Australia Day - Answers and some History

An Aussie Sunset!

So, you've all had a go at the Australia Day Quiz? If you haven't, there's still time - before you continue reading this post, checkout the quiz page, and then drop by and leave a comment to let everyone know how you went.

For those who've completed the quiz (whether you're from Australia, America, or elsewhere) - How did you go? I have to admit - the first time someone asked me these questions, I pretty much failed! It's amazing how so many of us Australians have so little knowledge about our history. Yes, I did throw a few hard ones in there. But I hope none of you chose "Jack Sparrow" as the Captain in command!

Well, without further ado, here is a full listing of each question, along with the correct answer. Enjoy! =)

1. What do we remember on Australia day?
   Correct Answer: The raising of the British flag
   The raising of the flag was the official symbol proclaiming British sovereignty over the Eastern coast of Australia. We celebrate this occasion on January 26th every year.
   

2. Where did this happen?
   Correct Answer: Port Jackson
   When the First Fleet arrived at Botany Bay, the intended settlement location, they found it unsuitable for living. They travelled a short distance to Port Jackson, where the flag was raised.
   

3. In what year?
   Correct Answer: 1788
   This is a confusing one! You've just gotta know this. Everyone I know tends to get this confused with 1770, the year when James Cook "discovered" Australia. Just remember all those 7's and 8's and you'll be fine!
   

4. Who was in command?
   Correct Answer: Captain Arthur Phillip
   Captain James Cook was the first European to explore the East coast of Australia, Captain William Lawson is fictionary, and Captain Jack Sparrow has yet to command an entire fleet.

5. How many ships were in the First Fleet?
   Correct Answer: 11
   This is another one you just have to know.

6. Which one of the following ships was NOT in the First Fleet?
   Correct Answer: The Endeavour
   Ok, so everyone got this one, right?
   The Endeavour was Captain Cook's ship during his first voyage. All the other names are actual ships in the First Fleet.

That's it! I hope you enjoyed the chance to test your knowledge, and maybe even gain some on the way. A huge thanks to all those who answered the quiz - and for any new people, please do leave a comment - no matter how short - to let me know how you scored!

More resources: Australia Day, Captain James Cook

This photo taken with the Fujifilm S9600 digital camera.

Australia Day Quiz!

What is Australia Day?

Think you know Australia? Try this quiz to check your knowledge of Australia Day, our national celebration. Please do "Have a go" and let me know how you scored in the comments section. Full answers will be disclosed tomorrow! Update: You've got 1 more day to finish the quiz - answers coming 28th Jan.
(Note: If you are viewing this in a feed reader, you may need to visit the site to see this quiz)

1. What do we remember on Australia day?

The discovery of Australia

The arrival of the First Fleet

The raising of the British flag

The founding of the Commonwealth

2. Where did this happen?

Botany Bay

Port Jackson

Circular Quay

Cooktown

3. In what year?

1770

1777

1780

1788

4. Who was in command?

Captain James Cook

Captain Arthur Phillip

Captain William Lawson

Captain Jack Sparrow

5. How many ships were in the First Fleet?

8

9

10

11

6. Which one of the following ships was NOT in the First Fleet?

The Endeavour

The Lady Penrhyn

H.M.S. Supply

The Borrowdale

The Adventure of a Lifetime - World Youth Day 2008

World Youth Day 2008

I'm back from Sydney now, where I have been on holiday during World Youth Day for a few weeks. And what a time it's been! World Youth Day 2008 was definitely the most memorable experience of my life. The whole week was a time of great joy and faith in Sydney, and the entire world.

For those who were watching, I documented some of my experiences during WYD on this blog. In the upcoming weeks I will run a series of photos here relating some of the key events that occurred during the time of WYD. The video shown above is a compilation of photos taken by me and my brother who also attended, to the WYD theme music "Receive the Power" by Guy Sebastian and Gary Pinto.

World Youth Day was special for me in many ways. Firstly, I was able to come together with youth from all over the world - over 170 nations - to unite and share experiences and culture. I met many new people, especially from Canada and Chile, with some of them even offering places to stay if I ever travel to their part of the globe! The number of flags visible was amazing, and everyone was very willing to share culture and faith.

