...

Do you ride a kangaroo to work?

Do you ride a kangaroo to work?


Now that would be silly, wouldn't it? I'd keep falling off the bloody thing! Kangaroo's just aren't built for bare-back riding, mate, that's something you'd better learn before you go getting yourself lost in the Outback, here Downunder.

Next question..

Do you carry a bowie knife?

Next question..

Do you carry a bowie knife?


That ain't no knife. Now THIS is a knife *pulls out a massive Crocodile dundee hunting knife*.

Do you have an Australian accent?

Do you have an Australian accent?


Check the "what does your voice sound like" section. Well, I have lived here my whole life, so it kind of figures...

Is Quantas really the best airline like Rainman said it was?

Is Quantas really the best airline like Rainman said it was?


Indeed, there have been no fatalies from air-crashes in over 70 years service (QANTAS, by the way, stands for Queensland and Northern Territory Air Service). So fly with the red tail with the kangaroo whenever possible.

Is Australia mostly desert?

Indeed, there have been no fatalies from air-crashes in over 70 years service (QANTAS, by the way, stands for Queensland and Northern Territory Air Service). So fly with the red tail with the kangaroo whenever possible.


How do you keep the change from falling out of your pockets, since you're all upside down "down under"?

Is Australia mostly desert?



Approximately 70% of the Australian continent receives a median annual precipitation of below 250mm (10in) which qualifies as desert. Having said that, the tropics of far north Queensland; i.e. near Mount Bellendon Ker (Tully) receive over 4,000mm (160 inches) per annum, and parts of Tasmania average more than 220 days of rainfall per annum and less than 1700 hours of bright sunshine. I know this because I used to be a real weather afficianado...I can't be bother digging up the stats, but for those really interested go to www.bom.gov.au.

How do you keep the change from falling out of your pockets, since you're all upside down "down under"?


We don't have keep change in Australia. Stubbie (beer) cans have become the national currency, as the things are so common. One beer can usually buys a soggy microwaved mince pie with a dollop of tomato sauce.

Why do you like shrimp on the barbie so much?

Why do you like shrimp on the barbie so much?


Yeah, we like to bung a prawn on the barbie. Well, I guess our love of the prawn stems from our fact we have the best prawns (or shrimps, as you call them) in the world. King prawns, this prawn, that prawn. Myself...have to admit never been one for the old bag of frozen prawns. I'd much rather a big kangaroo steak on my plate.

Yeah, we like to bung a prawn on the barbie. Well, I guess our love of the prawn stems from our fact we have the best prawns (or shrimps, as you call them) in the world. King prawns, this prawn, that prawn. Myself...have to admit never been one for the old bag of frozen prawns. I'd much rather a big kangaroo steak on my plate.


Are they really like deer in Austrailia?

Are they really like deer in Austrailia?


What, you mean the roos?

Are Koala Bears white meat or red meat?

What, you mean the roos?


Yeah.

Are Koala Bears white meat or red meat?


Let me first inform me, that poaching of native wildlife incurs severe penalities under the 'Wildlife Protection Act.'

And to answer your question...Koalas have green meat. From all the Eucalyptus leaves they eat.

Let me first inform me, that poaching of native wildlife incurs severe penalities under the 'Wildlife Protection Act.'

And to answer your question...Koalas have green meat. From all the Eucalyptus leaves they eat.


really?  that's kind of wild.  cows eat green grass, yet they aren't green.

If you leave your window open at night, will a dingo really steal your baby?

really?  that's kind of wild.  cows eat green grass, yet they aren't green.

If you leave your window open at night, will a dingo really steal your baby?


Yes, but Eucalyptus leaves are different from grass. You see...just like eating carrots make you go orange, but eating oranges won't...See my point?

And to answer your question,

Yes...if you want it to ;-)

Yes, but Eucalyptus leaves are different from grass. You see...just like eating carrots make you go orange, but eating oranges won't...See my point?

And to answer your question,

Yes...if you want it to ;-)


Is Midnight Oil popular there?

Is Midnight Oil popular there?


Well, frontman Peter Garett became the member for Kingsford-Smith of the Labor Party (one of two major parties here, often seen as analogous with the 'Democrats' in the US but quite different), so I guess that says something.

Is there any part of Australia that gets really cold or at atleast snows?

Is there any part of Australia that gets really cold or at atleast snows?


Too right, would you believe during the peak ski season we have a larger skiable area than Switzerland!

This, oddly enough, has been a pet subject of mine (snow in Oz). I could go on and on about it...indeed I wrote a whole article on it, but it would pbly bore you. To put it short; the only places where it is cold enough to form a snow cover are parts of the G.D.R. in NSW and VIC around the Australian Alps (esp. Snowy Mtns, around Mt Buller), and the Central Highlands of Tasmania. Other than that, snow falls occasionally in elevated parts of southern Australia, but is extremely rare along the coast. Perth city has never had snow lying (our climate is similar to Los Angeles), but it snowed in the hills once 50 years ago (July 1956). Melbourne and Sydney have both reported at least one occasion of snow lying in their histories.

Sounds intreresting.

Sounds intreresting.


But I guess snow really wouldn't be a big deal to you.

But I guess snow really wouldn't be a big deal to you.


No.... not really.  ;D

Come on, ask me anything...

Does this thread get the 'thread that spawned the most copies' award?

