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BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?

28 Jan 05 - 05:10 AM (#1391041)
Subject: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: The Fooles Troupe

Taking in to account the large number of topics already taken in this line, I feel I should stake my claim! Aussies have their place too....

Robin


28 Jan 05 - 05:20 AM (#1391050)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: GUEST,Flamenco Ted

Australia has been great for England, very handy place for deporting all our criminals to.


28 Jan 05 - 05:24 AM (#1391053)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: George Papavgeris

Not all, Ted, there's a few still lurking around.
Did I say a few?

"As I walk the path you opened
in eternal gratitude,
convict, settler, migrant, hero,
from your future I salute" (Circular Quay, Jan 2005)


28 Jan 05 - 06:08 AM (#1391071)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: GUEST,Jon

Nothing, Foolsetroupe, all the swine want to do is beat us at cricket!

That said, maybe one day, I'll go over there and sort you lot out. I do have a brother and family out there. They moved to Golden Beach from the UK a year or maybe two ago and seem to be loving it there.


28 Jan 05 - 06:21 AM (#1391077)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Helen

Rolf Harris!


28 Jan 05 - 06:43 AM (#1391090)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: GUEST,sandra in sydney

Vegemite!!

Tim Tams (I had trouble remembering their name as I'm not a bikkie eater)


28 Jan 05 - 06:46 AM (#1391091)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: GUEST,Jon

Sandra, I'm told that is an inferior Marmite ;-)


28 Jan 05 - 07:31 AM (#1391109)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: freda underhill

First place in the world to have a secret ballot in elections (1856)

First Place in the world to give women the vote. (1894)

An Australian invented the worlds first method of land registration,(Torrens Title) now in use in many countries around the world.

The bionic ear, a device that enables some deaf children to hear.

Flexible wine casks... the bag in the box.

The boomerang. Ancient weapon of the aborigines. Other cultures have throwing sticks but none came back to the thrower if it missed the target.

The Notepad. In the whole history of paper, it had been sold and used in single sheets until in 1902 JA Birchall thought it would be a good idea to stack a pile of half sheets together, back it with cardboard and glue one end.

The Electric Drill was the invention of Arthur James Arnot, who patented it in 1889.

Postage stamps. The world's first pre paid postage system was introduced at Sydney in 1838.

The world's first refrigeration plant was an Australian invention of 1858.
To our collective shame, the worlds first bathing beauty contest was held in Australia in 1920.

The famous "black box" flight recorder for recording aeroplane movements was invented in Australia in 1958.

Also in 1958 the worlds first regular 'round the world' airline service was begun.

The inflatable aircraft escape slide, which becomes a raft if the aeroplane ditches in water was an Australian invention of 1965.

The Automatic letter sorting machine - 1930

Two stroke lawn mower.

The rotary hoist washing line.

Lithium as a treatment for manic depression.

Latex gloves 1945

we are the largest Island in the world.

The flagpole at Parliament house in Canberra is the largest aluminium object in the world.

Sydney Tower is the highest building in the southern hemisphere.

Kalgoorlie in WA is the worlds largest electorate 2,255,278 sq km

The Australian Labor Party is the oldest surviving labor party in the world. (1891)

The worlds largest cattle property is Strangeray Springs in S.A. over 30,000 sq km

and the oldest surviving culture in the world indigenous australians have lived here for over 60,000 years.


28 Jan 05 - 07:35 AM (#1391114)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: GUEST,Vic at work

Swagmans Kiss and other great wines, Mr Winding Road, Enda Kenney, and especially enda's brother Ken (another great singer) and all the other Perth based singers who made us so welcome when we toured over there.
Vic


28 Jan 05 - 08:00 AM (#1391134)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: freda underhill

and furthermore..

nanotechnology - A machine 1.5 billionths of a metre in size with moving parts only several molecules wide. It can be sent into the body by doctors wanting to detect drugs or viruses in the blood, or to identify gene sequences for diagnosing genetic disorders.

A contact lens that can be worn continuously for a month has been developed in Australia.

A contact lens designed specifically for the Asian eye has been developed in Sydney.

The Modular Ceramic Knee combines ceramics and a metal alloy to provide a lighter, stronger and more stable artificial knee. The largely ceramic nature of the knee allows better lubrication between surfaces than in metal prostheses, resulting in less friction and wear.

