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Aussie Oddities Trivia Quiz

Just a few trivial 'odds-and-sods' all about Australia! So what do you know about the 'Great South Land'?

A multiple-choice quiz by Engadine. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Engadine

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
139,775

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1247

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In what year was it first declared illegal to swim at public beaches during the day in Australia? Hint

1840

1830

1845

1838

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Question 2 of 10

2. Was Australia one of the first two countries in the world to give women the right to vote?

Yes

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Question 3 of 10

3. What animal was believed to be an 'Australian joke' when a specimen was first sent to England? Hint

Echidna

Platypus

Koala

Kangaroo

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Question 4 of 10

4. Did an Australian invent the first underwater torpedo in 1847?

Yes

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was the prize money on offer in 1922 in the competition launched to name 'Vegemite'? Hint

One hundred pounds

Ten pounds

Twenty pounds

Fifty pounds

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Question 6 of 10

6. Was the first feature length film in the world produced in Australia?

Yes

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Question 7 of 10

7. Did the first Australian Aboriginal Cricket team tour England in the 1800's?

Yes

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who was Australia's first 'Bushranger'? Hint

Ned Kelly

Mad Dog Morgan

Captain Thunderbolt

John Caesare

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Question 9 of 10

9. Does Australia have the highest ratio of television to video cassette recorder ownership in the world?

Yes

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Question 10 of 10

10. Why do we celebrate 'Labour Day' in Australia with a public holiday? Hint

Commemorating the worlds first forty hour working week

Commemorating the worlds first eight hour working day

Commemorating the introduction of caesarean sections

Commemorating the creation of the 'Labour Party'

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In what year was it first declared illegal to swim at public beaches during the day in Australia?

Answer: 1838

Amazingly enough, this law was enforced up until 1902.

2. Was Australia one of the first two countries in the world to give women the right to vote?

Answer: Yes

Australia was the second country to give women the right to vote, New Zealand was the first! New Zealand women were given the right to vote in 1893, women had been able to vote in two states of the US from 1896-70 and South Australia was the first Australian state to give women the right to vote in 1894.

3. What animal was believed to be an 'Australian joke' when a specimen was first sent to England?

Answer: Platypus

When a platypus was first sent to England, it was believed the Australians had played a joke on the 'poms' by stitching the bill of a duck onto the body of a rat!

4. Did an Australian invent the first underwater torpedo in 1847?

Answer: Yes

Louis Brennan invented the underwater torpedo. It had two propellers which were rotated by wires attached to winding engines that remained onshore!

5. What was the prize money on offer in 1922 in the competition launched to name 'Vegemite'?

Answer: Fifty pounds

The Fred Walker Company launched 'Vegemite' in 1923 after the name was drawn out of a hat and the winner awarded fifty pounds!

6. Was the first feature length film in the world produced in Australia?

Answer: Yes

'Soldiers of the Cross' was made and shown in Australia in 1900, and in 1906 'The Story of the Kelly Gang' was produced, costing a thousand pounds to make!

7. Did the first Australian Aboriginal Cricket team tour England in the 1800's?

Answer: Yes

They weren't just the first Aboriginal team, they were the first Australian team and they toured in 1868! They played over forty matches during a five month tour and also gave exhibitions of boomerang and spear throwing.

8. Who was Australia's first 'Bushranger'?

Answer: John Caesare

'Black' Caesare was born in the West Indies and transported to New South Wales aboard the First Fleet. He was 'murdered' for a reward of five gallons of spirits!

9. Does Australia have the highest ratio of television to video cassette recorder ownership in the world?

Answer: Yes

In 2003, 87% of Australian homes that had a television also had a video cassette recorder!

10. Why do we celebrate 'Labour Day' in Australia with a public holiday?

Answer: Commemorating the worlds first eight hour working day

The Stonemason's Society in Sydney were the first workers in the world to be awarded an eight hour working day (down from ten hours). This occured in March 1856.

Source: Author Engadine

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Beatka before going online.
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