One of the most beautiful things about World Youth Day was the atmosphere. There was a great sense of peace and friendship that I have never before felt in Sydney, or anywhere else for that matter. Everyone was ready to lend a hand with directions or whatever happened to come to hand. And an amazing thing happened - you were able to step on a train in the middle of Sydney and be greeted with a cheery "Hello!" or perhaps even a song. I don't know what it's like in other parts of the world, but normally in a big city in Australia if you say "Hello" to someone you're likely to get a cold stare. This transformation that came about was certainly beautiful to behold.

Another great thing was the hope and joy I saw in the young people around me. They all had a hope in the future that is becoming rare today, and rejoiced in the current moment without "stressing out" about the dozens of things that could have been worrying them. Without being careless, everyone was able to maintain a joyful attitude which also helped them to care for others.

There's no way I can describe everything that World Youth Day has been for me in mere words. I hope that this and the next few posts will convey some of what I have experienced, but as with any great moment it is impossible to explain fully. I can only say that it has been a life changing event for me and many others, which I will be building on for the rest of my life.

Has there been a great moment in your life, or a life-changing experience you would like to share? Leave a comment and discuss what has been special to you.

ANZAC Day - The Dove of Peace

"The Dove of Peace"
Anzac Day

Anzac Day, April 25 in Australia and New Zealand commemorates the landing in 1915, during World War I, of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The Allies attempted to take control of the strategic Dardanelles from Turkey, allied with the Central Powers, in the so-called Dardanelles Campaign, which began in February 1915. ANZAC forces landed on April 25 and secured a beachhead at what came to be called ANZAC Cove, on the Aegean side of the peninsula. Despite additional landings by other troops during the succeeding months, the Allies could not capture the strait, and they suffered enormous losses from battle and disease. By December 1915 the Allied troops, including the ANZAC forces, had been withdrawn. Nonetheless, the ANZAC troops earned a reputation for valiant fighting, and they then served with distinction in France and in the Middle East. Later, in 1917, the Australian and the New Zealand forces were separated, and ANZAC thus ceased to exist.

In 1920 Australia and New Zealand created ANZAC Day as an official holiday to honour those who had fought in the Dardanelles Campaign. Since then it has been broadened to become a memorial day honouring all who served and died in World Wars I and II and in the Korean and Vietnam wars. It is a public holiday marked by religious services and parades and by ceremonies in which veterans participate. The Cook Islands, Tonga, and Samoa also observe the day.

This dove represents peace in the world. The bird, perched high on the roof of a shrine, is looking out over the world wisely, and is at peace. We in Australia are thankful for the peace we do have, and for those who have gone before us defending that right. Not only Australians, but everyone in the world should remember the ANZACs and all like them with gratitude today, and look forward with hope to the peace of the world to come.

Source: Britannica Online
This photo taken with the Fujifilm S9600 digital camera.

Sunset in the Australian Bush - Sky Watch Friday

Sunset in the Australian Bush
Sky Watch Friday

I've got another Aussie Bush Sunset for you today. This photo is actually quite interesting, as it converges from a wide spanning vista to a single point - the Sun. But the way in which this happens in what really makes this photo unique. Most sunset photos will place the sun in or near the centre of the picture. In this image, however, the sun is thrown to the far right of the landscape, leaving room for the clouds and sky to fill most of the frame.

How do you like it?

This photo taken with the Kodak C330 digital camera.

Dramatic Sunset in Australian Bush - Sky Watch Friday

Dramatic Sunset in the Australian Bush (Outback)
Sky Watch Friday

You probably haven't noticed, but there's something different about today's Sky Watch Friday Sunset. This post has been published automatically by blogger. Last week blogger got a new feature enabling you to schedule posts to be published automatically at a later date, and so I am taking advantage of this new functionality today. This Friday, I haven't actually got on the computer at all. I prepared the sunset photo and post on Thursday, and it has been automatically published for you today. Now, I know this is old stuff for you Wordpress users, but for anyone using Blogger, this is a very handy new tool. Has anyone else used it yet?

This sunset is very "dramatic" - the multi-layered clouds and irregular tint give the photo a tense composition. I took this photo at the same time as this other sunset, but you wouldn't be able to tell just by looking at the photos. In one minute, which is the time difference between the two photos, the clouds changed position completely. That's one of the great aspects of a sunset - you'll never get bored watching one!

This photo taken with the Fujifilm S9600 digital camera.

