Beautiful Sydney Harbour a short Story

 

Once upon a time, in the heart of Australia's stunning city of Sydney, there lay a harbor that was truly a sight to behold. Sydney Harbour, with its shimmering blue waters, majestic Sydney Opera House, and iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, was a gem that sparkled in the sunlight and captivated the hearts of all who beheld its beauty.

In the early morning, as the first rays of the sun painted the sky with hues of pink and orange, a young girl named Mia set out on a solo adventure. Mia lived in a small apartment near the harbor and had always been enchanted by its allure. Today, she had a special plan in mind - to explore the harbor on her kayak.

With her kayak in tow, Mia made her way to the harbor's edge. She carefully launched her vessel onto the calm waters and began to paddle away, marveling at the breathtaking panorama that unfolded before her. The Sydney Opera House, with its unique sail-like design, stood proud against the skyline, while the Sydney Harbour Bridge arched gracefully across the harbor, connecting the city's bustling central business district with the picturesque North Shore.

As Mia paddled along, she couldn't resist the temptation to get closer to the Opera House. She navigated her kayak through the tranquil coves and inlets, gliding past luxurious yachts and quaint waterfront cafes. The air was filled with the salty scent of the sea, and the gentle lapping of the water against her kayak was like a soothing lullaby.

Mia's adventurous spirit led her to explore every nook and cranny of the harbor. She paddled past secluded beaches with golden sand and crystal-clear water, where she spotted colorful fish and even a curious seal that popped its head out of the water to say hello. She marveled at the lush green islands that dotted the harbor, some of them housing historic lighthouses that guided ships safely into the harbor for centuries.

As the day went on, Mia made her way under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, looking up in awe at its massive steel structure that seemed to touch the sky. She felt a sense of triumph as she paddled beneath it, marveling at the engineering marvel that was an integral part of Sydney's identity.

As the sun began to set, Mia reluctantly turned her kayak back towards the shore. She was tired but elated, knowing that she had experienced something truly magical. She returned to the harbor's edge just as the city lights started to twinkle, casting a golden glow on the water. She sat on the sandy beach, gazing out at the harbor one last time, feeling grateful for the beauty and wonder of Sydney Harbour that she had been privileged to experience.

As she made her way back home, Mia carried with her memories that would last a lifetime. She had witnessed the charm and grandeur of Sydney Harbour up close, and it had left an indelible mark on her heart. She knew that she would return to the harbor again and again, to continue her adventures and bask in the timeless beauty of this jewel of Australia's crown - Sydney Harbour.

Aboriginal Hunters Short story

Deep in the heart of Australia, a group of Aboriginal people journeyed through the vast, red desert. They had been walking for days, in search of native foods and wildlife that would sustain them and their families. The sun beat down on their faces, and the sand swirled around their feet, but they persevered.

The group was led by an elder named Yirara, who knew the desert like the back of his hand. He had taught the younger generations how to read the land and find food and water sources. He pointed to a distant hill and signaled to the group to follow him.

As they approached the hill, they saw a small group of kangaroos grazing in the distance. Yirara signaled to the group to stop and wait for his command. The kangaroos were their main source of meat, and it was important not to scare them off.

Yirara led a small group of hunters forward, using the terrain to their advantage. They stalked the kangaroos, careful not to alert them. Suddenly, Yirara signaled for the hunters to pounce. They threw their spears, and three kangaroos fell to the ground.

The group rejoiced, knowing that they would have meat to sustain them for the next few days. They skinned and butchered the animals, taking only what they needed and leaving the rest for the other animals of the desert.

As they continued their journey, the group spotted a small water source. Yirara knew that this would be a good place to rest and replenish their supplies. They set up camp, using the resources of the land to build shelter and start a fire.

Over the next few days, the group explored the surrounding area, finding native fruits and berries to add to their diet. They also hunted for other animals, such as emus and goannas, to supplement their food supply.

