Australian Story: The Irwin Encounters tells the untold story of the Croc Hunter team (from News.com.au)

News articles about Steve keep circling, even after his death. Today's press.

CLICK ME

VIDEO 

S (part 2): Symbols and Steve Irwin (another Australian icon)

1. Australian Symbols

Begin with some serious reading here.


And then visit my beloved site for a less "purist" take on Aussie symbols ;-)
(click the pic below)




















EUREKA FLAG 
GOLDEN WATTLE

2. In the second part of the class we are going to celebrate the life and heritage of Steve Irwin, or as we came to know him better - The Crocodile Hunter.








How could you just not love this guy? ;-)



First part of a great interview. You'll find part 2 and 3 on You Tube.







3. (if we have time) Live, Universe and Everything
That's mostly Aboriginal Astronomy. I'll show you a presentation I prepared for Open Days four years ago. You don't need to read anything.

S (part 1): Sport and Science

*
 1. Sport

"Australian sport deserves quality piss taking or none at all."

Australians are a nation of active people and they like to joke that they spend more on excercising than on education, but it doesn't mean that they are going to worship their sportsmen and sportswomen blindly. They always retain a healthy dose of irony and humour.

Asked about cricket, they would say something like that:

Cricket is a game that moves about as fast as a Jamaican on valium. It involves watching 11 men in white clothes stand around a field for a few hours, then break to have lunch, stand around, then break again to have a cup of tea, stand around, then go home. The same thing occurs for another 4 days, and then after all that effort, both teams call the whole thing a draw...

Remember, "Australian sport deserves quality piss taking or none at all." So true ;-)


Australians pride themselves on inventing football. That's correct. Football. (see the link under science). However "footy" may mean different games in different states. More on that here.

Some of you know already that I'm hopelessly in love with AFL






Talking about sport, we can't possibly forget about Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.















Sydney was the second Olympic Games organized by Aussies. The first one was in Melbourne in 1956.

That date also marks Aussies' love affair with swimming.

Still, whether you are a professional athlete or an amateur, the main point is to be able to have fun.

Have a listen to this commentary. Pay attention to how Polish audience react to Aussies scoring goals, and how the Australian commentators react to the goal scored by Poland (first two minutes). A bit eye-opening, eh?




2. Science and the inventive Australian mind.

Have a look at the long list of Aussie inventions.

Here is the history of one of them:



*

QUIZ "AUSTRALIA LETTERS G - R"

IT TOOK A WHILE BUT THE QUIZ IS FINALLY THERE.

PLEASE GO TO HERE TO LOG ON AND COMPLETE THE QUIZ.

The quiz has just become active and will close on May 14, 2015.
Again you have three chances to have a go, and your final score is going to be the highest one of all allowed attempts.


Have fun and good luck :)

R: Radio, religions, rocks and rivers

Tomorrow we'll be focusing on the following topics:

1. Radio

We have already seen what the wireless was like at the beginning of 20th century, with its aspiration to become the "new BBC". Click the picture to learn more.









I'm not that much interested in names, dates and details. Instead concentrate on the impact that radio has had on the community in a country where many citizens live in very remote areas.

2. Religion

3. The Rabbit Proof Fence (the history of introducing new species: sheep and rabbits)

4. rocks and mountains


5. rivers (Murray-Darling)


River map.

***

ANZAC Day 2015 - centenary of Gallipoli landing

This week we'll have a slightly different class. Please read/watch the materials below:

World War I (the "Great War")

Australian were sent to both Eastern and Western fronts.

Read this general introduction first.

Click the picture below to enter a great interactive website that will help you learn the story behind the tragic Battle of Gallipoli. As you remember it was a turning point in Australian history and an abrupt change in Australia/Britain relations. It gave rise to a strong sense of Aussie identity and resulted in development of "broad" Aussie accent.




Western Front and the controversy of "voluntary" enlisting - click here.

P (part 2): Politics & Q: Queen and Queensland

We still have a couple "P" topics to finish from previous class. And one new one: POLITICAL SYSTEM.


1. political system






















Our new topics will include:

2. The Queen of England (so as you see we are still staying in the realm of governing the country and the division of power)


*** PREFERENTIAL VOTING SYSTEM explained

and

3. Queensland
Have a look at this video. This is just the first random result I got from YouTube, I wasn't searching for it intentionally. And still it just makes you want to pack your things right away and head there ;-)



Queensland is sometimes referred to as the most beautiful state in Australia. And yet they feel the need to address advertisements to prospective tourists. In 2009 they launched the "Best Job in the World" action. Find out what it was all about and what campaigns are running now - maybe you'll get to spend some time in Oz yourself ;-)

We will also spend some time talking about Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise.

