soc.culture.australian FAQ (Part 4 of 6) (monthly posting)
Stephen Wales
Archive-name: australian-faq/part4
Last-modified: 2 April 1996
Version: 3.10
PART I (separate posting)
1.About soc.culture.australian
2.How to find Australians, Australian Information
2.1 on the net
2.1.1 Public access sites
2.1.2 Gopher and WWW
2.1.3 Weather
2.1.4 Finding people
2.1.5 Other
2.2 elsewhere
3.Citizenship/Visas/Immigration
3.1 Australian citizenship
3.2 Dual Citizenship of other countries
3.3 Visas
3.3.1 For Foreigners in Australia
3.3.2 For Australians in other Countries
3.4 Immigration
3.4.1 Addresses
3.4.2 Criteria and Points System
3.4.3 Spouse/fiance(e) immigration
3.4.4 Employers sponsoring foreign employees
3.5 Emigrants
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PART II (separate posting)
4.Coming to Australia
4.1 Quarantine
4.2 Standards
4.3 Cars
4.3.1 Car Insurance
4.4 Shipping Information
4.5 Miscellaneous
4.6 Australians Returning Home
5.Studying in Australia
5.1 Overview of Australian Higher Education
5.2 Postgraduate Study
5.3 Miscellaneous Questions
5.4 "Classification" of Australian Universities
5.5 Academic Addresses
5.6 Australian Medical Schools
6.For Australians Overseas
6.1 Radio Australia
6.2 Newspapers:
6.3 Australiana in the USA
6.4 Video Conversion
6.5 Expatriate organisation
6.6 Oz News
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PART III (separate posting)
7.History
7.1 Pre-Europeans
7.2 European Discovery
7.3 European settlement
7.3.1 Penal Colony
7.3.2 Gold Rush
7.3.3 Post WWI Immigration
7.3.4 Miscellaneous
(includes Tasmanian Aborigines)
7.4 Political History
7.4.1 Independence
7.4.2 Aboriginal Voting
7.5 Wars
7.5.1 Boer War
7.5.2 World War I
7.5.3 World War II
7.5.4 Korea, Vietnam and others
7.6 National heroes/Notable Australians
7.7 Miscellaneous
8.Politics
8.1 Political System
8.2 Voting System
8.3 Current governments
8.4 Taxation
8.5 The Independence Debate
8.6 Mabo
8.7 Health Care
8.7.1 Medicare
8.7.2 Medicare Levy
8.7.3 Doctors
8.7.4 Fees
8.7.5 Public Hospitals
8.7.6 Private Hospitals
8.7.7 Aged Care
8.7.8 Skin Cancer
8.8 Economic Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PART IV (this posting)
9.Geography, Natural History
9.1 Geographic information
9.1 Cities and Population
9.2 National Holidays
9.3 Weather
9.4 Flora
9.4.1 Extinct Species
9.5 Fauna
9.5.1 Monotremes
9.5.2 Marsupials
9.5.3 Tasmanian devils and Tasmanian Tigers
9.5.4 Venomous Fauna
9.5.5 Extinct and Endangered Species
9.5.6 Koalas
9.6 National Symbols
9.6.1 Flag
9.6.2 Coat of arms
10.Australian Life
10.1 Housing
10.2 Schooling
10.3 Public Transport
10.4 Roads
10.5 Prices
10.6 Shopping Hours
10.7 Crime
10.8 Sport
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PART V (separate posting)
11.Travel
11.1 Money
11.2 Jet-lag
11.3 Responses to 3 questions
11.4 Travel Reports and Recommendations
11.4.1 A Trip description
11.4.2 Uluru (Ayers Rock)
11.4.3 Places of interest in Tasmania
11.4.4 Accommodation tips to the low budget motorhome traveller (BB)
11.4.5 Adelaide and SA
11.4.6 Touring Australia by Motorcycle [C]
11.4.7 Cheap travel agent [RM]
11.4.8 Places of Interest in Melbourne
11.4.9 Australia from south to north [JO]
11.5 Advice for Australians in ....
11.5.1 United Kingdom
11.5.2 United States
11.5.3 Canada
12.Language
12.1 Australian pronounciation
12.2 Australian spelling
12.3 Australian slang, word origins
12.4 Australian word usage (misc)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PART VI (separate posting)
13.Culture
13.1 Recipes and food
13.1.1 Vegemite
13.1.2 Sweets recipes: anzac biscuits, pavlova, lamingtons,
chocolate crackles
13.1.3 Meat Pies, Damper, Galah, pumpkin soup
13.1.4 Misc
13.2 Songs
13.2.1 "Waltzing Matilda", by Banjo Paterson (3 versions :-)
13.2.2 "Advance Australia Fair", National Anthem
13.2.3 "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda", Eric Bogle
13.2.4 "Tie me kangaroo down" (Rolf Harris)
13.3 Literature
13.3.1 Fiction
13.3.2 Poetry
- "My Country" by Dorothea McKellar
- "The Man From Snowy River" by A.B. (Banjo) Paterson
13.3.3 Children's Literature
13.3.4 Non-Fiction
13.4 Films
13.5 Music
13.5.1 Classical
13.5.2 Pop
13.5.3 Jazz
13.5.4 Other
13.6 Opera
13.7 Ballet
13.8 Theatre
14. Contributors
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A major reorganisation has been done (June 1994) and some sections are
incomplete. Contributions welcome - send to Stephen Wales,
step...@mincom.com.
PART IV
9.GEOGRAPHY, NATURAL HISTORY
9.1 Geographic information
Source for all the following data: Australian Bureau of Statistics 1995
Year Book. n/a = not available.
City, state and territory populations are estimates as at June 1993.
State/Territory Population Capital Population
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUSTRALIA 17 661 468 Canberra 298 600
New South Wales 6 008 578 Sydney 3 719 000
Victoria 4 462 064 Melbourne 3 187 500
Queensland 3 112 597 Brisbane 1 421 700
Western Australia 1 677 616 Perth 1 221 300
South Australia 1 461 721 Adelaide 1 070 200
Tasmania 471 735 Hobart 193 300
Aust. Capital Territory 298 891 Canberra 298 600
Northern Territory 168 266 Darwin 77 400
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXTERNAL TERRITORIES
Norfolk Island 2 000 Kingston n/a
Christmas Island 1 275 Flying Fish Cove n/a
Cocos Islands 586 Bantam n/a
Aust. Antarctic Terr. c. 100 Mawson n/a
Coral Sea Islands Terr. 3 South Willis 3
Heard and McDonald Is. 0 - -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUSTRALIA - AREA, COASTLINE and HIGHEST POINTS
==============================================
State/Territory Area (sq km) Coast (km) Highest Point (m)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUSTRALIA 7 682 300 36 700 Mt Kosciusko (2228)
Western Australia 2 525 500 12 500 Mt Meharry (1251)
Queensland 1 727 200 7 400 Mt Bartle-Frere (1611)
Northern Territory 1 346 200 6 200 Mt Zeil (1510)
South Australia 984 000 3 700 Mt Woodroffe (1440)
New South Wales 801 600 1 900 Mt Kosciusko (2228)
Victoria 227 600 1 800 Mt Bogong (1986)
Tasmania 67 800 3 200 Mt Ossa (1617)
Aust. Capital Territory 2 400 35 Mt Bimberi (1912)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXTERNAL TERRITORIES
Aust. Antarctic Terr. 6 119 800 n/a spot height (4270)
Heard and McDonald Is. 412 102 Mawson Peak (2745)
Christmas Island 135 139 Murray Hill (356)
Norfolk Island 35 32 Mt Bates (319)
Cocos Islands 14 43 Horsburgh (6)
Coral Sea Islands Terr. 3 3095 South Willis (7)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE TERRITORIES
-----------------
Lord Howe Island is administered by New South Wales.
Macquarie Island is administered by Tasmania.
Ashmore and Cartier Islands are administered by the Northern Territory.
Jervis Bay Territory is administered by the Australian Capital Territory.
ORDER OF FOUNDATION
-------------------
The foundation date given for the states is the date of formal proclamation of
the original colony as a self-governing political division in its own right.
For territories, it is the date of proclamation as a Commonwealth territory.
Order State/Territory Foundation Date
----- ----------------------------- -------------------------
1 New South Wales 7 February 1788
2 Tasmania 14 June 1825
3 Western Australia 18 June 1829
4 South Australia 28 December 1836
5 Victoria 1 July 1851
6 Queensland 10 December 1859
7 Northern Territory 1 January 1901
8 Australian Capital Territory 1 January 1911
----- ----------------------------- -------------------------
* Australian deserts [KH]
Desert Location Size (K sq mi) Rank
Sahara N Africa 3300 1
Great Victoria SA-WA 250 5
Great Sandy Sth Broome, WA 150 8
Simpson E of "ther alis" 56 20
Sturt N SA 50 24
Of the 3.3 M mi^2 of "The Sahara" about 30% is occupied by "the Grand
Eng" (i.e. the great sand sea). According to the texts the Simpson is
also a "sand sea" and, from what I've seen of it, "a lot" of it is
comparable. ;-)
To aid comparisons:
State/Country Size (K sq mi)
Vic 88
NSW 309
SA 380
NT 520
Qld 667
WA 975
Texas 267
France 213
U.K. 94
I.e. the deserts of the Great WA Shield (i.e. Great Vic, Gibson and
Great Sandy) that kind-of run together (and I'm not getting down to
the country that runs along the Bite) account for quite a bit of
territory (i.e. 1/2 WA). Of course, "a lot" of it is fairly livable
country. People have been doing this for a few K years. ;-)
Artesian water underpins most of NSW, some of SA, most of NSW and Vic
and some coastal areas WA and NT. The drier climates are located off
of these (e.g. the WA Shield).
For those intending travel around any of the above -- I note that
Winter daytime temps average in excess of 30 C, Summer daytime temps
average in excess of 40 C. Nighttime temps in Summer are around 10 C
and Winter around 0 C. (We are taking a lot of territory into account
here -- the extremes from place-to-place are up to 10 C above/below
these figures).
9.2 National Holidays
(a) General Descriptions.
