Tell Me About: 
Tell Me About: As in the United States, Australia is a country that welcomes immigrants from many different cultures around the world. In 1995 there were almost 18 million Australians, and about 70% of the population lived in the ten largest cities around the coast.
Aborigines & Torres Strait Islanders
The first people to make Australia their home migrated
from Asia almost 60,000 years ago. They formed many different tribes, who
spoke around 200 different languages. Later immigrants called the settlers
Aborigines. Aborigines were nomadic hunters and gatherers, moving from place
to place in different seasons to take advantage of food resources. This
is called a walkabout. Aboriginal homes were temporary shelters, usually
in bark huts or caves.
Torres Strait Islanders first settled on islands north of the mainland about 10,000 years ago. Their culture was distinct from Aboriginal culture because they came from Melanesia and settled in one place. They sailed in canoes to trade fish and agricultural products with nearby islanders.
Aborigines have very strong family ties. Most can trace their ancestors back many generations. They feel a sense of responsibility towards people that we would identify today as third or fourth cousins. Whenever someone goes through hard times, all relatives rally around to help. This kinship still exists among Aborigines today.
Many modern-day Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders now reside in cities and towns. Some still live a traditional lifestyle. They are proud of their contributions to Australian culture, especially artwork and music.
Fun Fact: PercentagesThere were 238,575 Aborigines and 26,883 Torres Strait Islanders in Australia in 1991. They made up 1.3% and .02% of the total population respectively. |
Later Immigrants
In 1788, the first Europeans settled in Australia
from Great Britain at what later became Sydney Cove. They sailed to Australia
to establish a penal colony for people from their overcrowded jails. It
was a long trip by ship, taking about eight months. The colony grew slowly
at first. Soon afterwards, other British people settled freely in Australia
on farms that they cleared from the eucalyptus forests and range lands.
They grew wheat and other crops, and raised sheep. They also found jobs
in the cities as merchants and builders.
In the 1800s and early 1900s, other Europeans, mostly British and Irish, went to Australia as farmers and merchants. A small number of Chinese and Pacific Islanders also migrated. They worked as sugar cane cutters in the fields of northeastern Australia and later, as gold miners. After World War II ended in 1945, many people emigrated from Italy, Greece, and the Middle East.
Since the 1960s, Australia has encouraged immigration from all over the world. There are very few Africans in Australia, but many Asian people have settled in recent years. The majority come from Vietnam and Hong Kong.
Fun Fact: Family TreesFour out of 10 Australian were born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas |
Australia has a tradition of religious tolerance. About 75% of the population identifies itself as Christian. Of these, one-quarter is Roman Catholic, and another quarter is Anglican (similar to Episcopalian). Many other faiths are followed, including Islam, Buddhism and Judaism. About 13
Dreamtime
The Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders have many myths that tell about the changing of the seasons, the creation of the sun and moon, and the origin of their ancestors. Details of individual legends and ceremonies vary greatly from one part of the continent to another. However, all Aborigines believe in the concept of the Dreamtime. The Dreamtime states that in the beginning the earth was flat and gray. It had no mountains or rivers, and living things did not exist.
During the Dreamtime, huge creatures awoke after sleeping for ages. These beings looked like insects, plants or animals, but behaved like humans. They wandered across the barren earth looking for food and digging for water. Their tracks created the rivers and valleys, creating the world as it appears today. Aborigines believe that traditional Aboriginal life came about during the Dreamtime. The spirits taught their ancestors about their tribal lands. It also told them how their descendants should behave. The teachings of the Dreamtime remain very important to Aborigines today.
Most Australians speak English. An American in Australia would have no trouble talking to people or reading signs. Some ordinary things, like school supplies, clothing, food or car parts have different names in Australia Some Australian items, like didjeridus and kookaburras, are not found in the United States. These words also sound strange to American ears.
Some Australians speak other languages, such as Italian, Greek or Vietnamese, with their families at home. Aborigines still speak around 30 native languages, but most speak English.
