Icons of Australia Trivia Quiz

Answer: Kangaroos can hop forwards and backwards up to 20mph/35kph

The kangaroo (and the emu) cannot move backwards. For this reason, they were selected to represent Australia on its coat of arms in 1908 to represent a new country "moving forward". The kangaroo is arguably Australia's most recognizable symbol. A stick pin or a backpack badge depicting a kangaroo instantly brands that person as an Australian.

Answer: A group of stars visible in the Southern Hemisphere, that form a cross

The Southern Cross can date its origin to soon after the Big Bang, therefore winning hands down as the "oldest" Australia icon. It is a series of five stars, only visible in the Southern Hemisphere (but not exclusively from Australia). It appears on the national flag, and for this reason is probably why it is so revered and so instantly recognizable as Australian.

Answer: Gum trees are deciduous.

The gum tree, and all 700+ species, is evergreen and found throughout Australia. The main species are the Blue Gum, Grey Gum, Red Gum, Ghost Gum, Paper Bark, Stringy Bark and Ironbark. Gum trees have been cultivated over the world now but only 15 species occur outside Australia.

Answer: It has a flat side and a convex side like a wing which facilitates return.

The etymology of the word boomerang is uncertain but "wo-mar-rang" or "bou-mur-rang" was used by the aboriginal Turawhal people around Port Jackson (now Sydney) in the early 1800s and entered the Australian vernacular in the 1820s. Boomerangs with two flat sides (non-returning) were used as weapons as one could throw straight. The returning type that flew in an ellipse were used mainly for entertainment.
The name Kylie is an Australian name meaning non-returning boomerang.

Answer: Neighbours

Neighbours made Kylie a household name especially when her character Charlene wed her off-screen boyfriend's character (played by Jason Donovan). This episode, in 1987, was watched by 20 million Britons at the time.
Her popularity in Australia was indicated when she became the first person to win four Logie Awards (Television awards) in one year, and the youngest winner of the "Gold Logie" as Australia's "Most Popular Television Performer", determined by public ballot.
(she was 20 years old in 1988 when she won four Logies)

Answer: Holden

The big three in Australian car manufacturing in the 60s and 70s were all associated with American parent companies: Holden (General Motors), Ford and Valiant (Chrysler), yet each had Australian designed and manufactured unique models. However Australia's first mass produced car, the Holden is truly iconic.

Its iconic status was sealed with the 1970s commercial about "Football, meat pies, kangaroos and Holden cars", a reference to three other Australia's icons. The introduction of Australian production of Japanese car manufacturers in the 1970s has reduced Holden's market share in the 21st century but has not affected its iconic status.

Answer: An ordinary citizen cut the opening ribbon before the ceremonial party could.

The bridge was to be opened by Jack Lang, Premier of New South Wales, but, before he could cut the ribbon, Francis de Groot, an "ordinary" citizen, rode up on horseback and cut the ribbon before Mr Lang could. After he was arrested it was determined that Mr de Groot was angry that a member of the Royal Family had not been asked to perform the honor.

Answer: Sydney Swans (Australian football)

The Sydney Swans (formerly the South Melbourne Swans) have a white jersey with a large red "V" on the front. At the foot of the V there is an outline of the shape of the Sydney Opera House cut into the V.
The Australian Wallabies are the national rugby union side with representatives from each of the major rugby union states. Sydney Roosters is one of 11 Sydney based teams playing in the National Rugby League and Sydney FC play in the National Soccer A-League. The latter has a logo which includes a stylised SOH.

Answer: A rank and file foot soldier

in 1914, thirteen years after Federation, young Australian men went to Europe to fight a war. They proved themselves courageous, brave and hard-working. They represented the intrinsic Australian values of egalitarianism, a "fair go" (equal opportunity for all) and a belief that you would never let your mates down. The digger is closely associated with the ANZAC.

Answer: There is a dual naming policy. The correct form is Uluru / Ayers Rock.

The local Pitjantjatjara people have called the landmark Uluru for many thousands of years. In 1873, surveyor surveyor William Gosse, named it Ayers Rock after the then Chief Secretary of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayers.
A dual naming policy was adopted in 1993 so both the traditional Aboriginal name and the English name were used together: "Ayers Rock / Uluru". The order of the dual names was reversed officially to "Uluru / Ayers Rock" on 6 November 2002.