Australia Day: January 26th (holiday often taken on the nearest Monday
to this date to make a long weekend.) Jan 26th 1788 was the day the
First Fleet arrived in Sydney Harbour to establish European
settlement.
Religious holidays:
Good Friday, Easter Monday, Christmas (Dec 25th), Boxing Day (Dec 26th)
Anzac Day: national holiday, April 25th (if it falls on a Sunday some
states move it to Monday, most don't [JB]?). To remember those who
died serving their country. April 25th, 1915 was the date of the
first landing of ANZACs at Gallipoli.
Other holidays (varies depending on State): New Year's Day (Jan 1st),
- Queen's Birthday (June), Labour Day. Each state also has "Show Day".
(b) Holidays for 1996 [AR]
1 Jan New Year's Day
10 Jan Devonport Cup Day Tas
26 Jan Australia Day
26 Jan Hobart Cup Day S.Tas
13 Feb Royal Hobart Regatta S.Tas
28 Feb Launceston Cup Day N.Tas
4 Mar Eight Hours Day Tas
4 Mar Labour Day WA
12 Mar King Island Show Day Tas
18 Mar Canberra Day ACT
5 Apr Good Friday
6 Apr Easter Saturday Not WA, Vic
8 Apr Easter Monday
9 Apr Bank Holiday
25 Apr Anzac Day
6 May Labour Day Qld
6 May May Day NT
20 May Adelaide Day
3 Jun Foundation Day WA
10 Jun Queen's Birthday Not WA
5 Jul Alice Springs Show Day NT
12 Jul Tennant Creek Show Day NT
19 Jul Katherine Show Day NT
26 Jul Darwin Show Day NT
5 Aug Bank Holiday NSW
5 Aug Picnic Day NT
14 Aug Brisbane Show Day Qld
30 Sep Queen's Birthday WA
4 Oct Burnie Show
7 Oct Labour Day ACT,NSW,SA
10 Oct Launceston Show Day N.Tas
18 Oct Flinders Island Show
24 Oct Hobart Show Day S.Tas
4 Nov Recreation Day N.Tas
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day
26 Dec Proclamation Day SA
9.3 Weather
* Climate Information for each city [JO]
January
Temperature Rainfall
(mean in Celsius) (mean in mm)
____________________________________
Sydney 22 102
Melbourne 20 47
Brisbane 25 164
Adelaide 23 20
Perth 24 8
Hobart 17 48
Darwin 28 409
Canberra 20 60
____________________________________
July
Sydney 12 101
Melbourne 10 48
Brisbane 15 57
Adelaide 11 66
Perth 13 174
Hobart 8 53
Darwin 25 1
Canberra 5 39
Sydney in September October (useful for Sept Sydney 2000)
Quoting from the 'Australian Weather Calendar':[MJ]
September October
av max temp 20.2 22.3
av min temp 9.8 12.8
days > 35C 0 0
days < 2.3C 0 0 (no frosts)
av hrs/day of sunshine 7.8 8.0
av monthly rainfall (mm) 60 76
no of rain days (av) 10 11
[MJ] The following climate data was copied from the Australian Weather
Calendar. If you see a number that is clearly wrong it is because I
mistyped it. Please note that these are statistical averages over
(long) records (more than 100 years for the state capitals). As such
they do not indicate what you may necessarily expect. Much of
Australia has variable weather, particularly the south (e.g. Melbourne
in January has an average maximum temperature of 25.7 but can expect 4
days over 35).
Also note that over the 100+ years of data there have been "cool" and
"warm" decades. Average temperatures for the last 20 years will, for
several cities at least, be a little higher than the figures quoted
here. Finally, the column giving number of days > 35 refers to
maximum temperature, and the column of days < 2.3 refers to the
minimum temperature. This corresponds to an expected number of days
of frost. A "rainday" is any day on which at least a trace (0.1mm) of
rain is recorded in a standard rain gauge.
January
Where av max av min days>35 days<2.3 Sun rainfall raindays
C C # # hrs/day mm #
Adelaide 28.5 16.6 5 0 10.6 20 4
Alice Springs 36.0 21.2 21 0 10.2 35 5
Brisbane 29.1 20.9 0 0 8.3 164 13
Canberra 27.7 12.9 2 0 9.7 58 7
Darwin 31.7 24.8 0 0 5.7 414 21
Hobart 21.5 11.7 0 0 8.0 48 11
Melbourne 25.7 14.0 5 0 8.6 48 8
Perth 31.5 16.7 9 0 10.7 8 3
Port Headland 36.3 25.3 19 0 10.5 56 5
Sydney 26.2 18.4 1 0 7.5 100 11
Townsville 31.2 24.1 1 0 7.8 283 15
Weipa 31.9 23.9 1 0 5.5 448 21
February
Where av max av min days>35 days<2.3 Sun rainfall raindays
C C # # hrs/day mm #
Adelaide 28.5 16.8 4 0 10.3 21 4
Alice Springs 34.9 20.6 16 0 9.9 42 5
Brisbane 29.0 20.8 0 0 7.7 174 14
Canberra 27.0 12.9 1 1 9.3 56 7
Darwin 31.4 24.6 0 0 5.9 349 20
Hobart 21.6 11.9 0 0 7.2 39 9
Melbourne 25.7 14.3 3 0 8.5 47 7
Perth 31.7 17.4 7 0 10.2 14 3
Port Headland 36.2 25.3 17 0 10.2 98 7
Sydney 26.2 18.7 1 0 7.4 111 11
Townsville 30.9 23.8 0 0 7.1 296 16
Weipa 31.4 23.9 0 0 4.8 410 20
March
Where av max av min days>35 days<2.3 Sun rainfall raindays
C C # # hrs/day mm #
Adelaide 26.0 15.2 2 0 8.4 24 5
Alice Springs 32.5 17.4 9 9 9.7 37 3
Brisbane 28.2 19.2 0 0 7.6 142 14
Canberra 24.4 10.7 0 0 7.9 55 7
Darwin 31.8 24.4 0 0 6.7 312 19
Hobart 20.1 10.7 0 0 6.3 47 11
Melbourne 23.8 13.0 1 1 6.8 52 9
Perth 29.5 15.7 4 0 9.1 15 4
Port Headland 36.7 24.4 22 0 9.8 44 4
Sydney 25.2 17.2 0 0 7.0 127 12
Townsville 30.4 22.8 0 0 7.3 212 14
Weipa 31.6 23.5 0 0 5.3 337 20
April
Where av max av min days>35 days<2.3 Sun rainfall raindays
C C # # hrs/day mm #
Adelaide 22.1 12.7 0 0 7.2 44 9
Alice Springs 27.9 12.5 1 0 9.4 14 2
Brisbane 26.4 17.1 0 0 7.4 94 11
Canberra 19.7 6.7 0 4 6.9 52 12
Darwin 32.6 23.9 1 0 8.7 99 9
Hobart 17.2 8.9 0 0 5.2 52 12
Melbourne 20.2 10.6 0 0 5.6 58 12
Perth 25.2 12.7 0 0 7.3 46 8
Port Headland 35.1 21.1 17 0 9.8 22 2
Sydney 22.8 13.9 0 0 6.6 109 11
Townsville 29.4 20.4 0 0 7.7 68 8
Weipa 31.9 22.6 0 0 7.1 112 10
May
Where av max av min days>35 days<2.3 Sun rainfall raindays
C C # # hrs/day mm #
Adelaide 18.6 10.4 0 0 5.3 68 13
Alice Springs 22.9 8.3 0 2 8.4 18 3
Brisbane 23.5 13.8 0 0 6.4 87 11
Canberra 15.2 3.1 0 13 5.5 49 9
Darwin 31.9 22.1 0 0 9.5 21 2
Hobart 14.3 6.9 0 1 4.2 49 14
Melbourne 16.6 8.5 0 1 4.4 58 14
Perth 21.4 10.3 0 0 6.0 108 13
Port Headland 30.3 17.1 2 0 8.9 29 3
Sydney 19.9 10.5 0 0 5.8 98 11
Townsville 27.4 17.5 0 0 7.3 37 6
Weipa 31.5 21.3 0 0 7.5 16 3
June
Where av max av min days>35 days<2.3 Sun rainfall raindays
C C # # hrs/day mm #
Adelaide 15.8 8.5 0 0 4.6 72 15
Alice Springs 19.8 5.2 0 9 8.4 14 3
Brisbane 21.2 11.0 0 0 7.3 76 8
Canberra 12.0 0.9 0 18 5.0 38 9
Darwin 30.5 19.9 0 0 9.9 1 1
Hobart 11.9 5.2 0 4 3.9 56 14
Melbourne 13.9 6.7 0 3 4.0 50 14
Perth 18.7 9.0 0 1 5.0 177 17
Port Headland 27.4 13.9 0 0 8.7 19 3
Sydney 17.4 8.2 0 0 6.1 129 11
Townsville 25.4 14.3 0 0 7.9 22 4
Weipa 30.6 19.6 0 0 7.4 4 1
July
Where av max av min days>35 days<2.3 Sun rainfall raindays
C C # # hrs/day mm #
Adelaide 14.9 7.5 0 0 4.8 67 16
Alice Springs 19.4 4.0 0 12 9.0 15 3
Brisbane 20.6 9.5 0 0 7.5 66 7
Canberra 11.1 -0.2 0 22 5.6 42 10
Darwin 30.4 19.3 0 0 10.0 1 0
Hobart 11.5 4.5 0 6 4.4 54 15
Melbourne 13.3 5.8 0 4 4.5 49 15
Perth 17.6 8.0 0 1 5.4 163 18
Port Headland 26.9 12.0 0 0 9.1 10 2
Sydney 16.8 6.6 0 1 6.6 69 9
Townsville 24.8 13.6 0 0 8.4 15 3
Weipa 30.5 18.9 0 0 7.5 2 1
August
Where av max av min days>35 days<2.3 Sun rainfall raindays
C C # # hrs/day mm #
Adelaide 16.1 8.0 0 0 5.8 62 16
Alice Springs 22.3 6.1 0 7 9.7 11 2
Brisbane 21.7 10.1 0 0 8.5 43 7
Canberra 12.7 1.0 0 19 6.6 48 12
Darwin 31.2 20.6 0 0 10.2 7 1
Hobart 12.9 5.1 0 4 5.0 52 15
Melbourne 14.8 6.5 0 2 5.2 51 16
Perth 18.3 7.9 0 1 6.4 116 16
Port Headland 28.9 13.0 0 0 10.2 4 1
Sydney 18.0 7.7 0 0 7.9 80 10
Townsville 25.9 14.7 0 0 8.3 2 1
Weipa
September
Where av max av min days>35 days<2.3 Sun rainfall raindays
C C # # hrs/day mm #
Adelaide 18.4 9.2 0 0 6.6 51 13
Alice Springs 26.6 9.9 1 1 10.0 9 2
Brisbane 23.8 12.6 0 0 9.1 32 7
Canberra 15.9 3.0 0 13 7.4 51 10
Darwin 32.4 23.1 2 0 9.8 17 2
