ESW Symbols of Australia

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Symbols of Australia

What comes to mind when you think of Australia?

• Synonymous with australian wildlife.
• They use their tail as a third leg. 

• Has a particular diet of eucalyptus.
• Not a bear, a marsupial.

The Koala belongs to the animal class called marsupials, which of these animals is also a marsupial?

1. Dingo
2. Platypus
3. Kangaroo
4. Emu

The Boomerang

An Aboriginal throwning weapon used for hunting. Supposedly returns to its owner after being thrown. Now mostly used for sport, and a popular souvenir.

The Didgeridoo

One of the oldest musical instruments in the world. Used by Aboriginal people  to accompany songs and chants. Aboriginals tried to capture the essence of the sounds of animals and nature in playing the Didgeridoo.

The Australian National flag was

first flown in 1901. It's made up of 3 parts:

• The Union Jack
• The Commonwealth star
• The Southern Cross
  

The australian Aboriginal flag

• Represents the Aboriginal people and their connection to the land.
• In 1995 the Aboriginal flag was recognised by the Australian government as an official flag of Australia.

The Australian National flag

• First flown in 1901.
• Symbol of national pride.
• Displayed around the country at sporting events, schools etc.

The flag consists of 3 elements:

• Upper left - the Union Jack. Symbol of British settlement.
• Below the Union Jack - The Commonwealth. A seven pointed star representing the unity of the six states and the commonwealth of Australia.
• On the right - The Southern Cross. This is a constellation which can only be seen form the southern hemisphere. It's a reminder of Australia's geography.

The Aboriginal flag

• The colours represent the Aboriginal people and their connection to the land.
• It is a symbol of culture and identity for the Aboriginal people.
• The flag was first raised on National Aborigines Day in Adelaide on 12 July, 1971.

In the Aboriginal flag, the colour red represents the land, while the yellow circle symbolizes the sun. What do you think the colour black stands for?

1. Night-time
2. The Southern Cross
3. The Aboriginal people
4. Pirates

Uluru is a huge sandstone rock formation in the central Australian desert. Uluru is 348 meters high, and its border measures about 9 km. It features in several Aboriginal myths and legends.

Uluru/Ayers Rock

Uluru/Ayers rock is dual-named. Before europeans arrived on the continent the rock was known as Uluru. When in 1873, explorer William Gosse encountered the formation as the first non-Aboriginal person, he named it Ayers Rock after Henry Ayers, secretary of south Australia at the time.

Ayers Rock was the most widely used name until 1993, when It was dual-named Ayers Rock/Uluru. And in 2002 Uluru/Ayers Rock, giving more weight to the original Aboriginal name.

In which desert was Uluru located again?

1. Kalahari desert
2. Central desert
3. Eastern desert
4. Red desert

The Australian pound was the currency in Australia from 1910 to 1966. 1 pound was 20 Shillings.

With the introduction of the Australian Dollar, the decimal system was adopted. This means that the Dollar divides into 100 cents.

The Australian dollar is made of an unusual material, do you know what kind?

1. paper
2. cotton
3. Eucalyptus leaves
4. plastic

The  Coat of Arms is the formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia and signifies Commonwealth authority and ownership. The coat of arms shows the six states of the Commonwealth arranged on a shield.

The six states:

• New South Wales - Golden Lion passant

• Victoria - White Southern Cross

• Queensland - light blue Maltese Cross

• South Australia - the White-Backed Magpie

• Western Australia - Black Swan swimming.

• Tasmania - Red Lion passant

National Holidays

Australia’s National holidays include:

• New Year's Day

• Australia Day 

• Good Friday

• Easter

• Anzac Day

• Christmas Day

• Boxing Day

• Labour day

• Queen’s birthday