what has the Australiansdone for us?

Subject: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Tom Hamilton frae Saltcoats Scotland
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 08:25 AM

What has the Australians ever done for us,

apart from Surfing, and the Black box what else.

I must say I have famliy in Australia.

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 08:31 AM

Rolf Harris?

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Emma B
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 08:34 AM

you are joking?

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: jimmyt
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 08:41 AM

perhaps clarifying when to use "have" and when to use "has?"

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: JennyO
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 08:48 AM

And when to put a thread in the BS section.

Bit of a slow day is it, Tom? What was your purpose in starting this thread, if not to annoy a few Oz catters?

Obviously we've done plenty. But I'll let others enlighten you. Right now it's time for bed.

Jenny (an Australian)

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 09:13 AM

Rupert Murdoch.
Alan Bond.
The Silver Bodgie.

But there are probably some honest ones too.

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: artbrooks
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 09:17 AM

Australia has brought us many wonderful things. Among them are are:
Sandra from Sidney
Freda Underhill
JennyO
Foolstroupe

Of course, there is also Vegemite......

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Emma B
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 09:21 AM

and of course the wonderful paintings of catter hilda fish!

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: johnadams
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 09:51 AM

Just to bring it on topic......

The Bushwackers & Bullockies Band
Eric Bogle
Traditional music resources via the organisation with my most favourite name.... Wongawilli publishing under the name of Carrawobbity Press
John Meredith's research
Trad tunes and songs from....
Joe Cashmere
Ebb Wren
Bert Jamieson
Harry Shaefer
Ma Seal
The Baulch Brothers
Angus Cameron
Arthur Bowley
Charlie Bachelor

and the most wonderful Sally Sloane!!!!!!!

Flying out to Adelaide on Christmas Day and thence to Melbourne! Looking forward to some sessions and sunshine!!

Johnny Adams

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: catspaw49
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 10:01 AM

I can't believe I'm agreeing with Richard Bridge on something.....sorta'

Among the great things I love about Oz is the contribution to sailing many of which were brought to us through the money and efforts of Alan Bond. Indirectly he brought to the world stage the talents of Ben Lexcen (Bob Miller), Ken Beashall, Tom Schnackenberg, John Bertrand, and a host of others. Bertrand and crew aboard Aussie II gave us a lesson in what belief can accomplish.

And of course, where would the world be without Vegemite? I'll tell you. We'd be stuck with only Marmite, that's where! Unlike most, I like both of them but Vegemite is my preference.

Tell ya' something else I'd miss......Bugsy, Jenny, Helen, Alan, Stewie, Bob, Foolestroupe, and all of those wonderful Aussie 'Catters.

And my car!!! Man, I love our Australian car! The Mitsubishi Diamante was built in Adelaide and was one of those "best kept secrets" in the auto industry. Known as the Verada in Oz, these cars were imported directly to the US for only a dozen or so years but they are just wonderful. Powerful, reliable, luxurious, with excellent handling, they are one of the ultimate "wolf in sheep's clothing" cars.

Hellfire Man....How could anyone not love Oz? Tom, I think you must be having a bad day even for a broke-dick fanook like yourself.

Spaw

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 10:05 AM

Yep, what IS this thread doing in this (the music related) section?
Ah well... I've good mates in Oz, and dreams of touring there one day ...so I'll add a bit anyway...

They've just shown 'Great Britain' how to play rugby league properly - again! (10am our time, this morning).
Only consolation for me is that the Leeds players present played reasonably well (and scored tries!)... and the Cricket Tests v the Oz are due to start shortly... eek! Where's the corkscrew?

I'm going to have a few glasses of Wyndham Estate, Bin 555, 2004 Shiraz tonight to drown m' sorrows - lovely stuff!
Must look up where it comes from....
Byeeee - Hic..... HFA

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Greg B
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 10:13 AM

They were taken from their homes and transported to a foreign
land for the most minor of offences.

I think we owe them reparations. :-)

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: MBSLynne
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 10:20 AM

Well my gt gt gt uncle was transported to Van Diemen's Land when he was 15 for stealing a hankie (though it was his third offence) He came from a fairly poor area and would probably not have amounted to much in London. In Australia he served an apprenticeship while he was doing his sentence. Once he got his free ticket he went to Victoria and started in business ending up a pillar of the community with several shops and a wealthy man. Reparation he didn't need!