Hobart 15.0 6.3 0 1 5.9 52 15
Melbourne 17.1 7.8 0 1 5.7 59 15
Perth 20.0 8.8 0 0 7.4 68 13
Port Headland 32.2 15.2 5 0 10.8 1 1
Sydney 20.2 9.8 0 0 7.8 60 10
Townsville 27.5 17.1 0 0 9.5 10 2
Weipa 33.3 20.0 4 0 8.6 6 1
October
Where av max av min days>35 days<2.3 Sun rainfall raindays
C C # # hrs/day mm #
Adelaide 21.3 11.1 0 0 8.4 44 11
Alice Springs 30.8 14.7 7 0 10.0 21 5
Brisbane 25.7 15.7 0 0 8.5 98 10
Canberra 19.2 5.9 0 6 8.7 66 11
Darwin 33.1 25.0 2 0 9.5 71 6
Hobart 16.9 7.7 0 0 6.4 64 16
Melbourne 19.6 9.3 0 0 6.8 68 14
Perth 22.3 10.1 0 0 8.8 48 10
Port Headland 34.5 18.0 15 0 11.5 1 1
Sydney 22.3 12.8 0 0 8.0 76 11
Townsville 29.3 20.5 0 0 9.8 23 5
Weipa 34.8 21.4 15 0 9.2 27 2
November
Where av max av min days>35 days<2.3 Sun rainfall raindays
C C # # hrs/day mm #
Adelaide 24.4 13.1 2 0 9.1 31 8
Alice Springs 33.5 17.8 13 0 10.2 26 5
Brisbane 27.3 18.0 0 0 8.5 95 10
Canberra 22.5 8.5 0 2 9.1 62 10
Darwin 33.1 25.3 2 0 8.4 142 12
Hobart 18.6 9.2 0 0 6.9 55 14
Melbourne 21.8 11.0 1 0 7.4 59 12
Perth 25.4 12.4 1 0 9.9 26 7
Port Headland 36.1 21.1 18 0 11.8 3 1
Sydney 23.9 15.0 1 0 8.1 83 11
Townsville 30.7 22.8 1 0 9.4 53 7
Weipa 34.6 23.2 13 0 9.1 105 8
December
Where av max av min days>35 days<2.3 Sun rainfall raindays
C C # # hrs/day mm #
Adelaide 26.8 15.1 4 0 9.5 26 6
Alice Springs 35.4 20.1 18 0 10.3 37 5
Brisbane 28.8 19.9 0 0 8.7 126 11
Canberra 26.0 11.1 1 0 9.4 53 8
Darwin 32.6 25.3 1 0 7.2 229 16
Hobart 20.2 10.7 0 0 7.3 57 13
Melbourne 24.1 12.7 2 0 8.1 59 11
Perth 28.5 14.6 4 0 10.7 12 4
Port Headland 36.6 23.7 20 0 11.4 19 2
Sydney 25.6 17.2 1 0 8.3 77 10
Townsville 31.4 23.9 1 0 8.9 127 10
Weipa 33.3 23.9 5 0 7.4 253 15
Here's some statistics from "Australia in Brief" from the Commonwealth
Bookshop: [TN] "Weather in Australia's capital" (A rain day is a day
on which rainfall is 0.2 mm or more)
Hours Rain- # of Mean temp Mean temp
sun fall rain hottest coldest
/day days* month month
Adel 7.6 559 122 23.0 11.1
Bris 7.9 1217 123 25.0 15.0
Canb 7.5 629 108 20.3 5.4
Darw 8.5 1669 110 29.2 24.8
Hoba 5.9 628 160 16.5 7.9
Melb 6.3 655 147 19.9 9.5
Pert 7.9 869 119 24.0 13.2
Sydn 6.7 1219 139 22.1 12.0
Online weather information [IC]
It's possible to find out the current weather for any state of
Australia from the Victorian Bureau of Meteorology via telnet.
(telnet://vicbeta.vic.bom.gov.au:55555)
% telnet vicbeta.vic.bom.gov.au 55555
| ************ VIC WEATHER - MAIN MENU ************
|
| 1 = CURRENT MELB FORECAST
| 2 = CURRENT VIC FORECAST
| [...]
| 9 = INTERSTATE FORECASTS .................(menu)
| 10 = INTERSTATE CITIES MET OBS
|
|enter choice => 1
|
|***********************START MELBOURNE FORC*********************
|
| Forecast for Melbourne issued by the Bureau of Meteorology Melbourne
| at 2145 on 21/09/1993 for WEDNESDAY.
|
| CLOUDY PERIODS WITH A FEW SHOWERS. COOL WITH A MODERATE WEST TO
| SOUTHWEST WIND.
ie Typical Melbourne Weather :-) [IC]
| MIN = 8 MAX = 16
|
| OUTLOOK THURSDAY. FINE. MAX = ABOUT 17
| OUTLOOK FRIDAY. FINE. MAX = ABOUT 19
| OUTLOOK SATURDAY. MAINLY FINE. MAX = ABOUT 19
| CURRENT OBSERVED TEMPERATURE (within last hour)
| MELB MELBOURNE CITY 10.5
GOPHER: The Bureau of Meteorology has just set up a Gopher server to
provide forecast information for each state and territory around
Australia. Currently only textual information is available, but we
hope to add charts and satellite images sometime in the future. The
server is known as "babel.ho.bom.gov.au" and should be accessible
through AARNET at the normal Gopher port (i.e port 70). Please note :
This service is initially purely experimental and will not be
supported outside normal office hours. Contact : Justin Baker, Central
Operations and Systems Branch, Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne,
Australia e-mail : jus...@bom.gov.au.
(gopher://babel.ho.bom.gov.au)
* Miscellaneous facts: Temperatures at the coldest place in Australia
plunged to the lowest ever recorded Tuesday night (June 28, 1994).
The temperature at Charlotte's Pass in the Snowy Mountains in the
state of New South Wales dropped to -23C. Australia's previous record
low of -22.2C was measured at Charlotte's Pass July 14, 1945, and
again August 8, 1947. The country's record for the highest shade
temperature still stands after 105 years. This was 53.3 degrees
recorded at the outback town of Cloncurry in Queensland January 16,
1889.
* There is an Ozone FAQ on sci.environment which is more likely to be
correct than what gets periodically posted on s.c.a.!
9.4 Flora
9.4.1 Extinct Species
[PB] The following is an extract from a document on the Environmental
Resources Information Network gopher at ANU. This is only the Extinct
species-the posting would be about four times as long if I also
included endangered and vulnerable species. This is a very long list,
which would probably be longer if there had been more time to document
the species which existed before the start of the industrial
revolution. Many more probably went extinct before we even knew they
existed.
EXTINCT PLANTS
Acacia murrumboensis, Acacia prismifolia, Acacia volubilis,
Acanthocladium dockeri, Acianthus ledwardii, Amphibromus whitei,
Argentipallium spiceri, Argyreia soutteri, Beyeria lepidopetala,
Caladenia atkinsonii, Caladenia pumila, Calothamnus accedens,
Centrolepis caespitosa, Choristemon humilis, Coleanthera virgata,
Deyeuxia drummondii, Deyeuxia lawrencei, Dicrastylis morrisonii,
Didymoglossum exiguum, Diplazium pallidum pallidum, Eriostemon falcatus,
Euphorbia carissoides, Euphrasia arguta, Euphrasia sp. Tamworth
(Rupp s.n. -/9/1904),
Frankenia conferta, Frankenia decurrens, Frankenia parvula,
Glyceria drummondii, Grevillea divaricata, Gyrostemon reticulatus,
Haloragis platycarpa, Hemigenia clotteniana, Hemigenia exilis,
Hemigenia obtusa, Huperzia serrata, Hutchinsia tasmanica,
Hydatella leptogyne, Hymenophyllum lobbii, Hypsela sessiliflora,
Lasiopetalum rotundifolium, Lemmaphyllum accedens, Lepidium drummondii,
Lepidium peregrinum, Leptomeria dielsiana, Leptomeria laxa,
Leucopogon cryptanthus, Leucopogon marginatus, Lycopodium volubile,
Marsdenia araujacea, Menkea draboides, Musa fitzalanii,
Nemcia lehmannii, Oberonia attenuata, Olearia oliganthema,
Opercularia acolytantha, Ozothamnus selaginoides, Persoonia prostrata,
Phlegmatospermum drummondii, Pimelea spinescens pubiflora,
Platysace dissecta,
Plectrachne bromoides, Prasophyllum subbisectum, Prostanthera albohirta,
Pseudanthus nematophorus, Ptilotus fasciculatus, Ptilotus pyramidatus,
Rapanea sp. Richmond River (J.H. Maiden & J.L. Boorman NSW 26751),
Scaevola attenuata, Scaevola macrophylla,
Schoenus natans, Senecio georgianus, Stylidium merrallii,
Stylidium neglectum, Tetraria australiensis, Tetratheca elliptica,
Tetratheca fasciculata, Thomasia gardneri, Trachymene scapigera,
Trianthema cypseloides
9.5 Fauna
[AT] Australia's plants and wildlife are very different to any other
continent. This stems from Australia's long isolation and the climatic
conditions during this isolation. Australia's isolation began as
Gondwanaland began to break up a 150 million years ago. Up to about 60
million years ago a journey was possible Australia to South America
through Antartica. Then came a period of almost complete isolation as
Australia. drifted north. In the last 10 million years a sea journey
from Asia has became easier but even the island hopping of very recent
immigrants like man would have involved a sea journey of at least 50km.
