Ausralia the Great South Land 1. Course Description Northern Territory Alice Springs Queensland Western Australia South Brisbane Australia pevt● walessydney Adelaide● Hobart Tasma This course, which is mainly directed at tertiary students of English majors. I t assumes a kind of willingness among the students to spend some time exploring the the social, cultural aspects of Englsh-speaking countries. In this section, we'll examine in some detail these and other key aspects in Australia and the incredible local ization of English language in this great country. Australia is so far away from the rest of the world that there seems to be very little firsthand knowledge available to those seeking information. australia is still often seen as the worker's paradise", a laid back culture dominated by sporty Crocodile Dundee-type makes who, when they are not chasing sheep in the paddock, spend the time in the bar or on the beach, so we also will examine some popular misconceptions and cultural stereotypes toward the aussies Upon completion of this course, students should develop a comprehensive understand ing of the society and culture of Australia and can do some further research on issues with regard to this country 2. Requirements The course requirements include weekly reading assignments, weekly essays, oral presentations, and a final project
----------the Great South Land 1. Course Description: This course, which is mainly directed at tertiary students of English majors. I t assumes a kind of willingness among the students to spend some time exploring the the social, cultural aspects of Englsh-speaking countries. In this section, we’ll examine in some detail these and other key aspects in Australia and the incredible localization of English language in this great country. Australia is so far away from the rest of the world that there seems to be very little firsthand knowledge available to those seeking information. Australia is still often seen as “the worker’s paradise”, a laid back culture dominated by sporty Crocodile Dundee-type makes who, when they are not chasing sheep in the paddock, spend the time in the bar or on the beach, so we also will examine some popular misconceptions and cultural stereotypes toward the Aussies. Upon completion of this course, students should develop a comprehensive understanding of the society and culture of Australia and can do some further research on issues with regard to this country. 2. Requirements: The course requirements include weekly reading assignments, weekly essays, oral presentations, and a final project
1. Presentations Randomly selected students are required to give some presentations upon selected topics or issues relevant to the weekly readings. The presentation should last 5 minutes minimum with a type written hand-out for the class reading) Thefinalprojectwillbetakenfromthewww.AlistofUrlswillbeprovidedbythelecturer for the final project. Suggested areas of research will be provided or other topics approved by the instructor can be chosen. The final research essay should have a minimum of 1,000 words 3. Evaluation Compliance with instructions punctuality in assignments 5% Weekly assignments 30% Final project 60% Session One Land, People and Histon When one remembers that less than to hundred years have elapsed since that first handful of convicts landed at Botany Bay, one cannot help admiring the sheer tenacity that in such a short time has given Australia the place she occupies in the world today and the great future she is bound to have Laacour-Gayet, 1976, p.xii This session is to inform the students of the general geographical, historical features of Australia and trigger more interests among students in these areas ● More notes 1. The Sydney Opera House The Sydney Opera House is the busiest performing arts centre in the world. Since its and has continued to attract the best in world class talent year after yi ons of people opening in 1973, it has brought countless hours of entertainment to millie In an average year, the Sydney Opera House presents theatre, musicals, opera, contemporary dance ballet, every form of music from symphony concerts to jazz as well as exhibitions and films. It averages around 3, 000 events each year witl audiences totaling up to two million. In addition, approximately 200,000 people take a
1. Presentations Randomly selected students are required to give some presentations upon selected topics or issues relevant to the weekly readings. The presentation should last 5 minutes minimum with a type written hand-out for the class. reading). 2. Final project: The final project will be taken from the WWW. A list of URL's will be provided by the lecturer for the final project. Suggested areas of research will be provided or other topics approved by the instructor can be chosen. The final research essay should have a minimum of 1,000 words. 3. Evaluation: Attendance and class participation 5% Compliance with instructions & punctuality in assignments 5% Weekly assignments 30% Final project 60% Session One Land, People and History When one remembers that less than two hundred years have elapsed since that first handful of convicts landed at Botany Bay, one cannot help admiring the sheer tenacity that in such a short time has given Australia the place she occupies in the world today and the great future she is bound to have. (Laacour-Gayet,1976,p.xii) This session is to inform the students of the general geographical, historical features of Australia and trigger more interests among students in these areas. ⚫ More notes: 1. The Sydney Opera House The Sydney Opera House is the busiest performing arts centre in the world. Since its opening in 1973, it has brought countless hours of entertainment to millions of people and has continued to attract the best in world class talent year after year. Even today, many visitors are surprised to find that the Sydney Opera House is really a complex of theatres and halls all linked together beneath its famous shells. In an average year, the Sydney Opera House presents theatre, musicals, opera, contemporary dance, ballet, every form of music from symphony concerts to jazz as well as exhibitions and films. It averages around 3,000 events each year with audiences totaling up to two million. In addition, approximately 200,000 people take a
