”, but you came up with a genuine Australian word. Good for you.
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Thanks, Bernadette. It came down to the wire though….
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I meant to say “enjoy the wine”. You certainly deserve it.
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🥂
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Finally a movie I’ve seen!! Sparky rented the DVD and it was a very good film!!
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Yes, it was well done. Tragic tale and on point.
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The 20 residents of Xantippe thank you for the shoutout 😉
I have never heard of this tiny town, but then again I’m from Switzerland…
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I’de suggest that the twenty residents of Xantippe are out of internet range.hahaha.
My daughter recently visited Switzerland. She said it was for the cheese, but I later discovered it was to jump out of planes and go canyoning.
Thanks for dropping by:)
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Enjoy your wine! You’ve earned it!
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I think we all deserve a glass after getting through April alive and sane. Or is it too soon to suggest that?
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Works for me. I have a bottle of Merlot with my name on it.
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As always, things I didn’t know! Great find, meemaw!😍
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By the way, a piece of useless knowledge, Xantippe, was the name of Socrates’ wife.
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More trivia. Just wish I could remember it all. LOL
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