Kangaroo Shooting a shooters story

Warning this story contains graphic images that may offend people

Clubbed to death, stamped on or left to die from starvation

That is how Australia deals with 1.3 million joeys every year after their mothers are shot for their meat or skin. They are the by-products of the greatest massacre of wild animals in the world.
 
Excerpt from New York Journalist Jeff Simmermons blog  Iam not Lying
 
Female kangaroos, pose their own problems. Although easier to lift than male ‘roos or “boomers,” the does are often pregnant. And in those cases, the only humane thing to do for the joeys that can’t survive outside the pouch is to kill them on the spot, quickly and decisively. It can be an emotional challenge. Even for Craig, who accepted this part of the job decades ago.
 
 

The best methods for dispatching joeys include beheading them or stomping them beneath your boot. The bigger ones you grab by the back legs and smash against a nearby rock or even the truck’s tire. After we killed five or six ‘roos, Craig would stop to gut them, pulling the babies out to dispatch them en masse. After one such performance Craig peered at me through the swirling dust and sighed.“Mate, I’ve been doin’ this for fifty years, and this part always makes me feel like such a c**t.”

A Shooters Story

I was a professional kangaroo shooter 38 years ago. Now I spend an inordinate amount of time in the defence of animals that are doing poorly at the hands of humans.

You may ask as to what has led me to do a complete turnabout in my thinking, and expect some profound answer explaining that at such and such a moment in time the sky opened up and all of a sudden I saw the light. Sorry to disappoint, but it did not happen this way.

If there is any profundity in my "conversion", it is that I have come to the realization that we are all led down differing paths in life by our genetic make-up and the circumstance that we find ourselves in.

In my case, 38 years ago, the whole social, political and animal concern scene was vastly different to today's. There was a predominate attitude of human matters being at the fore of thought and a mish-mash of ideas when dealing with the other animals on the planet. On the one hand, personal pets were gaining in the welfare stakes, as were wild creatures that had "fluffy" appeal. On the other, domestic stock conditions were degrading rapidly into the factory farm situation that is still rampant to now.

This some decades of time saw European cities and other population centres around the Western World explode into greater awareness of the suffering of our "food". Unfortunately, socio/economic pressures, had rural climes, to a large extent, excluded from this expansion of a new way in thinking about the rest of nature.

In this distant past, the kangaroo was erroneously thought of as a pest that was diminishing the financial returns of those who depended on their income in outback areas.

This excuse was reasoning enough for kangaroos to be killed without compassion, for they were the enemy. Even so, I, and I would suggest, many other kangaroo shooters, were and are, very uneasy with the practice of having to kill Joey's on a never ending basis. It was not understood then, that the Joey-at-foot would also die in a state of terror by psychological deprivation, predation or starvation. Many kangaroo shooters now convince themselves that this joey escapes and lives happily ever after. Delusions of this sort are not uncommon in the industry and in governments and their acting agents.

Self-delusion played a big part in my experience as a kangaroo shooter but let me state here in the most unequivocal manner that is possible, to be able to self deceive is part and parcel of being human. There will be those that read this in a most judgmental way, comforting themselves with the thought that they could never had done such a thing as kangaroo shooting. Be very careful of that kind of thinking because it does not accord with the facts about the capacity of humanity to be inhumane to people and animals, given the right set of circumstance.

 Be very careful that you are not self-deluding yourself on this point, for if you are, you are just the person who could be a kangaroo shooter if the situation dictated it so.

I do come across this kind of condemnation but it so insignificant when compared to the mental anguish I put myself through on a daily basis as to be non-existent. This will be carried till the day I die.

Thoughts of the terrible wounding and as stated, the slaughter of the innocents and now with greater knowledge, thoughts of the at-foot-Joey's left to fend for themselves in their thousands. Thoughts of taking the lives of countless numbers of kangaroos for convenient reasons. Thoughts of being a part of the juggernaut that was and is altering the genetic make up of a marvellous animal. Thoughts of my part in vilifying the kangaroo with the end result of it not having the awed respect, as it should, of the Australian people. Every time there is a wanton act of cruelty to kangaroos, I must bear some of the blame.

