From Twitter @weareAustralia
10. Some people in Australia raise their children in kangaroo-like pouches: A new strap on prosthetic pouch is often worn by mother’s, and sometimes fathers, to simulate the physical closeness, warmth and bonding seen among kangaroos and their offspring.
9. Australia is full of a lot of weird wildlife, including camels: Camels? In Australia? Aren’t they from the Middle East? Saudi Arabia imports camels from Australia.
8. The water swirling in a toilet in Australia goes counter-clockwise: That’s the opposite of all the toilets in the northern hemisphere.
7. Despite inventing the boomerang, Australians only finished 3rd in it at the most recent Olympics.
6. The band Men at Work was so popular that two of the members have been knighted and one is currently the acting Prime Minister.
5. The city of Melbourne was originally called Batmania.
4. Australia is the largest peninsula in the world.
3. Kangaroos can’t jump or walk backwards: Because of this they are easy to sneak up on and Australians frequently startle kangaroos and run away.
2. Although English is spoken predominantly, there is a native Australian language, kukuku, that most Australians speak at home.
1. Australia once declared war on England: Australia was originally an English colony and in 1871 they declared war on England to gain their independence as a sovereign nation. England calculated the time an effort to actually go to Australia to fight the war and they just said, “Feck it, you can go.” That was the actual newspaper headline.
Some of these facts are true, some are partially true and some are completely made up. Can you tell the difference? If any of you reading this are from the land down under, I’d love to hear from you. Have a great Tuesday, or Wednesday if you’re in Australia. ~Phil
Lol! Loved it.
Love it! Do you remember Midnight Oil? “Beds Are Burning” was their song? The lead singer ran for a seat in Australia’s parliament and won. I think this was in the early ’90’s. I wonder if he’s still in government now?
Of course I remember that band and song. I made up the stuff about Men at Work. I’m hoping some outraged Aussie will come upon this post and try to correct me on everything
Fingers crossed! You are too funny, Phil!
Oo baby wearing has started to become popular here too! A friend of mine even started a business selling those fabric pouch thingys. Now every time I see someone doing it I’m going to think that they are trying to be a kangaroo haha
It’s nice to find a post that has actually taught me something, I just hope you’re not planning a test at the end of the month though, I might not remember these interesting titbits very long.
They’re not all true facts. Some are and some are not. It’s up to you to decide which. I’m still waiting for an irate Australian to correct me.
The Batmania thing is 100% true. And the kangaroo people are real, but they don’t only carry babies in there – if they don’t have a baby or their child is too heavy to carry, they carry a government-issued bilby.
What is a government issued bilby?
Giant hopping rodents, with pouches like kangaroos and long ears like bunnies. They burrow underground and don’t drink water because they live in Australia (I am not making this up). Australians get this instead of the Easter bunny, because of course they do. The bilby is also endangered, which is sad because look how cute!
Not up on Australian politics
Never even been a visitor
But I’m gonna guess the guy from Men at Work
Is not acting Prime Minister.
You’re right on that, but a member from Midnight Oil is in Parliament.
LOL Phil. The language thing, and the Men at work thing is my guess.
Yes, those were both fictional, but so were most of the others too.
I’ll have to pay more attention next time.
BAHAHA yup click bait for this Aussie! You forgot to mention that we also declared war against the emus; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emu_War
Hi Rosie,
For a follow up post for next week, might you want to be my interview subject and set the record straight about your homeland?
Hahaha sure!! Always love some cheap advertising 😋
Is your email available on your blog?
Sure is! On the All About Rosie page ✌🏻
Hello from the land down under Phil, your facts seem a bit weird even by Australian standards. I did enjoy your post though. I might write one about America and see the reaction I get!!
Hi Deb, Yes, the “facts” were definitely a little off. I was hoping to provoke a reaction from down under.
Well you got me reading your post and commenting so it worked 🇦🇺
I also have another Australian what I will be interviewing next week for the blog to clear up some of the misperceptions that I may have spread
I’m always available for interviews on OZ issues! I live in Tumba-bloody-Rumba after all!!
Is Tumba Runba a real place?
Yes!! Tumbarumba is a small town in NSW near Wagga Wagga, Book Book, Gumly Gumly 😊