The movement to have a “White Australia” began in colonial times, with the Australian colonies passing legislation to restrict non-white immigration, with some legislation specifically targeting Chinese immigrants. When the six colonies federated in 1901, a “White Australia … [Read more...] about White Australia
IAC topics
Drop Bears
Drop Bears are a native Australian mammal, which can be found in bushland areas, especially in those habitats with a dense distribution of trees and a high level of canopy cover. The vernacular name for these animals can be somewhat deceptive, in terms of their taxonomic … [Read more...] about Drop Bears
Christmas in Australia
As a day commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas Day (25 December) is very important to those of the Christian faith. However, the day encompasses more than Christianity, with many non-Christians partaking in celebrations on Christmas Day and during the Christmas … [Read more...] about Christmas in Australia
NightCafé AI art
NightCafé Studio is an Australian company which provides people with the tools to create lots of AI-generated images. NightCafé is one of the best AI art sites in the world. And it’s free to join and use! Australian content There are many Australians on the NightCafé site, so … [Read more...] about NightCafé AI art
Gold Licenses (Victoria)
The widespread public awareness of the discovery of gold in Victoria in 1851 led to a series of gold rushes, with many hopeful people dashing to areas where gold was known to be found. Every one of them hoped to “strike it rich” by obtaining enough of the yellow metal on the … [Read more...] about Gold Licenses (Victoria)
The Miner’s Right
The Miner’s Right has a long history in Australia. Still in use today, it was first established in Victoria in 1855, as a replacement for the Gold License (which had been introduced in Victoria in 1851). The Miner’s Right was subsequently adopted by other Australian … [Read more...] about The Miner’s Right
Mother’s Day [including a list of articles]
Mother’s Day is celebrated in Australia on the second Sunday in May. It is a special opportunity, and perhaps a reminder, to connect with, to remember, and to honour one’s mother. The occasion has been publicly celebrated in the Land Down Under since 1909 (with it becoming … [Read more...] about Mother’s Day [including a list of articles]
Cabinet cards
Cabinet cards were a development in photography in the 1860s, which arose from the popularity of the cartes de visite. Cartes de visite (visiting cards, with photographs attached) were a phenomenon in the Western world (including Australia), beginning in the 1850s. They were … [Read more...] about Cabinet cards
Cartes de visite
Cartes de visite (visiting cards, with photographs attached) were a phenomenon in the Western world (including Australia) in the late 19th century. Many of them survive into modern times, giving us a glimpse back in time, showing us the faces and fashions of Australians of olden … [Read more...] about Cartes de visite
Wages in Australia
Listed below are various reported weekly wages, earned by Australian workers in the country’s early history, in a variety of occupations. This list was created to give some context to amounts of money which are mentioned in various articles; it includes wages from the 1850s to … [Read more...] about Wages in Australia
Invasion and takeover stories
A list of novels and short stories regarding an invasion, takeover, attack against, or an overwhelming threat to Australia. Also included are some reviews of such stories. There have been various fictional stories written regarding the defence of Australia and the possible … [Read more...] about Invasion and takeover stories
Valentine’s Day [list of articles and poems]
Valentine’s Day is celebrated each year on the 14th of February. The day is also known as Saint Valentine’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Valentine; it was originally a Christian feast day to honor Saint Valentine, who was a 3rd Century Christian priest who was imprisoned, tortured, … [Read more...] about Valentine’s Day [list of articles and poems]
Kangaroo and Map stamps [list of articles]
The “Kangaroo and Map” stamps were the first postage stamps to be produced by the Commonwealth of Australia. They were released on the 2nd of January 1913. The Australian colonies federated as the Commonwealth of Australia on the 1st of January 1901; however, it took twelve … [Read more...] about Kangaroo and Map stamps [list of articles]
New Year’s Day [list of articles]
This list includes various articles, poems, stories, and other items (such as ephemera, especially postcards) about or relating to New Year’s Day, New Year’s Eve, or to a New Year in a wider context. Items regarding a New Year: (Arranged in chronological … [Read more...] about New Year’s Day [list of articles]
The dog on the tucker box [list of articles]
The story of the Dog on the Tucker Box, on the road outside of Gundagai, has been the subject of poetry and amusement since at least 1901. Jack Moses claimed that his version of the poem was written in 1888, although there is no hard proof of its existence until 1919 (although … [Read more...] about The dog on the tucker box [list of articles]
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day, commemorated each year on the 11th of November, was established as a way of paying homage to those who fought and died during the First World War (1914-1918), with the date being taken from the cessation of hostilities when the Armistice came into effect on 11 … [Read more...] about Remembrance Day
The Battle of Beersheba [list of articles]
The Battle of Beersheba was a military action fought between Allied forces against troops of the Ottoman Empire in the area in and around the town of Beersheba (now a city), in Palestine. The battle took place on 31 October 1917, during the First World War (1914-1918). In … [Read more...] about The Battle of Beersheba [list of articles]
Wattle Day
Articles, letters, and poems regarding Wattle Day, the Wattle Day League, and wattle trees. (Arranged in chronological order.) The Wattle Tree [poem, 1 January 1876] Wattle bloom [by F.M., 31 August 1889] A lengthy article regarding wattle trees, and more. The last … [Read more...] about Wattle Day
May Day
Various articles relating to May Day, and May Day celebrations. May Day has long been observed in European cultures, as a celebration of the first day of summer, as well as being connected with notions of romance and fertility. Public celebrations have included dancing around … [Read more...] about May Day
The Burke and Wills expedition [list of articles]
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. The expedition of nineteen men departed from Royal Park, Melbourne, on 20 August 1860, led by Robert O’Hara Burke. … [Read more...] about The Burke and Wills expedition [list of articles]
Anzac Day
Articles, letters, and poems regarding Anzac Day, the Anzacs, the Gallipoli landings, and the Dardanelles campaign. Heroes of the Dardanelles [6 June 1915] Extracts of letters from several Australian soldiers. Australians at work: Brisk battles fought: Heavy losses … [Read more...] about Anzac Day
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
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 years it was commemorated as the First Landing, then as Anniversary Day, then as Foundation Day. It was also known as ANA Day, due to the … [Read more...] about Australia Day
The Eureka Rebellion
Various items relating to the Eureka Rebellion of 1854, the Battle of the Eureka Stockade (3rd December 1854), the subsequent Eureka trials, and some of the leading people involved (arranged in chronological order). Ballaarat [14 November 1854] An article regarding some of … [Read more...] about The Eureka Rebellion