guided tour of the complex each year. The Opera House operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year except Christmas Day and good friday Prior to the Sydney Opera House, Sydney had no adequate dedicated music venue. Orchestral concerts were given in its Town Hall, and staging opera was almost impossible due to the lack of suitable stages. The appointment of Sir Eugene Goosens to the posts of Chief Conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Director of the NSW Conservatorium of Music in 1947 brought into Sydney's musical life a focal point for the need to create a better venue for the performing arts. Upon accepting his position, Goosens told reporters that his plans included the creation of a concert hall suitable for opera as well as orchestral performances The idea was hardly revolutionary; indeed the post-war Labour government had given lip service to the concept as part of its reconstruction and redevelopment programs. However, apart from occasional public announcements and exhortation from Goosens, nothing happened for seven more years Finally, late in 1954, the State Government of New South Wales, find ing itself increasingly embarrassed by its own inaction, became involved in a moderately supportive manner. The Premier of the day, Joseph Cahill, was enthusiastic about the idea and it was he who set up the committee which got the project under way. He also set up an appeal fund to raise money for the building. When it became obvious that the fund would not even raise the $7 million the Opera House was first estimated to cost, Mr Cahill introduced the Opera House Lotteries. The original appeal fund raised about $900,000 and the rest of the $102 million that the Opera House ended up costing came from the profits of the lottery. The build ing was completely paid for by July 1975 The NSw Government today contributes about 30% of the annual cost of maintaining and operating the complex The committee set up by the government selected the site for the building. Known as Bennelong Point, it was named after the first Aborigine to speak English, who was born on the site. Until this time, it was used as wharfing area and had a rather unsightly tram storage barn prominently occupying much of the site An international competition was organised for the design of a performing arts complex, and although this was well known, the misnomer "Opera House"caught on. The competition called for a structure that contained two theatres within it-a large hall for opera, ballet, and large scale sy mphony concerts capable of seating 3,000-3, 500 people, and a smaller hall for drama, chamber music and recitals, capable of seating approx 1, 200 people. Design entrants were told that they were free to choose any approach that they wished, and that there were no limits to what the potential cost of the structure could be. 233 different design entries were submitted from all over the world The winner of the competition, announced in January 1957, was the Danish architect Jorn Utzon(born in 1918). It was originally envisaged that it would take four years to build the Opera House, in actual fact, it wasn't completed until mid 1973
guided tour of the complex each year. The Opera House operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year except Christmas Day and Good Friday. Prior to the Sydney Opera House, Sydney had no adequate dedicated music venue. Orchestral concerts were given in its Town Hall, and staging opera was almost impossible due to the lack of suitable stages. The appointment of Sir Eugene Goosens to the posts of Chief Conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Director of the NSW Conservatorium of Music in 1947 brought into Sydney's musical life a focal point for the need to create a better venue for the performing arts. Upon accepting his position, Goosens told reporters that his plans included the creation of a concert hall suitable for opera as well as orchestral performances. The idea was hardly revolutionary; indeed the post-war Labour government had given lip service to the concept as part of its reconstruction and redevelopment programs. However, apart from occasional public announcements and exhortation from Goosens, nothing happened for seven more years. Finally, late in 1954, the State Government of New South Wales, finding itself increasingly embarrassed by its own inaction, became involved in a moderately supportive manner. The Premier of the day, Joseph Cahill, was enthusiastic about the idea and it was he who set up the committee which got the project under way. He also set up an appeal fund to raise money for the building. When it became obvious that the fund would not even raise the $7 million the Opera House was first estimated to cost, Mr Cahill introduced the Opera House Lotteries. The original appeal fund raised about $900,000 and the rest of the $102 million that the Opera House ended up costing came from the profits of the lottery. The building was completely paid for by July 1975. The NSW Government today contributes about 30% of the annual cost of maintaining and operating the complex. The committee set up by the Government selected the site for the building. Known as Bennelong Point, it was named after the first Aborigine to speak English, who was born on the site. Until this time, it was used as wharfing area and had a rather unsightly tram storage barn prominently occupying much of the site. An international competition was organised for the design of a performing arts complex, and although this was well known, the misnomer "Opera House" caught on. The competition called for a structure that contained two theatres within it - a large hall for opera, ballet, and large scale symphony concerts capable of seating 3,000-3,500 people, and a smaller hall for drama, chamber music and recitals, capable of seating approx 1,200 people. Design entrants were told that they were free to choose any approach that they wished, and that there were no limits to what the potential cost of the structure could be. 233 different design entries were submitted from all over the world. The winner of the competition, announced in January 1957, was the Danish architect Jorn Utzon (born in 1918). It was originally envisaged that it would take four years to build the Opera House; in actual fact, it wasn't completed until mid 1973
Construction of the build ing commenced in March 1959 and proceeded in slow stages over the next fourteen years. At the time that construction was started, Utzon protested that he hadn't yet completed the designs for the structure, but the government insisted that construction get underway, and so it did! At least as much a problem as starting the construction prior to completing the revolutionary design, was the fact that the government itself changed the requirements for the building after construction had started. The original design called for two theatres. The government changed its mind and required the building to be altered and that four theatres now be incorporated into the design. Recently, some internal changes to the structure have enabled a fifth theatre to be created The original design was so boldly conceived that it proved structurally impossible to build. After four years of research Utzon altered his design and gave the roof vaults a defined spherical geometry. This enabled the roofs to be constructed in a pre-cast fashion, greatly reducing