I stopped being a kangaroo shooter for many reason, with the cruelty only one of the many.
The kangaroo is not a pest and it is only the greedy and the foolhardy who believe it is a resource to be used at whim.

Australia must re-define its stubbornly inadequate definition of what is compassion and in doing so reap the rewards of not only doing the right thing, but the very tangible benefits of the eco-tourist dollar.

No doubt, other kangaroo shooters will read this, so it seems appropriate to leave a message for them.

If you can see past the self-delusion of what you are doing to other sentient and suffering capable creatures, for the sake of your future mind, do not wait for kangaroo shooting to be discarded as a remnant of our brutish past, as it will, but choose to get out now. The rest of your life will thank you for this very wise action.

This I guarantee.




David Nicholls

Write to David Nicholls with your support at the email address below.


ExKangarooShooter@hotmail.com

Australia's leaders hide behind a protective wall of propaganda and irresponsible legislation, so that a few may gain from the death of a species.


Australia has the highest rate of extinctions in the world but there appears to be no shame, only apathy about this appalling record.

Lionel Rose Australian Boxing Legend

Lionel Rose the eldest of nine children and Australian Boxing Legend, died on 8 May 2011 aged 62 after an illness which lasted for several months.
Few Australian sportsmen captured the attention of the nation quite like Lionel Rose,  Lionel was a true legend of boxing, and a icon amongst the aboriginal community, and a hero to all Australians.

Lionel Rose grew up in hardship, learning to box from his father, Roy, a useful fighter on the tent-show circuit. According to the boxing historian Grantlee Kieza, Lionel Rose "sparred with rags on his hands in a ring made from fencing wire stretched between trees".

He came under the tutelage of Frank Oates, a Warragul trainer (whose daughter Jenny he later married). He won the Australian amateur flyweight title at age 15.


Lionel Rose began his professional boxing career, outpointing Mario Magriss over eight rounds. This fight was in Warragul, but the majority of Rose's fights were to be held in Melbourne. Along the way he was helped by Jack and Shirley Rennie, in whose Melbourne home he stayed, training every day in their backyard gym.

Lionel Rose challenged Fighting Harada for the world's bantamweight title (picture above) on 26 February 1968, in Tokyo. Rose made history by becoming the first Aboriginal to be a world champion boxer when he defeated Harada in a 15-round decision.. This win made Rose an instant national hero in Australia, and an icon among Aboriginals. A public reception at Melbourne Town Hall was witnessed by a crowd of more than 250,000. ( I dont think Anthony Mundine would get that kind of support, maybe 20 people at most)

On 2 July of that year, he returned to Tokyo to retain his title with a 15 round decision win over Takao Sakurai. 

On 6 December, he met Chucho Castillo at the Inglewood Forum in Inglewood, California. Rose beat Castillo by decision,( picture below) but the points verdict in favour of him infuriated many in the pro-Castillo crowd, and a riot began: 14 fans and fight referee Dick Young were hospitalised for injuries received.

Even Elvis Presley wanted to meet him, when Rose defended his title in California later that year, requesting to meet him.

"I was in awe of him, but he said he was in awe of me," Rose recounted of the meeting in an interview.

Lionel Rose compiled a record of 42 wins and 11 losses as a professional boxer, with 12 wins by knockout.


Lionel Rose was Australian of the Year in 1968, the first Aboriginal to be awarded the honour. The same year he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

In retirement, Lionel Rose became a successful businessman. He was able to manage his money and make good financial decisions, and he enjoyed the monetary benefits his career brought him. Rose was showcased in 2002 in the The Ring section 'Where are they now?'.