Get some ideas from this video :-)

P: Perth, Pearls and Poles

1. Perth is my favourite city in Oz so please make sure you are prepared for some pretty tricky questions ;-)



2. painters





















Focus mostly on the body of work of Sidney Nolan.
(hint: think of one of the topics we covered in our last class)


3 pearling industry (Broome, WA)


















(click the picture to learn more about the ugly face of this industry in the past)

Japanese divers (for buffs only)


4. Poles in Australia

*

Told ya ;)

"If You Touch This Plant It Will Make You Vomit In Pure Agony"

Read the article on io9

O: Outlaws, Outback, Oscars

*

Tomorrow we'll deal with some really heavy topics.



The bulk of our time will have to be devoted to famous OUTLAWS. Australia sports names of many brave men who chose to stand against their opressors, but the two who are the most important, and have become part of Aussie culture and mentality, are Ned Kelly and Ben Hall.

Ned Kelly (a Sydney Nolan's painting)
Ned Kelly Skull doco
Jerilderie Letter


















Ben Hall

And now something for film buffs among you (you are all encouraged to read/watch these materials, but there will be no questions on this part).

Since bushrangers chose OUTBACK as their real home, we'll also have a closer look at just how it is portrayed in modern culture.

I have already introduced you to the acclaimed documentary Not Quite Hollywood. Among films which are discussed there, are such golden nuggets of Aussie cinema as Razorback (Polish discussion board) and The Long Weekend. While they are in no means of any (or almost any) artistic merit, they offer a surprisingly insightful description of "the red centre."



































If we have time, we'll celebrate Australian OSCAR winners and nominees.

***


Here is your next Fun Facts QUIZ we'll be doing in class.


*

N: New Zealand

Please do a little bit of reading - FAST FACTS ABOUT NZ

I know this text comes from National Geographic KIDS, but are you so sure you can beat a kid at A QUIZ with no preparation? ;)

In class we'll be also talking about the Treaty of Waitangi, extreme sports and (if time) film industry.

M (part 2): Maori

This time we're moving to New Zealand and we'll learn a little about its native inhabitants.

*
**

M (part 1): Melbourne, Marsupials and Mateship.

*

1. Let's begin with a sightseeing tour of Melbourne. Watch the clip below:





2. Our second topic is marsupials.



(more marsupial humour here - Mark Parisi site :) )

For general information go HERE, and then have a look at this clip:



3. The last topic that you may expect some questions on is mateship* and larrikinism. Once again we'll be trying to define "Aussie soul". I'm more interested in general attitude** than dates and names ;)


*You don't have to read the whole article. Just look at the examples of the use of "mate" in different contexts.
**If the page doesn't open straight away, please follow the link displayed on Pandora archive.

SD

I & J: Indigenous Art and Jandamarra's Rebellion

K & L: Kids and Literature (and kangaroos)

Before you read and/or watch anything else I'll need you to think about some questions and note down your answers.

Imagine that an English speaking friend who has never been in Poland before asked you the following questions:
- If there is one book by a Polish writer I SHOULD read, which one is it? 
- If there is one poem by a Polish poet I SHOULD read, which one is it?
- If there is one Polish film I SHOULD watch, which one is it?
- Tell me the title of ONE kids' show and/or fairytale/cartoon you watched when you were a child.
- Do you remember any characters from kids' stories that traumatised you in your childhood?

Have fun ;)

And now moving to this week's topics. 

1. Kangaroos

Everything you ever need to know about roos and wallabies.

source: Australia FB

2. Kids' TV programmes and books

Some clips from the shows we will be talking 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.

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? ;)




*

K: Kids' problems

This week we'll be talking about all things related to kids and kid literature.

A little something to get you started:

PEPPA PIG EPISODE BANNED IN AUSTRALIA

J: Jeopardy

1. The Box Jellyfish
One of the most extremely lethal animals in the world, and implicitly Australian,  often found on the continent. Found on the coast alongside the Great Barrier Reef, the box jellyfish possesses an extremely powerful venom. The stings are terribly painful and often fatal. 

[........]
But you will need to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

 2. The Taipan
The taipan is a large, fast and highly venomous snake often found throughout Australia. The taipan has the most toxic venom out of all the species worldwide, has a dark brown color and is often found in sugar fields where it hunts for rats.

[........]

 Taipan’s usually stay away from people but once cornered or threatened, they strike several times.

3. Saltwater Crocodile
The largest living member of the crocodilians and reptiles, the saltwater crocodile can grow up to 18 feet (5.45 meters) in length and is often found in Thailand, Vietnam and Northern Australia. They have been known to take on animals such an adult water buffalo and have often attacked people. It is usually well camouflaged both underwater or on dry land and strikes at an amazing speed. 

[........]