This is from a Simpson's episode, when you flush the toilet what direction
does the water go down, clockwise or counter-clockwise?

Indeed, Lisa's right as usual. The water goes clockwise, I've tried it myself.

Now for a serious question, How is the America's Cup, or what ever it's named
now, accepted there.The intrest here has died down over the years that is why
I don't know who holds the cup now.When is the next race? It's every 3 or 4 years
isn't it? I was quite mad when ESPN stopped showing the races.

Now for a serious question, How is the America's Cup, or what ever it's named
now, accepted there.The intrest here has died down over the years that is why
I don't know who holds the cup now.When is the next race? It's every 3 or 4 years
isn't it? I was quite mad when ESPN stopped showing the races.


Hmm, don't quite understand your question 100%. The America's cups still a big deal...I mean it's another big event to bet on, isn't it? But since we don't have the cup (New Zealand does), most people don't really care too much anymore.

Are "The Vines" still popular down under?

Hmm, don't quite understand your question 100%. The America's cups still a big deal...I mean it's another big event to bet on, isn't it? But since we don't have the cup (New Zealand does), most people don't really care too much anymore.


I guess I could have worded it better.You pretty much answered my question, I just
wanted to know if the event is still being held.I live 55 miles from the Atlantic Ocean
and I can't get any information on a damn yacht race.

I guess I could have worded it better.You pretty much answered my question, I just
wanted to know if the event is still being held.I live 55 miles from the Atlantic Ocean
and I can't get any information on a damn yacht race.


The big thing over here is a horse race they hold called the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November (part of the whole Spring Carnival thing)...gambling, fashion, and dignitaries drinking too much during speeches are the highlights.

[quote author=wһіѕ

The big thing over here is a horse race they hold called the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November (part of the whole Spring Carnival thing)...gambling, fashion, and dignitaries drinking too much during speeches are the highlights.



OK, now for another silly question, the horse races, are they Quater Horses or
do they race around the track in the opposite direction, just like toilet water?

I'm making it a point to answer EVERY question if possible, so that is a bit too silly. Next>>>

I'm making it a point to answer EVERY question if possible, so that is a bit too silly. Next>>>






I apologize if you think the question was too silly but I was being kind of serious.
You see here in the States the horses run around the track in a counter clockwise
direction,from 5 furlongs to a mile and a half.I was at an OTB with simulcast and they showed
a horse race from Australia where the horses ran in a straight line for a quarter of a mile,
quarter horses.I saw another race where the horse ran around in a clockwise direction,
I am not sure where that race was held,I thought it might be Australia or England.It was
just funny to see them running the opposite way.Again, I apologize for being silly.

I guess you've finally stumped me. When I watch the Cup I'm usually concentrating on where my horse is, not which way he or she is running.

...they call it the 'Race that stops a nation' - everywhere across the country people stop work for about half-an hour (the actual race being mere minutes) to watch it. Even for those for whom gambling is not part of their everyday life put a little punt, more for fun. We're a nation of punters, but we don't take it that seriously.

No other questions?

What's your favorite Australian band?

What's your favorite Australian band?


Too many to list...

Some of my faves have included Jebediah, a Perth-based indie rock band, Architecture in Helsinki, an 'artsy alternative' sort of outfit, End of Fashion, Eskimo Joe, The Panda Band, the Vines, New Buffalo, Sarah Blasko, of the better known ones, INXS, Hoodoo Gurus, AC/DC, Cold Chisel..the usual.

No I'll ask a question (if anyone bothers to answer). What are all your favourite Aussie bands?

We don't have keep change in Australia. Stubbie (beer) cans have become the national currency, as the things are so common. One beer can usually buys a soggy microwaved mince pie with a dollop of tomato sauce.




How many smidges are there in a dollop...?  ???

How many smidges are there in a dollop...?  ???


As many as you want them to be  ;)

No I'll ask a question (if anyone bothers to answer). What are all your favourite Aussie bands?


Aussie bands are great, and like you said, too many to mention, but here's a few ...

The Venetians, The Angels from Angel City, INXS, Goanna, Dragon, John Farnham, Glenn Shorrock and Little River Band, The Bee Gees, Savage Garden, The Models, Noiseworks, Hoodoo Gurus, Air Supply, Moving Pictures, 1927 ...

[quote author=wһіѕ

Perth city has never had snow lying (our climate is similar to Los Angeles), but it snowed in the hills once 50 years ago (July 1956). Melbourne and Sydney have both reported at least one occasion of snow lying in their histories.


Um err wrong !

Dont know how old you are but possibly you are too young to remember the snow that fell on Perth in October 1992. It was enough to totally cover the yard and didnt melt for several hours. I was living in Gwelup at the time and my lawnmowing man and I stood and watched it fall all morning. I rang my Ch9 reporter friend and he rushed over to film it for that nights news.
Falls were recorded in Karrinyup and Scarborough that morning too. At the same time there were full blown blizzards all over the southwest with heavy snowfall as far down as Albany.

Bluff Knoll south of Perth records snow caps every winter.

The outer suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne get snowfall every winter. I have plenty of friends and relatives in both cities and all have had snowfall every year.


For whoever was asking about horseracing (Loki or Mirror ?) - the Melbourne Cup (flat race) is raced anti clockwise. From memory - most or all Aussie races are anti clockwise. I cant picture any that go clockwise. And our trots and greyhounds also race anticlockwise.