both time and cost The project was subject to many delays and cost over-runs, and(probably unfairly) Utzon was often blamed for these. A new government was elected in NSW in 1965 partly on the campaign promise to "do something"about the cost overruns with the design. The government withheld fee payments to Utzon and refused to agree to his design ideas and proposed construction methods. This pretty much forced Utzon to resign, which he did in February 1966 as Stage II was nearing completion. A team of Australian architects took over and after an extensive review of the proposed functions of the building, proceeded with its completion was The performance in the complex, in the Opera Theatre on 28 September 1973 The first Austral ian Opera's production of War and Peace by Prokofiev. The Sydney Opera House was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 20 October 1973 There are nearly 1000 rooms in the Opera House including the five main auditoria There is also a Reception Hall, five rehearsal studios, four restaurants, six theatre bars extensive foyer and lounge areas, sixty dressing rooms and suites, library, an artists lounge and canteen known as the"Green Room",administrative offices and extensive plant and machinery areas has about 4. 5 hectares(11 acres)of usable floor space s 2.2 hectare(5.5 acre)site.It The building covers about 1.8 hectares(4.5 acres)of It is approximately 185 m(611 ft)long and 120m(380 ft)wide at its widest point The highest roof vault(above the Concert Hall)is 67m(221 ft)above sea level 2. The "Coat Hanger "hArbour Bridge
Construction of the building commenced in March 1959 and proceeded in slow stages over the next fourteen years. At the time that construction was started, Utzon protested that he hadn't yet completed the designs for the structure, but the government insisted that construction get underway, and so it did! At least as much a problem as starting the construction prior to completing the revolutionary design, was the fact that the government itself changed the requirements for the building after construction had started. The original design called for two theatres. The government changed its mind and required the building to be altered and that four theatres now be incorporated into the design. Recently, some internal changes to the structure have enabled a fifth theatre to be created. The original design was so boldly conceived that it proved structurally impossible to build. After four years of research Utzon altered his design and gave the roof vaults a defined spherical geometry. This enabled the roofs to be constructed in a pre-cast fashion, greatly reducing both time and cost. The project was subject to many delays and cost over-runs, and (probably unfairly) Utzon was often blamed for these. A new government was elected in NSW in 1965, partly on the campaign promise to "do something" about the cost overruns with the design. The government withheld fee payments to Utzon and refused to agree to his design ideas and proposed construction methods. This pretty much forced Utzon to resign, which he did in February 1966 as Stage II was nearing completion. A team of Australian architects took over and after an extensive review of the proposed functions of the building, proceeded with its completion. The first performance in the complex, in the Opera Theatre on 28 September 1973, was The Australian Opera's production of War and Peace by Prokofiev. The Syd ney Opera House was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 20 October 1973. There are nearly 1000 rooms in the Opera House including the five main auditoria. There is also a Reception Hall, five rehearsal studios, four restaurants, six theatre bars, extensive foyer and lounge areas, sixty dressing rooms and suites, library, an artists' lounge and canteen known as the "Green Room", administrative offices and extensive plant and machinery areas. The building covers about 1.8 hectares (4.5 acres) of its 2.2 hectare (5.5 acre) site. It has about 4.5 hectares (11 acres) of usable floor space. It is approximately 185 m (611 ft) long and 120m (380 ft) wide at its widest point. The highest roof vault (above the Concert Hall) is 67m (221 ft) above sea level. 2. The “Coat Hanger”—Harbour Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Sydney's most famous landmarks. Completed in 1932, the construction of the bridge was an economic feat as well as an engineering triumph. Prior to the bridge being built, the only links between the city centre in the south and the residential north were by ferry or by a 20 kilometre(1272 mile)road route that involved five bridge crossings The Sydney Harbour Bridge, which is known locally as the"Coat Hanger", took eight years to build, includ ing the railroad line. The bridge was manufactured in sections on a site that is now occupied by Luna Park funfair Construction on the bridge began in December. 1926. The foundations which are 12 metres(39 feet)deep, are set in sandstone. Anchoring tunnels are 36 metres(118 feet) long and dug into rock at each end. Construction on the arch began in November, 1929. It was built in halves with steel cable restraints initially supporting each side The arch spans 503 metres(1650 feet)and supports the weight of the brid ge deck, with hinges at either end bearing the bridge's full weight and spread ing the load to the foundations. The hinges allow the structure to move as the steel expands and contracts in response to wind and changes in temperatures By October, 1930, the two arch halves had met and work then began on the deck. The deck is 59 metres(194 feet )above sea level and was built from the center out The harbour brid ge was officially opened on 19 March 1932. The total cost of the Bridge was approximately 6.25 million Australian pounds($A13. 5 million ), and was eventually paid off in 1988. The initial toll for a car was 6 pence(5 cents)and a hor and rider was 3 pence(2 cents). Today the toll costs $3.00. The toll is now used for bridge maintenance and to pay for the Sydney Harbour Tunnel. The annual maintenance costs are approximately $5 million. More than 150,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day The bridge was built by 1400 workers, 16 of whom were killed in accidents during construction. Painting the bridge has become an endless task. Approximately 80,000 liters(21,000 gallons) of paint are required for each coat, enough to cover an area equivalent to 60 soccer fields 3. Great Barrier Reef http://www.nationalgeographic.com/earthpulse/reef/reef1flashhtmd The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBR WHA)is 347 800 square kilometres in area(an area bigger than the United Kingdom, Holland and Switzerland combined). It extends from the top of Cape York to just north of Fraser Island, and from the low water mark on the Queensland coast seaward to the outer boundary of the Marine Park beyond the edge of the continental shelf. It is the largest World Heritage Area and marine protected area in the world 4. Ayers rock