9.5.1 The Monotremes
[AT] The most remarkable of Australia's Gondwanan passengers are the
Platypus and echidnas. These are egg-laying mammals known as the
monotremes. Female monotremes incubate their eggs for 1-2 weeks.
After hatching the young depend on milk secreted by their mother for
3-5 months. Monotremes occur only in Australian and New Guinea.
[RG] The Echidna is a small termite eating monotreme. The Echidna's
back is covered with spines (a similar defense system to the
porcupine, though the two animals are not related). It's short legs
are adapted for digging - the forelegs for digging into termite
mounds, and the hind legs for digging into the ground. The animal's
defense is to quickly bury itself while raising the spines. Very few
predators are capable of attacking the Echidna (though I believe
Dingos have managed to). The Echidna is one of the world's two
monotremes (the other of which is the Platypus) which are the only egg
laying mammals. It's species name is Tachyglossus Aculeatus. Many
people in Australia mistakenly call them "porcupines", though a more
correct colloquial name for them is the Spiny Anteater.
[AT] To be picky there actually two species of Echidna and hence 3
extant monotreme species. The Long-Beaked Echidna (Zachyglossus
bruini I think) is found in Papua New-Guinea. The Short-Beaked
Echidna is found in both PNG and Australia. Both species have been
split in the past. Echidnas also eat ants and occur in areas without
termites but not in areas without ants (but maybe there are no areas
with termites but no ants).
Like the Platypus, Echidnas possess receptor capable of detecting
minute electrical currents. The Platypus presumably uses them for
detecting the nerve impulses of prey. Its not obvious how the
Echidnas' receptors are useful. One suggestion is that they allow
detection of trace concentrations of gases associated with termite
colonies when the gases dissolve on the Echidna's snout and produce
minute electrical currents.
Also remarkable is the diversity of habitats Short-Beaked Echidnas
occupy. Everything from the arid interior to alpine areas of the Snowy
Mountains. In the last 2-3 years researchers have monitored Echidnas
in the Kosciusko high country through the winter and found their
temperature regulation more complex than previously thought. In the
past it was suggested monotremes had primitive temperature regulation
because they maintain a lower temperature than placentals and it
fluctuates more. Clearly its not that simple and their temperature
regulation may be as well-adapted as many placental mammals.
9.5.2 Marsupials
Marsupials are another group of mammals distinguished by their method of
reproduction. Their young are born at very early stage and crawl to
their mothers nipple where remain attached as they grow. Often these
nipples a protected by a fold of skin forming a pouch. This is
well-developed in the kangaroos where the young remain in this pouch for
up to 9 months and for some time after that occasionally return to the
pouch. In some marsupials pouches are temporary and lost after
breeding, other marsupials have no pouches at all. The pouches of
wombats and Koalas face the rear.
A few species of possum occur in North America and a larger number in
South America otherwise marsupials are restricted to Australia and a few
islands north of Australia. They are known from fossils in Europe,
Africa and Asia.
Globally most mammals fall into a third group called the placental
mammals (or eutherians). Apart from marine mammals, the only placental
mammals native to Australia are bats and rodents. Even so they make up
almost half our mammal species.
One group of rodents seems to have made a long sea journey from Asia at
least 5 million years ago and has adapted considerably to Australia
conditions. Other rodents have arrived from Asia more recently. A
recently discovered bat fossil, apparently the oldest known anywhere,
indicates bats were present in Australia much longer than previously
thought and may have been present in Australia before it became isolated.
Marsupials are sometimes described as more primitive than placental
mammals. This is the result of Eurocentric bias causing differences to
be perceived inferiorities. Neither reproductive method is consistently
superior to the other.
Many thought that Australia's marsupial diversity results from isolation
protecting them from placental mammal competition. A recent discovery
of a placental tooth disproves this, showing terrestrial placental
mammals reached Australia before it became isolated but did not persist.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket in Brisbane has Kangaroos
in an enclosure that will willing eat out of the palm of your hand.
You may also find some at Alma Park Zoo in Narangba, north of Brisbane
(to quote the TV commercials - Take the Bruce Highway north and follow
the signs.)
See the separate section below for Koala information.
9.5.3 Tasmanian devils and Tasmanian Tigers [KB]
The Tasmanian Devil population is relatively large and is on the
whole very healthy. There is some problem with a heartworm type
parasite which has (of course) originated from introduced
species. The government authority is aware of this and are
maintaining close watch and quarantine on infected groups. It
shouldn't be too great a problem. Tasmanian Devils are a quasi
animal emblem some suggest ambassador for the state so any threat
to their survival is taken very seriously.
A bit about the TD, they do hunt, even climb trees, but generally
prefer to consume carrion aka dead wallabies, livestock, etc.
The TD species appears to one of the few natives that actually
have thrived and increased in population with the arrival of
European man. Especially now we have a brutally efficient means
of producing carrion aka the motor vehicle which leaves plenty of
road kill for the devils. We also have the tendency to aggregate
large numbers of live food such as hens and sheep for the devils
to maraud occasionally.
Historically the devils used to follow the now extinct Tasmanian
Tiger. Looked much more like a large dog actually.The TT was a
notoriously inefficient hunter which just used to lay in wait for
prey and lunge onto them as they passed, normally only managing
to wound them and then tracking the animal until it was so weak
from blood loss etc that it was able to be slaughtered. It is
suggested that the TT would then feed off its kill until the
devils arrived on masse and drove it away. Consequently when
European man arrived with their sheep the TT soon adapted to this
new abundant and tractable food source and got a reputation for
killing livestock. In my opinion the new settlers own dogs were
much more likely to have killed most of the livestock, they still
do. As history will show the government of the day reacted to the
hysteria about the TT and offered a sizable bounty for each TT
scalp. The last known TT died in captivity in 1933.
[AT]
Two large marsupial carnivores found their last refuge in Tasmania. The
Thylacine and the Tasmanian Devil disappeared from mainland Australia
within the last few thousand years probably because of competition with
the Dingo after it was brought to Australia by man. The Dingo never
reached Tasmania.
The Thylacine's similarity to a large dog is why it was sometimes called
the Tasmanian Wolf, its stripes led to it also being called the Tasmania
Tiger. Its main prey are thought to have been kangaroos and wallabies.
Alleged predation on sheep led to a long campaign government-funded
persecution but its rapid decline at the start of this century may have
been also caused by disease. The last known Thylacine died in Hobart
Zoo in the 1930s. Unsubstantiated sighting still occur, including on
the mainland but many believe the Thylacine is extinct.
The Tasmanian Devil is much smaller - roughly similar in body shape to a
Corgi. Its prey ranges from invertebrates to mammals larger than
itself. It prefers carrion which its powerful jaws are well adapted to
consuming. Tasmanian Devils are not endangered. They occur throughout
Tasmania perhaps in larger numbers than when Europeans arrived.
9.5.4 Venomous Fauna
Australia's array of venomous fauna is unmatched by any other country.
They are *not* a serious concern for tourists.
Red-Back Spider, more commonly known in the U.S. as a Black Widow; it
is found all over Australia.
The Box Jellyfish or Sea Wasp (Chironex sp.). The most dangerous
jellyfishes. Sting produces excruciating pain, respiratory distress,
cardiovascular effects and sometimes death. Over 70 deaths known. An
antivenom is available but if death occurs it is usually within 10
minutes. Occurs in shallow coastal waters of northern Australia from
November to April. Does not affect Great Barrier Reef resort areas.
Blue-ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena sp.). The most dangerous octopuses.
Shy inhabitants of reefs and tidal pools. If handled may bite producing
rapid painless paralysis, breathing difficulties and sometimes death
through suffocation within minutes. Death unlikely if artificial
respiration supplied. Few deaths known but likely some undiagnosed.
Inland Taipan/Fierce Snake (Oxyuranus microlepidotus). Probably most
venomous bite of any land snake. Found in remote arid areas of inland
Australia. Average bite injects sufficient venom to kill over 100,000
mice. Three bites known but no fatalities. Another ~20 Australian land
snakes are capable of causing death but fatalities uncommon since
antivenoms became widely available. About 20 sea snakes found in
Australian waters are also capable of causing death but bites rare as
they are normally only encountered by divers and fishermen.
Funnel Web Spider (Atrax sp). Some of the the most dangerous spiders.
Species occur in variety of habitats around Australia. Sydney Funnel
Webs are common in some Sydney suburbs. Since the availability of
antivenom fatalities rare. A number of other Australian spiders are
dangerous.
Stonefish (Synanceja sp. ) Probably most venomous fish. Well
camouflaged inhabitant of northern Australian reefs. If stepped on
dorsal spines inject venom causing immense pain. Death unusual but
symptoms are extreme and long lasting. Antivenom available but hot
water produces great relief of symptoms. Many other Australian fish
possess venomous spines but only a few approach the Stonefishes in
potency. For most species stings are unlikely unless handled.
Cone Shells (Conus sp.) Most dangerous molluscs. Attractive inhabitant
mainly of water. Predatory molluscs which can if handled inject a venom
with neuromuscular toxin. Few Australian fatalities.
Trapdoor Spider
Not deadly but can still give a nasty bite
Tree Funnel-Web
Another member of the Sydney variety's Atrax family which can be
found in northern NSW and Qld, but usually only in rainforests)
Bird-Eating Spider
Another relative of the funnel-web, and potentially just as
deadly
Others:
Red Bellied Black Snake
Brown Snakes
Death Adder
Important note for people overseas: There are effective antivenines for
all the dangerous poisonous land creatures in Australia. The Black Widow in
the US is more dangerous than the Red-Back Spider because there is no
reliable anti-venine in the US. To my knowledge, the only really
dangerous poisonous creature here for which there is no specific
anti-venine is the Clarence-river Tiger Snake, which can be effectively
treated with normal Tiger Snake anti-venine anyway.
Other Dangerous sea-creatures: Sea Snakes, Sharks, Box Jelly Fish.