Um err wrong !

Dont know how old you are but possibly you are too young to remember the snow that fell on Perth in October 1992. It was enough to totally cover the yard and didnt melt for several hours. I was living in Gwelup at the time and my lawnmowing man and I stood and watched it fall all morning. I rang my Ch9 reporter friend and he rushed over to film it for that nights news.
Falls were recorded in Karrinyup and Scarborough that morning too. At the same time there were full blown blizzards all over the southwest with heavy snowfall as far down as Albany.

Bluff Knoll south of Perth records snow caps every winter.

The outer suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne get snowfall every winter. I have plenty of friends and relatives in both cities and all have had snowfall every year.


For whoever was asking about horseracing (Loki or Mirror ?) - the Melbourne Cup (flat race) is raced anti clockwise. From memory - most or all Aussie races are anti clockwise. I cant picture any that go clockwise. And our trots and greyhounds also race anticlockwise.




I'm not too young to remember October 1992, and I'm almost 100% sure what you're referring to was a fall of small hail. I don't remember the mercuring getting anywhere near low enough to allow for snowfall. I've studied past records.etc and there was no mention whatsoever of a fall in October 1992. The falls in Scarborough seem particularly unbelievable to me. I believe November 1991 or 92 saw widespread snowfalls in the Wheatbelt (which is very unusual because it was near summer) and there is documented evidence for that, but I'll climb the Bell Tower naked if you can prove to me it snowed, and there was snow cover back in October 1992. I've heard numerous reports of snow falling in Perth (such as the snow in St. Georges Terrace back in the 70s), but to my knowledge the July 56 event (when we recorded our coldest maxima of a mere 8.8C) was the only one which saw more than a trace of snow in such suburbs as Gooseberry Hill and Roleystone.

As for Melbourne and Sydney, yes I was mainly referring to the actual CBD, but yes, the hillier outer suburbs get the odd fall now and again. Places such as the Dandenongs in Melbourne, and the Blue Mountains in Sydney. But these are still quite rare events, and no part of Australia at sea-level regularly receives snow.

I'm not too young to remember October 1992, and I'm almost 100% sure what you're referring to was a fall of small hail. I don't remember the mercuring getting anywhere near low enough to allow for snowfall. I've studied past records.etc and there was no mention whatsoever of a fall in October 1992. The falls in Scarborough seem particularly unbelievable to me. I believe November 1991 or 92 saw widespread snowfalls in the Wheatbelt (which is very unusual because it was near summer) and there is documented evidence for that, but I'll climb the Bell Tower naked if you can prove to me it snowed, and there was snow cover back in October 1992. I've heard numerous reports of snow falling in Perth (such as the snow in St. Georges Terrace back in the 70s), but to my knowledge the July 56 event (when we recorded our coldest maxima of a mere 8.8C) was the only one which saw more than a trace of snow in such suburbs as Gooseberry Hill and Roleystone.

As for Melbourne and Sydney, yes I was mainly referring to the actual CBD, but yes, the hillier outer suburbs get the odd fall now and again. Places such as the Dandenongs in Melbourne, and the Blue Mountains in Sydney. But these are still quite rare events, and no part of Australia at sea-level regularly receives snow.


Feel free to climb anything naked. I have lived in ski resorts in three countries and lived in the snowy mountains and hobart in tasmania - I know snow when I see it - I have also seen more than enough hail in my lifetime to know the difference between the two. Soft flakes anding gently in your hand are very definately snow. 

The Perth snow fall in October 92 (very late Oct from memory - I would have to drag out my diary to find where I wrote about it) was part of a freakish weather pattern that occured - October itself had been quite warm till that cold snap. Susannah Carr made a doco about it as she was taking part in the Perth to Albany vintage car rally at the time so there is a tonne of footage on the doco.

As for sea level snow - Hobart suburbs are at sea level and recieve good falls in winter. In fact they were heavier than usual last winter and my relatives sent me tonnes of photos to show how much fell in their sea level suburban yard.

As for Blue Mountains - certainly not rare - My father lived there for 15 years and in that time he woke to snow on his balconys most days in winter.  Dont know about the Dandenongs as I dont know anyone living there - but a Melbourne friend who lives out by Melb airport got snowfall two winters in a row - last year and the year before.

Feel free to climb anything naked. I have lived in ski resorts in three countries and lived in the snowy mountains and hobart in tasmania - I know snow when I see it - I have also seen more than enough hail in my lifetime to know the difference between the two. Soft flakes anding gently in your hand are very definately snow. 

The Perth snow fall in October 92 (very late Oct from memory - I would have to drag out my diary to find where I wrote about it) was part of a freakish weather pattern that occured - October itself had been quite warm till that cold snap. Susannah Carr made a doco about it as she was taking part in the Perth to Albany vintage car rally at the time so there is a tonne of footage on the doco.

As for sea level snow - Hobart suburbs are at sea level and recieve good falls in winter. In fact they were heavier than usual last winter and my relatives sent me tonnes of photos to show how much fell in their sea level suburban yard.

As for Blue Mountains - certainly not rare - My father lived there for 15 years and in that time he woke to snow on his balconys most days in winter.  Dont know about the Dandenongs as I dont know anyone living there - but a Melbourne friend who lives out by Melb airport got snowfall two winters in a row - last year and the year before.


