Category: Australia

Port Macquarie was apparently the fourth colony of whites in Australia, established in 1821. Some features of those early times remain and while they might be recent compared to the history of some cultures, there is little to compete with their age in Australia. I went to visit my parents there over the weekend and… Continue reading History Vandals

Australia was the first country to make voting compulsory by law, with a fine for those who don’t show up. I often hear people from other countries saying that it’s a good thing, but I’m not so sure. The usual reasoning is that it forces people to take an interest in what goes on in… Continue reading Compulsory Voting

Echidnas are a rare sight even in Australia, partly because they’re so shy (and generally nocturnal) and partly because there are so few of them. I’d only seen one in my life before today and that was deep in the mountains of Tasmania in the middle of a 6 day walk. But today, an adult… Continue reading Echidna

I lost my sense of humour while I was in Japan. At first, it was just disappointing because the Japanese didn’t understand my precious Aussie humour, but then one particular girlfriend started getting angry whenever I joked. She saw the humour as either derogatory (when directed at others) or proud (when laughing at myself) and… Continue reading Aussie Humour

I wasn’t too late coming home from work today, but it was already dark. Twice on the walk along the bush track I was startled by a scuffling sound. When I flicked on my torch on each occasion, I was greeted by a possum with glowing yellow eyes. The profusion of nature, right into the… Continue reading Wildlife

I spent two days at the Sydney Royal Easter Show last weekend, trying to increase awareness of AFS so that we could find more students to provide international experiences to and families to share experiences with foreign students coming into Australia. It’s been about 15 years since I’ve been to the annual agrigultural fair, but… Continue reading Plastic, Sugar and Wood

I spent last weekend helping run an AFS camp for foreign students, students recently returned and students about to leave. I was lucky enough to be assigned to help prepare the recent arrivals for their time in Australia, which meant getting to know a number of students from Argentina, the USA, Thailand, Japan and France… Continue reading Exchange Students

The Australian Prime Minister apologised to indigenous Australians today for all the hardships visited on them by the rest of us. I’m of mixed feelings about this. My own feeling is that an apology offers nothing, especially coming from people who weren’t involved in the key wrongdoings such as Aboriginal hunting in the early nineteenth… Continue reading Apology to Aborigines

I’m really enjoying the 15 minute bushwalk I get every morning on the way to the station, but this rain is taking the fun out of it. Three times this week, I’ve sat down on the train and settled in to read a book when my ankle began to itch. Reaching down, each time I… Continue reading Leeches

Being Catholic, Colin and Geeta’s wedding followed the usual protocol for western weddings. He in a suit and she in a white bridal gown and veil, church wedding and later reception. There were differences, however. Firstly, most women were in saris, all gorgeous with the bright colours and decorative weavings. It was a feast for… Continue reading Wedding