Mixed Australian Trivia

1. Australia's first ever Olympic gold medal was won by which middle-distance runner named Edwin?

From Quiz Aussie Firsts

Answer: Flack

Edwin Flack was born in England in 1873, but he moved with his family to Australia when he was just five years old. He competed in the first modern Olympics that took place in Athens in 1896. At those Olympics he won gold medals in the track and field races over the distances of 800 meters and 1500 meters. Flack also competed in tennis at the Olympics. This question was tracked into the quiz by Phoenix Rising teammate and Red Crew member Triviaballer as part of the team's 2022 World Tour.

From Quiz A Yank Looks at "I Am Australian"

Answer: the Indigenous Australian cosmogeny story

"The Dreamtime" is the Indigenous Australian equivalent of "Genesis", a time when the creator spirits lived upon the Earth alongside their creations. The lyric gives the Indigenous Australians credit for 40000 years as the First Australians, but some ethnologists suggest that "The Dreamtime" story may have origins as far back as 70000 years ago. That makes "The Dreamtime" the prime candidate for the oldest spiritual belief with living adherents.

From Quiz Aussie Stuff

Answer: Ita Buttrose

Ita Buttrose had journalism in her blood, as her father was a reporter and editor. She started her remarkable story as the women's editor at a newspaper, later founding 'Cleo' magazine, to becoming Editor-in-Chief at 'Australian Women's Weekly'. In 1981, she accepted the position as Editor at the 'Daily Telegraph' stable of newspapers, which were owned by Rupert Murdoch. She also appeared on many television shows, such as 'Beauty and the Beast', 'Today' and 'Studio 10'. In 2019, she was appointed to the position of chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Somehow, she has also found time to write quite a few books, and she has a list of awards a mile long. Cold Chisel's tribute came from the wildly successful album, 'East', but strangely enough, Jimmy Barnes (the band's frontman) did not meet Ita for more than 20 years after the song hit the air. She is reportedly quite flattered by the song.

From Quiz My Boomerang Came Back

Answer: Wood

Boomerangs, also known as 'kylies' by some tribal groups, are used for hunting, cleaning, and warfare. Though particularly identified with Australia, boomerang-like objects have been found across Europe and parts of Asia. They have also been made from tusk or bone, but most commonly, wood is the preferred material.

From Quiz Come and Visit us Down Under

Answer: January 1, 1901

The Commonwealth of Australia came into being on January 1, 1901 when the British Parliament allowed the six separate states to govern as one. Edmund Barton (1849-1920) became our first Prime Minister. January 26, 1788 is the date in which Capt. Arthur Phillip landed at Sydney Cove with the First Fleet from Great Britain. December 3, 1854 is the date of the battle of the Eureka Stockade in Ballarat, Victoria when gold miners rebelled against colonial authority installed by Great Britain. The miners fought against colonial forces and the rebellion resulted in 27 deaths. April 25, 1916 is commemorated as ANZAC Day when Australian and New Zealand forces stormed ashore in Gallipoli, Turkey during WWI. ANZAC Day is a public holiday throughout Australia and New Zealand when we remember those that lost their lives in all conflicts.

From Quiz I Love a Sunburnt Country

Answer: About a third

The Tropic of Capricorn passes through five countries in southern Africa and four countries in South America as well as Australia. In Australia about a third lies north of this marker, obviously in the tropics while the other two thirds of the country is either sub-tropical or temperate in latitude. Notable towns or cities the marker passes through are Rockhampton, Emerald and Longreach in Queensland and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. The mining towns of Newman and Paraburdoo in Western Australia are near but not on the Tropic of Capricorn.

From Quiz Cold Turkey on Boxing Day

Answer: Sandwich

What used to be unimaginatively called 'bread and cheese' or 'bread and meat' was renamed thanks to John Montagu, Earl of Sandwich. In Australia, filling inside two slices of bread is called a sandwich, while the same filling put into a bread roll is called...well....a roll. I make it a point only to take a sandwich of cold turkey (or cold meats of any sort) to the cricket if I have a cooler box (ice chest) to take it in, to reduce the risk of food poisoning. For the same reason, I'd opt for cranberry sauce rather than mayonnaise to go with it.