I was once fascinated with the subject on snow in WA, and I remember sending an e-mail to the Bom (I've also visited the BOM offices in West Perth and asked them about it), they too confirmed the only instance of snow (falling or lying) was the event of 26th June 1956 when snow was reported in the hill suburbs, and as far north as Wongan Hills and as far east as Salmon Gums. They also confirmed the last paragraph of THIS article from the West Australian dated 7/10/92:

http://www.feargod.net/wspics/news-wa19921007.jpg

If you can't be bothered viewing it it says, 'Read the last paragraph: 'The closest Perth came experiencing snow was July 1978. Snow was reported falling
past fifth-floor levels along St Georges Terrace but it did not reach the ground as snow.' This is the official bureau position. It also says that the minimum for Perth that day was 4.9 degrees Celsius. Theoretically, with the right air structure it is possible to snow to fall at 7C, but this is extremely rare and occurs at higher altititudes. It is IMPOSSIBLE for snow to lie at temperatures above 3C. I can guarantee you no snow has ever fallen in the southern portion of the Swan Coastal Plain since European settlement, at least not in my lifetime (and I've lived here my whole life).

http://www.feargod.net/wa-snow2.php

The 6-8 October event saw snowfall in parts of the Southwest such as Katanning, Kojonup, Cranbrook, Borden, Gnowangerup, Arthur River etc., but no snow anywhere near the Perth metropolitan area.

I don't want to write you off totally, so I'm wondering if you have any evidence; i.e. news clippings, etc. I know quite a bit about Perth's meteorological history (but I haven't kept up for so long I forget precise figures), and something as massive as that would definitely have caught my eye. As much as it is a personal dream of mind, I highly doubt the Swan Coastal Plain has seen 'proper' snow falling since the last Ice Age. I also find the 1978 report highly dubious.

As an Australian citizen, what was your opinion of the 35th election on the 11th of July 1987, and do you think it made more or less impact than the 34th and 36th elections on the 1st December 1984 and 24th march 1990?

As an Australian citizen, what was your opinion of the 35th election on the 11th of July 1987, and do you think it made more or less impact than the 34th and 36th elections on the 1st December 1984 and 24th march 1990?


Are you trying to abuse you gratitude? By thoroughly confounding me? Sheesh, that's how I get treated...Honestly mate, I have no clue. Politics was never my forte. All I know was it was the Hawke era.

Are you trying to abuse you gratitude? By thoroughly confounding me? Sheesh, that's how I get treated...Honestly mate, I have no clue. Politics was never my forte. All I know was it was the Hawke era.


Righty-Ho

I just thought it sounded clever  ;D

Righty-Ho

I just thought it sounded clever  ;D


Ok then, smart-arse...name every Monarch of England and the house they belonged to...from memory

How many smidges are there in a dollop...?  ???


Allow me ?  :)

There are 10 smidges to the dollop. 12 (15, on the old scale) equates to a generous  dollop.

Hope that clears it up for you Zed  :D

Allow me ?  :)

There are 10 smidges to the dollop. 12 (15, on the old scale) equates to a generous  dollop.

Hope that clears it up for you Zed  :D


Is a smidge of marmalade equal to a smidge of vegemite ?

I don't want to write you off totally, so I'm wondering if you have any evidence; i.e. news clippings, etc. I know quite a bit about Perth's meteorological history (but I haven't kept up for so long I forget precise figures), and something as massive as that would definitely have caught my eye. As much as it is a personal dream of mind, I highly doubt the Swan Coastal Plain has seen 'proper' snow falling since the last Ice Age. I also find the 1978 report highly dubious.


Write me off all you want. I didnt personally stand on the moon and watch men land on it - but I dont discount that it happened simply because I didnt see it. I have no idea if the "massive event" as you say - personally I referred to it as a "freaky weather day" - was in the papers as I didnt scour them from cover to cover the next day. As I said - Ch9 came and filmed it and did a bit of filming around Scarborough and Susannah Carr included it in her doco about the vintage car rally.

You are not Robinson Cruseo in your dealings with BOM. My work in mine sites meant that I had to speak with them 4 or 5 times a day before allowing men to work in high winds or potential frosts. And guess what - they are fallible and generally happy to admit it.

You need to be careful about statements such as "highly doubt" and highly dubious". They generally suggest that as you werent there you are accusing witness's of lying. I didnt move to Perth until 79 so I personally cant vouch for the 78 fall but I certainly dont accuse my current coworkers, who have told me about what they saw from their office windows, of lying.

Ok then, smart-arse...name every Monarch of England and the house they belonged to...from memory


Hey, this is the "Ask You Anything About Australia" thread, i'm within my rights to refuse to answer  ::)

Hey, this is the "Ask You Anything About Australia" thread, i'm within my rights to refuse to answer  ::)


The Queen is still technically the head of state...

For whoever was asking about horseracing (Loki or Mirror ?) - the Melbourne Cup (flat race) is raced anti clockwise. From memory - most or all Aussie races are anti clockwise. I cant picture any that go clockwise. And our trots and greyhounds also race anticlockwise.




Queensland, ACT and New South Wales race tracks all run clockwise.

Are the Goon Shows stll popular in Australia?

Are the Goon Shows stll popular in Australia?


I'm a bit too young for that...perhaps with the older generation? There's another show called the 'Goodies' I always get confused with the Goons, it was recently released on DVD.

