Hot Historical Happenings in the Land Downunder Quiz

Answer: Hobart

Hobart is one of the loveliest of Australia's cities, located at the base of Mount Wellington and on the Derwent River. Hobart Town, as it was originally known, was named for Lord Hobart, the British Secretary for the Colonies and it was settled in 1803. Australia's first (legal) casino was located in Hobart, at Wrest Point, in 1973.

Answer: Chinese

The fact is, the Chinese were fundamental in the success of the gold fields, providing many services, although they were not always appreciated. Many of the Chinese were indentured to other Chinese and were obliged to send back most of the money they earned.

There were a percentage who went back to China after the gold rush was over, but many stayed to continue working the market gardens for which they were famous.

Answer: 12

Built of local limestone, the Round House is the oldest surviving public building in Western Australia, and the first prison in that state. It was designed by civil engineer Henry Reveley, with its main functional feature being the capacity of the guard being able to see any cell that was open from one vantage point.

It was later used as a residence for a constable, and as a transit point for convicts.

Answer: James Cook

The 1755 cottage, which was the Cook family home, was dismantled in Yorkshire by Sir Russell Grimwade and reassembled in the Fitzroy Gardens, where it is still possible to visit. Though Cook himself never lived in it, it was thought of enough significance to bring it brick by brick, along with cuttings from the original ivy that covered it, to Australia.

Answer: Alice Springs

Alice Gillam Bell, wife of Sir Charles Todd, was born in Cambridge, England, and was buried in Adelaide, where she died at the age of 62. He was responsible for the construction of the overland Telegraph, vital to the connecting of remote regions of Australia.

Answer: Darwin

Darwin was originally named Palmerston, but was later renamed after Sir Charles Darwin. It was established in 1869. The Sturt Highway starts in Darwin and finishes in Port Augusta (South Australia). The Overland Telegraph Line was a 3200 km telegraph line that connected Darwin with Port Augusta, and was constructed by Sir Charles Todd.

A planned city, also named Palmerston, replaced the original city and is located approximately 20km from Darwin.

Answer: Heidelberg

McCubbin, was a contemporary of Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton and Walter Withers, among many others. These artists were significant in the capture of early white settlement in Australia, painting historical events such as bush fires, the opening of important buildings and of cityscapes. They captured the harsh sunlight that is typical in the Australian landscape.

Answer: Circumnavigated Australia

Flinders voyage commenced in Portsmouth, England where he was commissioned to navigate around the 'unknown coast' of the Great south Land. He succeeded in his task and was responsible for filling in much of the chart started by Sir James Cook's ealier voyages.

Some of the places Flinders named on this voyage include Mt. Lofty, Cape Catastrophe, Memory Cove and Kangaroo island. The Australia Inland Mission was in fact founded by John Flynn, a Presbyterian minister, in the early 1900s.

Answer: Ned Kelly

The death mask, exhibited just a day after his death in November 1880, was accompanied by expert opinion regarding the shape of his head and over-developed cranial regions being indicative of his underdeveloped sense of conscience and and inordinate need for approval. The cell in which Kelly was held before his execution can still be seen in the Old Melbourne Gaol.

Answer: William Bligh

Bligh was as unable to govern a new colony as he was unable to the Bounty. While Bligh's initial action when he arrived in the colony in 1806 provide relief to the farmers to the west of Sydney (who had been affected by flooding), his strong arm style soon brought him into conflict with the military rulers in command of the fledgling government. Bligh (rightly) restricted the distribution of cheap rum and that was the final straw; he was rolled by troops loyal to John Macarthur. Military rule was imposed until Lachlan Macquarie arrived from England a couple of years later to restore the rule of law.