The multiple Olympic gold medal winning superbike.

the concept car and electronic car

carbon fibre guitars incidentally, Graham Caldersmith who invented these guitars was my science teacher at school, and used to come round to our home on Sunday nights, with his mate eric bogle, for our family sessions.

okay, enough already...!


28 Jan 05 - 08:07 AM (#1391137)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: manitas_at_work

Perhaps I being a bit naive but haven't Africans lived in Africa for a lot longer than 60,000 years?


28 Jan 05 - 08:39 AM (#1391162)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: The Fooles Troupe

Tasmanian hand Fish Brachionichthyidae?


28 Jan 05 - 08:45 AM (#1391170)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: freda underhill

its interesting manitas. genetic tracking hs come up with this:

Some nuclear DNA sequences (including Y-chromosome data) and mtDNA indicate that modern humans originated and migrated relatively recently from a subset of the African population, putting Africa as the home of modern humanity. A study of human Y-chromosome variation in a worldwide sample of over 1,000 men determined that Africans and non-African males shared a common ancestor 59,000 years ago and that the non-African branch of humanity left Africa about 44,000 years ago. Such time estimates are based on the molecular clock hypothesis . Y-chromosome studies tend to misinterpret demographic events related to the origin and spread of populations, underestimating the age of those events. Mike Hammer (1995) at the University of Arizona, sequenced 2,400 bases in the same Y chromosome region from 16 ethnically diverse humans and four chimpanzees, and dated the common ancestral human Y chromosome at 188,000 years with a 95 percent confidence interval from 51,000 to 411,000 years. Other data shows that Africans and non-Africans split about 156,000 years ago (Underhill, et al, 2000), (Ingman, 2000). Within Africa the oldest modern human fossil is just less than 160,000 years old and represented by Homo sapiens idaltu. (http://www.ecotao.com/holism/hu_mod.htm)

but in australia, we are talking about a continuous, uninterrupted and unchanged culture that has existed here since at least 60,000 years ago, and as far as i know, this is the oldest surviving CULTURE on the planet. Aborigines have the oldest religion, the first demonstrable burial rites, and practised very sophisticated ways of fire-stick farming and fish harvesting. Their deep knowledge of and respect for country and their oral tradition of 'song lines' are still only partially comprehended by newer australians..


28 Jan 05 - 09:15 AM (#1391193)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: The Fooles Troupe

And it's now beginning to be understood that the imported 'Smoky the Bear' attitudes to the bush have been responsible for the serious damaging bush fires - the original inhabitants not only gradually changed the plants and animals by their 'firestick farming' but continued to upkeep it so that damaging fires did not happen - over the last 200 years we have stuffed that up.

An Aussie corresponded with the Wright Brothers - who were inspired by some of his ideas...


28 Jan 05 - 09:35 AM (#1391215)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Peace

Australia gave me the ability to perceive the world as a spheroid. It gave me the understanding that gravity actually worked elst how could people there walk on their feet and Australia made it possible for me to get a grip on evolution. There is no way anyone could actually dream up a platypus--well, maybe in the 1960s, but not before or since. It also gave me one of the best friends I have ever had.

Oh, yeah, gave us all a song with really strange words: matilda, billabong, swagman, billy. It was reading about Australia that made me see the importance of voting in elections--even if all I do is mar a ballot. They fine ya and publish your name in the paper if ya don't vote. They seem to take their elections seriously. Australia also gave the world the biggest rock on the planet: Ayer's. Neat place, IMO, and it seems to be filled with friendly and well-spoken 'catters, even though 'they talk funny'. LOL

BM


28 Jan 05 - 09:38 AM (#1391221)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: freda underhill

we speak normally, its everyone else who talks funny.


28 Jan 05 - 09:46 AM (#1391228)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: number 6

The location for the novel and movie "on the beach"

The Flying Doctor

Benny Hill

sIx


28 Jan 05 - 10:24 AM (#1391263)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Rapparee

Ah, Freda -- no, women had the vote in Wyoming in 1869, Utah(!) in 1870. In fact, they were originally enfranchised in New Jersey in the 18th Century, but it was taken from them. Iceland gave some women voting rights in 1882 -- although it was not extended to all Icelandic women until 1911.


28 Jan 05 - 10:25 AM (#1391266)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Peace

WOMEN GOT THE VOTE?