So, how would a Pom/Yank go about becoming an Aussie?

In all seriousness.

I e-mailed the Australian Embassy here in Washington earlier.

I know that the citizenship process is fairly easy for me because I have British citizenship and what not, I assume you lot follow the same sort of commonwealth easy access principals as Canada?

So, what could I expect moving to Oz?

Let me give you some background..

I like cricket, I like Aussie rules (Collingwood fan I'm afraid) and I've played Rugby all my life (since Johnno taught me).
I enjoy my beer, I enjoy my music and I can speak properly  ;)

What can I expect?

Are the Goon Shows stll popular in Australia?


Only inasmuch as a clip is dusted off every so often (maybe once every couple of years) and shown for reminiscent purposes  :)

I like cricket, I like Aussie rules (Collingwood fan I'm afraid) and I've played Rugby all my life (since Johnno taught me).
I enjoy my beer, I enjoy my music and I can speak properly  ;)



You're already an Aussie - whaddya talking about ?  :D ;)

You're already an Aussie - whaddya talking about ?  :D ;)


Doubt i'd have too much of a problem aclimatising.

Having never been down under, I must ask.

Is it like we all hear.

Personality of Britain, Consumer options of America?

Doubt i'd have too much of a problem aclimatising.

Having never been down under, I must ask.

Is it like we all hear.

Personality of Britain, Consumer options of America?


Hmm, yes and no. We have America's shopping malls/strip malls, car-dominated suburbs, and apart from a few major cities pretty poor public transport (but this is changing). We are a bit like a mix between the UK and US culturally, though we have a love-hate relationship with Britain. On one hand we always slag them off, but on the other we've embraced the very English ideals of heavy drinking, hooliganism and Cockney slang.

Hmm, yes and no. We have America's shopping malls/strip malls, car-dominated suburbs, and apart from a few major cities pretty poor public transport (but this is changing). We are a bit like a mix between the UK and US culturally, though we have a love-hate relationship with Britain. On one hand we always slag them off, but on the other we've embraced the very English ideals of heavy drinking, hooliganism and Cockney slang.




I'm a grade A hooligan. Years of experience  ;D

I'm a bit too young for that...perhaps with the older generation? There's another show called the 'Goodies' I always get confused with the Goons, it was recently released on DVD.
It must be a generation thing, but surprized to see the Goodies diong well out there, thanks.

It must be a generation thing, but surprized to see the Goodies diong well out there, thanks.


We LOVE the Goodies ! :D

In fact - we love ALL British comedies :) :) :)

(I think I can safely speak for most Australians  ;) )

We LOVE the Goodies ! :D

In fact - we love ALL British comedies :) :) :)

(I think I can safely speak for most Australians  ;) )
Which explains why Barry Humphries is always on British TV?

Which explains why Barry Humphries is always on British TV?


Barry Humphries is seldom on British TV, don't know what gives you that impression.  ;)

Dame Edna, and to a lesser extent that slovenly infestation of warts known as Sir Les Patterson do...

are the minogue sisters better than the  olsen twins ? 8)

are the minogue sisters better than the  olsen twins ? 8)


Can't really compare them, they're totally different.

Can't really compare them, they're totally different.


Ashley is much better looking than Mary-Kate.

Ashley is much better looking than Mary-Kate.


I think they're my age. Did you also know I share a birthday with the O.C.'s Mischa Barton?  :)

I think they're my age. Did you also know I share a birthday with the O.C.'s Mischa Barton?  :)


Really?  ;)

Really?  ;)


24th of January 1986

I wonder what time she was born? ;

It must be a generation thing, but surprized to see the Goodies diong well out there, thanks.


They just toured here last year - sold out shows everywhere. I couldnt get a ticket in 3 cities so I missed out but was lucky enough to be invited to my local radio station when they sat in for an hour (just Tim and Graham) taking callers questions and I have never laughed so hard.
They actually said the same as you - they had no idea they were still popular down here - but apparently its because the show was never repeated in the UK whereas it was played pretty well constantly here in the 70s and 80s and occassionally in the 90s. Also from memory they said it was shown quite late in the evening in the UK - as a more adut comedy ? whereas down here it was a 6pm staple !! So several generations have grown up on them.

My friend in Melbourne runs conventions and had Tim come down for one a couple of years ago while Graham and Bill appeared via sattellite for Q&A's over the weekend. It went so well that it was then that they decided to bring a stage show back down here.

They just toured here last year - sold out shows everywhere. I couldnt get a ticket in 3 cities so I missed out but was lucky enough to be invited to my local radio station when they sat in for an hour (just Tim and Graham) taking callers questions and I have never laughed so hard.
They actually said the same as you - they had no idea they were still popular down here - but apparently its because the show was never repeated in the UK whereas it was played pretty well constantly here in the 70s and 80s and occassionally in the 90s. Also from memory they said it was shown quite late in the evening in the UK - as a more adut comedy ? whereas down here it was a 6pm staple !! So several generations have grown up on them.

My friend in Melbourne runs conventions and had Tim come down for one a couple of years ago while Graham and Bill appeared via sattellite for Q&A's over the weekend. It went so well that it was then that they decided to bring a stage show back down here.
Bill Oddie does BirdWatch programmes for TV more than comedy now.

Do radio stations and other media outlets in Oz have government regulations requiring them to play a minimum amount of Australian music?