During his off time from boxing in the 1970s, Rose embarked on a successful singing career in Australia having hits with "I Thank You" ( Listen Here ) and "Please Remember Me" in 1970. The song "I Thank You" was a nationwide hit.

Rose remains one of only four Australian-born fighters to win a world title overseas.
Jeff Harding and Jimmy Carruthers also achieved the feat, while the latest came on the same day as Rose's death, with Daniel Geale defeating German champion Sebastian Sylvester for the IBF middleweight title.

A person like Lionel Rose, who becomes a hero and a legend in his sport is commonly the simplest and obscurest of men.

Chris Hemsworth Aussie actor

Australia's new God Chris Hemsworth (born 11 August 1983) is an Australian actor best known for playing the role of Kim Hyde in the Australian soap opera Home and Away and the Marvel Comics character Thor in Thor. Hemsworth will portray Thor again in the upcoming film The Avengers.

Thor was released on April 21, 2011 in Australia and on May 6, 2011 in the United States. Thor was also released in 3D and IMAX 3D. The film stars Aussie spunk Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, and Stellan Skarsgård with Kenneth Branagh directing a script by Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz, and Don Payne.

Thor is based on the Norse mythological deity of the same name. Director Kenneth Branagh and Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige chose Hemsworth after a back-and-forth process in which the 27-year-old actor was initially dropped from consideration and then given a second chance to read for the part.

Australian Slang Sayings and Phrases

Bogan..... is Australian slang for a person whose speech, clothing, attitude and behaviour are considered unrefined or unsophisticated

Australian Slang Sayings and Phrases can be a complete mystery to overseas travellers visiting our fine shores.
Its funny, sometimes vulgar, but very colourful to listen too, we are a fairdinkum culture that doesnt mince words, we like to tell it as it is, and as quick as possible, without using fancy words.

We have compiled this short list, of just a few of Australian Slang Sayings and Phrases, feel free to add more in comments and i will list them here.

About as useless as tits on a bull ......... about as useless as it gets


Aerial Ping-Pong........ Australian Rules Football




A kangaroo short in the top paddock ...... not very bright , simple



All piss and wind ..... a show of bravado



All the go ....... popular



A lot on your Plate ........you have a lot to do



Ants in your pants ..... restless

Arse about face ....... back to front



Arse over tit ........ fall over


Arvo............... means afternoon  also Sarvo........ like see ya the sarvo

As mad as a cut snake ..... very angry or crazy

Av a go ya mug ! ........... 1 . an expression of annoyed encouragement often shouted during a sporting match to urge someone who has given up ... 2 .Or used to challenge a person to fight

Away with the fairies ..... day dreaming



Awning over the toy shop ....male beer belly



Back of Beyond ....a long way from suburbia



Back of Burke ..... a long way away



Bald as a bandicoot ....... hairless



Banged up ..... unmarried and pregnant



Bangs like a dunny door in a cyclone .... (derogatory) very sexually active female



Bar flies ...... usually in country towns , old men who sit outside the pub (hotel) drinking from opening to closing



Bastard of a thing ...... exclaimation of frustration at an object or situation



Beating around/about the bush ........ not getting to the point on a subject



Bend the elbow ..... drink alcohol



Bend your ear ....... talk

Better then a poke in the eye with a blunt stick ...... something is okay but could be better



Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick ..... same as above



Between a rock and a hard place ........ in a difficult or seemingly no win situation



Bet your bottom dollar ...... very sure of an outcome



Beyond the Black stump ...... a long way from anything



Blown up like a poisoned pup ...... full of food



Big note yourself ............. to say you are better or more important than you are



Blue rinse set ...... elderly ( particularly ladies )



Bobby dazzler ....... it's excellent or striking



Bold as Ned Kelly .. Ned Kelly was an Australian bushranger , made famous for the metal suit of armor he made and wore during the Kelly gangs final illfated showdown with the law at Glenrowan in Victoria , November 11th 1880 . At the time of his hanging Ned was aged 25 , his last words were "Such is life "



