Australia Day 2025 - Aussie's invented that!

Hello dear readers. Welcome to the Australia Day edition. We celebrate Australia day on 26 January - but in true Aussie tradition - if the day comes on the weekend (like it does on Sunday this year), we declare a public holiday the next work day - ie Monday! Aussies love public holidays! 

To celebrate Australia Day I thought I would share with you a few things us Aussies invented. You might be surprised about some of them - I was.  

There has even been a song written about some them - written by Matt Scullion. So for the musical version click on the video - the words are below. 

We Invented That written by Matt Scullion 

Everybody knows we invented Iced VoVos
Lamingtons, Cherry Ripes, and Chiko Rolls
We're famous for the Hill's Hoist and the Speedos

We gave the world the ute, but I bet you didn't know - 

We came up with the wine cask, I love the way we think

It doubles as a pillow when you've had too much to drink

And see that little black box that survives every plant crash

We invented that

Some clever Aussie invented that.

Now we were only showing off with the dual-flush dunny

We saved the Mint a fortune with plastic coated money.

From the Esky to the stubby cooler, we don't muck around

We even gave expecting mums an early look with ultrasound.

Next time you're using Wi-Fi, you've got us to thank

Yeah, we've been on the front line since we built the armoured tank

From the selfie, to the surf ski, even Google Maps

We invented that

Some clever Aussie invented that

We saved lives with penicillin, with Aerogard we made a killing, 

They even put the AC in the power drill.

Mowed the competition over, with the two-stroke Victa mower

You'd think with all our accolades, we might have had our fill

But then we sailed into victory with the winged keel.

And with the Race-Cam put the lounge lizard behind the steering wheel

We were on the cutting edge with the Stay-Sharp knife

It was just a taste of things to come with Vegemite. 

We put a battery in a heart, what a great idea!

Even gave the hard of hearing a bionic ear.

From the Ugg boot to electric shears, it's an unknown fact

We invented that. 

It all started with the corks hanging from a swaggie's hat

Yeah, we invented that

Some clever Aussie invented that!

And wait there's more:

the boomerang - 10,000 years ago

Splayd - the Australian version of the spork - The splayd was created in 1943 in Sydney by William McArthur and was popular as a 1970's wedding gift. 

In my family it is our most used eating utensil - Great for eating one pot stir fries and spaghetti and dessert slices - anything really that doesn't require a knife! 

Powerboard - 1972

Prepaid Postage stamps - 1838

Worlds first feature-length film - 1906 

Roll-a-door garage door - 1956

Note pad - 1902

On Boxing Day 1906, The Story of the Kelly Gang, opened at the Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne. It was the first multi-reel, feature-length film ever produced in the world. See more here: National Museum of Australia

The Hills Hoist history is fascinating. It was developed in 1945 by South Australian Lance Hill, though the rotary clothes hoist design was created by another Australian, Gilbert Toyne, way back in 1911, who wanted a way to maximise the amount of clothesline space, but with less of a footprint. Australian seniors - The Hills Hoist

The Australian breakfast table wouldn't be complete without Vegemite. Made in Australia since 1923 - you can read more about Vegemite and it's history here - Vegemite.com   My hint to tasters new to Vegemite - only put a thin slather on your toast - especially delicious on fresh crusty bread with butter! And NEVER NEVER spread thick on burnt toast! 

The Happy Little Vegemite song which we all grew up with has recently had a remake - evidently Vegemite had over 10,000 audition applications! 

For more information and more amazing inventions that Aussies created - 

20 Australian inventions that changed the world - Australian Geographic

40 of the best Aussie inventions of all time - Cnet.com

And whilst there is still some discussion about the day we should celebrate Australia Day - 26th January - it doesn't stop me celebrating everything that is wonderful about Australia - and my Australian heritage through my ancestors who came to Australia in the early days of the colony. 

This afternoon we went to see a wonderful heart warming true blue Aussie movie - Runt - if you haven't seen it, do yourself a favour and see it. You'll love it. 

Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
   

Mosaic Monday @ Soul & Mind & So On

Saturdays Critters - Viewing Nature With Eileen

Travel Tuesday

Talking About It Tuesdays @ Slices of Life

ThroughMy Lens 
Image-in-ing
My corner of the world through my camera 
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity. 
       and Little bird - Pienilintu
Thankful Thursday 
Welcome to Nature Thursday

Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.