As the days passed, the group grew stronger and more united. They knew that their survival depended on their ability to read the land and work together. They continued on their journey, knowing that there were more challenges to come, but also knowing that they had the knowledge and skills to overcome them.

Mullet Haircut

Eric Bana

“Business at the front, party at the back” was the mantra for the crowd of Australians sporting a mullet haircut at an inaugural festival.

Random Bloke

More than 150 people showcasing the hairstyle popular in the 1970s and 80s flocked to a small town north of Sydney called Kurri Kurri, swishing their locks and parading their chops to cheering fans.

“It’s amazing what’s out there and Australia is the capital of the world for mullets.(Mmmm deadheat with possibly Alabama in the U.S.)

Yeeeeeeeeh Haaaa!!!!!

Captain Cook

Captain James Cook was born, 1728-1779, in Marton, Cleveland about 30 miles from the town of Whitby. An adventurer and navigator in the Royal Navy, Cook is best known as an explorer and most notably for reaching the south-eastern coast of the Australian continent on 19 April 1770 where his expedition became the first recorded Europeans to have encountered the Australian Eastern coastline.

Cook's early life and childhood was spent in the villages of Marton and later Great Ayton, as one of the five surviving children of a Scottish farm labourer, also named James Cook, and his Yorkshire born wife Grace Pace. The school at which the young Cook attended in Great Ayton is now a small museum. In 1741 Cook began to work for his father as a farm labourer but in 1745 at the age of 16 Cook moved to the coastal village of Staithes to work as an assistant in a grocery shop. This move gave Cook his first glimpse and experience of the sea which would prove to be so central to his future successes. The post did not last and his employer, aware of Cook's enthusiasm for life on the ocean and his determination to go to sea, took him to Whitby where he was introduced to the Walker family (Captain John & Captain Henry Walker - who independently owned ships); Quaker ship owners engaged in the coal trade between the North-East and London. Captain John Walker's ships traded between London and the North and it was on this route that Cook began his sailing career on board the Freelove carrying coal to London in 1747. He stayed with Captain John Walker, having positions on various ships and voyages from October 1746 to June 1755 (approximately 9 years later) when he was offered command of his own ship. By this point, however, Cook had decided to leave the relative safety of Whitby and at the beginning of The Seven Years War with France he volunteered with the Royal Navy on board HMS Eagle. After 2 years he joined HMS Pembroke where he first witnessed the ravaging effects of scurvy whilst crossing the Atlantic Ocean. In 1762, having risen to the rank of Master, Cook married Elizabeth Batts of Shadwell, 13 years his junior. He went on to be present at the captures of Louisburg and of Quebec, and, after the Seven Years War was over, he charted the coasts of Newfoundland. He was shuttling across the Atlantic every year, and that is when he insisted on best navy practice with regard to diet and the prevention of scurvy.








The routes of Captain James Cook's voyages. The first voyage is shown in red, second voyage in green, and third voyage in blue. The route of Cook's crew following his death is shown as a dashed blue line



Cooks' skills, dedication and intellectual reputation eventually brought him to the notice of the Royal Society which led to his appointment to lead HM Bark Endeavour in her epic voyage to the Pacific. Her mission was to carry Admiralty and members of the Royal Society to observe the transit of Venus from Tahiti and to explore the possibility of the existence of a Great Southern Continent. As a Whitby-built collier, solid and flat-bottomed and thus easy to beach and repair, the Endeavour was familiar to Cook and he took command, as lieutenant, on what was to carve the way for a two further monumental voyages. Each voyage not only furthered Cook's impressive career but were also pivotal in furthering scientific understanding and exploration. 

The first voyage (during which Cook circumnavigated and charted New Zealand) with HMS Endeavour and second and third on board HMS Resolution HMS Resolution saw Cook become the first man to circumnavigate the globe in both directions, from east to west then west to east respectively, and the publication of his personal journals gained him higher reputation still within the scientific community. His first voyage established the charting of the east coast of Australia and the entire coast of New Zealand, and the second, dispelling the notion of a Great Southern Continent, sailed south to Antarctica, achieving the first Antarctic Circle crossing in 1773.

