The Burke and Wills expedition was created with the aim of exploring the Australian interior and finding a suitable path for the Australian Overland Telegraph Line (which would connect Australia with the rest of the world, in terms of fast communication, by linking up with the … [Read more...] about The Burke and Wills expedition (1860-1861)
IAC articles
The Battle of Beersheba (1917)
The Battle of Beersheba was a military action fought between Allied forces against troops of the Ottoman Empire (assisted by German and Austrian officers) in the area in and around the town of Beersheba (now a city), in Palestine. The battle took place on 31 October 1917, during … [Read more...] about The Battle of Beersheba (1917)
The discovery of Australia
Early European cartographers had long suspected that there was a “great southern land” located in the Southern Hemisphere; hypothesizing the existence of such a continent seemed to make good sense, as it would “balance out” the continents known to exist in the Northern … [Read more...] about The discovery of Australia
Australian inventions and innovations
Australians have been instrumental in developing various inventions and innovations. Whether they are inventions which have saved thousands of lives (like the Black Box for civil aircraft) or simply saved thousands, or millions, of hours (such as the combine harvester or the … [Read more...] about Australian inventions and innovations
The Ode of Remembrance
The “Ode of Remembrance”, also known as simply “The Ode”, is commonly recited at remembrance services in Australia, on Anzac Day (25 April) and on Remembrance Day (11 November). The words of the Ode of Remembrance are as follows: They shall grow not old, as we that are left … [Read more...] about The Ode of Remembrance
The birth of Ned Kelly
The date of Ned Kelly’s birth is not specifically known, as the records of his baptism have been lost. There are several theories as to the dating of his birth, which have been accepted by different authors. Herein are listed instances of the date of his birth as noted in various … [Read more...] about The birth of Ned Kelly
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 land, Australia, you f***ing beauty! This poem is one used by the Australian cricket team as their “victory song”; to be recited by the team … [Read more...] about Under the Southern Cross I Stand [the Australian cricket team’s victory song]
Poetry by Ned Kelly [1878]
Ned Kelly indulged in a bit of poetry at the end of his letter to Donald Cameron, with the following two passages: While an outlaw reigns their pocket swells ’Tis double pay and country girls [gals] For I need no lead or powder To revenge my cause And if words be … [Read more...] about Poetry by Ned Kelly [1878]
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. First written as a patriotic song in the late nineteenth century, it grew in popularity over the years; although not without its … [Read more...] about Advance Australia Fair: How the song became the Australian national anthem
The Groop [music videos]
The Groop was a rock band which was formed in Melbourne by Peter McKeddie, Max Ross, and Richard Wright, and which performed from 1964 to 1969. The band members, who had been students at Wesley College, were originally a folk trio named “The Oxford Trio” (named after the … [Read more...] about The Groop [music videos]
Australian Rules Football
Australian Rules Football is the most popular sport in Australia, with thousands of amateur teams playing in local competitions, along with professional-level teams competing nationally. The game is usually referred to as “Aussie Rules”, “AFL”, “footy”, or “football” (room for … [Read more...] about Australian Rules Football
Australian slang
A collection of Australian slang words and phrases. Some are in current widespread use, whilst others are not; some may be derived or taken from overseas slang, but most are unique to Australia. The expression of words in an Australian accent is known as “Strine” (which is how … [Read more...] about Australian slang