Until then, enjoy your day...and make it as good as you can...

Australia Day - I am, You Are, We Are Australian

Friday 26 January was Australia Day -

Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Observed annually on 26 January, it marks the 1788 landing of the First Fleet and the raising of the Union Flag of Great Britain by Captain Arthur Phillip at Sydney Cove, a small bay on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour.

In present-day Australia, the government Australia Day Council organises events that seeks to recognise the contributions of Australians to the nation, while also encouraging reflection on past wrongs including towards Indigenous Australians and also giving respect and celebrating the diversity and achievements of Australian society past and present                 wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_Day

There has been a great deal of controvosy, discussions and protests over the last few years about whether we should be celebrating on 26 January - the indiginous people of Australia claiming it to be "Ïnvasion Day" and wanting to change the date.

I won't buy into this debate here. I am proudly fourth generation Australian on both sides of my family - both early free settlers and convicts, those who fought and died for their country, battled the Depression, cleared and farmed the land, worked hard for what we have. No matter what colour, religion, or nationality we are, we are all an important part of what makes this country a wonderful place to live. We should celebrate this.

Instead I will share of song with you, which I think says it all.

Aunt Stella Floyed, possibly at the time of Federation

I am, you are, we are all Australian.

I AM AUSTRALIAN.

(1987 - by Bruce Woodley, The Seekers and Dobe Newton, The Bushwackers)

I came from the dreamtime from the dusty red soil plains I am the ancient heart, the keeper of the flame I stood upon the rocky shore I watched the tall ships come For forty thousand years I'd been the first Australian.

I came upon the prison ship bowed down by iron chains.

.I cleared the land, endured the lash

and waited for the rains.

Great Great Grandfather James Fairhead
arrived Australia 1853

I'm a settler. I'm a farmer's wife on a dry and barren run,

A convict then a free man

I became Australian.

I'm the daughter of a digger

who sought the mother lode, The girl became a woman on the long and dusty road

I'm a child of the depression

I saw the good times come I'm a bushy, I'm a battler I am Australian

Great Grandmother & Grandfather Floyed 1887
Great Grandfather born in Australia 1858 

[chorus] We are one, but we are many And from all the lands on earth we come

We share a dream and sing with one voice: I am, you are, we are Australian I am, you are, we are Australian.

I'm a teller of the stories

I'm a singer of the songs

I am Albert Namatjira I paint the ghostly gums

Great Uncle Norman Clayden, died Gallipoli, WW1

I am Clancy on his horse I'm Ned Kelly on the run I'm the one who waltzed Matilda I am Australian.

I'm the hot wind from the desert I'm the black soil of the plains I'm the mountains and the valleys I'm the drought and flooding rains.

I am the rock, I am the sky The rivers when they run The spirit of this great land I am Australian

[chorus] We are one, but we are many And from all the lands on earth we come We share a dream and sing with one voice: I am, you are, we are Australian I am, you are, we are Australian.

And below from You Tube an inspiring rendition of this song.

You might also like -

Celebrating Australia Day & Waltzing Matilda - 2014

Australia Day on the Beach - 2015

Australia Day - How Australian Are You? - 2017

How to speak like an Australian on Australia Day - 2020

Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 
I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

Australia Day Fireworks

Mosaic Monday @ Soul & Mind & So On

Saturdays Critters - Viewing Nature With Eileen

Inspire Me Monday

Travel Tuesday

Pictorial Tuesday 

ThroughMy Lens 
Image-in-ing
My corner of the world through my camera 
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity. 
       and Little bird - Pienilintu
Thankful Thursday 
Welcome to Nature Thursday

Skywatch Friday

Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you. 

Until then, enjoy your day... it won't be back. 

How to speak like an Aussie on Australia Day

26th January is Australia Day when we celebrate what is great about our country. We have been suffering lately with bushfires and droughts, but the Aussie spirit, mateship, and helping each other, will always come through. 

So I thought for a little light-hearted fun today - How to speak Australian - abbreviate everything. 