From Quiz How To Speak Australian, by Austen Tayshus

Answer: An Aboriginal throwing stick

Some boomerangs are designed aerodynamically so that they will return when thrown. These were mainly for fun or competition. Others are not made to return, but are used for hunting. These boomerangs are considerably heavier. 'Australiana' was released in 1983 by Austen Tayshus, and the routine was written by Billy Birmingham, well known for his 'Twelfth Man' cricket comedy skits.

From Quiz Simply and Utterly Australian!

Answer: Two-Up

The origins of Two-Up are a little obscure, however, the game became a pastime for miners during the gold rush of the 1850s. It was even more popular with the Australian troops during WWI. Kip is the small piece of wood on which two coins are placed before being thrown up. The Spinner is the person who throws the coins in the air. The Boxer is the person who manages the game. Finally, the Ringy(or Ring keeper) is the person who looks after the coins once they are tossed, and acts as the referee in case of a dispute.

From Quiz Oz You Like It

Answer: Queensland

Cape York Peninsula is considered to be one of the last remaining wilderness areas of Earth, so be sure to take advantage of the many outdoor activities available in the area. Fish from the local wharf or hire a boat. Take a scenic flight in a helicopter or go horseback riding. Don't forget to take one of the croc-spotting tours!

From Quiz Weather in Australia

Answer: Low rainfall leading to drought

The El Nino, and its opposite number, La Nina, occur as a result of temperature changes in the waters of the southern Pacific Ocean. Usually, the western Pacific waters are warmer that the east, meaning that rainfall is more likely in Australia. However, if the temperature differential between east and west drops, it increases the likelihood of heavy rain in South America, and much less rain in the east and central areas of Australia. The La Nina reverses the effect, and will bring rain (sometimes too much rain), to eastern Australia and will cause droughts in countries like Chile and Argentina.

From Quiz The Great Southern Land

Answer: Edmund Barton

Edmund Barton was sworn in as Australia's first Prime Minister on 1st January 1901, when the six colonies merged to form a new country, the Commonwealth of Australia. He was as a member of the now-defunct Protectionist Party. There is a suburb in Canberra named after him. Henry Parkes (1815-1896) was one of the Founding Fathers, instrumental in bringing the colonies together to form Australia. He was Premier of New South Wales for three separate terms during the 1870s and 1880s. He died in 1896- hedid not live to see the birth of a new nation.

From Quiz Educating Bob

Answer: Kangaroo

The kangaroo is as famous an Australian icon as the koala. Although the image of a boxing kangaroo has been around since 1891, the boxing kangaroo flag was first seen at the America's Cup Yacht race in 1983 and was quickly adopted as Australia's sporting flag. Matilda was a 13m tall mechanical kangaroo first seen at the Commonwealth Games held in Brisbane in 1982. To this day, the mere mention of Matilda is embarrassing to more than just a few Aussies, most of whom hail from Brisbane. Bob actually believes there are kangaroos hopping down the main street of the capital cities and he thought drop bears were a reality. Fair dinkum.

From Quiz Australia's Convict Heritage

Answer: Cockatoo Island

During the 20th century, Cockatoo Island was a major shipyard, but it closed in 1992. The first dry dock for the construction and repair of ships was built by convicts in 1857. Cockatoo Island was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010.

From Quiz What Do You Know About Australia?

Answer: Red Kangaroo and Emu

There is a common belief that both the kangaroo and emu are unable to move backwards easily and were so chosen to represent a nation moving forward. Also their sizes compared favourably. The red kangaroo is the largest kangaroo in Australia and a male can jump over 9 metres (30ft) in one leap. Males can grow to 1.4 metres (4ft 7in) and weigh up to 85 kilograms (190 lbs). The emu is the second largest bird in the world, is flightless, and can reach a height of 2 metres (6ft 6in). Because of their long legs, they can take strides of nearly 3 metres (approximately 9 feet). An adult emu can weigh between 30 and 45 kilograms (66-99 lbs). Generally female emus are larger than males and emus can run at a speed of 50 km per hour (31 mph).

From Quiz Fifteen Amazing Aussie Facts

Answer: Bilby

Australian bilbies are nocturnal and usually come out at night to find their food. Bilbies have long snouts which help them to smell and find food. They are also marsupials like the kangaroo, wombat and koala.