Boots and all ...... everything , giving something all the effort you can muster

Built like a brick sh*t house .........something or someone is built very stongly



Bust your gut ...... work extra hard , try very hard to do something



Busy as a one legged bloke in a bum kicking contest ......... doing nothing



Busy body ..... someone who is overly interested in other peoples affairs



Buzz off ....... depart



Can't kill it with an axe ........ something which appears indestructable



Can't kill it with a stick ........ as above



Carry on like a pork chop ........... make a big fuss



Chew the fat ....... discussion



Chief cook and bottle washer ....... In charge



Christmas on a stick ...... think highly of self



Chuck a reggie ......... have a tandrum



Chuck a wobbly ....... have a tantrum



Clap trap ........ utter nonsense



Clapped out .......no longer any good



Coat hanger , the .......... The Sydney Harbour Bridge

Cock and bull story ...... A tale of lies from beginning to end



Cock arse about .......... Procrastinate or back to front



Cop the crow ...... get the worst end of the deal



Come a cropper ..... have an accident



Couldn't give a rats arse .. don't care , not interested in the slightest degree

Crook as a dog ...... feeling very ill



Cunning as a dunny rat ....... astute or sly



Dead set ...... really



Dogs are biting .... sore feet



Done like a dogs dinner ...... bested convincingly



Down the Gurgler ............ something has failed



Down the plug hole ............failure , loss



Dragging the chain ........ moving or working slowly



Dressed to the nines ...... dressed and groomed to your best



Drinking with the flies .... drinking alone

Driving the Porcelain bus ........... vomiting



Eat a horse, and chase the rider ......... very hungry



Emma Chisit ........ how much is it ?



Emu parade ...... to have a clean up

Even Blind freddy could see that ! ........what someone would say to you, if you are not understanding or have missed something obvious



Fair dinkum ....... seriously , genuine or Australian



Fair crack of the whip ..... requesting someone gives a fair go , an equal chance



Fair go mate ! ........ Someone is not doing or saying the right thing



Fair suck of the sav ........someone is not letting you do or say something



Fart arse around ........ not coming to the point or doing the job

Feeling butchers .... unwell

Flash as a rat with a gold tooth ........... dressed and groomed nicely



Flash in the pan ...... one off event , out of the blue



Flat out like a lizard drinking .......... doing something very fast or very busy



Fly by nighter ....... a person or business whos intention it is to trade and then disappear quickly (often involves illegal activities )



Fiddle fart around ....... not doing the job or coming to the point

Preparing for the olympics Thorpy says... Iam as fit as a mallee bull

Fit as a mallee bull ......... very well , very fit , very strong



Full ....... drunk



Full as a fairies phone book ....... no room left



Full as a goog ........ eaten too much



Full of it ........ speaking absolute rubbish



Full of yourself ...... placing too much emphasis of your own importance

Garbage guts .... someone who eats to excess



Gave someone the razz .... stirred them up



General dogs body ....... a rousabout , lacky , a person expected to do many jobs many of them meanial



Get a grip ........... stop being overly emotional



Get a grip on yourself ...... as above



Get a wriggle on ........ hurry up

Get your arse in gear .....hurry up

Get your act together ..... be sensible



Get your rocks off ........ enjoy yourself



Give someone curry ..........give someone a piece of your mind or a hard time verbally



Give it a bash ........ try something new



Give it a burl ......... try something new



Give it a whirl ...... attempt something new



Give something the once over ,.........examining something



Glad rags ............ best clothes



God's great garden .... Australia



Go have a butchers .... go to look at something



Go butchers hook ........ be very angry



Go for broke ....... last ditched effort , bet everything



Going like a blue-tail fly ............doing something very fast



Go like the clappers....... go very fast



Gone a gutser ..... fallen over



Gone walkabout ...... wandered off somewhere or lost



Good looking sort ........ admiring a woman



Good set of snarlers ...... prominant teeth

Gotta go and lay some Telecom cable ..... going for a poo

Gutter Snipe ......... dirty child



Gutsy effort ...... tried hard



Hair pin bend ....... a very tight corner in the road which doubles back forming a U shape