The third of Cook's voyages, this time on-board HMS Resolution, in search of the North West Passage through the Bering Straits, ultimately ended in Cook's demise during a fight with the local inhabitants on the island of Hawaii in 1779.

Australia

 

 Australia is essentially a Western culture influenced by the unique geography of the Australian continent, the diverse input of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the British colonisation of Australia that began in 1788, and the various waves of multi-ethnic migration that followed. The predominance of the English language, the existence of a democratic system of government drawing upon the British traditions of Westminster Government, Parliamentarianism and constitutional monarchy, American constitutionalist and federalist traditions, Christianity as the dominant religion, and the popularity of sports originating in (or influenced by) the British Isles, are all evidence of a significant Anglo-Celtic heritage. Australian culture has diverged significantly since British settlement in 1788.

The oldest surviving cultural traditions in Australia—and some of the oldest surviving cultural traditions on earth—are those of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Their ancestors have inhabited Australia for between 40,000 and 60,000 years, living a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. In 2006, the Indigenous population was estimated at 517,000 people, or 2.5 per cent of the total population

In 2014, 24.6% of Australians were born elsewhere and 43.1% of people had at least one overseas-born parent; the five largest immigrant groups were those from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, China, India, and Vietnam.

 

Australia encompasses a wide variety of biogeographic regions being the world's smallest continent but the sixth-largest country in the world. The population of Australia is concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts. The geography of the country is extremely diverse, ranging from the snow-capped mountains of the Australian Alps and Tasmania to large deserts, tropical and temperate forests.
Neighbouring countries include Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the French dependency of New Caledonia to the east, and New Zealand to the southeast.

 

The Australian mainland has a total coastline length of 35,876 km (22,292 mi) with an additional 23,859 km (14,825 mi) of island coastlines.There are 758 estuaries around the country with most located in the tropical and sub-tropical zones. Australia claims an extensive Exclusive Economic Zone of 8,148,250 square kilometres (3,146,057 sq. mi). This exclusive economic zone does not include the Australian Antarctic Territory. Australia has the largest area of ocean jurisdiction of any country on earth. It has no land borders. The northernmost points of the country are the Cape York Peninsula of Queensland and the Top End of the Northern Territory. The western half of Australia consists of the Western Plateau, which rises to mountain heights near the west coast and falls to lower elevations near the continental centre. The Western Plateau region is generally flat, though broken by various mountain ranges such as the Hamersley Range, the MacDonnell Ranges, and the Musgrave Range. Surface water is generally lacking in the Western Plateau, although there are several larger rivers in the west and north, such as the Murchison, Ashburton, and Victoria river.

 

Australian snakes

Its ok Skippy I know CPR

Have a go Anna!

Snakes on a plane

Gday Australia

G’day is a shortened form of ‘Good Day’ and it is the equivalent of ‘Hello. Mate means friend or buddy and it can be used to address your friend or a total stranger by saying G'day mate! So, everyone can be your mate in Australia.

We should all say G'day more often, in general. Just the simple act of smiling or laughing can make you happier.

But even better: say G'day to a stranger. Too often we brush past strangers without a glance, or a straight or scowling face. At best, we might give people a tolerant little smile, to show that we are not mean. Usually most of us try to avoid any eye contact at all.
Try this instead: look strangers in the eye, and give them a big G'day. In most cases, you’ll get a hello or G'day in return. The more you smile, the more smiles you’ll see in return.
End result? A happier world. So simple!



 

Australia Day 2023

Every year Australia Day, held on January 26, is the focus of huge controversy and debate. While many Australians see it as a chance to celebrate the country's lifestyle,culture and achievements, typically through barbecues and public events, the date is not a happy one for Australia's Indigenous people.

What you talking about mate? Our mob were here first!

