The Institute of Australian Culture

Significant events and commemorative dates

A list of commemorative dates and historical events which are significant in terms of Australia’s national identity and culture. These … [Read More...] about Significant events and commemorative dates

Timeline of Australian history and culture

This list is a timeline of various events which are considered to be significant in Australian history and in the development of Australian … [Read More...] about Timeline of Australian history and culture

Significant Australiana

This list includes: Animals; Architecture; Art; Artists; Authors; Books; Bushrangers; Clothes; Entertainment; Explorers; Fictional … [Read More...] about Significant Australiana

Recommended poetry

This list includes some of the best poetry produced by Australian writers. Whilst choosing the best of Australian poetry is a subjective … [Read More...] about Recommended poetry

Early music [videos]

Music from the early years of Australia. Arranged chronologically by years of prominent activity. These are “music videos”, but not … [Read More...] about Early music [videos]

Folk music and bush music [videos]

Folk music has been described as music which has been passed around by word of mouth, being music which has survived by being embedded in … [Read More...] about Folk music and bush music [videos]

Rock music and pop music [videos]

Australian rock and roll, pop music, and Top 40 hits. Songs, singers, musicians, and groups. Mostly pop and rock from the 1950s up to the … [Read More...] about Rock music and pop music [videos]

Books and booklets

Various books and booklets of Australian literature. [Arranged alphabetically by title.] Around the Boree Log and Other Verses [by John … [Read More...] about Books and booklets

Advance Australia Fair: How the song became the Australian national anthem

The story of how “Advance Australia Fair” became Australia’s national anthem takes place over the span of 106 years, from 1878 to 1984. … [Read More...] about Advance Australia Fair: How the song became the Australian national anthem

The discovery of Australia

Early European cartographers had long suspected that there was a “great southern land” located in the Southern Hemisphere; hypothesizing the … [Read More...] about The discovery of Australia

The Eureka Rebellion

Various articles relating to the Eureka Rebellion of 1854, the Battle of the Eureka Stockade (3rd December 1854), the subsequent Eureka … [Read More...] about The Eureka Rebellion

The Melbourne Cup [horse race]

The Melbourne Cup The Melbourne Cup is the most famous horse race in Australia. It began in 1861 and has been held every year since. It … [Read More...] about The Melbourne Cup [horse race]

The Ashes [cricket, Australia vs. England]

The Ashes is a cricket competition played between Australia and England. It has been an ongoing event since 1882, the year in which a … [Read More...] about The Ashes [cricket, Australia vs. England]

Australia Day

Australia Day, the 26th of January, is the anniversary of the foundation of the British colony at Sydney, New South Wales, in 1788. In early … [Read More...] about Australia Day

Under the Southern Cross I Stand [the Australian cricket team’s victory song]

[Updated 31 January 2022, with videos.] Under the Southern Cross I stand, A sprig of wattle in my hand, A native of my native … [Read More...] about Under the Southern Cross I Stand [the Australian cricket team’s victory song]

John O’Brien (Patrick Joseph Hartigan)

John O’Brien was the pen-name of Patrick Joseph Hartigan (1878-1952), an author, poet, and Catholic priest. He wrote four books (two of … [Read More...] about John O’Brien (Patrick Joseph Hartigan)

Son of a Fool [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in Backblock Ballads and Other Verses (1913) and Backblock Ballads and Later Verses … [Read More...] about Son of a Fool [poem by C. J. Dennis]

Core of My Heart [“My Country”, poem by Dorothea Mackellar, 24 October 1908]

[Editor: This famous poem by Dorothea Mackellar was first published in The Spectator (London, UK) on 5 September 1908; it was originally … [Read More...] about Core of My Heart [“My Country”, poem by Dorothea Mackellar, 24 October 1908]

A billabong: Goulbourn River [postcard, 27 November 1907]

[Editor: This postcard, which incorporates a photo of a billabong, is dated 27 November 1907.] [Front of postcard] A … [Read More...] about A billabong: Goulbourn River [postcard, 27 November 1907]

Dear Mac [postcard, early 20th Century]

[Editor: This untitled postcard, which incorporates some embedded wattle blossoms, as well as various Australian rural and sea scenes, is … [Read More...] about Dear Mac [postcard, early 20th Century]

The New to the Old [poem by Randolph Bedford, 3 January 1896]

[Editor: This poem by Randolph Bedford was published in The West Australian (Perth, WA), 3 January 1896.] The New to the Old. Men of … [Read More...] about The New to the Old [poem by Randolph Bedford, 3 January 1896]

New Year greetings [postcard, early 20th Century]

[Editor: This postcard, which incorporates a poem and some embedded boronia, is estimated to have been published in the early 20th Century. … [Read More...] about New Year greetings [postcard, early 20th Century]

New Year greetings [postcard, early 20th Century]

The task ahead [by John Curtin, 27 December 1941]

[Editor: This article by Prime Minister John Curtin was published in The Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), 27 December 1941. It was written during … [Read More...] about The task ahead [by John Curtin, 27 December 1941]

Best wishes for Xmas [postcard, 1919]

[Editor: This Christmas postcard, which incorporates a photo of two teams of horses pulling drays loaded with bales of wool, is dated … [Read More...] about Best wishes for Xmas [postcard, 1919]

To wish you a happy Christmas [patriotic postcard, 14 November 1916]

[Editor: This Christmas postcard, which incorporates a photo of an Australian sheep station, with an illustration of an Australian flag, is … [Read More...] about To wish you a happy Christmas [patriotic postcard, 14 November 1916]