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 11:10 AM

We would all be poorer if we lived in a world devoid of lagerphones. (Note photo credit to Bob Bolton)

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: johnadams
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 11:17 AM

And some people would be soberer if they didn't have to get the tops off the bottles to make the things!

Good link!

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Midchuck
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 11:22 AM

Invented a glorious variety of different terms for "to vomit."

Peter.

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 11:54 AM

er excuse me-what about kylie??? woman's a saint!

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: GUEST,Roger Knowles
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 12:16 PM

Slim Dusty!!

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: bobad
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 12:24 PM

Australian rules football.

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: GUEST,mozartspony
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 01:18 PM

Us > ?

Once past the equator,
everything is upside down.
That's not a bad thing;
gives a perspective of what
the other half of the world
looks like and what its doing.

Besides the water swirls down
the drain in the opposite direction.
Makes for a very interesting world
and the science goes crazy.

Cool! place is Aus. even though
I've never been there in real life.
It takes 26 hours to get there from here.
and that's travelling like stink.
egads. We go topsy-turvy. Fun, fun.
.
All good, bless Aus.
regards

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: ard mhacha
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 02:22 PM

They kept our leg-iron and chain manufacturers in work during those black old days in the 19th century, not forgetting our sailors,well someone had to deliver them.

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 02:54 PM

just a small sample

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 03:09 PM

Flying Doctor.... from the age of steam radio!

All the characters names ended in 'y'

snowy, and bluey and suchlike.

And it gave rise to the immortal catchphrase

Wolumbula Base ter Flyin doctor....!

I tell you, the excitement was intense.

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 03:40 PM

No one's mentioned Kath and Kim.
.................................
One of my great great grandfathers was supposed to have been transported to Australia for shooting a bailiff, and then came back home to Ireland a few years later as a local hero.   But a cousin's being looking into it, and he couldn't find the name in the records, and there's a nasty suspicion he might not have been transported after all. But we're trying to keep the ugly rumour quiet.
...................................
Lots of great songs, both old and new. (Including the ones emigrants like Eric Bogle or Enda Kenny probably wouldn't have written if they hadn't gone out there to live and become Australians.)

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Helen
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 04:17 PM

HipflaskAndy,

Bin 555 is one of my favourites and is made just "up the road" from here, i.e about 20 miles into the Hunter Valley. (I live in Newcastle, NSW, but was born & raised further up the valley.) There are lots of good wines coming out of the valley. It's one of the major wine regions of Oz. You should come out & visit some time.

And we have contributed our whacky, irreverent, self-mocking sense of humour, e.g. Dame Edna Everage. Then there was Peter Brock, car racing wiz now deceased, and that other bloke who followed his example and kicked the bucket the same week.

Too much to mention, really. :-)

Helen

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: bfdk
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 04:24 PM

The concept of "Mateship".

The wonderful TV series "Against the Wind".

Eric Bogle & John Munro
Colcannon
Judy Small
A lot of the beautiful songs that Martyn Wyndham-Read sings
The Bushwackers & Bullockies Band
Bloodwood
Wongawilli
Redgum
Jon English
The Borderers

And I'm sure I've forgotten a few that also merit mention..

Best wishes,

Bente

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Joybell
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 04:26 PM

Me! Me! Me!

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 04:37 PM

The lovely Dr Pam!

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 05:08 PM

I seem to remember that when we've had threads like this in the past they've tended to be fairly heavily loaded with knocking comments about the countries involved.

Interesting that in the case of Australia the posts seems to be overwhelmingly favourable. Someone did mention Murdoch, but he has given up being an Australian and taken American citizenship. And I'm sure most Australians would say they are welcome to him.

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: JennieG
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 05:19 PM

And me too!!!!!

Double place names like:
Woy Woy
Wagga Wagga
Grong Grong
Bong Bong
and many others.......

Helen - my favourite drop comes from near Broke, Krinklewood
Verdelho - have you tried it? You can get it at the Broke general store, and the winery is on the Wollombi Road. I have several ancestors resting in the Wollombi Cemetery, so say g'day as you pass.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 05:22 PM

"What has the Australians ever done for us"

They've kept, Tom Hamilton, the original poster from coming back to this thread.