Happy as Larry ........ very content



Happy as a pig in sh*t ........ very content



Happy as a sandboy ............very happy



Happy clapper ......... born again christian

Happy little vegimite ....... contented , pleased



Has to run around in the shower to get wet .......... a way of describing someone who is very thin



Have a coldie ......... drink a beer



Have a cold one ..... drink a beer



Have a cuppa ................have cup of tea or coffee



Have a go ya mug ....... telling someone to try harder (often yelled out at sporting events)

Have a go ya mug ........ a challenge to fight



Have a quiet one ..... to have an alcoholic drink



Have kangaroos in the top paddock ..... crazy



Haven't got a Brass Razoo....... No money



Haven't got 2 cents to rub together .... broke , no money



Have someones guts for garters ..... very angry



Hoe the boots in ...... in a fight and kicking



Hope your chooks turn into emus and kick your dunny down ..... a curse (immortalised in song ... who wrote that ? ... help please)



Hows Tricks ? ........... How are you ? How is everything ?



Howsit going ..............How are you ?



How ya goin ? ........... How are you ?



Hugging the toilet bowl ........vomiting



In like Flynn ..... jumped at an opportunity ( can have sexual overtones )



In the club ..... pregnant



In the lock up ..... in gaol ( jail )



It's a Broken packet of biscuits ......... looks good on the outside, but is a mess on the inside



Its a bit tricky ....... temperamental , difficult



It would kill a brown dog ....... very potent



Just down the road a bit ...... a distance from a couple of hundred metres to a couple of hundred kilometres



Keen as mustard .... very eager (Keen's is a brand name for mustard and curry powder)



Knee high to a grasshopper ..... a child , small of stature



Knocked off ...... finished work for the day



Knocked it off .....stole it



Knock one back ...... have a beer



Knock shop ..... brothel

Knuckle sandwich ...... a punch in the mouth



Like a fish on a hook ...... addicted to something , caught up in something (often illegal) , deeply involved , having someone exactly where you want them .



Like a fish out of water ....... awkward , uncomfortable , not fitting in



Like a rat up a drain pipe ........leave in a hurry



Like a shag on a rock ............ alone , out of place



Little Aussie battler ....... someone who works very hard , not earning a lot of money , shows integrity , honesty and compassion , would give to others even when there is little to give



Lower than a snakes belly .........despicable



Make a big song and dance ...... make a fuss



Missed the bus ...... to late for something



Molly Dooked ...... left handed



More arse than class ...... lucky



More arse than Jessie's bull ..... lucky



Mr Plod ..... policeman



Mutton dressed up as lamb ....... an older person trying to look very young



Need to go ...... need to go to the toilet



Nit pick .......... find fault in the smallest things



No flies on you ........ you can't be fooled



Not the full quid ....... of less than average intelligence



Not worth a Brass Razoo ........ Worthless



Not worth a pinch .......... worthless



Off the beaten track ..........on a road not used very much, a back road or track or in a remote part of Australia



Off like a brides nightie ............leave very quickly



Off like a bucket of prawns in the hot sun ..... leaving very quickly



Off like a shot ........ leave in a hurry



Old fart ........ someone a little older than yourself or an older person you do not like



Old geezer .... affectionate term for the elderly

One and a half axe handles across ...... precise measurement for the female buttocks



One armed bandit ............ poker machine



On ya ! ....... that's great , you've done well



Out the window ....... lost opportunity



Peeved ....... annoyed



Piece of piss ......... easy



Pigs ........... that's a lie



Pigs eye ..... no way , rubbish



Pissed as a nit ...... very drunk



Pissed as a parrot .........drunk



Pissed off ............very angry or annoyed



Pissing in the wind ... wasting your time , a pointless exercise



Plant someone ....... to bury a person (funeral)



Playing pocket billiards .............. male with in hand in his pocket adjusting genitals



Podgy dodger ........ cattle rustler ( thief)



Pull up Stumps ......... move house , changing address



Pull your head in !............mind your own business !