Here in Canada, the government requires that at least 35% of the music played by radio stations each hour be made in Canada. The Canadian music industry probably couldn't exist without this protection.

Do radio stations and other media outlets in Oz have government regulations requiring them to play a minimum amount of Australian music?

Here in Canada, the government requires that at least 35% of the music played by radio stations each hour be made in Canada. The Canadian music industry probably couldn't exist without this protection.


That's seldom a problem, as most stations (even Top 40) try to support local bands...the situation here' s probably different than Canada, which is right next to the giant US music industry.

That's seldom a problem, as most stations (even Top 40) try to support local bands...the situation here' s probably different than Canada, which is right next to the giant US music industry.


So does the Australian government do anything at all to subsidize or support the domestic music industry?

When you consider the number of Australian artists who've made it big internationally, from AC/DC to Savage Garden to the Vines, and take into account the country's population and the fact that it has to compete in the same English language market as the mammoth US music industry, it's pretty staggering that it's been able to accomplish it without any government protection.

So does the Australian government do anything at all to subsidize or support the domestic music industry?

When you consider the number of Australian artists who've made it big internationally, from AC/DC to Savage Garden to the Vines, and take into account the country's population and the fact that it has to compete in the same English language market as the mammoth US music industry, it's pretty staggering that it's been able to accomplish it without any government protection.


Yes, we have a tradition of supporting the Arts. I think the Vic government is one of the best at that. And Aussie bands make it big because of raw talent...we've always been a rich producer of new talent, ever since Dame Nelly Melba...

What's the Melbourne-Syndney difference?

What's the Melbourne-Syndney difference?


Being from neither, I don't have a residents' POV...

BUT...I've visited both numerous times, and know a bit about them. It really depends what you're comparing them on. IMHO, they're both very nice cities with their own traits. To put it in a US context; Sydney is a bit like a cross between LA and San Francisco; big, busy, brash, characterised by its hedonistic, beach-lifestyle, events like the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (one of the biggest anywhere), Aussie Day celebrations, with the backdrop of Sydney Harbour, the Blue Mtns. I think from a natural environment POV, I prefer Sydney; it's just one of the most beautiful cities ANYWHERE.

Melbourne would be more like your Boston or Seattle. Comparatively wet and grey for an Australian city, it has a 'euro' feel to it. A large migration population (particularly from the Mediteranean, but also SE Asia.etc) has made it very cosmopolitan. It has the second-largest Greek community in the world and a large Italian community. AFL (Aussie Rules football) is an obsession here, played at the MCG...In other words, Melbourne is our so-called 'cultural-arts' capital, with arguably the biggest live music scenes in the country.

Melbourne actually used to be bigger than Sydney in population, but Sydney kind of outgrow it after WWII. If you visit, you can't really miss either.

Being from neither, I don't have a residents' POV...

BUT...I've visited both numerous times, and know a bit about them. It really depends what you're comparing them on. IMHO, they're both very nice cities with their own traits. To put it in a US context; Sydney is a bit like a cross between LA and San Francisco; big, busy, brash, characterised by its hedonistic, beach-lifestyle, events like the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (one of the biggest anywhere), Aussie Day celebrations, with the backdrop of Sydney Harbour, the Blue Mtns. I think from a natural environment POV, I prefer Sydney; it's just one of the most beautiful cities ANYWHERE.

Melbourne would be more like your Boston or Seattle. Comparatively wet and grey for an Australian city, it has a 'euro' feel to it. A large migration population (particularly from the Mediteranean, but also SE Asia.etc) has made it very cosmopolitan. It has the second-largest Greek community in the world and a large Italian community. AFL (Aussie Rules football) is an obsession here, played at the MCG...In other words, Melbourne is our so-called 'cultural-arts' capital, with arguably the biggest live music scenes in the country.

Melbourne actually used to be bigger than Sydney in population, but Sydney kind of outgrow it after WWII. If you visit, you can't really miss either.


Sydney sounds sort of like a cross between Manhattan, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Dallas, and Melbourne is a cross between Manhattan, Boston, Seattle, and Rhode Island/Jersey (anywhere very Mediterranean in population but opposite in climate.)

Sydney sounds sort of like a cross between Manhattan, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Dallas, and Melbourne is a cross between Manhattan, Boston, Seattle, and Rhode Island/Jersey (anywhere very Mediterranean in population but opposite in climate.)


The outlook of Sydneysiders is also a bit different. I heard a quote that in Sydney, 'they ask you what your job is, while in Melbourne they ask you what school you went to.' I think that neatly sums it up. Melbourne also has a lot of goth-emo and 'wierdo' people in an artsy way, whereas Sydney has alot of plain wierdos...lol. Though i think there must be a correlation between a city's climate and its residences predeliction for depressing music! I know the grunge-offspot music movement has its roots in Melbourne, whereas Sydney's scene is more orientated around clubbing.

The outlook of Sydneysiders is also a bit different. I heard a quote that in Sydney, 'they ask you what your job is, while in Melbourne they ask you what school you went to.' I think that neatly sums it up. Melbourne also has a lot of goth-emo and 'wierdo' people in an artsy way, whereas Sydney has alot of plain wierdos...lol. Though i think there must be a correlation between a city's climate and its residences predeliction for depressing music! I know the grunge-offspot music movement has its roots in Melbourne, whereas Sydney's scene is more orientated around clubbing.