Slang
Australian word / expression |
American equivalent |
Arvo |
Afternoon |
Aussie |
Australian |
Barrack for |
Cheer For |
Beaut! |
Terrific! |
Bonzer Bloke |
Nice Guy |
Crikey! |
Gee! |
Crook |
Sick |
Deat set! |
Really! |
Dinky-di |
Genuine |
Fair dinkum |
Honest or true |
G'Day mate |
Hi, Friend |
Give someone a fair go |
Give someone a break |
Have a go |
Give it a try |
She'll be right |
It'll be okay |
Ta |
Thanks |
Whinge |
Complain |
Yank |
American |
You right? |
Do you need any help? |
Spelling: Some spelling differences are outlined below:
Australian |
American | |
| Ending in ...our/or | colour |
color |
harbour |
harbor | |
| Ending in ..re/er | centre |
center |
theatre |
theater | |
| Ending in ...se/ze | organise |
organize |
realise |
realize | |
| Use / not use the "e" | ageing |
aging |
judgement |
judgment | |
| Other | co-ordinate |
coordinate |
defence |
defense | |
tyre |
tire |
Fun Fact: Say Again?Australians use the same alphabet as Americans, but the letter "Z" is pronounced "zed". |
Australian breakfasts used to include baked beans, spaghetti or minced meat (ground beef) on toast. Steak and eggs were also popular. Today breakfast starts with fruit or juice. People also eat one or more of the following: cold cereal or hot porridge (oatmeal); fried eggs; bacon or large link sausages; and toast spread with butter, jam, honey or Vegemite. Adults also drink hot tea or coffee. Australians have many of the same brands of breakfast cereal as Americans. Sometimes they have slightly different names. For example, Rice Krispies is called Rice Bubbles in Australia, but it is the same product.
Lunch time in Australia is very similar to the United States. Most people eat a sandwich with a piece of fruit and perhaps potato chips. A hot meal might be a meat pie or sausage roll with hot chips (French fries). Those items are typically sold at sporting events.
The evening meal is as varied as the ethnic groups that form Australian society. Many Australians still eat the traditional British supper of meat and three cooked vegetables, but the emphasis is on less gravy and fresher vegetables. Salad is widely enjoyed and a staple on most dinner tables. Most families now include rice or pasta dishes in their regular meals.
Fast Food
Fast food establishments, such as McDonald's, Pizza Hut and KFC, are very popular. They are not as widespread as in the United States. Burger King is also present in some parts of Australia, but it is called Hungry Jack's. It uses the same color scheme, logo and menu as the American company.
As in the United States, many Australians love to eat hamburgers. An American would order one "with everything" or "with the works." An Australian girl would likely ask for a hamburger "with the lot." She would receive a hamburger in a large roll with lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, sauce (ketchup), cheese and bacon. An Australian hamburger also comes with shredded carrot, a fried egg and beetroot slices.
Australian hot chips are about the same length but much thicker than French fries in the United States. They are similar to what Americans call steak fries. Some Australians like to eat them sprinkled with vinegar.
Vegemite
Vegemite, a concentrated yeast extract, is a popular tradition in the Australian diet. It is dark brown, and tastes very salty. People eat it as a spread on bread or crackers. Vegemite is very similar to Marmite, a British product available in some American supermarkets.
Recipies
Damper |
Damper is an unleavened bread traditionally made by bushmen. They baked it in the hot ashes of a fire. The outside was burned, but they broke open the damper and ate only the center. This is a modern version of the basic recipe.
Sift flour and salt. Add sugar. Rub in butter. Mix in milk to make medium soft dough. Knead lightly on board until smooth. Pat into round shape. Place on greased baking sheet and glaze with milk. Bake in hot over, reducing heat until cooked (20 minutes). Turn out onto clean dish towel, wrap and cool. Serve with butter and jam.
Pumpkin Scones |
Pumpkin scones (rhymes with John's) are called biscuits in the United States. They are associated with the state of Queensland. Australia's favorite pumpkin - the Queensland Blue - is readily available there. It is like a giant sized buttercup winter squash. The Queensland Blue has hard, bluish-green skin. Inside is firm, orange flesh. The more easily available butternut squash can be substituted in this recipe.
Preheat oven to 400° F. Lightly grease baking trays. Cream softened butter and sugar. Add egg and beat well. Add mashed pumpkin and milk. Fold in flour using fork, and mix well. Place on well-floured board or pastry sheet and gently press out to approximately 1/2" or 3/4" thickness. Cut into scone shapes using round cutter (2" diameter). Makes approximately 24.
Place on greased oven tray and brush tops with milk. Bake 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven, turn out onto clean dish towel, wrap and allow to cool slightly. Serve warm, split open and spread with butter.
ANZAC Biscuits |
Anzac biscuits (cookies) are crunchy and economical. They are an Australian favorite. Anzac biscuits were created during World War I when there were egg shortages. Australians sent them in food parcels to the troops who became famous as Anzacs (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) (see p. 40). The coconut is available from health or Asian food stores.
Preheat oven to 300° F. Lightly grease baking trays. Combine oats, coconut, flour and sugar. Combine butter and syrup in saucepan and stir over low heat until butter melts. Mix soda with boiling water; add to melted butter mixture. Stir into dry ingredients. Drop teaspoonfuls onto baking trays and press with fork. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool on trays for a few minutes, then carefully remove to wire racks. Store in airtight containers. Makes about 48.