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Sydney's most famous landmarks. Completed in 1932, the construction of the bridge was an economic feat as well as an engineering triumph. Prior to the bridge being built, the only links between the city centre in the south and the residential north were by ferry or by a 20 kilometre (12½ mile) road route that involved five bridge crossings. The Sydney Harbour Bridge, which is known locally as the "Coat Hanger", took eight years to build, including the railroad line. The bridge was manufactured in sections on a site that is now occupied by Luna Park funfair. Construction on the bridge began in December, 1926. The foundations, which are 12 metres (39 feet) deep, are set in sandstone. Anchoring tunnels are 36 metres (118 feet) long and dug into rock at each end. Construction on the arch began in November, 1929. It was built in halves with steel cable restraints initially supporting each side. The arch spans 503 metres (1650 feet) and supports the weight of the bridge deck, with hinges at either end bearing the bridge's full weight and spreading the load to the foundations. The hinges allow the structure to move as the steel expands and contracts in response to wind and changes in temperatures. By October, 1930, the two arch halves had met and work then began on the deck. The deck is 59 metres (194 feet) above sea level and was built from the center out. The Harbour Bridge was officially opened on 19 March 1932. The total cost of the Bridge was approximately 6.25 million Australian pounds ($A13.5 million), and was eventually paid off in 1988. The initial toll for a car was 6 pence (5 cents) and a horse and rider was 3 pence (2 cents). Today the toll costs $3.00. The toll is now used for bridge maintenance and to pay for the Sydney Harbour Tunnel. The annual maintenance costs are approximately $5 million. More than 150,000 vehicles c ross the bridge each day. The bridge was built by 1400 workers, 16 of whom were killed in accidents during construction. Painting the bridge has become an endless task. Approximately 80,000 liters (21,000 gallons) of paint are required for each coat, enough to cover an area equivalent to 60 soccer fields. 3. Great Barrier Reef (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/earthpulse/reef/reef1_flash.html) The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA) is 347 800 square kilometres in area (an area bigger than the United Kingdom, Holland and Switzerland combined). It extends from the top of Cape York to just north of Fraser Island, and from the low water mark on the Queensland coast seaward to the outer boundary of the Marine Park beyond the edge of the continental shelf. It is the largest World Heritage Area and marine protected area in the world. 4. Ayers Rock
It is the world's largest monolith rising 318m above the desert floor with a circumference of 8km. It is consideredonce of the great wonders of the world. It is located in the Kata Tjuta National park which is owned and run by the local Aboriginals. The Australian government handed ownership of the land back to the Aboriginals some years ago The Rock is arkose, a course-grained sandstone rich in feldspar at least 2.5 km thick Uplifting and folding between 400-300 mya turned the sedimentary layers nearly 90 degrees to their present position. The surface has then been eroded Depending on the time of day and the atmospheric conditions the rock dramatically change colour, anything from blue to glowing red Many photographers set up for days and record the many changing colors of Uluru yers Rock was named for the Premier of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayers. It extends down over 3 and a half miles beneath the surface 5. Australian flora and fauna: Golden Wattle Golden Wattle is the floral emblem of australia and is a shrub or small tree out 4 to 8 metres tall. After the seed ling stage. true leaves are absent. their function being performed by phyllodes which are modified flattened leaf stalks lacking leaf blades. The leathery phyllodes are 6 to 20 cm long, broadly lance or sickle-shaped and bright green in colour. In spring large fluffy golden-yellow flower-heads with up to eighty minute sweetly scented flowers provide a vivid contrast with the foliage. The dark brown mature fruit, 7 to 12 cm long, spl its along ne side to rele The largest bird in Austral ia, and second only to the Ostrich of Africa for the world title, the Emu is found across most of mainland Australia. They are huge flightless birds, which can stand up to 1.9 metres tall and weigh up to 50 kilograms Populations of emus have disappeared from the eastern seaboard of Australia and from Tasmania. Two closely related species from King Island and Kangaroo Island have also disappeared. The reduction in numbers being due to the result of overhunting by early European colonists Emus occur in a wide variety of habitats. These include arid deserts, tropical wood lands, temperate grasslands, even to snowline in the Southern Highlands Distribution is controlled by the availability of water which emus need daily access to. Emus eat mostly plant fibre material such as seeds, fruits, newly emerged shoots and tips from grasses and shrubs, and insects when locally available. The stomach is developed to ferment plant fibre to extract the most energy from the tough, wood y material. Emus are typically solitary or gather in small family units. Female emus remain with the male until she has completed laying the clutch of nine dark green eggs. Up to 24 eggs have been found in one nest. Incubation is by the male only who will commence when the last egg is laid. This means that all the chicks develop and