The American version (I added some of this):

In New York, they ask you "What's your business?"/"What's your yearly salary?"
In Boston, they ask you "What do you think?"/"What school did you go to?"
In Washington DC, they ask you "Who are you allied with?"
In Philadelphia, they ask you "Who were your parents?"
In Jersey, they ask you "Where's the mall and why don't you get out of my face?"
In San Francisco, they ask you "What would you like to drink/smoke?"
In San Diego, they ask you "Where do you exercise?"
In Los Angeles, they ask you "Who did you f*ck?"
In Miami, they ask you "Where do you party?"
In Seattle, they ask you "What books have you read?"
In Detroit, they ask you "What union do you belong to?"/"Where do you cruise?"
In Dallas, they ask you "What church do you go to?"
In Houston, they ask you "Where do you drill?"
In Minneapolis-St. Paul, they ask you "How's your day, my dear friend?"
In Chicago, they ask you "Where are you going, what's your racket, what do you make, and where are you coming from?"
In Atlanta, they ask you "What do you own?"
In Cleveland, they ask you "What ethnicity are you?"
In Orlando, they ask you "Do you believe in Jesus and Mickey Mouse?"
In Phoenix, they ask you "Where do you golf and where do you build malls?"
In Milwaukee, they ask you "Which bar do you go to?"
In New Orleans, they ask you "How may we entertain you/how may you party?"
In Denver, they ask you "Where do you ski?"

The American version (I added some of this):

In New York, they ask you "What's your business?"/"What's your yearly salary?"
In Boston, they ask you "What do you think?"/"What school did you go to?"
In Washington DC, they ask you "Who are you allied with?"
In Philadelphia, they ask you "Who were your parents?"
In Jersey, they ask you "Where's the mall and why don't you get out of my face?"
In San Francisco, they ask you "What would you like to drink/smoke?"
In San Diego, they ask you "Where do you exercise?"
In Los Angeles, they ask you "Who did you f*ck?"
In Miami, they ask you "Where do you party?"
In Seattle, they ask you "What books have you read?"
In Detroit, they ask you "What union do you belong to?"/"Where do you cruise?"
In Dallas, they ask you "What church do you go to?"
In Houston, they ask you "Where do you drill?"
In Minneapolis-St. Paul, they ask you "How's your day, my dear friend?"
In Chicago, they ask you "Where are you going, what's your racket, what do you make, and where are you coming from?"
In Atlanta, they ask you "What do you own?"
In Cleveland, they ask you "What ethnicity are you?"
In Orlando, they ask you "Do you believe in Jesus and Mickey Mouse?"


lol,

In Perth they ask you, 'So, what are you doing out HERE? Why aren't you in the Eastern states where all the action is?'

No, we tend to be a very parochial bunch.

lol,

In Perth they ask you, 'So, what are you doing out HERE? Why aren't you in the Eastern states where all the action is?'

No, we tend to be a very parochial bunch.


What about Aberdeen and Canberra?

What about Aberdeen and Canberra?


Aberdeen? I think you may be getting confused with Scotland.

And I've been to our national capital once...like Washington D.C., it was planned as a national capital, because Sydney and Melbourne couldn't decide between them. I guess it's a nice place.

Aberdeen? I think you may be getting confused with Scotland.

And I've been to our national capital once...like Washington D.C., it was planned as a national capital, because Sydney and Melbourne couldn't decide between them. I guess it's a nice place.


There's no Aberdeen in Australia? Nevermind...I thought there was also an Aberdeen there.

Any other US cities you'd like to hear about?

There's no Aberdeen in Australia? Nevermind...I thought there was also an Aberdeen there.

Any other US cities you'd like to hear about?


Where exactly in New Jersey do you live? Closer to New York or Philadelphia (that's about all I know about that state). Perhaps this should go in your thread, but nevermind. Have you lived in any other parts of the U.S.?

I think I'm still most fascinated with California, and to a lesser extent New York, though don't know if I'd want to live there...

Where exactly in New Jersey do you live? Closer to New York or Philadelphia (that's about all I know about that state). Perhaps this should go in your thread, but nevermind. Have you lived in any other parts of the U.S.?

I think I'm still most fascinated with California, and to a lesser extent New York, though don't know if I'd want to live there...


I live 15 minutes from NYC...the part of Jersey closer to Philadelphia isn't even Jersey, it's New Jersey. No, I haven't.

Do you like vegemite?

What's the Jewish population of Australia like?

Do you like vegemite?


No...and if you've tried it, it tastes as bad as it looks.

Not all of us are Happy little Vegemites...

No...and if you've tried it, it tastes as bad as it looks.

Not all of us are Happy little Vegemites...


;D

As a kid, were you forced to eat it all the time?

What's the Jewish population of Australia like?


Don't exactly know. As the BoS doesn't have any classification for 'Jewish' there are no real accurate statistics, mostly if people say so. But certainly, nowhere as significant as in the United States. I know there's a Jewish school here in Perth (in the suburb of Carmel, which is the nearest we really have to a 'Jewish' suburb). The main ethnic groups here are Italians, Greeks, Croatians, SE Asian; vietnamese, Malaysian, Indian and of course English and Kiwis.

;D

As a kid, were you forced to eat it all the time?


No, thankfully not.

I was more a Nutella kid myself (do you get Nutella over there?)