Some things to note about the snakes above: The sea-snake has very
short fangs - in fact 5mm wetsuits are effective protection (provided
the snake tries to bite the wetsuit! ;). Of the land snakes, the most
dangerous is the Taipan, since it will attack unprovoked. I have seen
all of the snakes above except for the sea snake, and they were all in
more of a hurry to get out of my way than I was to get out of theirs!
I believe in terms of toxicity, the daddy-long-legs spider has a venom
more dangerous than the funnel-web, but doesn't have the fangs or
quantity to actually be dangerous to large animals.
Can anyone remember a serious attack recently? The thing with all
poisonous creatures is to treat them with the respect they deserve and
give them a wide berth. Try killing a Taipan with a shovel and you are
asking for trouble - they can strike across a distance of at least two
metres. If you're not sure what kind of spider or snake it is, assume
it *is* dangerous, and avoid it anyway.
Only one snake has ever looked like it was going to strike at me - a
small-eyed snake, which as it turns out is not dangerous. But when it
did - you should have seen me levitate backwards out of it's way! 8^)
Once when walking with a friend in Lamington National Park, she
suddenly stopped. I walked up and said "What's the problem?". She
pointed a quivering finger at a snake a few metres away. "Snake!" she
said. "Oh, sure. It's a Tiger Snake,"I replied. "You didn't *have*
to tell me that!"she said... *laughter* The snake in question was
sunning itself in a patch of sun, and was fast asleep, digesting a
meal. I doubt it knew we were there. Spiders and snakes are just
more of nature's beautiful creatures - treat them with respect and
they're not a problem.
9.5.5 Extinct and Endangered Species
The last two hundred years have been disastrous for Australia's mammals
with perhaps as many as 18 species becoming extinct (the status of
several is uncertain). This is far worse than any other continent. 50
or more years latter it is hard to be certain of the exact causes but
for 16 of the 18 species most think the primary cause was one or more of
three introduced species: cats, rabbits and foxes. Grazing by domestic
stock may also have affected some species. For the Thylacine and the
Toolache Wallaby extinction came more directly from hunting.
Many more mammals exist now only as small declining populations or
survive only on tiny offshore islands. Saving these species will
present great difficulties.
Australia's plants are the other group to have suffered badly in the
last 200 years. Around 100 species seem to have become extinct and
another 200 of Australia's 20,00 plants are endangered. A further 3,000
species are placed in the less serious categories of rare, vulnerable or
threatened. Many plant communities are not adequately conserved.
Australia's birds have fared better. Only one species has been
lost from mainland Australia - the Paradise Parrot. Island species
have fared worse with a number of species lost from Norfolk and
Lord Howe islands. Emu species found only on Kangaroo Island and
King Island have also been lost.
EXTINCT FISH
nil
EXTINCT AMPHIBIANS
nil
EXTINCT REPTILES
nil
EXTINCT BIRDS
Aplonis fusca Norfolk Island Starling
Columba vitiensis godmanae Lord Howe Pigeon
Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae erythrotis Macquarie Island Parakeet
Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae subflavescens Lord Howe Parakeet
Dasyornis broadbenti littoralis South-western Rufous Bristlebird
Dromaius baudinianus Kangaroo Island Emu
Dromaius minor Dwarf Emu/King Island Emu
Drymodes superciliaris colcloughi Roper River Scrub-robin
Gerygone insularis Lord Howe Warbler
Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae spadicea New Zealand Pigeon (Norfolk Island Race)
Lalage leucopyga leucopyga Norfolk Island Long-tailed Triller
Nestor productus Norfolk Island Kaka
Ninox novaeseelandiae albaria Lord Howe Boobook Owl
Notornis alba White Gallinule
Psephotus pulcherrimus Paradise Parrot
Rallus pectoralis clelandi Lewin's Water Rail (western race)
Rallus philippensis maquariensis Macquarie Island Rail
Rhipidura cervina Lord Howe Fantail
Turdus xanthopus vinitinctus Lord Howe Island Vinous-tinted Thrush
Zosterops strenua Robust White-eye
EXTINCT MAMMALS
Caloprymnus campestris Desert Rat-kangaroo
Chaeropus ecaudatus Pig-footed Bandicoot
Conilurus albipes White-footed Rabbit-rat
Lagorchestes asomatus Central Hare-wallaby
Lagorchestes leporides Eastern Hare-wallaby
Leporillus apicalis Lesser Stick-nest Rat
Macropus greyi Toolache Wallaby
Macrotis leucura Lesser Bilby
Notomys amplus Short-tailed Hopping-mouse
Notomys longicaudatus Long-tailed Hopping-mouse
Notomys macrotis Big-eared Hopping-mouse
Notomys mordax Darling Downs Hopping-mouse
Onychogalea lunata Crescent Nailtail Wallaby
Potorous platyops Broad-faced Potoroo
Potorous tridactylus gilberti Gilbert's Potoroo
Pseudomys fieldi Alice Springs Mouse
Pseudomys gouldii Gould's Mouse
Pteropus brunneus Percy Island Flying Fox
Rattus macleari Christmas Island Rat
Rattus nativitatus Christmas Island Rat
Thylacinus cynocephalus Thylacine
9.5.6 Koalas
There are moves to eliminate the handling of captive Koalas but visitors
who must pet a Koala may wish to try the places below. Call beforehand
to check.
- Sydney, New South Wales: The Australian Wildlife Park (outside
Sydney). 830-9187. (In USA: 800-423-2880).
- Melbourne, Victoria: Phillip Island Animal Park (two hours
east of Melbourne).
- Brisbane, Queensland: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (Fig Tree Pocket);
Bunya Park (in Brisbane).
- Brisbane, Queensland: Gondwana Sanctuary at Southbank in Brisbane also
allows you to hold koalas and be photographed by them.
- Canberra, ACT: Rehwinkel's Animal Park about 20 mins drive north of
Canberra (can pet kangaroos and wallabies ? koalas)
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, about 30 minutes south of Canberra,
viewing only but of semi-wild koalas in a natural setting.
- Adelaide, South Australia: Cleland Wildlife Reserve (near Mt. Lofty).
61-8-339-2444. Fax 61-8-370-9623. Cudlee Creek Wildlife Park (Cudlee
Creek, in the hills outside Adelaide).
- Perth, West Australia: Cohunu Wildlife Park in Caversham, WA, just
outside Perth
9.6 National Symbols
9.6.1 Flag
In vexillogical terms, the Australian flag is a defaced blue ensign.
In the upper hoist (top left corner) is the Union Flag (ie the flag of
the United Kingdom). On the fly (right) of the flag, are 5 white
stars, representing the Southern Cross, a constellation of stars
generally only visible in the southern hemisphere. Each of these
stars has 7 points except for the smallest star which has only five.
Directly below the Union Flag is a large 7 pointed white star called
the Federation Star, representing the federation of the colonies of
Australia in 1901 to become an independent nation of the British
Commonwealth. There is one point for each of the six states, and one
to represent all of Australia's internal and external territories.
The length:height ratio of the flag is 2:1.
* History of the Australian Flag
Australia's national flag was chosen from a national flag competition
held in 1901. Initially started by a Melbourne newspaper, the
competition was taken up by the new Federal Government, and it
attracted 32 823 entries. Although not a part of the official entry
rules, the judges proscribed that the design *must* contain the Union
Flag. The winning design was in fact shared by five people who
submitted almost identical entries. Australia's first Prime Minister,
Edmund Barton, announced the winning design in Melbourne on 3
September 1901. The design had a mixed reception and caused much
controversy at the time.
The original design was as described above, except the Federation Star
contained only 6 points and the Southern Cross was represented by
stars ranging from 5 to 9 points to indicate their relative apparent
brightness in the night sky. The design was modified to the current
design on 22 May 1909, but in fact the flag did *not* have official
sanction as Australia's national flag, and wasn't always flown as
such, until the Flags Act of 1953 was passed by the Menzies
Government.
There is some agitation to change the current design to one that does
not include the Union Flag in view of Australia's changing
relationship with Britain.
[BJ] The main organisation advancing the case for a new Australian
flag is Ausflag. Ausflag is an apolitical, non-profit organisation
seeking to promote high quality debate about Australia's national
symbols.
Ausflag was established in 1981 by Harold Scruby and other interested
Australians with the objective of securing the popular support of the
Australian people for the adoption of a truly Australian flag.
Ausflag has an excellent World Wide Web site at:
This site provides detailed, accurate information about Australian flags of
the past and present and many proposed designs for a new Australian flag.
9.6.2 Coat of arms
[BJ] The Australian Coat of Arms shows a kangaroo (left) and an emu
(right) holding a shield that contains the six state badges (left to
right on first row: NSW, Vic and Qld, below are SA, WA and Tas).
Underneath the shield is a spray of Golden Wattle blossoms,
Australia's floral emblem. Above the shield is the seven pointed
federation star.
9.7 Miscellaneous
For anyone chasing facts and figures about Australia I would recommend
The Book Of Australia Almanac, "The essential information book on
everything Australian". (524 pages) My copy is the 1991-92 Ed. which
cost me $2 at a sale in Melbourne, so I assume that there is a later
edition out now. Published by Hodder & Stoughton, 10-16 South St,
Rydalmere, NSW, 2116 [JN]
* Relative sizes of countries. Before the breakup of the USSR, the
order was: USSR (by far the biggest, more than twice the size of any
other country), then Canada, China, USA (inc. Alaska), Brazil and
Australia, making Australia number 6 in area. That Brazil was slightly
bigger than Oz was a bit of a surprise to me. I haven't seen the
stats for Russia, but given that in round figures it was something
like 22 for the USSR to 9 for Canada, the order seems unlikely to have
changed. [JH]
* Time Zones. Australia has three basic time zones; Eastern Central
Time (EST) (NSW, Vic, Qld, Tas) GMT+10, Central (SA, NT) GMT+9 1/2,
and the west coast GMT+8. NSW, SA, Vic, Tas, ACT put their clocks
forward an hour for "Daylight Savings" over the summer. (WA, Qld, and
the NT do not. [SW] Queensland had a referendum for Daylight Saving
in 1990 after a trial summer the year before. Due largely to the
country vote, the referendum failed by something like 53%/47%.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
10.AUSTRALIAN LIFE
10.1 Housing
* Housing in Melbourne [miscellaneous contributors]
There are several kinds of things that you can rent: a unit, an
apartment, a townhouse and a house. An apartment usually refers to a
dwelling in a multi-story structure. There is no garden to maintain.