Since the first settlers, Australians have celebrated a national day. In the process, they have also defined what it means to be Australian. January 26 has traditionally marked the landing of Captain Phillip at Port Jackson in present-day Sydney, thereby claiming Australia for the British Empire. Early settlers, perhaps naturally, marked the anniversary of the colony's establishment. 

Australia Day has consequently evolved from a small commemorative New South Wales holiday into a major national celebration. Though it has often been criticised, it has nevertheless emerged as the most inclusive celebration of a national day in Australia, expressing the national diversity which has become such an important part of the Australian national character.

 Whereas once it celebrated the staunchly British nature of Australian society (or was disparaged for this approach), it now embraces multicultural Australia, including all ethnic backgrounds, racial differences and political viewpoints. Australia Day today is a celebration of diversity and tolerance in Australian society.

Who are Australians

Who are Australians ? How do Australians see themselves? How are we as a nation, culture and society, perceived by others.

 Australia is a product of a unique blend of established traditions and new influences. The country’s original inhabitants, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, are the custodians of one of the world’s oldest continuing cultural traditions. They have been living in Australia for at least 40 000 years and possibly up to 60 000 years.

Australians like to think that we are a proud egalitarian nation, built on the backs of convicts, immigrants and farmers. We value hard work and mate ship and believe in a fair go. Sure, the tall poppy syndrome is alive and well, and we can cut somebody down very quickly, we have a habit of dumbing it down or veering towards mediocrity, in order to protect equality among all Australians.

There is a over-humility in people in Australia, where people can sometimes forget about making their own lives good, because we are trying so hard to make our community's life better.
 

We school our children with vocational training, and the Outcomes Based Education ethic, we create people who really do grow up, with the ability to think critically, and to approach life from the standpoint of generalists.
As adults the way we discuss  national issues is really impressive. Comparing the discourse we have here, to what they have in the USA and other countries around the world, is like comparing day with night. Back there in Kansas, every passionate discussion is formed in an artificial political way. Over here, in Australia, caring is a prime directive and we know how to discuss and understand the systems which are involved in the national issue which is the topic that day.

We invite immigrants to Australia, from all around the world, no matter what political or religious persuasion, they are allowed to engage in  prevailing social  political conversations and can contribute to debates and decisions which face us. As much as we love this country, none of us would pretend that we have "perfection" we are all living in a continuous experiment, hopefully refining our society for the better as we go.

Everyone is expected to uphold the principles and shared values that support the Australian way of life. These include:

• respect for equal worth, dignity and freedom of the individual
• freedom of speech and association
• freedom of religion and a secular government
• support for parliamentary democracy and the rule of law
• equality under the law
• equality of men and women
• equality of opportunity
• peacefulness
• a spirit of egalitarianism that embraces tolerance, mutual respect, and compassion for those in need. 
• Australia also holds firmly to the belief that no one should be disadvantaged on the basis of their country of birth, cultural heritage, language, gender or religious belief.

The Aussie Salute

The Aussie salute is the waving of one's hand in front of the face at regular intervals in order to prevent flies from landing on it, or entering your nose or mouth.

Flies on her clacker!

The bush fly, is the species that is the cause of the Aussie salute as opposed to other flies such as the housefly, as the bush fly is attracted to bodily fluids such as sweat, snot, saliva, blood and eyes.

Many overseas tourists spit the dummy when they visit the outback, not realising that the Aussie fly and his relatives are very sociable, and will accompany them on their adventures all day long.

 Its not long before their packing their cork hat, and heading back to their fly proof beach front hotels, beauty spas and champagne. 

.

Sticky Fly!

The Aussie salute is effective only as long as the flies are not too sticky, and that once a fly has tasted sweat, hand waving is generally useless at encouraging it to leave, with physically wiping the fly off being required.

No Wucking Furries!!

Historically in Australia, the cork hat was worn to discourage flies but has been replaced by insect repellents and mesh masks in areas where the flies swarm.

Australia Vs New Zealand

New Zealand Armed Forces

 New Zealand defence story.
by David Blake

 It's well known that New Zealand's defence force is less than intimidating on a world scale.