From Quiz Aussie Allsorts

Answer: Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger first appeared on Australian television in 1993. He first gained recognition for his work on the movies "Two Hands' (1999) and "10 Things I Hate About You" (1999). He went on to win critical acclaim for his role of Ennis Del Mar in "Brokeback Mountain" (2005) but it was his version of the sociopathic Joker in "The Dark Knight" (2008) that earned him an Oscar. Heath tragically died in 2008 after an accidental overdose of prescription medication. Question written by leith90

From Quiz There's a Track Winding Back...

Answer: gundabandoo - bingee

This means "cut with a hand-axe behind the knee", based on gunda meaning "sinews at the back of the knee" and bingee meaning "cut with a tomahawk". It is thought that this refers to the shape of the river bend on the fertile river flat near the town, which resembles a bent leg. Most of the original town was built here. Bad idea!

From Quiz Supernatural Australia

Answer: The Yowie

Reports of large, hairy anthropoids, and alleged footprints of such beasts, have been received from many areas of the Great Dividing Range for decades. But aside from the "odd eyewitness" account, plaster casts of tracks, old anecdotes, and Aboriginal legends, very little supporting evidence exists to say that the creatures are real. Australia's foremost Yowie "expert", Rex Gilroy, believes the the beast to be a relic form of 'Homo erectus'. Nb: Merv Hughes was a popular, and particularly hairy, Australian cricketer.

From Quiz Interesting Australian Facts

Answer: Harold Holt

Harold Holt disappeared in December 1967. His body was not recovered. There has been much speculation behind his death with claims that he may have committed suicide or even faked his own death.

From Quiz My Australia

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).

From Quiz Australian Mixed Bag

Answer: The Avon Descent

The Avon Descent is a rare event, in that both motor-boats and paddle-boats such as kayaks compete. It was first held in 1973. It is usually run on the first weekend in August every year. It starts in Northam, WA and finishes in Perth, WA. The safety standards for the Avon Descent are very strict. Sadly there was one fatality in a year where the river was unusually high.

From Quiz Contemporary Australian Arts and Culture

Answer: Corrugated Iron

The Local History Museum and Tourist Information Centre in Kempsey (completed in 1983) is a good example Murcutt's design. It consists of three wings, each with a curved corrugated iron roof. Glenn Murcutt's motto was to "touch the earth lightly" and his buildings blend into the Australian landscape. He is known as a pioneer of Australian architecture.

From Quiz How Well Do You Know Australia?

Answer: Victoria

Yackandandah is a small town in North East Victoria. The area is predominately now a dairy farming and forestry area but is also known for its gold mining history.

From Quiz Christmas in Australia

Answer: roast turkey with all the trimmings

Nowadays barbecues and picnics are very popular in the summer heat at Christmas time. Fewer people still do the roast turkey dinner that was the traditional meal for Australia.

From Quiz Australian Quiz Fizz

Answer: Gough Whitlam

Whitlam was dismissed in November 1975 and the Liberal leader, Malcolm Fraser, became the caretaker Prime Minister. There was a deadlock when the Liberal dominated Senate blocked supply of the Government's budget bills (refused to vote on the bills). This was designed to force an election, but when Whitlam refused to accede to this pressure, the Governor-General controversially dismissed Whitlam and the Labor government.

From Quiz Be Australia!

Answer: a small marsupial

The bandicoot is a small marsupial that comes in several different species. Some of these are relatively common in the southeast of Australia. Typically, bandicoots have long tails, long pointed noses and a habit of digging for grubs in suburban lawns.

From Quiz Australia - 1960s and 70s

Answer: Both marsupial characters

Skippy the Bush Kangaroo was a TV character. Skip (supposedly a female) played Lassie to Garry Pankhurst's Sonny Hammond. Blinky Bill became a TV hero later, but at that time he was known as a book character. Both were marsupials although only Skippy had a pouch.

From Quiz An Aussie's Revenge- By The Numbers #2

Answer: 1901

Federation, and the Australian Constitution, came into effect on January 1, 1901. The constitution can only be changed by a referendum, and for a referendum to be passed, it must be agreed by a majority of voters, and by a majority of states. Of the 42 proposals put to referendum since during the 20th century, only 8 were passed.

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Last Updated Dec 21 2024 5:52 AM

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