No, thankfully not.

I was more a Nutella kid myself (do you get Nutella over there?)


;D

Not sure if we get Nutella.  It sounds familiar...

No...and if you've tried it, it tastes as bad as it looks.

Not all of us are Happy little Vegemites...


Vegemite's your version of marmite right?

Virilant stuff, revolting.

Vegemite's your version of marmite right?

Virilant stuff, revolting.
What does Vegemite taste of?

What does Vegemite taste of?


No Idea Philip.

I was going on the assumption that it's similar to marmite, which of course, is the excrement of cerberus.

Don't exactly know. As the BoS doesn't have any classification for 'Jewish' there are no real accurate statistics, mostly if people say so. But certainly, nowhere as significant as in the United States. I know there's a Jewish school here in Perth (in the suburb of Carmel, which is the nearest we really have to a 'Jewish' suburb). The main ethnic groups here are Italians, Greeks, Croatians, SE Asian; vietnamese, Malaysian, Indian and of course English and Kiwis.


We have nutella! For crepes, that is...

I looked this up: There are 150,000 Australian Jews. Many are Holocaust survivors/refugees and new immigrants from the USSR and Russia. Here are some areas where they live:

Inner suburbs of Melbourne-St. Kilda, Caulfield, Elwood, Elsternwick, and Toorak.
Inner suburbs of Sydney-Bondi, Dover Heights, Rose Bay, Vaucluse, St. Ives, Hunter's Hill.

Smaller populations in Perth and the Gold Coast.

Famous Jewish-Australians:

Academic figures
Samuel Alexander, philosopher
Joseph Jacobs, historian & folklorist
Kurt Mahler, mathematician
Robert Manne, academic & social critic
Bernhard Neumann, mathematician
Gustav Nossal, immunologist (Jewish father)
Peter Singer, philosopher

Business figures
Sir Peter Abeles, former chairman of Ansett
Rodney Adler, CEO of doomed HIH Insurance
John Gandel & Marc Besen, founder/owners of Chadstone Shopping Centre and Sussan fashion chain
Joseph Gutnick, mining magnate & ex-President of Melbourne F.C.
Frank Lowy, founder of The Westfield Group
Sidney Myer, founder of Myer department store & philanthropist
Leon & Richard Pratt, founder/owners of Visy Industries
Rene Rivkin, stockbroker
Smorgon family, founder/owners of Smorgon Steel and other businesses
John Saunders, co-founder of The Westfield Group
Harry Triguboff, billionaire, Meriton Apartments

Cultural figures
Claudia Black, actress
Rachel Berger, comedian
Lily Brett, writer
Geraldine Brooks, Pulitzer Prize winning writer
Saskia Burmeister, actress
Judy Cassab, painter
Deborah Conway, singer/songwriter
Andrew Denton, journalist, host of Enough Rope
Isla Fisher, model & actress (converted)
Luke Ford, Los Angeles gossip columnist, journalist, moral leader (converted)
Amelia Frid, former child actress
Renee Geyer, soul singer
Alan Gold, author
Libby Gorr, comedian
David Helfgott, pianist
David Hirschfelder, film composer
Elena Kats-Chernin, composer
Danny Katz, writer/comedian
Tony Krawitz, film maker
Ben Lee, singer/songwriter
Frederick Lee, model/actor
Andrew Lesnie, cinematographer (unconfirmed)
Lior, singer/songwriter
David Malouf, writer (Jewish mother)
Keren Minshell, lead singer of 90's band Euphoria
Isaac Nathan Australia's first composer
Helmut Newton, photographer
Elliot Perlman, writer
Roy Rene, clown
Lara Sacher, actress
John Safran, comedian/documentarian
Harry Seidler, architect
Austen Tayshus, comedian
Simon Tedeschi, pianist
Yidcore's Members (Bram, Myki, Tim and Rory), Jewish Punk Band, from Melbourne, Australia

Political figures
Peter Baume, Liberal cabinet minister, chancellor of ANU
Moss Cass, Labor cabinet minister
Barry Cohen, Labor cabinet minister
Sir Zelman Cowen, Governor General (1977-1982)
Michael Danby, Labor member of the Australian House of Representatives
Marcus Einfeld, Federal Court judge & human rights activist
Sir Isaac Isaacs, Governor General (1931-1936)
Sir John Monash, World War I general
James Wolfensohn, World Bank president
Jeff Kennett, Premier of Victoria (Jewish Grandmother)
Joe Berinson, Labor cabinet minister and Attorney General of Western Australia

Religious figures
Rabbi Raymond Apple, ex-member of the Sydney Beth Din & ex-chief Rabbi of New South Wales.
Rabbi Pinchus Feldman, chief Rabbi of New South Wales and dean of the Yeshiva Centre.
Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner, director of many Chabad operations in Victoria.
Rabbi Chaim Gutnick, late chief Rabbi of Victoria & president of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria.
Mr Abraham Rabinovitch, philanthropist and founder of Sydney's main Orthodox Jewish educational institutions.

Sports figures
Michael Klinger, cricketer
Albert Rosenfeld, rugby league player
Lionel Van Praag, speedway champion

As for the 7 million American Jews such as myself, we are concentrated in the New York-New Jersey area, and additionally have massive populations in Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Cleveland. Though we exist in the middle of nowhere, as indicated by Tubeway General... ;)