My Australia Trivia Quiz

Answer: Gladioli

Dame Edna is a true cultural icon in Australia. She is the creation of the talented Barry Humphries (b1934). Dame Edna has a very acute almost painful fashion sense and enjoys wearing many styles of spectacles, including those shaped like the Sydney Opera House. Dame Edna has friends in high places and is an acquaintance of Her Maj (Queen Elizabeth II).

Answer: Jessica

Bryce Courtenay was born in South Africa but moved to Australia in the late 1950s. Probably his best known novel is "The Power of One" about a young boy growing up in racist South Africa. The "Power of One" is a prequel to "Tandia", the story of a beautiful young black girl who meets Peekay, the boxer, who is the hero of "Power of One". "Sylvia" is also a book written by Bryce Courtenay, but is set in 12th century Europe.

Megan and Constance I invented. However, Meggie is the heroine of "The Thorn Birds" by Colleen McCullough, another famous Australian writer.

Answer: South to North

They travelled from south - from Melbourne, Victoria to north - the Gulf of Carpentaria - a very long way indeed at approximately 2,800km/1,750 miles. The Australian interior was populated by Aborigines only at that time.

Due to the recent discovery of gold in Victoria, the powers that be were in a position to finance and send an expedition to explore the interior with the possible aim of setting up a telegraph service, and to find out if an Inland Sea actually did exist. The expedition set out on 20 August 1860. Unfortunately, Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills and five other men died in the attempt. John King was the only survivor of the expedition and was found on 15 September 1861. King died eleven years later, possibly due to the privations he suffered due to the expedition.

Answer: Broome

Broome has a multicultural population and lies on the north-west coastline of Australia. Earlier in its history, Broome became popular with specialised pearl divers mostly from Japan because of its quality and quantity of pearls. Official records say that as many as 115 divers perished while diving, but the unofficial number is probably much higher. Broome has become a very popular tourist destination.

Answer: Platypus

The platypus is an egg laying mammal found on the eastern coast and eastern inland of Australia. I have only ever seen one in the wild. They are very shy creatures indeed and make no sound in the water. The platypus searches for its food on the bottom of rivers, creeks and waterholes.

Although it may be tempting to try to cuddle a platypus, experts advise not to try it. The males have a spur on the heels of their back feet that can deliver a strong toxic blow.

Answer: Gunsynd

Gunsynd was foaled 4th Ocotber 1967, died of cancer 1983, and competed from 1969 to 1973, and died of cancer on 29th April 1983. Gunsynd got his name from the group of people who bought him, the Goondiwindi Syndicate. Goondiwindi is pronounced Gundewindi. Goondiwindi and Waggamba Shire is located on the Western Downs border of Queensland and New South Wales. I once had the pleasure of meeting Gunsynd, a truly beautiful big dapple grey with a very friendly nature.

He was surrounded by adoring fans like the superstar he was.

Answer: Judy Davis

The film "My Brilliant Career" is based on Miles Franklin's book. Judy Davis played the lead part as a young, independent woman living in the bush around 1897 with her family. The film sees Sibylla (Judy Davis) and her efforts to leave the bush and make a name as a writer in the city. Her co-stars included Sam Neill ("Jurassic Park") and Wendy Hughes. "My Brilliant Career", was released and directed in 1979 by Gillian Armstrong, who went on to direct "Charlotte Grey" (2001) and "Death Defying Acts" (2007).

Answer: Kay Cottee

Kay Cottee was born in Sydney, Australia in 1954. Kay set sail in her boat "First Lady" from Sydney on 29th November 1987 and returned 189 days later, sailing into Sydney Harbour. One of the reasons Kay's fame endures is perhaps because her feat was a straightforward one, which the public could comprehend.

In 1988. She was also Australian of the Year, was awarded the AO and became an important figure in the National Maritime Museum, and a public figure almost independent of yachting.

Answer: Galah

In times of drought large flocks of galahs fly into coastal town and cities looking for water and feed. Flocks of cockatoos also fly in, giving all those who see them great pleasure. When I was small and lived in the bush, many houses had their own galahs and/or cockatoos (cockies) in cages.

This practice is not so prevalent in the cities now as both galahs and cockatoos have a very loud screech and disturb the neighbours. It may still happen in country areas, with larger yards, though.

Answer: Cate Blanchett - "Elizabeth"

Cate Blanchett was born in Melbourne, Australia on 14th May 1969. Guy Pearce was born in Cambridgeshire, England on 5th October 1967. Naomi Watts was born in Shoreham, England on 28th September 1968. Russell Crowe was born in Wellington, New Zealand on 7th April 1964. And just in case you are interested - Nicole Kidman was born in Honolulu, Hawaii.