28 Jan 05 - 10:26 AM (#1391268)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: GUEST,freda

artist Emily Kngwarreye

Pop artist Martin Sharp

photographer tracy moffat   

musician and artist Reg Mombassa


28 Jan 05 - 10:41 AM (#1391285)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Bunnahabhain

Gives the Kiwi's somewhere to make jokes about.


28 Jan 05 - 10:47 AM (#1391291)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: freda underhill

An Aussie journalist was in New Zealand doing stories where he saw a Kiwi farmer doing unnatural things with a sheep. He approached the Kiwi and firstly asked, "What sort of sheep is that?" He scribbled down the farmer's reply - "a Merino". The next question was, "Do you shear them?" The farmer replied hastily, "No! Go and find yer own!"



(You'll need to know how a Kiwi's accent sounds to appreciate this joke.)


28 Jan 05 - 11:02 AM (#1391305)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Helen

Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Heaven, God went missing for six days. Eventually, Michael the Archangel found him, resting on the seventh day.

He inquired of God, "Where have you been?" God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look Michael, look what I've made." Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?"

"It's a planet,- replied God, "and I've put LIFE on it. I'm going to call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance".

"Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused.

God explained, pointing to different parts of Earth. "For example, Northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth while Southern Europe is going to be poor; the Middle East over there will be a hot spot."

"Over there I've placed a continent of white people and over there is a continent of black people" God continued, pointing to different countries. And over there, I call this place America. North America will be rich and powerful and cold, while South America will be poor, and hot and friendly. And the little spot in the middle is Central America which is a hot spot. Can you see the balance?"

"Yes" said the Archangel, impressed by Gods work, then he pointed to a large land mass and asked, "What's that one?"

"Ah" said God. "That's Australia, the most glorious place on Earth. There are beautiful mountains, rainforests, rivers, stream and an exquisite coast line. The people are good looking, intelligent and humorous and they're going to be found travelling the world. They'll be extremely sociable, hard-working and high-achieving, and they will be throughout the world as diplomats and carriers of peace. I'm also going to give them super-human, undefeatable cricket and rugby players who will be admired and feared by all who come across them".

Michael gasped in wonder and admiration but then "You said there will be BALANCE!"

God replied wisely. "Wait until you see the ugly, whining, sheep rooting, Kiwi bastards I'm putting next to them".


28 Jan 05 - 11:16 AM (#1391320)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: SINSULL

Crocodile Dundee
Shrimp on the barbie
Outback Steakhouse
Pavlova
black opals


Sorry - someone had to say it.


28 Jan 05 - 11:23 AM (#1391330)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: GUEST,Jon

"Pop artist..."

Oh yes, didn't you inflict that awful Kylie Minogue on the world?

Mind you, you do have Judith Durham.


28 Jan 05 - 03:26 PM (#1391592)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: GUEST

Utterly repulsive screaming win-at-all-cost smart-alec little bad-loser gloating winner racist abusive cock-a-hoop ugly freckled tennis players.

(God, I feel better).


28 Jan 05 - 03:33 PM (#1391599)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: el_punkoid_nouveau

Neighbours, Cell Block H, and half a dozen other of the most appalling soap operas in existence...


28 Jan 05 - 05:40 PM (#1391702)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: The Fooles Troupe

... which we finally managed to send out of the country....


28 Jan 05 - 05:48 PM (#1391719)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Peace

Australia: That's that big island off the west coast of New Zealand, isn't it?


28 Jan 05 - 07:37 PM (#1391825)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Helen

Yes, Foolestroupe, and got some gullible overseas networks to pay for.

Helen


28 Jan 05 - 07:56 PM (#1391845)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: el_punkoid_nouveau

And to think that we sold you Dr Who...


28 Jan 05 - 08:15 PM (#1391860)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Peace

Last I heard he was on first. Now, he's a doctor. Times change.


29 Jan 05 - 09:09 AM (#1392195)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Hrothgar

The world's first Labour government, in Queensland. Mind you, it only lasted a week, but you have to start somewhere.


29 Jan 05 - 03:02 PM (#1392489)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Tannywheeler

Not that much, brucie. Idanoe's still on third.      Tw


29 Jan 05 - 03:19 PM (#1392504)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Fergie

And LAMINGTONS


29 Jan 05 - 07:02 PM (#1392707)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Micca

JennyO, Rhymin Simon, Joybelle
and the STAR
Freda Underhill!!!!


