1. Why do so many tourists go to Monkey Mia, WA? To see the dolphins
2. How is the Australian flag different from that of New Zealand? The Australian flag has six white stars; the New Zealand flag has only four red stars.
3. Which ocean washes the west coast of our country? Indian Ocean
4. Which state has the nickname "Apple Isle"? Tasmania
5. Which city would you be in if you were in a boat on the River Torrens? Adelaide
6. What is the name of the imaginary line of latitude that runs through Rockhampton? Tropic of Capricorn
7. Who is the Canberra suburb of Florey named after? Sir Howard Florey
8. What did he do to become famous? He was a co-discoverer of penicillin, the basis for most modern antibiotics.
9. If you were watching Michael Doohan win a race, which sport would you be watching? Motor cycle racing
10. If it is 2.00pm on Kangaroo Island on June 21, what time is it in Sydney? 2.30pm
11. What position is held by the leader of the party with the most seats in House of Representatives in the Federal Parliament? Prime Minister
12. Which bird is able to mimic almost any sound - including other birds and animals, car alarms, whistles and even chainsaws? Lyre bird
13. Where can you see this bird every day? On a 10c coin
14. Which mountain rises up behind Hobart? Mt Wellington
15. Which Australian painted The Pioneer (1904); Lost (1907) and Hanging Rock, Macedon (1912)? Frederick McCubbin
16. You have just won the Stawell Gift - what did you do to earn it? Won the final of the 120 metres running race in Stawell, Vic at Easter
17. When were Aboriginal people granted the full rights of Australian citizenship? 1967
18. What was the "White Australia" policy? The "White Australia Policy" is the term referring to the restricted immigration policy of the Australia Government towards non - European, non - English speaking migrants. It grew from a perceived need to restrict what was thought to be the excessive influence of Chinese Coolies in Australia in the 1850s and was finally abolished in 1973
19. Which game, involving tossing coins, is traditionally played on ANZAC Day? two-up
Who wrote the series which includes the titles Darkness Be My Friend, The Night is for Hunting and The Other Side of Dawn? John Marsden
This week I am visiting a structure that is perched on rugged cliffs, 91 metres above the spot where the mighty Southern Ocean collides with Bass Strait, at a place known as “The Eye of the Needle”,
For many thousands of 19th century migrants, who spent months travelling to Australia by ship, this was their first sight of land after leaving Europe, but sadly it was also the place where so many died in shipwrecks as captains hugged the coastline so they wouldn’t be driven on to King Island in stormy weather.
Surrounded by impenetrable forests, rivers and deep ravines, it was an inaccessible place but nevertheless, once the site was chosen those who built this “beacon of hope” had to persevere. Seventy men worked for 10 months to shape the sandstone to such exacting proportions that no cement was required to assemble the tower, which is 20 metres high.
The original lantern was made in London and was brought ashore through crashing surf in small boats. The light mechanism consisted of 21 polished reflectors in three faces and lamps mounted on a frame provided a three-second flash followed by 50 seconds of darkness. The lamps burned sperm whale oil and had to be maintained constantly throughout the night by the keeper. For 30 years it was tended by Henry Bayles Ford, and it was so isolated that supplies were only delivered once every 6-12 months!
Since August 29, 1948 even though the means of making the light changed with technology, the light warned those entering the western end of Bass Strait for nearly 150 years, until it was decommissioned in 1994 and replaced by a single solar beacon.
Where am I?
Cape Otway lighthouse