Pull the belt in ................stop spending money



Pull your socks up................try harder



Put the bite on someone ............ ask for money

Put the squeeze on someone ...... pressure them



Put up or shut up ............. back up what you are saying or keep your opinions to yourself



Put your money where your mouth is .... back up what you are saying with a bet



Quick as a flash ......... astute or fast



Rafferty's rules ........ no rules at all



Ridgey didge .......... true



Rip off .......cheat



Rip snorter ..... excellent , very funny



Sausage Short of the barbecue ........short of brains



See youse ( or yas)....... see you all later , Goodbye



She'll be apples ....... everything will be fine , no problem



Shoot through ..... leave



Shoot through like a Bondi tram .... leave in a hurry



Short arms long pockets ....... someone will not part with their money , a miser



Silly as a two bob watch ........crazy



Silly as a wheel ....... crazy



Skin flint ................. a miser



Slap dash ........ haphazard , performed below standard in a disinterested way



Slippery character ......... not to be trusted



Someone Kaks themselves ........ they are very frightened



Something got up your nose ..... annoyed or angry



Spit it out ........ come straightout and say it !

Smart arse ....... know it all person



Snag Short of a barbie............ not very smart



Snake in the grass ........ a sly person , a betrayer



Snow dropper ..... someone who steals clothes from a clothesline



Spitting chips ...... very angry



Squashed like a maggot ...... conquered



Stick in the mud .... a wowser , someone who is very staid



Stick it in the boot ...... place something in the boot (trunk) of a car

Sticky beak .... take a look or pry



Stir the possum ........ liven things up

Stone the crows !!.... exclaimation of frustration or disbelief



Sydney or the bush ...... All or nothing



Take a Leak ............. go to the toilet



Take a squizz .... have a look



Talking a mile a minute ....... talking too much or very fast



Talking on the porcelain telephone ...........vomiting into a toilet



The place is an arm pit .... it's terrible



The Pot calling the kettle black......... adverse statement made by someone in reply to a comment from a person who is in a similar or worse situation



The town bike ....... woman of loose morals



Tickled pink .......... very happy



Tough as old boot leather .......... need I say more ?



Trying one on ....... trying to get away with something



Trying to get into someones pants ............ making sexual advances



Tyre kickers ........ people who look with no intention of buying

Ugly as a box of Blowflies ..... that's about as ugly as it gets

Under the weather ...........unwell , ill



Up a Gum tree ........ in all sorts of trouble



Up and down like a whores draws ...... restless or fluctuating



Up the duff ....... pregnant



Up the spout .....pregnant



Vaccinated with a gramophone needle ....... someone who talks a lot



Well stacked ............ large breasted woman



White ants in the billy ....... crazy

Wouldn't shout if a shark bit ya ...........a person who will not take their turn buying a round of drinks



Yer bloods worth Bottling! .........someone has done something good for you.



You little Bottler ............delight, something has gone the way you want



You little ripper ....... very good , excellent



Zebra crossing ..... broad black and white lines painted on a road to mark a pedestrian crossing

The Daintree forest Australia Jungle

.The Daintree Rainforest is the oldest rainforest in the world. It is more than 135 million years old and is home to rare tropical birds and animals, many of which are not found anywhere else on earth.

The Cassowary is the biggest bird in Australia and the second biggest bird in the world (Ostrich being the first), make their home in the Daintree Rainforest

The Daintree Rainforest is around 1200 square kilometres, and is the largest continuous area of tropical rainforest on the Australian mainland.

The Daintree Rainforest contains 30% of frog, marsupial and reptile species in Australia, and 65% of Australia's bat and butterfly species. 18% of bird species in the country can be found in this area. There are also over 12000 species of insects. All of this diversity is contained within an area that takes up 0.2% of the landmass of Australia.