Barry

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 05:28 PM

what's that Skippy, two men have fallen down a mine shaft..........

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 05:38 PM

The Bloomin' Onion

A great recipe. We had one yesterday.

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Helen
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 05:49 PM

I haven't tried that one yet, JennieG. I'll look out for it. My favourite type of wine for hot summer days is Semillon. Tangy with lots of flavour. Perfect with fresh foods like salads etc. Verdelho is good, but Semillon is better, IMHO.

McGrath of H, it's pretty difficult to wind up an Aussie because we enjoy laughing at ourselves too much. It's the national pastime. And another v. humourous thing is unloading people like Kylie & Rupert & Rolf on the rest of the world.

(Actually, I like Rolf. He's a very talented man, and as a kid his shows were very clever and entertaining. I like his programme - recently aired in Oz - called Star Portraits, where he organised 3 artists per show to simultaneously paint a famous person and then you could watch them at work, and then look at the 3 different styles of the final products. A very interesting way to see art in action.)

Helen

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Helen
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 05:52 PM

I meant me being a kid, not Rolf.

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: John O'L
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 06:06 PM

Rolf pioneered 'infotainment' decades before it was invented, and speaking of infotainment we also gave the world HG Nelson and Rampaging Roy Slaven, Olympic commentators second to none.

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 06:13 PM

Tony Prater, Shepperton
Claire Fordyke, Melbourne

Enough reasons for me to love Australia right there.

And the Mudcat would be the poorer without our lovely 'Stralians.

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 06:21 PM

"...it's pretty difficult to wind up an Aussie because we enjoy laughing at ourselves too much."

Seems the truth. Unlike some other countries - and one consequence of it is that Australians aren't an inviting target for teasing, simply because they don't rise to it...

One thing Australia has to answer for - when Tony Blair was a toddler the family emigrated there, and lived there for three years in Adelaide.   And then they came back to Scotland. So far and yet so near...

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 06:27 PM

Didn't last as a £10 Pom then!
Giok

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: GUEST,Allen in OZ
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 07:38 PM

Australia gave us Jenny G !

We also have Spike Milligan's brother and we had Spike's mother at Woy Woy.

Sadly, we also have John Howard

It can't be all bad though since we produced Dame Edna Everidge, Molly Meldrum and a bloke named Shirley who was a singer...funny old place OZ.

AD 1943

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 12:38 AM

The Oz 'Catters--delightful, perceptive, courageous, and fascinating--with no trolls--as far as I can tell---,Steve Irwin, and Black Opal Shiraz---- are great. This more than answers the question.

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: John O'L
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 12:47 AM

"what has the Australiansdone for us?"

We's gaven yous an lifestyle to which to aspire to. (Or threee)

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 03:08 AM

what's that Skippy.........those two blokes down a mineshaft are Billy Connolly and a cameraman doing another bloody boring travelogue. ........
Cripes! I'll get me shovel and fill it in, or he'll be outa there faster than your Mum went through the dogmeat factory......

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 03:51 AM

thankyou, artbrooks, for putting me on the top of the list!

It makes me feel much better as I've been enduring a very sore back all day, and seeing my name there gave me the first laugh of the day.

Then I got a few more from the other posts.

Yah Aussies & friends!

sandra

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 03:51 AM

Great plonk, Banjo Patterson and his brother Sir Les, for these alone
we will forgive you for that poisonous piss Fosters and it's ilk, and the singing budgie.

eric

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 04:49 AM

We gave the Poms the Ashes back for a year so they could feel good about themselves.

... but we'll be fixing that up, starting Thursday.

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: Helen
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 04:55 AM

Oh yeah, and we foisted Fosters on the unsuspecting Poms. How's that for a great joke?!

Helen

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 05:44 AM

... and "Neighbours" & "Prisoner" .... hehehehehe!

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: GUEST,John Gray in Oz
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 06:16 AM

Howard Florey ( with others ); Penicillin.
Dr Fiona Wood ; Spray-on Skin for burns victims.
Dr Graeme Clark : Cochlear Implants ( Bionic Ear )
Prof Carl Woods ; First IVF babies from frozen embryos & donor eggs.

JG / FME

Subject: RE: what has the Australiansdone for us?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 06:27 AM

Johnny Howard - first to back George & Tony...