It is the world's largest monolith rising 318m above the desert floor with a circumference of 8km. It is consideredonce of the great wonders of the world. It is located in the Kata Tjuta National Park which is owned and run by the local Aboriginals. The Australian government handed ownership of the land back to the Aboriginals some years ago. The Rock is arkose, a course-grained sandstone rich in feldspar at least 2.5 km thick. Uplifting and folding between 400-300 mya turned the sedimentary layers nearly 90 degrees to their present position. The surface has then been eroded. Depending on the time of day and the atmospheric conditions the rock can dramatically change colour, anything from blue to glowing red ! Many avid photographers set up for days and record the many changing colors of Uluru. Ayers Rock was named for the Premier of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayers. It extends down over 3 and a half miles beneath the surface. 5. Australian Flora and Fauna: Golden Wattle The Golden Wattle is the Floral Emblem of Australia and is a shrub or small tree about 4 to 8 metres tall. After the seedling stage, true leaves are absent, their function being performed by phyllodes which are modified flattened leaf stalks lacking leaf blades. The leathery phyllodes are 6 to 20 cm long, broadly lance or sickle-shaped and bright green in colour. In spring large fluffy golden-yellow flower-heads with up to eighty minute sweetly scented flowers provide a vivid contrast with the foliage. The dark brown mature fruit, 7 to 12 cm long, splits along one side to release the seeds. Emu The largest bird in Australia, and second only to the Ostrich of Africa for the world title, the Emu is found across most of mainland Australia. They are huge flightless birds, which can stand up to 1.9 metres tall and weigh up to 50 kilograms. Populations of emus have disappeared from the eastern seaboard of Australia and from Tasmania. Two closely related species from King Island and Kangaroo Island have also disappeared. The reduction in numbers being due to the result of overhunting by early European colonists. Emus occur in a wide variety of habitats. These include arid deserts, tropical woodlands, temperate grasslands, even to snowline in the Southern Highlands. Distribution is controlled by the availability of water which emus need daily access to. Emus eat mostly plant fibre material such as seeds, fruits, newly emerged shoots and tips from grasses and shrubs, and insects when locally available. The stomach is developed to ferment plant fibre to extract the most energy from the tough, woody material. Emus are typically solitary or gather in small family units. Female emus remain with the male until she has completed laying the clutch of nine dark green eggs. Up to 24 eggs have been found in one nest. Incubation is by the male only who will commence when the last egg is laid. This means that all the chicks develop and
hatch at the same time, usually 56 days from when the male starts to sit. The downy chicks are distinctive in their brown and buff stripes, which gradually fade as they grow and the feathers are replaced. Emus communicate with deep grunts, booms and drumming sounds aided by a large air sac in the throat, which inflates and resonates soune Kangaroos, Wallaroos, Euros, Wallabies, Potoroos, Bettongs, Pademelons Quokkas, Rat Kangaroos The numerous names given to kangaroo-like animals depends to a large extent on their size and where they are found. The biggest Kangaroos are the red and the grey kangaroo. Wallabies and their relatives come next in size, while the smallest is the rat-kangaroo There are about sixty different species of kangaroos. While in general kangaroos are ground-living herbivores, there is considerable variety and some species are special ised. The burrowing Bettong, for example, constructs and lives in the company of others, in a series of burrows forming a warren. Much larger, but also with a restricted range, are the tree kangaroos, which are found in Northern Queensland These nocturnal kangaroos live high in the tree canopy. Their tail is very long and acts as a balanc ing organ. It is not prehensile, but the tip is bushy, and long haired. On small branches, their hind limbs move independently, one after the other; but on broad branches these kangaroos hop in a characteristic kangaroo fashion. The pouch is the distinguishing feature and an important characteristic of marsupials. The young is born in an immature state and crawls or rather pulls itself with its arms into the pouch, where it becomes attached to one of the mothers teats The teat becomes swollen inside the baby's mouth so it cannot be accidentally dislodged. There the baby remains until it matures sufficiently to move around by itself, although it may not be weaned until some time after this event. The larger Kangaroos are in no danger of extinction whilst smaller Kangaroos, which rely heavily on the natural state of the bush for shelter, are much more vulnerable. Some species have already become extinct within the relatively short time since the settlement of Australia just over two hundred years ago Kangaroos usually live in groups. Males are usually larger than females. The largest species are the grey and red kangaroos, followed by the wallaroo or euro. Red kangaroos live in the drier regions; grey kangaroos in the cooler forest, woodland and grassy areas, while the wallaroo lives over much of the continent, from hot to cold especially where there is rocky shelters or thick vegetation in which to hide. The front limbs are relatively short, and are only used for walking at low speed. There are five digits all clawed. The hands are used to dig. scratch, hold vegetation, and clutch opponent in a fight. The rear limbs are very strong and are used in conjunction witI the muscular tail to stand erect, and in high speed locomotion As a Kangaroo bounds forward with a hop of its hind feet, the tail rises and then descends helping to balance the body. In fights with other kangaroos, they will attempt to grasp the foe with their front limbs, balance on their tail and rip downwards into the body of the predator with their strong hind limbs. There are four digits on the hind limb, all with impressive claws ● Focal points:
hatch at the same time, usually 56 days from when the male starts to sit. The downy chicks are distinctive in their brown and buff stripes, which gradually fade as they grow and the feathers are replaced. Emus communicate with deep grunts, booms and drumming sounds aided by a large air sac in the throat, which inflates and resonates the sound. Kangaroos, Wallaroos, Euros, Wallabies, Potoroos, Bettongs, Pademelons, Quokkas, Rat Kangaroos The numerous names given to kangaroo-like animals depends to a large extent on their size and where they are found. The biggest Kangaroos are the red and the grey kangaroo. Wallabies and their relatives come next in size, while the smallest is the rat-kangaroo. There are about sixty different species of kangaroos. While in general kangaroos are ground-living herbivores, there is considerable variety and some species are specialised. The burrowing Bettong, for example, constructs and lives in the company of others, in a series of burrows forming a warren. Much larger, but also with a restricted range, are the tree kangaroos, which are found in Northern Queensland. These nocturnal kangaroos live high in the tree canopy. Their tail is very long and acts as a balancing organ. It is not prehensile, but the tip is bushy, and long haired. On small branches, their hind limbs move independently, one after the other; but on broad branches these kangaroos hop in a characteristic kangaroo fashion. The pouch is the distinguishing feature and an important characteristic of marsupials. The young is born in an immature state and crawls or rather pulls itself with its arms into