Less well known is that our woefully inadequate defence spending, and sometimes isolationist foreign policy, could be jeopardising our trade links with key partners such as the US and Australia.

New Zealand defence spending has always been low by international standards, both in actual terms and as a percentage of GDP. A 2005 parliament briefing report shows New Zealand consistently spends less than the US, UK, Australia and Canada, spending less than one per cent of GDP between 2003-2004. Yet Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said in May this year that our defence budget is about right.

So what? New Zealand's physical isolation and happy-go-lucky nature will protect us from harm, you say? If not, our disarming sense of humour and all-round likeability... then surely our friends will come to our aid?

New Zealand Army reserves

While the threat of military aggression from another state is unlikely, New Zealand's lack of military prowess may be costing us in terms of trade negotiations and privilege if we are perceived to be unwilling or unable to pull our weight in maintaining global peace and security.

Recent criticisms from visiting geopolitical commentator, George Friedman, echo concerns made by policy analysts here and overseas.


Friedman says New Zealand's perception that it can pick and choose whether to engage in military operations, such as the Iraq war, and still expect to be listened to in trade talks with the US is naive.

By contrast, he says that Australia has obtained its privileged position of strategic ally with the US through a long-term commitment to military assistance and cooperation.

So New Zealand's joke of a defence force might not be so funny after all, especially from the point of view of some of our closest friends and allies.

New Zealand Airforce

In the 1970s, the international community imposed boycotts on South Africa in protest against its apartheid system. While most countries, including Australia, joined the boycotts, New Zealand continued to send the All Blacks on rugby tours and continued to receive Springbok tours to New Zealand.


Aside from maintaining sporting relations with white South Africa and devaluing the ANZUS treaty, the nature of New Zealand's international relations can be inferred from their bid for the 2003 rugby World Cup.

When stripping New Zealand of its right, the IRB issued a statement declaring:

"Generous accommodations made by RWCL to meet the needs and problems of the NZRU were repaid with consistent failures and wholly inappropriate behaviour. Despite this, the Council determined to give full and fair hearing to New Zealand's position and to its most recent submissions. However, the outstanding Australian proposal held an attraction, a professionalism and a logic which were irresistible. "

Is it time that we gave up our independent foreign policy aspirations and toed the line for our trading partners?

Save Australia

When the shearing sheds are silent and the stock camps fallen quiet

When the gidgee coals no longer glow across the outback night

And the bush is forced to hang a sign, '. Gone broke and won't be back'

And spirits fear to find a way beyond the beaten track

When harvesters stand derelict upon the wind swept plains

And brave hearts pin their hopes no more on chance of loving rains

When a hundred outback settlements are ghost towns overnight

When we've lost the drive and heart we had to once more see us right

When 'Pioneer' means a stereo and 'Digger' some backhoe

And the 'Outback' is behind the house. there's nowhere else to go

And 'Anzac' is a biscuit brand and probably foreign owned

And education really means brainwashed and neatly cloned

When you have to bake a loaf of bread to make a decent crust

And our heritage once enshrined in gold is crumbling to dust

And old folk pay their camping fees on land for which they fought

And fishing is a great escape; this is until you're caught

When you see our kids swearing in the street and substance blood shot eyes

And the soaring crime and hopeless hearts is no longer a surprise

When the name of RM Williams is a yuppie clothing brand

Not a product of our heritage that grew up off the land

When offering a hand makes people think you'll end their fate

And two dogs meeting in the street is what you call a 'Mate'

When 'Political Correctness' has replaced all common sense

When you're forced to see it their way, there's no sitting on the fence

Yes one day you might find yourself an outcast in this land

Perhaps your heart will tell you then, ' I should have made a stand'

Just go and ask the farmers that should remove all doubt

Then join the swelling ranks who say, '. Don't sell Australia out'

Australia Citizenship Test

Australia Citizenship Test
 
The Australian citizenship test is a test applicants for Australian citizenship who also meet the basic requirements for citizenship are required to take. It has been introduced in 2007 to assess the applicants' adequate knowledge of Australia, the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship and basic knowledge of the English language.