The Daintree Rainforest is loosely defined as the area between the Mossman Gorge and the Bloomfield River in Far North Queensland.

The Daintree Rainforest beaches are rated among the most spectacular in the world. The tropical warmth combined with bright sunshine and crystal clear calm water, makes them postcard perfect.

One of the most wonderful features of Daintree beaches is the lack of people. Stretching for miles, you can cast your eyes along the golden sand and not see anyone.

The Daintree Rainforest area is opposite another World Heritage site of equal importance, the Great Barrier Reef. There are few places in the world as significant and with such biodiversity as the Daintree Rainforest.

Australian Video Games

Once viewed as a fad for teens, video games have defied doubters and become an established part of the entertainment scene. Those teens grew up, and continue to play games with the same enthusiasm as they did decades earlier. All the while, new generations of Australians are joining in on the fun.


According to Business Information Analysts IBIS World the Video Games industry is set to grow by 11.9% ($433.85m) throughout 2011, making it one of the sectors to watch this year.



The video games industry is now double the size of the box office and more than 40 per cent larger than the movie disc industry in Australia

In 2008, 88% of Australian households have a device for playing computer games. Of these households, 39% have one device, 27% have two devices and 16% have three devices. 18% of game households have four or more devices for gaming. In other words, ofall Australian households, 34% have one game device, 24% have two devices, 14% have three, 16% have four or more and 12% have no game devices. The majority of installed game devices are consoles (43%), followed by PCs (39%) and handhelds (18%); however, point of sale data shows that handhelds dominated sales of new devices in 2007-2008. 90% of game households have PCs and these are used by most gamers.

The average age of computer and video game players in Australia is 30 years old.

Females make up 46% of the player population in 2008, up from 41% in 2007.

70% of parents in game households play computer and video games and 80% of these parents play them with their children. 67% of mothers and 69% of fathers agree that they play computer and video games as a way to spend time with their children. A third of parents play games with their children as a way to monitor what their children play.

Most of the world's commercial computer games are made by big international games publishers such as Electronic Arts, Sony and Vivendi Universal. Some Australian companies work with these publishers to produce games, while others are carving out their own independent niches. Australia's games production companies produce $100 million worth of games a year according to the GDAA. Analysts say this figure is growing bigger every year.

Working with top global publishers and device manufacturers, Australia’s more than 90 game development studios have won international acclaim for games such as Star Wars: the Force Unleashed and Clone Wars, Bioshock 2, Heroes of the Pacific, Rome: Total War, Flight Control and Puzzle Quest.

Felix the Cat

Felix the Cat was the most popular animated characters from the silent era. Felix the cat cartoons were made in the United States, but were produced by Australian Pat Sullivan, (born in Sydney in 1887 ) who was a film producer, and pioneer animator, produced the first sound cartoon and in 1928 had the first televised cartoon. Felix and his surreal antics were wildly popular during the 1920s.

In 1917, Pat Sullivan released a cartoon short entitled The Tail of Thomas Kat, more than two years prior to Feline Follies. Both an Australian ABC-TV documentary screened in 2004 and the curators of an exhibition at the State Library of New South Wales, in 2005, suggested that Thomas Kat was a prototype or precursor of Felix the cat.

Pat Sullivan said he named Felix the cat after Australia Felix from Australian history and literature. In 1924.

Felix the cats black body, white eyes, and giant grin, coupled with the surrealism of the situations in which his cartoons place him, combined to make Felix the cat one of the most recognized cartoon characters in film history.

Felix the cat cartoons began airing on American TV in 1953 in which they added new characters, and gave Felix a "Magic Bag of Tricks", which could assume an infinite variety of shapes at Felix's behest. The cat has since starred in other television programs and in two feature films.

Felix the cat is still featured on a wide variety of merchandise from clothing to toys.