the pouch, where it becomes attached to one of the mother's teats. The teat becomes swollen inside the baby's mouth so it cannot be accidentally dislodged. There the baby remains until it matures sufficiently to move around by itself, although it may not be weaned until some time after this event. The larger Kangaroos are in no danger of extinction whilst smaller Kangaroos, which rely heavily on the natural state of the bush for shelter, are much more vulnerable. Some species have already become extinct within the relatively short time since the settlement of Australia just over two hundred years ago. Kangaroos usually live in groups. Males are usually larger than females. The largest species are the grey and red kangaroos, followed by the wallaroo or euro. Red kangaroos live in the drier regions; grey kangaroos in the cooler forest, woodland and grassy areas, while the wallaroo lives over much of the continent, from hot to cold, especially where there is rocky shelters or thick vegetation in which to hide. The front limbs are relatively short, and are only used for walking at low speed. There are five digits, all clawed. The hands are used to dig, scratch, hold vegetation, and clutch an opponent in a fight. The rear limbs are very strong and are used in conjunction with the muscular tail to stand erect, and in high speed locomotion. As a Kangaroo bounds forward with a hop of its hind feet, the tail rises and then descends helping to balance the body. In fights with other kangaroos, they will attempt to grasp the foe with their front limbs, balance on their tail and rip downwards into the body of the predator with their strong hind limbs. There are four digits on the hind limb, all with impressive claws. ⚫ Focal Points:
1. AUSTRALIA'S STOLEN GENERA TION---Aboriginals Recommended websites: http://www.aboriginalaustralia.com/ http://www.crystalinks.com/aboriqinals.html The literal translation of the word 'Aborigine' is: the people who were here from the beginning. It is not synonymous(doesn,'t have the same meaning), as the word indigenous as this means originating in an area(latin: indigena=in(in)+ giner(b born) in a particular place There is no written record regarding prehistoric Aboriginal Austral ia. Knowled ge of the past is found in archaeolog ical evidence and Aboriginal oral trad itions which have been handed down from generation to generation Therefore using reliable dates derived from archaeolog ical ev idence. theories of the initial colonization of australia have been determined Prior to colonization which began in January 1788, the Australian Aborig ines lived a lifestyle based on their Dreamtime beliefs. They had survived as a race for thousands of years and their lifestyle and cultural practices had remained virtually unchanged during that time. We refer to this as the trad itional period However colonization imposed changes on the Aborigines as people who lived in areas that were being settled by the europeans, were forced off their land as towns and farms were developed We identify the period in which the changes took place, as the historical period. The sort of changes that took place usually commenced with explorers entering the area of a tribe and being challenged by the people for trespassing on their land. The Europeans often(usually) responded by shooting at the people. Many were killed. When settlers followed the explorers and began felling trees and build ing farms, they restricted the ability of the aborigines to move freely around their land. They also destroyed their traditional food sources These changes took place throughout the continent at different times. They began in the Sydney and Parramatta districts from 1788; in the Cowpastures( Campbelltown/ Camden )area from the early 1800s and in the Illawarra district from 1815. Gradually but with increasing speed colonization spread throughout the entire continent The settlers had arrived in this country to build a new life for themselves and their families and had 'no time for the dreamtime. In other words most were not interested in the affects colonization was having on the aborigines. In fact they were often
1. AUSTRALIA'S STOLEN GENERATION ---Aboriginals Recommended websites: http://www.aboriginalaustralia.com/ http://www.crystalinks.com/aboriginals.html The literal translation of the word 'Aborigine' is: the people who were here from the beginning. It is not synonymous (doesn't have the same meaning), as the word 'indigenous' as this means originating in an area (latin: indigena = in (in) + ginere (be born) in a particular place. There is no written record regarding prehistoric Aboriginal Australia. Knowledge of the past is found in archaeological evidence and Aboriginal oral traditions which have been handed down from generation to generation. Therefore using reliable dates derived from archaeological evidence, theories of the initial colonization of Australia have been determined. Prior to colonization which began in January 1788, the Australian Aborigines lived a lifestyle based on their Dreamtime beliefs. They had survived as a race for thousands of years and their lifestyle and cultural practices had remained virtually unchanged during that time. We refer to this as the traditional period. However colonization imposed changes on the Aborigines as people who lived in areas that were being settled by the Europeans, were forced off their land as towns and farms were developed. We identify the period in which the changes took place, as the historical period. The sort of changes that took place usually commenced with explorers entering the area of a tribe and being challenged by the people for trespassing on their land. The Europeans often (usually) responded by shooting at the people. Many were killed. When settlers followed the explorers and began felling trees and building farms, they restricted the ability of the Aborigines to move freely around their land. They also destroyed their traditional food sources. These changes took place throughout the continent at different times. They began in the Sydney and Parramatta districts from 1788; in the Cowpastures (Campbelltown / Camden)area from the early 1800s and in the Illawarra district from 1815. Gradually - but with increasing speed colonization spread throughout the entire continent. The settlers had arrived in this country to build a new life for themselves and their families and had 'no time for the Dreamtime'. In other words most were not interested in the affects colonization was having on the Aborigines. In fact they were often