There are more of apartments closer to the city. A unit is a dwelling
in a single-story structure that is usually connected to its
neighbouring units. There will usually be 3--6 units in a block. 2
bedroom versions of units are the most common starting at about $120
pw. 3 bedroom varieties are available but I do not know the price (I'd
guess about $150 pw). You can find units all over the city. You might
have a small area of garden to look after. A townhouse is like a
unit, but free-standing (ie not connected to neighbouring town houses)
and may be a two-story building. I think that the rent is similar to
the unit. You might have a small area of garden to look after. I
think that you know what a house is. Houses in Melbourne are commonly
either weatherboard or brick veneer. No basement. No attic. 3 bedroom
and 4 bedroom versions are commonly available for rent.
Most areas in the north-western, eastern or south-eastern areas, within
about 10km of the CBD would be suitable. Rent would probably be about
A$200 a week depending on the location. You could expect a 3 bedroom
house on a reasonable block (quarter acre or bit smaller), with a
decent sized backyard. 3 bedroom apartments are uncommon in
Melbourne.
Most of the northern and western suburbs are in general perfectly
safe, but are traditionally poorer areas and the quality of housing is
not good. Some of them (esp. Carlton) have been gentrified and are
now very beautiful, but be careful. There has been a large scale
movement back into the city centres in Australia over the last 20
years, so that the poorer and less safe areas are now generally in the
outer suburbs. I believe this is different from the US situation, but
it does mean you can have both a nice place to live and a reasonable
commute.
Melbourne has been assessed as the worlds most livable city. You will
not find the crime that you would be used to in Jersey or the crime
that is present in Sydney. One of the nicer things about Melbourne is
that there's almost nowhere which is genuinely unsavoury to live.
Parts of the city are unsightly and much is visually uninteresting.
The prettier areas are northeast and east. Southeast gets you the
beaches and west and north is cheaper and more industrial.
There are not really any areas which compare to the slum/ghetto areas
of large US cities. However, of course some areas are "better" than
others. Very generally, the south east, and eastern suburbs are more
middle class. The further out you are, the cheaper housing gets. The
really posh areas are Toorak, Brighton. The northern and western
suburbs are more low-middle and working class. Plus there are some
inner city areas that used to be working class but are now pretty
yuppified (Carlton, Fitzroy). Find somewhere close to a train or tram
line if you are going to commute to the city centre.
* Housing in Sydney [BJ]
Sydney is a big place. It's population is about 3.7 million,
depending on where you stop counting. It spreads in every direction
from the CBD (Central Business District) until the sea or mountains
stop it. Sydney has about 950 suburbs and 40 local government areas
("Councils"), 15 of which are cities in their own right. Sydney also
has the highest population density in Australia. Most dwellings
within a 10 km radius of the city centre are apartments, terrace
houses, or townhouses, with a smattering of semis (semi-detached
houses) and detached houses (on blocks of land that would be
considered tiny in other Australian cities) depending upon the suburb.
However, Sydney is generally clean and green, with lots of trees and
parks to compensate.
Outer suburbs and newer suburbs usually consist exclusively of
detached housing, but it is now State Government policy to enforce
higher density housing to contain the urban sprawl, which now sees
Sydney's outer suburbs a 60 kilometre drive from the city centre.
Sydney has by far the most expensive housing in Australia. Luxury
homes with city and/or harbour views easily command multi-million
dollar price tags to purchase, or cost thousands of dollars a *week*
to rent. Sydneysiders are obsessed with views and will pay to get
them. The average price of a 3 bedroom house in Sydney is about
A$230,000, the average price of a 2 bedroom apartment is about
A$160,000, but the variation is enormous depending upon style and
location. The typical rent is *approximately* 1/1000th of the value
of the dwelling per week.
Sydney's suburbs are generally classified by "area", going clockwise
from the city centre, in the following way:
- Inner City (CBD, Kings Cross, Pyrmont, Ultimo, Surry Hills)
- Eastern (Paddington to Vaucluse and Waverley)
- South Eastern (Kensington to Malabar)
- Southern (Rockdale to Sutherland and Cronulla)
- South Western (Canterbury, Bankstown, Liverpool, Campbelltown)
- Inner West (Glebe and Marrickville to Ashfield)
- West (Croydon to Parramatta)
- Far West (Blacktown to Penrith)
- Blue Mountains (Emu Plains to Katoomba)
- North West (Blacktown to Windsor)
- The Hills (Pennant Hills, Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill)
- Far North (Asquith to Brooklyn)
- Upper North Shore (Lindfield to Hornsby)
- Mid North Shore (St Leonards to Chatswood)
- Lower North Shore (Longueville to Mosman)
- Northern Beaches (Manly to Narrabeen)
- Peninsula (Mona Vale to Palm Beach)
Unlike many American cities, the suburbs closer to the City are
*generally* considered to be more desirable, and those further away,
less desirable, but this is by no means true in all cases. There is
no widespread inner-city decay in Sydney, in fact it tends to be the
reverse, with many people lovingly restoring old inner city terrace
houses, or moving into expensive new apartment complexes complete with
swimming pools, squash courts and gymnasiums.
Sydney has a large number of Manhattan style residential towers (some
up to 50 floors) in its city centre, unlike Melbourne, which has
virtually none. It is common for companies repatriating staff to
Australia for extended stays to arrange long term rent of these
apartments, or rent one for two weeks to enable that person to find
their own place to rent after arriving.
The Eastern Suburbs are considered the most prestigious, with City and
Harbour views, closely followed by the rival Northern Suburbs (the
"new money" Lower North Shore, and "old money" Upper North Shore).
Expect to pay big dollars in these areas to buy or rent. To make life
complicated, there are prestigious areas within otherwise unremarkable
suburbs. For example, a small part of Strathfield is very prestigious
and houses there command twice the price of other houses less than a
kilometre away.
This geographical snobbery in Sydney is far stronger than in any other
Australian city. It may not be overt, but it is an undercurrent in
many people's thoughts. Some in the Eastern Suburbs never dare cross
the harbour to visit the rival Northern Suburbs or vice versa. Some
think all the cultural unwashed live west of Ashfield. People who
live in the West hate being stereotyped by the snobs in the East and
North.
Surfies live on the northern beaches, trendies live in the Inner City,
the evangelists live in The Hills, and many suburbs noted for their
high concentration of one particular ethnic culture, whether true or
imagined (South Africans in St Ives, Chinese in Haymarket and
Chatswood, Vietnamese in Cabramatta, Arabs in Lakemba, Italians in
Leichhardt, etc etc). Sydney is a real patch-work quilt.
* Canberra [TN]
Housing is getting expensive in Canberra. A median house price
(probably 3-4 bedrooms, ensuite, 2 car garage, 0.2 acres) is about
$160,000, and rents for say $180-200 per week. That is second only to
Sydney. However, the medan house price is somewhat misleading as the
standard of the houses is not directly comparable city to city.
You probably get much more for your money in Canberra than most other
cities, and the housing is newer.
Canberra is organised as a group of towns, where each town has a town
centre, with shopping malls, offices, service districts (specialist
shops, car yards, mechanics etc). The city is very attractive, well
layed-out, nice parklands, lots of space. The surrounding mountains
and bush are peaceful and beautiful, and it is only a 10-15 minute
drive from the city to be in genuine bushland. Lots of virgin forest
and mountains for outdoor enthusiasts, rivers and lakes for canoeing
and fishing.
It's about 1-1.5 hours drive to the coast, and there is some nice
coastline. Bateman's Bay is the closest and is therefore a bit
overcrowded with Canberrans. A bit further north or south (say 50km)
gets you to some quiet beaches. Good camping there too. A lot of
Canberrans own beach houses. Sydney is 300 km away on mostly freeway,
close enough for an easy weekend trip.
Jobs tend to be with the government or universities/CSIRO, or
companies that supply these directly or indirectly. There is a
growing private sector, which has little to do with government.
Culture: some good restaurants if you ask around (as anywhere). At
least one twin art cinema, plus three or four other cinemas. More of
the touring cultural events visit Canberra than you would expect
because the population (approx 350,000?) is relatively well off and
educated. There is a lot of additional culture because it is the
national capital, such as the Australian National Gallery, National
Library, etc. However, Canberra is not like Sydney or Melbourne in
terms of choice or frequency of cultural events, or venues.
Canberra has two universities, Aust National Uni and Canberra Uni.
10.2 Schooling
Schools are Prep,1-6 (primary) and 7-12 (secondary or high school),
except
- in WA, where primary school is years 1 to 7, and secondary school is
years 8 to 12. [AW];
- in Qld where there is no equivalent to Prep unless you send your
kids to Kindergarten / Pre-School (optional), and primary ranges from
1-7, Secondary is 8-12.
- in Catholic Schools in SA:prep-5 junior, 6-9 middle 10-12/13 senior.
This is often internal and many parish primary schools extend up to
year 7 for the parents who want to send their kids to a state school
for high school. [KW]
Attending school is compulsory until the age of 16.
The school year goes from the end of January or first part of Feb.
until the middle of December. There are school holidays between each
term. The school year has 4 terms (3 in Tasmania) with a week off at
Easter, 2 weeks in July (winter), 2 weeks at the end of Sept. or first
of October.
Most schools have uniforms - public and private.
[KW] In South Australia whilst all schools have uniforms State,
schools do not and cannot make it compulsory to wear them. My
understanding of other states is that it is the same there. What will
often happen however is that kids are encouraged to wear the colours
of the uniform. Most wear the correct colours but never the actual
uniform, with the exception is that many girls do wear their summer
uniform. With private school, you either wear it or don't come to
school anymore!!
* State vs Private
The majority of australian children attend State schools. No actual
figures, but it appears the number of children attending private
schools is on the increase. One person thought this was leading to the
closing down of many state schools, however this may also be due to
falling overall enrollment due to lower birthrates.
Private schools fall into different categories. The majority of
private schools are Catholic, and often do not cost much, being
subsidised by the church. The others are called "Independent" schools,
which usually means they have affiliations with some protestant
religion. The top independent schools are very expensive and very
prestigious, but there are a range of independent school with less
prestige and less expensive.