Pavlova |
The Pavlova dessert has a meringue base and fresh cream and fruit topping. It is a refreshing summertime favorite. Both Australia and New Zealand claim the pavlova as a national dish. Stories abound as to the history of its creation. They do agree, however, that the dish was named after the famous Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova.
Preheat oven to 200° F. Cover baking sheet with aluminum foil, and grease foil -OR- grease 9" spring form pan. Beat egg whites with salt and cream of tartar until frothy. Gradually beat in sugar a little at a time. Continue beating until peaks are formed and sugar is dissolved. Beat in vanilla extract. Mark 9" circle on baking sheet and spread meringue evenly within lines -OR- pile mixture into spring form pan. Make sides as vertical as possible, and create furrows with spatula to increase stability. Make slight hollow in center for filling. Bake one hour. Turn off heat and let dry at least 2 hours. When ready to serve, whip cream until thick. Sweeten with confectioner's sugar, if desired. Spread on top of meringue. Decorate top with fruit, and drizzle with passionfruit pulp.
Lamingtons |
Lamington cakes are delicious 2" cubes of sponge cake with a chocolate and coconut coating. They originated around 1898 in what later became the state of Queensland. They were named after Lord Lamington, a popular governor of that colony. The chocolate icing keeps the cake moist. It protects it from drying out in the hot climate. Lamingtons are the most popular fund-raising item for school groups, scouts and girl guides. Bake the cake 24 hours before icing it. A slightly stale cake is easier to cut and frost, and the icing moistens it up again. The coconut is available from health or Asian food stores.
Day 1: Preheat oven as directed. Grease 9" x 13" pan as directed. Prepare cake mix, bake and cool as directed. Turn out on a rack, and when cold, wrap in foil and let stand in refrigerator 24 hours.
Day 2: Sift powdered sugar and cocoa into a bowl. Blend in butter and add boiling water. Mix well until smooth. Stand bowl in pan of boiling water and stir until runny. Leave bowl in hot water while dipping cake squares. Place coconut on sheet of wax paper or in large baking dish. Cut cake into 2" squares. Hold piece on fork or barbecue skewer and dip into warm icing, drain and toss in coconut to cover evenly. Place on wire rack to set. Repeat with remainder.
Australians dress in a similar way to Americans. Depending on the climate, children wear jeans and a sweater, a sweatsuit and teeshirt, or swimwear and shorts. Business people, of course, wear suits or other tailored clothing. Australians follow many American fashion fads of the mid-1990s, such as wearing a baseball cap backwards and using sports clothes with American team names on them.
Shopping Malls
Australians enjoy shopping for clothing and household items in large shopping malls. Many people also like to browse or meet friends there. Shopping centers are similar to malls in the United States, with the exception that many also include supermarkets and fresh produce stands on the bottom floor. It is very convenient for shoppers to shop for groceries before leaving the mall.
Clothing Phrases:
Australian word / expression |
American equivalent |
Alice Band |
Head Band |
Bathers |
Bathing Suit |
Frock |
Party Dress |
Hair Clip |
Barrette |
Jocks |
Boys Underwear |
Joggers |
Running Shoes |
Jumper |
Pullover / Sweater |
Ladder |
Run (in a stocking) |
Pinafore |
Jumper |
Sand Shoes |
Sneakers |
Skivvy |
Sneakers |
Skivvy |
Turtleneck |
Tracksuit |
Sweatsuit |
Waistcoat |
Vest |
Australians travel around their country in much the same way as Americans do - by car. There are fewer highways because there are not as many people in Australia as in the United States.
Most families own one or two cars. Australians drive mostly the same types of cars as Americans. There are four car manufacturers that produce cars in Australia for Australian conditions: Ford, General Motors, Mitsubishi and Toyota.
Australians can also travel by bicycle, bus, or train. People who live in the Outback sometimes get around on horseback, but almost all own motor vehicles. Commuters near Sydney Harbour travel to work or school by ferry. Because Australia is an island, visitors have to take an airplane or ship to get there.
Australian word / expression |
American equivalent |
Bonnet |
Hood |
Boot |
Trunk |
Caracan |
Trailer |
Glove Box |
Glove compartment |
Hire car |
Rental car |
Indicator / Blinker |
Turn signal / Blinker |
Lorry |
Truck |
Number Plate |
License Plate |
Petrol |
Gasoline |
Rear Vision Mirror |
Rear View Mirror |
Semi-Trailer |
Tractor Trailer |
Utility |
Pickup Truck |
Windscreen |
Windshield |
Fun Fact: Look Out!Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road. The steering wheel is on the right side of the car. |
POPULATION