considered to be a pest and a nuisance. Many were killed by diseases such as influenza. Thousands were massacred to make way for farms and settlements On the other hand some aboriginal people adapted to the Whitman,'s laws and the new lifestyle. In doing so, many were reduced to pauperism and were beggars. Others broke the trad itional tribal lore's by accepting Brass Plates and by moving into the traditionallands of other tribes. In many cases they had no option in doing this as they were facing starvation or the gun Overall, the Australian Aborigines went through stages of being conquered through an invasion' and taking of their lands. Many adapted to the new lifestyle(when many became reliant on alcohol, tobacco and handouts of food and clothing. However the settlers were often contemptuous of the Aborigines and separated them from their society and the people became the fringe dwellers of society. Others were removed from their families and placed into institutions. From the late 1830s the remnants of the tribes in the settled areas were moved onto reserves and missions where they were 'managed by Whitemen and were forbidden from teaching their children their language and customs During the 1900s separation was an official government policy which lasted for many decades and today, many aboriginal people do not know their origins. In other words, which tribe they are descended from or the names of their parents and or grandparents They are a lost generation Australian Aborigines- the original inhabitants of the continent -are one of the best known and least understood people in the world. Since the nineteenth century they have been singled out as the world's most primitive culture and the living representatives of the ancestors of mankind. Aborigines are therefore probably more familiar to the rest of the world than are the white australians who immigrated to the continent from Britain and other European countries. In real ity, Aborig inal culture, as anthropological work over the last hundred years has revealed, is a complex, subtle, and rich way of life On our way toward describing and understand ing Aboriginal art we need to look briefly at this culture, what it was in the past and what it has become Aborigines have occupied Australia for at least forty thousand years. They came originally from southeast Asia, entering the continent from the north.(Present-day Australia, including Tasmania, was then one continent with what is now New Guinea. Although Aborigines are Homo sapiens, biological isolation has meant that they are not racially closely related to any other people. Because of their relative cultural isolation, Aborigines were forced to develop their own solutions to the problems of human adaptation in the unique and harsh Australian environment. The result was stable and efficient way of life. Probably because of its effectiveness, the society was slow to change, especially technologically. This gave to Aboriginal Austral ia the appearance of unchang ingness. The archaeological record reveals, however, a number of innovations, among them the earliest known human cremations, some of the earliest rock art, and certainly the first boomerangs, ground axes, and grindstones in The stereotype of Aborigines passively succumbing to the dictates of their environment has also been recently questioned. We now know that they altered the landscape in significant ways, using what has been called"firestick farming"to control underbrush growth and to facilitate hunting. Aborigines also altered species occurrence of flora and fauna by resource management and possibly assisted in the extinction of prehistoric animals
considered to be a pest and a nuisance. Many were killed by diseases such as influenza. Thousands were massacred to make way for farms and settlements. On the other hand some Aboriginal people adapted to the Whitman's laws and the new lifestyle. In doing so, many were reduced to pauperism and were beggars. Others broke the traditional tribal lore's by accepting Brass Plates and by moving into the traditionallands of other tribes. In many cases they had no option in doing this as they were facing starvation or the gun. Overall, the Australian Aborigines went through stages of being conquered through an 'invasion' and taking of their lands. Many adapted to the new lifestyle (when many became reliant on alcohol, tobacco and handouts of food and clothing. However the settlers were often contemptuous of the Aborigines and separated them from their society and the people became the fringe dwellers of society. Others were removed from their families and placed into institutions. From the late 1830s the remnants of the tribes in the settled areas were moved onto Reserves and Missions where they were 'managed' by Whitemen and were forbidden from teaching their children their language and customs. During the 1900s separation was an official government policy which lasted for many decades and today, many Aboriginal people do not know their origins. In other words, which tribe they are descended from or the names of their parents and or grandparents. They are a lost generation. Australian Aborigines - the original inhabitants of the continent - are one of the best known and least understood people in the world. Since the nineteenth century they have been singled out as the world's most primitive culture and the living representatives of the ancestors of mankind. Aborigines are therefore probably more familiar to the rest of the world than are the white Australians who immigrated to the continent from Britain and other European countries. In reality, Aboriginal culture, as anthropological work over the last hundred years has revealed, is a complex, subtle, and rich way of life. On our way toward describing and understanding Aboriginal art, we need to look briefly at this culture, what it was in the past and what it has become today. Aborigines have occupied Australia for at least forty thousand years. They came originally from southeast Asia, entering the continent from the north. (Present-day Australia, including Tasmania, was then one continent with what is now New Guinea.) Although Aborigines are Homo sapiens, biological isolation has meant that they are not racially closely related to any other people. Because of their relative cultural isolation, Aborigines were forced to develop their own solutions to the problems of human adaptation in the unique and harsh Australian environment. The result was a stable and efficient way of life. Probably because of its effectiveness, the society was slow to change, especially technologically. This gave to Aboriginal Australia the appearance of unchangingness. The archaeological record reveals, however, a number of innovations, among them the earliest known human cremations, some of the earliest rock art, and certainly the first boomerangs, ground axes, and grindstones in the world. The stereotype of Aborigines passively succumbing to the dictates of their environment has also been recently questioned. We now know that they altered the landscape in significant ways, using what has been called "firestick farming" to control underbrush growth and to facilitate hunting. Aborigines also altered species occurrence of flora and fauna by resource management and possibly assisted in the extinction of prehistoric animals