Geelong Grammar, where Prince Charles went for a year, is known as the
Eton of Australia.
Parents send their children to private schools for a number of
reasons: parents perceive they will get a better education; there will
be more discipline; children are more likely to get into the "top"
courses at university (Law, Medicine, Economics/Commerce); religious
education; better teachers.
It is true that private schools can and do suspend or expel students,
whereas this is almost impossible from a State school, because the
government is obligated to educate everyone up to the age of 16. As
to the other factors, some research has shown that the overriding
predictor of educational success for a child is the parents' social
class and their education aspirations for the child. It has also been
shown that tertiary students from State high schools do better at
University than students with similar entrance marks.
A common perception is that anyone who afford it will send their child
to a private school, but there are actually many people who believe in
State education (my parents, for example [AN]).
* Completing High School
Each state has a different system for completing high school and
university entrance, and many states have changed the system in recent
years.
Victoria's old HSC has been replaced by the VCE (Victorian Certificate
of Education), done over years 11 and 12. Students are required to do
English, Australian Studies and a certain number of other units. Each
unit is assessed internally by CATs (Common Assessment Tasks). [Are
they going to bring back external exams? AN].
In South Australia it is still called Matriculation but is very
different to the old external exam system. The new system involves
splitting topics into uni entrance and non-uni entrance. Eg Chem is
uni entrance but typing isn't. I think you get two years to do it and
then in year 13 can repeat some topics if you like to improve the
grade. To get into uni you must take at least 5 uni entrance topics.
If you take more the best 5 are taken to give your entrance score.
The marks are out of 20 so you get an entrance score out of 100. This
is not the whole picture by far but it is what the kids applying for
uni must do. [KW]
[SW] Queensland had the dubious TE (Tertiary Entrance) Score until the
late 80's/early 90's when it was replaced by the Student Profile. As I
understand it, both systems are under a shroud of mystery as to exactly
how they work.
[Any recent high school grad's or secondary teachers care to comment ?]
10.3 Public Transport
* Melbourne
Public transport isn't great. If you work in the city and live near a
train, tram or bus line, it is OK for commuting. You will probably
want a car for shopping etc. The central suburbs of Melbourne
(including most of the above) are serviced by trams. These are a
cheap and effective way of getting to work. Trains also service the
entire metropolitan area, _but_ the lines radiate into the central
city.
* Sydney [BJ]
By Australian standards the public transport in Sydney is excellent.
By international standards, it's probably pretty average.
By far the largest people mover is the electric train system. A quite
extensive network of lines criss-crosses the City and outlying areas,
with approximately 290 railway stations (10 underground) and 1700
kilometres of tracks. The system only goes underground in the CBD and
Eastern Suburbs. Nearly one million passenger trips are made each
day. The only areas not served by trains are the Northern
Beaches/Peninsula (although plans are being considered to remedy this)
and the Northwest.
The trains are generally frequent (2-10 min at peak times), on time,
clean and fast. If you live near a train station it is certainly the
easiest way to go to the city. Driving into the city is actively
discouraged with extremely high parking fees, up to A$40 per day.
Trains are moderately effective for going from suburb to suburb. A
variety of single/return trip, periodical and regional tickets are
available.
The train system used to run 24 hours a day until 1988, when 1-4 am
services were replaced by buses (ostensibly as a safety measure, but
really a cost- cutting one). The State Government runs a fast and
frequent bus service in areas without trains, or as connecting
services to train stations. Timetables are usually coordinated. Some
services run 24 hours a day. Again, many types of tickets are
available. For infrequent travellers, the "TravelTen" ticket (a
no-expiry-date ten trip card) is the best value. In the outer
suburbs, the only bus services are privately run and fairly expensive.
Most people will drive their car to a railway station and park in the
commuter car parks instead.
Probably the most pleasant way imaginable to travel to work is by
ferry. Harbourside suburbs are well served with regular State
Government run ferries and connecting bus routes. The Manly ferry
trip is internationally known. New services have been recently
introduced to serve suburbs further up the harbour with high speed
catamaran type ferries ('JetCats'). JetCats also run to Manly.
Finally, Sydney has a 4 kilometre, 7 station Monorail loop running
between Darling Harbour and the City. The majority of users are
tourists, with the rest commuters, mostly using it as a shuttle
between their company sponsored parking spaces at Darling Harbour and
the City.
A railway line to the airport is under construction also.
[TT] Getting around in Sydney if there for at least a week is easy
with the colour-coded TravelPass. There are various prices, depending
on the area you want to cover (and sometimes whether you want buses
or trains) but I always find that the Green travelPass covers
just about everything a tourist would want to see. It is valid for a
week, starting the day you buy it and costs about A$25 and covers
all trains, buses and ferries in the area bounded by Chatswood,
Lidcombe, Pittwater, Epping, Kogarah (including all Eastern Suburbs).
Does not include Manly Hydrofoil or Airport express bus or monorail
but just about everything else. *Really* convenient, too.
* Brisbane [SW]
Queensland Rail has a fast efficient suburban train system. Services
generally run from 5am till midnight with half hourly services during
non peak periods that go to 10-15 minutes apart during peak. There
are 7 main 'lines', 4 to the north and 3 to the south/southwest. At
least 90% of the suburban trains are air-conditioned electric trains.
There are still a few diesel hauled. Basically all trains travel
through the three inner city stations covering Fortitude Valley,
Central (Central Downtown) and Roma Street (Northern Downtown).
Trains are usually on time. Safety on the trains during daylight
hours is almost guaranteed. Even at night it's pretty good (I've
never felt threatened) but there are security guards roaming the
trains randomly at night).
Brisbane City Council also operates a pretty good bus service.
Train/Bus connections can get you almost anywhere.
* [Other contributions? AN]
10.4 Roads
* Sydney [BJ]
Roads in Sydney are a mixed bag. Some are atrociously potholed or
rough, simply buckling under the sheer pounding of thousands of cars
and trucks each day. Others (such as the new privately run Tollways)
are extremely smooth, fast, and beautifully landscaped (some call them
'yuppieways').
There are seven main arterial links in Sydney called "Metroroads".
These roads follow a freeway or tollway if there is one, or the
largest main route (usually 6 lanes) if there isn't. They are
excellently signposted and the route number is indicated by a single
digit in a white hexagon.
There are five radial links into the city centre, namely Metroroads
1,2,4 and 5. M1 runs from north to south and goes right through the
CBD (actually through the Harbour Tunnel), and so forms a link in each
direction. There are also two ring links (Metroroads 3 and 7), with
M3 at a radius of about 10 km from the CBD, and M7 about 20 km. M6
doesn't exist yet.
Away from the Metroroads are State Roads. These are main roads that
form feeders to the Metroroads, are usually at least 4 lanes, and are
also generally well signposted. Route numbers are indicated by a 2 or
3 digit number in a blue shield.
Away from State Roads, you're in suburban territory. Signposting is
optional. Take your street directory.
* Canberra [TN]
Canberra has very good schools, roads, services etc. Your day to day
life is without many of the hassles of bigger cities. The traffic is
light (except for peak 10-minutes, rather than peak-hour), and most
main roads are devoted to being roads, and don't have houses, shops
etc on them (this makes it safer for bicyclists and motorcycles).
This can make Canberra look empty to the uninitiated.
10.5 Prices [1993]
These are averages, and there are significant variations.
1 litre of Milk $1
1 loaf of bread $1.25
1 kilo of minced [Ground] Beef $5
1 pair of Levis' 501s $70
1 one trip intracity bus ticket $2
1 monthly bus pass $60
the daily paper $0.60
the cheapest brand new Toyota Corolla $17000
1 five year old smaller Japanese car
with 80000 KM on it $7000
1 museum pass $6
one month's rent on a 2 bedroom apartment:
VERY location-dependent, ranging from $300 to $1500, average ~= $800.
Assuming petrol is at 72c/l, and an exchange rate of US$ -> AUS$ of
$0.66, this puts a petrol cost of $1.72/gallon. (that is US$ and US
gallons). [IS]
[JM] Last week [Sept 93] a newspaper article appeared describing a
survey of the cost of living in a number of countries. It appeared to
be aimed at companies trying to establish a suitable living allowance
for their employees when posted overseas. The survey indicates that
Australia is the cheapest of a sample of ten countries. I have
reproduced the results published below:
Mar 92 Mar 93
====== ======
Japan 234.60 271.70
Russia 170.10 189.90
Sweden 199.30 167.10
China 140.10 150.30
Germany 138.00 146.40
Singapore 129.10 138.30
Hong Kong 127.50 136.00
USA 107.70 114.70
UK 122.90 110.10
Australia 100.00 100.00
(I suspect the figures have been normalised to show Australia at $100
in each case. This removes the effects of inflation in Australia -
which is low anyway - and currency fluctuations of the Australian
dollar against the others.)
The survey is based on a basket of goods including food, stamps,
laundry, cinema tickets, hair styling, clothing, electrical goods,
restaurant meals and drinks at a bar. It excludes mortgages and cars.
I don't know if it includes rent, but it is possible to rent 3 bedroom
houses in the Melbourne suburbs for about $150/week. (In relatively
good, but not expensive or inner suburban areas. However, it depends
on what you are looking for, a "quality executive" style home will
cost you considerably more.)
The survey was prepared by Employment Conditions Abroad. The local
spokesman is a Dr. Peter Rogers of Pacific Personnel. (Phone 03 - 329
8352, fax 03 - 328 3489) I suspect they are a consulting company and
the full report will cost you a fair bit.
* A note on costs in Sydney
[HG] From "The Sydney Morning herald" (reproduced without permission) Sep 94.
"Sydney cheap for food, dearer for transport" - Sydney citizens slave for 11
minutes to earn enough money to buy a kilogram of their daily bread, while the
residents of Caracas toil for two hours for the same sustenance.
"Prices and Earning Around the Globe", the Union Bank of Switzerland's latest
analysis of international purchasing power, contains many comparisons to make
Sydneysiders puff with pride. But other statistics will leave them envious of
greener grass.
The bank analysed prices, wages and working hours in 53 cities around the world
in the second quarter of this year and updated its international economic
indicator - the Big Mac index.
