Old Australian Icons
The Old Australian Dunny (toilet, thunderbox, etc)-Many a joke or prank has been performed or written about this true Aussie icon. Rain, hail, blowflies, etc were all encountered by day or midnight users around Australia and still today in some areas, especially in the country. Some were simply built over large dug out holes in the ground whilst others in towns and cities had cans regularly picked up by the "night carter" who braved all conceivable obstacles including the jives of the locals, mainly children. These out houses were a hive for every imaginable Australian creepy crawly like spiders, bull ants, flies, mosquitoes. Many "sitters" also encountered snakes, frogs and the odd dairy cow or chook hanging around or peeping through the cracks. For the first time "sitter" the experience was never forgotten. EJB
The Original Victa Lawn Mower-Australian Sundays were never the same again when Victa invented and introduced this noisy machine into our home lives. Sunday paper boys' whistles were instantly drowned out with the roar of Victas throughout Australia. Push mowers were quickly being traded in on this new power machine. Paddocks of grass were being "turned into lawn" as the hype was stating. Toes and fingers were discarded by learners everywhere. Gardening boots and shoes, for the lucky ones, had their toes and sides ripped out as users learned the hard way how to safely operate. EJB
The Milk or Cream Can Mail Box (Roadside Mail Box..RMB)-Still very popular today but for the buyer of an original they can be very expensive. Thousands still exist around Australia lining the older highways, country roads and farm lanes. Many stand proud and painted whilst others hang sadly from their old hardwood posts. Some had (have) their lids hinged or chained others having lost them years ago. Two gallon, five gallon and ten gallon were all used. The farmer when using for a milk/cream container regularly had them tinned to prevent rusting. Today there are many cheap copies available made from thin metal plate painted mostly in deep creams and greens. EJB
The Australian Holden Car-On the 29 November 1948 at Fishermen's Bend in Victoria, Australia the first Australian mass produced car was released and known as the Holden 48/215. Most of us just knew it as simply the FX. The 132.5 cubic inch engine sedan was priced at AUS$1,466 including tax. In 1951 the first Holden utility was released known as the coupe utility. EJB
The Hills Hoist Clothes-Line-The Hills Hoist is a rotary clothes line fitted with a hoist operated by a crown and pinion winding mechanism which allows the frame to be raised and lowered. It was developed and marketed by Lance Hill in 1945 after he returned from the war. The idea of a rotary clothes line wasn't new - US patent 434921 of 26 August 1890 is much earlier and there were similar products in Australia. Hill's initial patent application lapsed, but he obtained a patent in 1956 for the winding mechanism. Hills Hoists are now sold throughout Australia, Asia, Europe and North America. The Hills name has trade mark protection for a variety of products. Reference Archives of Australia Gateway.
The Australian Blue Heeler Cattle Dog-The Australian Cattle Dog was developed in New South Wales in the 1870s by selective breeding from the blue-mottled Scotch Collie and Australian Dingo cross, through the Dalmatian and Black-and-Tan Kelpie. The characteristics of stealth, courage and endurance made the ‘blue healer' ideal for mustering cattle in rugged and unfenced regions by quickly and silently ‘heeling’ the herd, nipping at strays and quickly responding to command. (Reference Archives of Australia Gateway )
The Australian Koala-The Koala is one of Australia's best known animals. It is an icon represented when promoting Australia to the tourist industry, and in general people adore these cuddly creatures. There are two species, the Southern Koalas and the Northern Koalas.
Koalas are often referred to as a Koala bear. However they are not a bear. The name Koala comes from an Aboriginal word. It means "no drink", as Koalas get enough fluids through the eucalyptus leaves they feed on. Koalas are found all over east Australia, mainly in the south east.
The male Koalas are larger than the females. Southern koalas are larger than Northern koalas. They have a grey soft furred coat, with a white chest. A flat nose and big ears, and clawed feet for climbing.
They are very placid animals, and do not move around much, they are only active for about 2 hours of the day.
The old Australian joke of "Koalas: Eats Roots & Leaves" is not quite correct. Koalas feed on eucalyptus leaves, which they have a variety of twelve different species to choose from. This is basically the only thing they do eat, although there are a few exceptions. Did you know? Koalas make an extremely loud and aggressive growling noise. From Australian Fauna Explore this superb site
The Parkes Radio Telescope or "Dish" is 20 km north of Parkes on the Newell Highway. Built in a remote paddock the telescope is used to measure the radio energy produced in the universe. The telescope also helps in space exploration throughout the world. The dish is 64 metres across. The telescope was made even more famous with the mostly fictitious movie 'The Dish'
The Slouch Hat by Mal Lyons
It's Part of our long history and it's served in many wars,
from desert sands to jungles deep on many foreign shores.
It's worn by all our Diggers, with pride, and that's a fact,
and recognised around the world, as the "Aussies old Slouch Hat".
Khaki is the colour with a lighter pugaree,
and a highly polished chin strap for all the World to see.
The left side brim loops upward and displays the rising sun,
and the pride in those who wear it, is seen by everyone.
The trenches at Gallipoli and the tough Kakoda Trail
the hat was worn in battles and never did it fail.
It's been highly decorated, won medals by the score,
it's won "VCs" and "DCMs" and many, many more.
Even in more recent times, in Korea and Vietnam,
it served a tour of duty with Australia's fighting man.
In the jungles of Malaya and the hills around Nui Dat,
our diggers have fought in battles and with them, the old Slouch Hat.
The Lyons Den - My thanks to Mal Lyons (and family) for the rights to reprint the topical poem, The Slouch Hat (Copyright © M C Lyons). View The Lyons Den site for more great Aussie poems and their family details.
Access Hundreds of Extra old Aussie recipes
Glorious Australiana images from a cd-rom called Images-Australia by ©GUM TREE GRAPHICS Artwork created by Australians Barry Gardner & Jason Jover. I recommend when looking for excellent computer graphics you request ©GUM TREE GRAPHICS from your retailer.