4. Blue Ring Octopus
Another serious threat for those that wish to explore the waters of Australia is the blue-ringed octopus – one of the most toxic sea creatures in the world found off the coast of Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Even though the octopus is only the size of a golf ball, there is no known antidote for its powerful venom. It causes motor paralysis, eventually leading to cardiac arrest.  

[........]

5. Stone Fish
Known as the most venomous fish in the world, the stone fish lives on the bottom of the reefs, camouflaged as a rock. It lives above the Tropic of Capricorn but can be found in the Queensland Great Barrier Reef as well. It’s venom comes from the dorsal area, that is lined with 13 spines, causing shock, paralysis and tissue death depending on the severity of the sting. 

[........]

 6. Red Back Spider
This species found all over the continent is Australia’s most famous deadly spider. The red striped spider has a neurotic venom that induces severe pain, however, deaths are rare. Thousands of people are bitten but only approximately 20% of the victims require treatment. Generally, the children and the elderly are the most exposed to the spider’s threat. 

 [........]

7. Brown Snake
There are several types of brown snakes but the Pseudonaja is the genus commonly found in Australia. Known as one of Australia’s most deadly creatures, the brown snake has a venom which quickly kills if it goes untreated. Even young snakes are capable of delivering a fatal bite to humans.

8. Tiger Snake
The tiger snake is another of the many venomous snakes found Australia, particularly in the southern regions.  

[........]

The tiger snake is known as one of the deadliest snakes in the world. Although anti-venom is readily available, mortality rates are around 45% if the bite is left untreated. In most states, the species is protected and any harming or injuring lead to a fine of up to $4,000.

 9. Great White Shark
This exceptionally large shark known as the white death is known as world’s largest known predatory fish. They can be found in great numbers on the southern coasts of Australia and, even though they have often been depicted as fatal to humans, they do not target them as a prey. Many of the attacks we’re not fatal, the shark only performing test-biting, out of curiosity.

[........]

10. Funnel Web Spider
The darkly colored spiders resembling tarantulas have fangs and chelicerae with ample venom glands, that can even penetrate fingernails or shoes. They can be found in the eastern coast of Australia, New South Wales, Victoria or Queensland. 

[........]

As with other spiders, the main treatment is the anti-venom.

1. Humans are not a good meal, considering its slow digestion compared to the human’s muscle to fat ratio.
2. Be sure to include a bottle of vinegar in your first aid kit if you’ll be traveling in areas abound with these jellyfish. Vinegar applied for 30 seconds to the sting, then removing the tentacles with a towel, will reduce the damage. 
3. First aid consists of applying a bandage and wrapping the bitten limb.
4. The striped snakes are not generally aggressive and retreat whenever they have the chance. 
5. The snake is usually found in the far north of Australia, in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, where the winter is mild.
6. Its most powerful attack – the death roll – consists of grabbing its prey and rolling powerfully until it dies.
7. First aid treatment consists of pressure on the wound and mouth-to-mouth breathing that can last for several hours.
8. First aid consists of immobilizing the venom by bandaging the affected area then applying a hot compress. The pain is said to be so excruciating that it lead to amputating the affected limb.
9. This is one of the few spider species that displays sexual cannibalism while mating.

L: Aussie lingo

Australian accent - more reading for those interested in the topic.

As you remeber, we're going to jump ahead to the letter "L".

Below are some links we'll be using in the class. You only need to watch the two clips below. The readings will be done either in class (depending on time) or as a follow up.

Australian slang - how language was shaped by various historical events

History of accent change - a very useful interactive timeline

More in-depth analysis of the differences between Australian, British and American - vowel quality change, word formation etc.

 

AUSTRALIAN SLANG DICTIONARY

***

Land of extremes.

For the past three weeks SA was on fire. Now it's facing flooding...

http://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/red-centre-hit-by-flash-floods-as-southeast-states-brace-for-heaviest-falls-in-decades/story-fnpjxt8n-1227179488274

[backup] Aussie quiz (look at geography and the bit of history we covered)

1. QUIZ ONE

2. QUIZ TWO

3. Aussie humour in pictures

4. Aussie humour - genesis

H: Hobart, History, High culture, Humour and generally "How to be Australian"

Just three topic this time, because one is bound to take us a lot of time ;-)

TIMELINE

You can have a look at the timeline above as we're going to start with a short overview of the part of Australian history that we've covered so far.

But most of what we'll be talking about is still somehow linked to Tasmania - Van Diemen's Land. So click on the clip below and let's go to Tassie ;)

1. Hobart - two clips from one of my favourite You Tube travel channels - Overlander:

 

 

2. High Culture

HARBOUR BRIDGE

and

3. Humour:
- gallows humour
- anti-authoritarian
- self-depreciating






















I LOVE this article! Have fun!