Bearded Dragon Lizard from Australia

Australian Bearded Dragon Lizard

Bearded Dragons have broad triangular heads and flattened bodies, with adults reaching approximately 18 to 24 inches head-to-tail. When threatened, the lizards will expand a spiny pouch under their jaw and turn it black, as well as inhale air and puff up to make them appear larger. The pouch resembles a beard, lending the animal their name.

Bearded Dragons have a distinctive series of spines radiating horizontally from the head to the tail. Their color ranges from light tan to dark brown, depending on their native soil, often with highlights of black, brilliant red, or gold, and can change somewhat depending upon their internal condition. Bearded Dragons can occupy a large range of habitats from the desert to dry forests and scrublands.

All species are from Australia, but they have been exported worldwide and bred successfully in captivity. In the wild, the various species are widely distributed throughout different regions of Australia. Bearded Dragons live about 10-15 years with proper care in captivity, though some can live up to 20 years old.

Bearded Dragons are known to be very docile and trusting, yet at the same time, outgoing and curious lizards. Their behaviour includes body language such as head bobbing and leg waving. It is not recommended to try and arouse this behaviour, however, as it is territorial in nature.

Information source: Wikipedia
This photo taken with the Fujifilm S9600 digital camera.

Australia Day - What is Australia Day?

Australia Day - What is Australia Day?Australia Day is the official national day of Australia, which commemorates the establishment of a settlement and penal colony at Port Jackson by Captain Arthur Phillip, who later became the first Governor. Australia Day is celebrated on 26 January annually, and has been declared as an official public holiday in all states and territories of Australia. Known also as Anniversary Day or Foundation Day, Australia Day is widely considered to be an important day in the history of Australia.

On Australia Day, the winner of the Australian of the Year award is announced by the Prime Minister; the award is given to any Australian citizen who has shown a "significant contribution to the Australian community and nation", and is an "inspirational role model for the Australian community". Subcategories of the award include "Young" and "Senior Australian of the Year", and an award for the "Australian Local Hero".

Recorded celebrations date back to 1808, and in 1818, Governor Lachlan Macquarie held the first official celebration of Australia Day. In 2004, an estimated 7.5 million people attended Australia Day celebrations and functions across the country.

Source: Wikipedia

Australian Blue Tongue Lizard - Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Australian Blue Tongue Lizard (Tiliqua mustifaciata) basking in the Sun

This photo taken with the Fujifilm S9600 digital camera.
Shutter speed: 1/209, F4.6, ISO 100

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

In my last post I asked you all what photo you would like as a Christmas gift. I have received quite a few varied responses, so thank you all for your feedback. In this post I've included two of the requests. A Merry Christmas to you all, and may you have a fruitful and happy New Year in 2008!

Nature Nut / JJ Loch asked for a photo of the interior of a church decorated for Christmas.

Tom and Anna asked for an "Aussie Christmas Tree" (Most of them are the same as he American ones!)

Australian Kookaburra - Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday
Australian Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) after the Rain

This photo taken with the Fujifilm S9600 digital camera.
Shutter speed: 1/350, F7.2, ISO 100

Emus on the Roam

As I mentioned in the last post, I've recently had the opportunity to visit the Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, NSW. I took lots of photos (800+), so I've got lots of pics to post on this blog. For the first picture, I've chosen a subject that is uniquely Australian - an Emu.

The Western Plains Zoo has a good setup for photographing the animals. Instead of planting 8-foot fences between the people and animals, there is a sort of moat-and-wall arrangement, where you effectively stand on a mound of earth which puts you level with the top of the fence. This gives you a clear line of sight to the animals, which is great for photos

These emus were quite inquisitive, coming right to the edge of the "fence" to get their photos taken. With 10x zoom, I was able to get some good close-ups of the emus' heads.

The photo above shows a head-on view of the emu, while the photo below portrays the bird from the side. Both of these photos seem to portray a sense of action and alertness, as if the emu is utterly aware of your presence and is waiting for you to make the first move.

Overall the visit to the zoo was a fruitful exercise, and should merit a plethora of new photos for this blog. I look forward to sharing these photos, and I hope you will enjoy them too. I've been playing around with wide-screen photography, and the second emu photo in this post is an example of this. Hopefully I'll be putting up some of my shots in this format, it seem to convey a very different impression to standard 8x10 or 6x4 photography.

These photos taken with the Fujifilm S9600 digital camera.
Related Photos:

Lazy Sunday (Bearded Dragon Lizard)
Kangaroo in mid-air
Hairy Caterpillar