Australians of the Past Trivia Quiz

Answer: Arthur Phillip

Arthur Phillip led the First Fleet, comprising 11 ships, to Botany Bay, arriving in 1788. Deciding this was an unsuitable site for settlement, he finally landed at Port Jackson on January 26, 1788, establishing a settlement at what is today Sydney.
James Cook claimed Australia for Great Britain in 1770.
William Dampier was the first Englishman to reach Australia, on the west coast in 1699.
William Bligh was an early NSW governor, best remembered for the mutiny on the 'Bounty'.

Answer: John Oxley

John Oxley, accompanied by Allan Cunningham, is acknowledged as the discoverer of the Brisbane River in 1824.
Allan Cunningham was a surveyor, exploring much of Eastern Australia and discovering the 'Gap' named for him.
Matthew Flinders is best remembered for his sailing around, and mapping, the Australian coastline.
Ludwig Leichhardt explored much of Northern and Central Australia, disappearing with his entire expedition in 1848.

Answer: Sir Donald Bradman

Bradman's average was amazing when it is recognized that an average of 60 is considered exceptional, and rarely achieved. His highest Test score of 334 stood as a record for many years.
Alan Border, an outstanding cricketer also, managed an average of 50.56.
Richie Benaud, better remembered for his captaincy, averaged only 24.45, although he was an excellent spin bowler as well.

Answer: Bert Hinkler

Bert Hinkler achieved this feat in 1928. He disappeared while attempting a similar flight in 1933, and his body was later discovered in Italy.
Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith was the first (in 1928) to fly from the United States to Australia. He disappeared over the sea near India in 1935.
Sir Reginald Ansett is best remembered for founding the airline company bearing his name.
John Flynn established the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the world's first aerial ambulance.

Answer: Steve Irwin

Steve Irwin, establisher of the Australia Zoo, was killed by a stingray in 2006.
Crocodile Dundee is a fictional movie character played by Paul Hogan in the movies of that name.
Harry Butler was a television naturalist, showing us aspects of Australian wildlife.
Vic Hislop is noted for his exploits with man-eating sharks.

Answer: Shane Gould

Shane Gould held every world record in freestyle from 100m to 1500m. She won three gold medals at these Olympics, all in world record time.
Dawn Fraser is the only woman to win gold in three Olympics in the same event (100m freestyle), achieving this in 1956, 1960 and 1964.
Tracey Wickham is best remembered for her performances at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games (1982).
Jodie Henry won gold in the 100m freestyle at Athens in 2004, in world record time.

Answer: Mary

Mary Donaldson married Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark in 2004.
Cinderella and Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) both married princes, but in fairy tales (and they are not Australian!).

Answer: Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger died tragically in 2008, receiving a posthumous Academy Award for his performance in 'The Dark Knight'.
Hugh Jackman is best known for 'Wolverine' and 'Australia'.
Peter Finch also received a posthumous award for 'Network'.
Going way back, Errol Flynn played swashbuckling roles such as 'Captain Blood' and 'Robin Hood'.

Answer: Oasis

Oasis is an English band formed in 1991 and comprising the Gallagher brothers.
The Seekers were very popular in the 1960's, with lead singer Judith Durham.
Powderfinger was formed in 1989, with lead vocalist Bernhard Fanning.
Human Nature was formed in 1989.

Answer: Sir Winston Churchill

Sir Winston Churchill was a British Prime Minister, mainly during and after World War I.
Edmund Barton was Australia's first Prime Minister (1901 - 1903).
Gough Whitlam was famously dismissed from the post in 1975, having been elected in 1972.
Sir Robert Menzies served from 1039 - 1941, and from 1949 - 1966 and was known as 'Pig Iron Bob', for selling scrap metal to Japan.