K: Kangaroos, Kids and Kings Cross

That's a "catch-up" note. We have covered the roos and kids' TV programmes in class. But we will come back to Kings Cross (and crime related topics) next week, so please have a look at the materials.

 


1. Kings Cross (or a loving look at Australian crime scene). This is one of the topics really close to my heart.

Kings Cross is a wild mixture of prostitution and crime, with stylish restaurants and hotels. It has visitors of all kinds and although has some slightly run down areas has a certain quality to it as well.

Kings Cross is also home to one of Sydneys oldest areas, Wooloomooloo. Here, opposite the Artspace Gallery, you will find Harry's Cafe de Wheels, open for 18 hours a day, started in 1945. It is a must visit on the way home after a night out.

CLICK HERE to read more about this district of Sydney and learn some useful tips ;-)

Click the picture below to enter the world of Harry's Cafe de Wheels.




The soul of a nation is frequently defined by its outlaws. We'll be talking at lenght in the future about the likes of Ned Kelly, but on Monday we'll just have a look at present day criminals and their portrayal in various media (but mostly films).

Have a look at the clips below to get the feel of Kings Cross, but you don't really need to prepare any answers.






But you will have to do a bit of work for topic #2 ;-)

2. Kangaroos

Here is the ultimate kangaroo quiz from Animal Planet. Take it to find out how much you remember from the class (it takes less than 5 minutes to do).































3. Kids' TV programmes and books

Some clips from the shows we talked about in the class:

Koala Brothers

A fantastic look at the Outback and the life there. Stunning voice acting with a variety of broad accents.

Dot and the Kangaroo

 

This is the whole movie if anyone feels like watching.

The film is one of iconic elements of Australian culture. It's the second ever animated Australian film, and a fantastic mixture of world views represented by the white and the Aboriginal members of Australian society.

Visit Australian Screen website to read more.

And for those who don't have time to watch the movie - the traumatic Bunyip Song:

The Wiggles

The Wiggles is the most popular show for kids in Australia, and normally it looks like that:



(It's a TV programme, but here you have a clip of Wiggles in concert).

However sometimes the Wiggles are much more demonic than that... ;)

This is another song which has traumatised generations of young Australians. Brace yourselves...

Yeah. What have they been smoking, eh? ;)

Finally go here to read about great Aussie literature for kiddies.



*