29 Jan 05 - 07:10 PM (#1392716)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: freda underhill

thank you micca - and also Bob Bolton (the real star) Hilda Fish (more of a comet) John o lennaine, john from Brisbane, and a whole lot of other fly by nights (and post by daze)!!

hugs

freda

ps

and dont forget..... Vladimir the Inhaler, Vampire Villain, and his little chum, or should that be his little chomp, Magenta


29 Jan 05 - 07:14 PM (#1392721)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: freda underhill

a few fly by nighters


29 Jan 05 - 10:50 PM (#1392882)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Pogo

Banjo Patterson {O)


30 Jan 05 - 03:02 AM (#1392963)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: GUEST,John O'Lennaine

Surf life saving clubs

The lagerphone


30 Jan 05 - 04:28 AM (#1392997)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: rich-joy

well, as far as Mudcat is concerned : STEWIE in Darwin!!!!!!
(a most wonderful, generous, and exceedingly knowledgable man)
.
.
.
.
and following on from Helen's Jan 28 post : I recall that a spiritual channel referred to Australia as "the heart chakra of the world" - but then again, that WAS before Little Johnny came to power ...

:-(

Cheers! R-J


30 Jan 05 - 05:34 AM (#1393015)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: John MacKenzie

William Ricketts
Slim Dusty
Sir Les Paterson
Henry Lawson
and the lovely word 'Drongo'

Giok


30 Jan 05 - 09:27 AM (#1393165)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Bunnahabhain

More euphamisms for being sick than the rest of the world put together....


30 Jan 05 - 06:29 PM (#1393674)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: GUEST

WE SUCK UP TO THE YANKS
LAUGH AT THE POMS
FEEL SORRY FOR THE KIWIS MOST HAVE MOVED HERE


31 Jan 05 - 01:20 AM (#1393952)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: hilda fish

Really, we only gave the world everything accidently. If you look at it we didn't give nothing - just left it lying around for whoever to pick up. We are very nice but really, we were chucking a sickie and were actually at the beach having a good time.


31 Jan 05 - 09:43 PM (#1395158)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Bob Bolton

G'day Freda Underhill,

I don't usually bother with this type of thread, but I was skimming through and noticed your comprehensive (if occasionally contentious) list of 28 January.

In re your entry:

Lithium as a treatment for manic depression.

Do you happen to know who developed that treatment (and discredited the previous use of bromides on depressed persons) ... ? It was Shirley Andrews ...

- the main force behind our first (Australian) Folk Festival (38 years ago)

- the main force behind the "Bush Dance" revival of the 1970s / '80s

- an ardent worker for for Reconciliation ... and an Apology ... and a Treaty with Australia's Aboriginal people (She was a guest of honour at the great Sydney Harbour Bridge March ... unfortunately, she had to be ferried in a car, at the head of the March, due to her broken hip.)

Shirley was a credit to the Australian folk music scene!

Regards,

Bob Bolton


31 Jan 05 - 09:51 PM (#1395167)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Bob Bolton

Errr ... G'day again,

Just a minor correction ... My listing should have read:

- the main force behind our first (Australian) National Folk Festival (38 years ago).

Our first Australian Folk Festival was in Sydney, in 1954 (51 years ago), but Shirley was the one that made the National Folk Festival happen ... and work - and become the first event that helped conquer Australia's "tyranny of distance", in the folk music sphere.

Regards,

Bob


01 Feb 05 - 09:07 AM (#1395545)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: GUEST

Well, Bob, that killed the conversation stone dead....


01 Feb 05 - 01:21 PM (#1395822)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: John MacKenzie

We're struck dumb with admiration of his erudition, so there!
Giok


02 Feb 05 - 02:34 AM (#1396603)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: Shanghaiceltic

You taught us how to spell beer as XXXX

Some great fims too... Walkabout, Rabbit Proof Fence.


02 Feb 05 - 03:25 PM (#1396941)
Subject: RE: BS: What have the Aussies ever done 4 us?
From: freda underhill

thanks Bob, its the difference between someone who copied a list of stuff from a site, (me) and someone who knew the person who did it, plus so much more about her - thanks!