You can become a Australian citizen by answering all of the latest 2011 test questions below

80% correct is a pass 

 

How many slabs can you fit in the back of a Holden Ute while also

allowing room for your cattle dog?

When packing an Esky, do you put the ice or the beer in first?

Is the traditional Aussie Christmas dinner:

a) At least two roasted meats with roast vegetables, followed by a

pudding you could use as a cannonball. And a sweaty ham. sitting in 40C heat.

b) A seafood buffet followed by a barbie, with rather a lot of booze.

And sweaty ham. In 40C heat.

c) Both of the above, one at lunchtime and one at dinnertime. Weather

continues fine.

How many beers in a slab?

Does "yeah-nah" mean "Yes and no" or "Maybe" or "Yes I understand but

no I don't agree"?

The phrases "strewth" and "flamin' dingo" can be attributed to which TV

character?

a) Toadie from Neighbours

b) Alf from Home & Away

c) Agro from Agro's Cartoon Connection

d) Sgt. Tom Croydon from Blue Heelers

When cooking a barbecue do you turn the sausages:

a) Once or twice

b) As often as necessary to cook

c) After each stubby

d) Until charcoal?

Name three of the Daddo brothers.

Who was the original lead singer of AC/DC?

Which option describes your ideal summer afternoon:

a) Drinking beer a mate's place

b) Drinking beer at the beach

c) Drinking beer watching the cricket/footy

d) Drinking beer at a mate's place while watching the cricket before

going to the beach?

Would you eat pineapple on pizza?

Would you eat egg on a pizza?

How many cans of beer did David Boon consume on a plane trip from

Australia to England?

How many stubbies is it from Brissy to the Gold Coast in a Torana

travelling at 120km/h?

Who are Scott and Charlene?

 

How do you apply your tomato sauce to a pie?

a) Squirt and spread with finger

b) Sauce injection straight into the middle?

If the police raided your home would you:

a) Allow them to rummage through your personal items

b) Phone up the nearest talkback radio shock jock and complain

c) Put a written complaint in to John Howard and hope that he answers

it personally?

Which Australian Prime Minister held the world record for drinking a

yardie full of beer the fastest?

Have you ever had/do you have a mullet?

Thongs are:

a) Skimpy underwear

b) Casual footwear

c) They're called jandals, bro?

On which Ashes tour did Warney's hair look the best?

a) 1993

b)1997

c) 2001 or

d 2005?

What is someone is more likely to die of.

1) Red Back Spider

2) Great White Shark

3) Victorian Police Officer

4) King Brown Snake

5) Your missus after a big night

6) Dropbear?

How many times must a steak be turned on a conventional four-burner

barbie?

Can you sing along to Cold Chisel's Khe Sahn?

Explain both the "follow-on" and "LBW" rules in cricket and discuss the

pros and cons for the third umpire decisions in the latter....

Name at least 5 items that must be taken to a BBQ.

Who is current Australian test cricket captain:

a) Ricky Ponting

b) Don Bradman

c) John Howard

d) Makybe Diva?

Is it best to take a sick day on:

a) When the cricket's on?

b) When the cricket's on?

c) When the cricket's on?

What animal is on the Bundaberg Rum bottle?

What is the difference between a pot and a middy of beer?

What are Budgie smugglers?

Did you cry when Molly died on a Country Practice? 

A "Hoppoate" is:

a) A breed of kangaroo

b) A kind of Australian "wedgie"

c) A disgraced Rugby League player? 

What does having a 'chunder' mean? 

When you were young did you prefer the Hills Hoist over any swing set?

What do the following terms mean:

a) Mate?

b) Maate?

c) Maaaaaaate?

Best Aussie name is what?

a) Cheryl

b) Charlene

c) Bazza

d) Thommo

e) Shazza

What does the terminology 'True Blue' mean?