It takes 26 minutes for a Sydney worker to earn enough money to buy a Big Mac
and a large serving of French fries. To save for this save repast, a worker in
Chicago need only work for 14 minutes while a Londoner must labour for 36
minutes. But to afford this Mac meal in the Nigerian capital of Lagos, an
average wage-earner would have to work for 11 hours.
Sydney was the 12th cheapest city for overall food prices. A range of 39 food
and beverage items which cost $354.30 in Sydney was $1,268.46 in Tokyo.
For prices excluding rents, Sydney was only the 32nd most expensive city
surveyed. Tokyo was the most expensive followed by Lagos (mostly because of
high inflation and a currency pegged to the US dollar), Oslo, Zurich, Geneva,
Copenhagen and Singapore.
The cities with the lowest cost of living were Johannesburg, Budapest, Caracas,
Bombay, Prague and Nairobi.
Workers in Switzerland, Denmark and Japan earned the most in gross hourly
wages, with Sydney's employees 23rd on that list. Sydney secretaries earned
$28,939.22 gross per annum, more than their counterparts in London ($24,882.32)
and Toronto ($23,665.25). But a Genevan secretary earned $60,583.
It is not only the secretaries who are well-paid in Switzerland. The average
gross annual income of Sydney's bus drivers, $21,636.80, compares with $63,693
for Genevan bus drivers. But it was favourable in comparison with the
$14,875.30 earned by those in Singapore.
For passengers, it cost $2.40 to take public transport 10 kilometres or 10
stops in Sydney while New Yorkers only paid $1.70. The same trip cost $4.11 in
Copenhagen.
Those who preferred to drive paid $19,878.81 for a popular four-door car in
Sydney while the average American paid $17.444.67. But spare a thought for
drivers in Singapore, who paid $74,106.04 for a Mitsubishi Lancer because of
high taxes aimed at curbing traffic.
Monthly rent for a medium-priced three-room flat averaged $581 in Sydney while
New Yorkers paid $1256 and Hong Kong residents paid $1,540. Johannesburg
landlords only expected $230 each month.
And for fashion victims, a medium-priced selection of women's clothes - dress,
jacket, skirt and shoes - cost Japanese women $2,582.89 while their Sydney
sisters faced a retail therapy bill of $581.49. The same look cost only $486.83
in Los Angeles and $459.78 in London.
10.6 Shopping Hours
* Sydney [BJ]
City and Suburban shopping centres:
Mon-Wed 0900-1700
Thu 0900-2100
Fri 0900-1800
Sat 0800-1700
Sun 1000-1600
Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Darling Harbour:
Mon-Sat 1000-2100
Sun 1000-1800
Closed Christmas Day.
Kings Cross:
Mon-Sun 24 hours
In addition, many supermarkets (Coles, Woolworths, Food Plus) and fast
food chains such as McDonalds have 24 hour outlets in various
locations.
* Brisbane
Mon - Wed : 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Thu : 8:30 am - 9:00 pm Suburbs
8:30 am - 5:30 pm Inner City
Fri : 8:30 am - 5:30 pm Suburbs
8:30 am - 9:00 pm Inner City
Sat : 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sun : Closed
Some locations (e.g. Queen Street Mall) are partially open on Sunday.
10.7 Crime
* Sydney [BJ]
The crime in Sydney is often overstated. Yes, there are parts in
which it is unwise to walk alone at night. On the other hand,
allegedly dangerous areas like Kings Cross are often quite safe
because it is always crowded 24 hours a day and heavily patrolled by
Police on foot. Just don't start a fist fight there :-) Overall,
Sydney is really a very safe city for its size if you use your common
sense and avoid obvious dangers. At night, travel with someone else
if you are unsure, or at least look like you're *not* unsure if alone.
On trains, sit in populated carriages near the Guards Carriage
(indicated by a blue light on the side) if you're worried. Transit
Police patrol trains and this has greatly increased safety at night.
Sydney also has a chapter of the NYC "Guardian Angels" riding
nighttime trains. At train stations at night, wait in the well lit
striped areas of the platform. Major stations have 24 hour video
surveillance and large red "Emergency Help" buttons on the platforms
that immediately summons the Police should you be in trouble.
Sydney's nighttime trains are 4 carriages long, but now they lock the
first 2, so you have to sit near the guard. They've painted "Night
Safe Area" on the platforms where the unlocked carriages stop. [RA]
Buses are generally safe at any hour, and incidents on Ferries and the
Monorail are rare.
Always lock you car when leaving it, even at a petrol station, and
never leave *anything* on view in the car that isn't bolted down or
welded to it. Especially do not leave anything valuable, a wallet,
handbag, or spare change on view. Cars are broken into for $2 or an
umbrella (really - it happened to my wife!). Also, don't leave a
Street Directory on the seat. It looks like you're visiting an
unfamiliar area, and hence will be away from your car for some time.
10.8 Sport
* Australian Rules Football
This is the main football code played in Vic, SA, WA and Tasmania.
The Australian Football League consists of 10 teams based in
Melbourne, plus Geelong, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. (It was
established a few years ago from an expanded VFL.) Fixtures, results,
statistics and match reports are available from
rec.sport.football.australian. Pre-season night competition begins the
end of February. Main season is end of March to August, with finals
series in September. West Coast won in 1992, Essendon won the flag in
1993. The latest winner (1995) was Carlton, defeating ?????? by 59 points.
There is a competition of about 8 women's teams in Melbourne, but the
sport does not seem to be growing.
(If it isn't obvious, Melbourne is the home of this "sport".
Melbourne's winter football mania is one great reason NOT to be there
in winter! [CP, who probably still has cleat marks on his back from
his school days] :-P.)
* Rugby League/Rugby Union
The main football codes in NSW and Qld are RL/RU. Rugby League is the
professional sport (reigning premiers are the Cantebury Bulldogs, who
beat Manly 24-4 this year), rugby union is still "amateur".
Australia won the Rugby League World Cup in October 1995 for the 5th time
running, beating England ??-??
Rec.sport.rugby.union contains some postings about rugby union in
Australia (though is dominated by discussion of the rugby union 5 nations
competition and the World Cup).
Rec.sport.rugby.league contains some information about rugby league
in Australia (much in the same vein....).
[MJ] Australian scores are generally posted weekly to r.s.r.l.
There is also a WWW site (British, but it has Australian information)
at http://www.brad.ac.uk/~cgrussel/
For the 1995 season, the current 16 team format is expanding to 20
teams. The 4 expansions teams are the Auckland (NZ) Warriors,
Queensland Crushers (could be South Queensland, not sure), the North
Queensland Cowboys (based in Townsville and the Western Reds from Perth.
The draw is becoming a Conference style draw like the NFL in the US.
The 1996 season has been torn asunder by the rival Super League.
As far as I know, it's a 10 team competition that has split from the
ARL and is sponsored by Rupert Murdock's News limited.
[If you have information on ARL v SL, send it on in.]
Women's rugby in Australia is still in it's infancy (we did not send a
team to either the 1991 or 1994 World Cups), but in 1994 the rugby
union championship was held for the 3rd year, and the number of
Australian teams competing increased from 4 to 14, plus one from NZ.
Christchurch beat the ACT in the final 13-5. The first test between NZ
and Australia will take place in September 1994.
[SW] Rugby League is played by girls up to age 12 or 13 in both
schools and weekend competition in mixed teams with boys. I believe
that after that age they are no longer allowed to play mixed.
However, I did see an article on Wide World of Sports on Channel 9 in
August 1993 depicting a Rugby League for Women Grand Final out of
Sydney.
* Cricket
The most widespread summer sport is cricket. Australia plays regulars
Tests against England (for the Ashes), NZ, India, the West Indies,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and now that they have been re-admitted to the
fold, South Africa. Each summer there are two touring teams which
play in a 3-way One-Day series. The state competition is for the
Sheffield Shield (4-day matches), which is only semi-professional.
(Qld has never won this :-). Many men and boys play club cricket on
the weekends (usually Saturday).
Women's cricket has been established quite a long time (first Test
versus England in 1934) but continues to be a minority sport for
women. There are about 100 club sides in Melbourne. The Australian
women's team is the best in the world; I believe there has even been
some TV coverage of Test and/or One-day cricket recently.
Note: live commentary of cricket matches is available via IRC
(Internet relay chat). It is available on the channel #cricket and
people discuss the match on #crickettalk. Information on this is
posted regularly to rec.sport.cricket. There is a cricket information
service, called CricInfo, available on gopher - access it by :
gopher://cricinfo.cse.ogi.edu:7070/
* Baseball
There is the ABL (Australian Baseball League). It is only 3-5 years
old. There are 8 teams - Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, 2 from
Melbourne, Adelaide, Waverley and Perth. The season consists of 14
games of regular season played in January and February of each year.
The Brisbane Bandits won the competition in 1994. [SW]
* Basketball
NBL consists of 14 teams (although Hobart Tassie Devils might not
play in 1994 because of financial problems). Season is usually
from March/April until September. Each team is only allowed 2
imports (i.e. non Australian citizens). NBL was created in the
late 70's and has expanded since then, with several of the
original teams either leaving or being renamed/relocated. [SW]
* Athletics
* Horse Racing
Is everywhere. Traditionally Australians love to gamble. The Melbourne
Cup is the biggest race of the year. There is a holiday for it in
Melbourne. For a few minutes on the Tuesday after the first Monday in
November the whole country stops to listen (supposedly). Work place
sweeps proliferate. Phar Lap, which won the Melbourne Cup in 1930, is
a national hero, and his stuffed body may be seen in the Melbourne
museum.
* Netball
There are over 1/2 million registered netball players in Australia, so
it is by far the most popular women's sport.
* Softball
Is the most popular women's summer sport.
* Soccer
[contributions? AN]
* Other Sports.
Field hockey is very popular for both men and women, and we do well in
International competition. Many people play squash. Other sports
played include badminton, volleyball, table tennis, yachting, rowing,
swimming, cycling... [any more? AN]
--
| | | | | | Stephen Wales | Internet: step...@mincom.com
|M|I|N|C|O|M Denver, Colorado, U.S.A. | No employer opinion included