Intro to Australia

Geography & culture…

A small island off the coast of Hawaii?!?!

About the same size as the US48 states

• Largest island in the world

• Only continent that is a single country

• Population 22 million (pop of Texas 25m)

• Don’t forget Tasmania!

An Ancient Land

Convicts and colonists

Democracy

• Commonwealth of Australia formed in 1901• No civil war• Parliamentary democracy• Federal elections every 3 years• Compulsory voting• Current Prime Minister – Julia Gillard• Head of State – Queen of England

Urban lifestyle

Sydney (4.5 million)

Melbourne (4 million)

Brisbane (2 million)

Perth (1.7 million)

Urban lifestyle

Our Flag

• Union Jack• Southern Cross• Federation Star• A new flag in the future?

Sporting Nation

Arts Alive

Values & Language…

What makes an Aussie an Aussie?

• Egalitarianism – Fair go, mate!• Multiculturalism• Mateship• The Aussie Battler• Convict pride• Aussie lingo….

All you need for a day at the beach:

• cozzies• sunnies• esky• lollies• thongs

Don’t Come the Raw Prawn with Me

We Say….

• Barbie & snags• Captain Cook• Chuck a U-ey• Dag / Drongo• Fair Dinkum• Spit the Dummy• Ye big galah

You Say…

• Barbeque & sausages• Take a look• Make a U-turn• Jerk / Moron• True, genuine• Lose your temper• You fool!

School in Australia…

No such thing as Middle School• Primary school (Grades K-6)• High school (Grades 7-12)• Some states have Snr College (Grades 11-12)• School year runs late Jan to early Dec• 4 semesters with holidays (break) in between• Uniforms are compulsory in most public schools• 2 outside breaks a day – recess & lunchtime• Tuck shop but no cafeteria• No Hat No Play rule in primary school!