The notion of pristine natives with a"pure"culture was an artificial one-many aborigines had considerable contact with Melanesians and Indonesians long before the European colonists arrived in Australia. Aboriginal groups also influenced each other. Waves of change swept the entire continent- changes in tools and implements, in social organisation, and in ceremonial practices and mythological concepts Aboriginal culture was dynamic, not static. The Aboriginal culture of the last two hundred years, the period after the arrival of the colonists, has also been dynamic This is why it is difficult to speak of a hard and fast dichotomy between Aborigines before"and"after"contact with the Europeans. Nevertheless, it is useful to look at Aboriginal culture at the point of first contact and as it is today The population of Australia at the time of the arrival of the whites in 1788 was probably between 250,000 and 500,000. The pattern of Aboriginal settlement was like that for present-day Australians, except in the tropical north, with most of the population living along the coasts and rivers. Densities varied from one person for every thirty-five square miles in the ar id regions to five to ten persons for every one square mile on the eastern coast. Residential groups ranged in size from ten to fifty people, with some temporary ceremonial gatherings reaching up to five hundred Most people tend to think of Aborigines as a unified, homogeneous group. Yet the Aborigines never used one collective term to describe themselves no one individual Aborigine, in the precolonial past, would have known of the existence of many of the other Aboriginal peoples and regions of the vast continent of Australia, which covers nearly three million square miles-almost the area of the United States Recent scientific studies have concluded that the Australian Aborigines were the original Americans! In other words, the theory is that ATSI people were ad venturers who arrived in the north american continent before the vikings or columbus thi theory states that the ancestors of the American Ind ians. are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. "Separate stud ies by both Brazilian and US scholars are reveal ing that the first humans to enter the New World more than 14,000 years ago the same race as present day Australian Aborigines, t ught- but were instead people of were not Mongoloid peoples as has always been thou appearance: To the early Europeans, the Aborigines of the Sydney district(and later those throughout the whole continent), were primitives, natives or Noble Savages. S descriptions of them(either written or in sketches/ paintings), were classif icatory and comparative. There were a number of physical distinctions between different tribes. It was noted that the gundungurra who lived in the Blue Mountains west of Camden were taller and stronger than the eora/ dharawal who lived on the coast Or so European observers said. Some tribespeople were said to be darker than others(dark brown or black) and were different in other ways, but anyone who indulges descriptions should ask themselves why they are doing this. People are people and differences of color and shape shouldn,'t matter. However derogatory descriptions of aborigines during the 19th century were often a justification for massacres and poisoning of peopl
The notion of pristine natives with a "pure" culture was an artificial one - many Aborigines had considerable contact with Melanesians and Indonesians long before the European colonists arrived in Australia. Aboriginal groups also influenced each other. Waves of change swept the entire continent - changes in tools and implements, in social organisation, and in ceremonial practices and mythological concepts. Aboriginal culture was dynamic, not static. The Aboriginal culture of the last two hundred years, the period after the arrival of the colonists, has also been dynamic. This is why it is difficult to speak of a hard and fast dichotomy between Aborigines "before" and "after" contact with the Europeans. Nevertheless, it is useful to look at Aboriginal culture at the point of first contact and as it is today. The population of Australia at the time of the arrival of the whites in 1788 was probably between 250,000 and 500,000. The pattern of Aboriginal settlement was like that for present-day Australians, except in the tropical north, with most of the population living along the coasts and rivers. Densities varied from one person for every thirty-five square miles in the arid regions to five to ten persons for every one square mile on the eastern coast. Residential groups ranged in size from ten to fifty people, with some temporary ceremonial gatherings reaching up to five hundred. Most people tend to think of Aborigines as a unified, homogeneous group. Yet the Aborigines never used one collective term to describe themselves. No one individual Aborigine, in the precolonial past, would have known of the existence of many of the other Aboriginal peoples and regions of the vast continent of Australia, which covers nearly three million square miles - almost the area of the United States. Recent scientific studies have concluded that the Australian Aborigines were the original Americans! In other words, the theory is that ATSI people were ad venturers who arrived in the North American continent before the Vikings or Columbus. This theory states that the ancestors of the American Indians. are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. "Separate studies by both Brazilian and US scholars are revealing that the first humans to enter the New World more than 14,000 years ago were not Mongoloid peoples as has always been thought - but were instead people of the same race as present day Australian Aborigines." APPEARANCE: To the early Europeans, the Aborigines of the Sydney district (and later those throughout the whole continent), were primitives, natives or Noble Savages. So, descriptions of them (either written or in sketches/ paintings), were classificatory and comparative. There were a number of physical distinctions between different tribes. It was noted that the Gundungurra who lived in the Blue Mountains west of Camden were taller and stronger than the Eora / Dharawal who lived on the coast. Or so European observers said. Some tribespeople were said to be darker than others (dark brown or black) and were different in other ways, but anyone who indulges in descriptions should ask themselves why they are doing this. People are people and differences of color and shape shouldn't matter. However derogatory descriptions of Aborigines during the 19th century were often a justification for massacres and poisoning of people