Great Southern Land

There are many myths circulating about about Australia. I thought I might write a bit that would give other people an idea about the country I live in.

I personally live in Newcastle - a city on the east coast. You should be able to find it on any world map - just a bit above Sydney.

Pictures

Gloucestor Tops

Northern New South Wales

Life

Life in Australia is not as it is made out to be in "Crocodile Dundee". In some areas the scenery is like that, but Australia is a country with much variety and vibrance.

We have spent years trying to throw off the Aussie yobbo image. What Australia is about is basically giving everyone a fair go. I think that's the best thing of all about our culture.

Of course, though we are not surrounded by scenes out of the jungle, Australia has much natural beauty both around and even in our major cities.

Government

Our system of government is basically the same as the British - this is called the Westminster model. We are not governed by the British, although we have ties back due to our history.

The Westminster system assures that no-one has absolute power. The govenor-general takes the place of the queen in the British system. The govener-general must rubber-stamp the government's propositions and has the power to dismiss the government which has happened once. The government decides over a long-term period who is govoner-general. The courts also have particular powers in regards to government, but they have never had to be realised.

Australia is thinking of becoming a republic, so we are truly sovereign. There are two basic models for the republic which are: popularly elected president and absolute majority parliament president.

The absoulte president has the advantage of being bi-partisan, so the balance of power in the Westminster system is maintained.

History

Captain Cook is often credited with discovering Australia, however Dutch sailors were known to have found the "Great Southern Land" before Cook. Cook was asked to investigate these claims while already on an expedition.

Australia was settled by Europeans in 1788 by Captain Phillip. He brought the first group of convicts to Australia. It has surfaced that Australia may not have been intended to be solely a convict settlement as plans for settling Sydney which were not picked up by Phillip suggest this.

We became a separate nation from Britain in 1901 with Federation.

After each world war Australia received an influx of migrants. This was due to a "populate or perish" attitude of the government of the day. Many came from Ireland and the Mediterranean and has resulted in a diverse, yet harmonious mix of people.

[Geocities] [Home] [Email]