 A couple of years ago I shared this brilliant YouTube video on my blog - How Australian Are You? from Josh Hawkins and Rhys Keir. You can see it here How to Speak Australian

 Here is the list, and I've added a couple of my own....

Australia - Straya

Breckie

Hello - gidday
Football - footy
Biscuit - bicky
Chocolate - choccy
Chocolate biscuit - choccy bicky 
McDonalds - maccas
ACDC - Acadaca
Devastated - dvo 
Definitely - defo!
Aggressive - agro
Afternoon - arvo
This afternoon - s'arvo
 Breakfast - breckie
Tomorrow - tomorra 
Garbage man - garbo
Postman - postie
Taxi driver - cabbie
Musician - muso

Sunnies

Service station - servo
Bottle shop - bottle-o
Registration - rego  
Pregnant - preggas 
Swimming costume - cozzie
Mosquito - mozzie
Tracksuit - trackie
Tracksuit pants - trackie dacks
 Underpants - undies
Sweater - jumper  
Running shoes - joggers
Monday - Mundee; Tuesday - Tuesdee; and so on....
Birthday - birthdee

Chook

Vegetarian - veggo
Lipstick - lippy
Sunglasses - sunnies
Eraser - rubber  
Elevator - lift
Present - prezzie
Christmas - Chrissy
Christmas present - Chrissy prezzie
St Vincent de Paul - Vinnies
Salvation Army - Salvos 
Smoke break (or morning tea break) - smoko
Cup of tea - cuppa
Avocado - avo
Have an avocado -  havanavo
Spaghetti bolognaise - spag-bog or spag-bol
Potato - spud
Chewing gum - chewy
Sandwich - sammo

What could be more Australian - making Anzac bickies

Toasted sandwich - toastie
BBQ - barbie
Sausage - snag
Chicken - chook  
Ketchup - tomato sauce 
French fries - chips 
Mentholated spirits - metho 
Turpentine - turps
Fellow - fella or bloke
Husband - hubbie
Give me - gimmie
Trying to - tryna
Going to - gunna  
Thank you - thanks 
Cigarette - ciggie 
Tin can of beer - tinnie
Ambulance - ambo
Fireman - firey
Policeman - cop or coppa

Tasmania, that island at the bottom of Australia

Bricklayer - brickie
Tradesman - tradie
Rubbish man - garbo 
Toilet - dunny
Umbrella - brolly
Sick day from work - sickie
Kangaroo - roo
Champagne - champers
Cabernet Sauvignon - cab-sav 
Bundaberg Rum - Bundie
Relatives - relos
Expensive - exxy
Brisbane - Brizzy
Tasmania - Tassie
Derelict - dero
Kindergarten - kindy
Big city - big smoke 
Cockatoo - cockie
Television - tellie 
 How are you? - how-ya-goin?
See you later - see-ya 
It will be ok - she'll be right  
good job - good-on-ya
 Put another sausage on the BBQ - chuck another snag on the barbie

There's lots more I am sure. Do you Aussies have some more you can add to the list?
Of course we change names too - like - Tom - Thommo, Shane - Shaneo 

And if you are not confused already - there are also differences between America and Australian words - as demonstrated by Christi (an American) and Mark Brown (an Australian) - Australian versus American words - on YouTube

And a few of our unique Aussie animals - clockwise from top left - Thorny Devil, Koala, Numbat, Dingo, Quokka,  Echidna, Bilby, Kangaroo, and in the centre the Emu

Australia Day is the anniversary of raising the British flag in Sydney Cove on the 26 January 1788 after the arrival of the eleven ships of the First Fleet. 

Whatever you are doing today in Australia or overseas, enjoy your day without forgetting those who came before us, the wrongs of the past, the sacrifices, the mateship, the great moments in our history and the ordinary people doing extraordinary things. They are all part of what makes us truly Australian. 

 Just found this about 1950s Australia.....

 Someone suggested yesterday that today should be renamed Rum Rebellion Day.
 So I investigated to learn more.... 

Governor William Bligh

Evidently 26 January is also significant as the date marking the only military overthrow of government authority in Australia....
known as the Rum Rebellion, on 26 January 1808, the soldiers of the New South Wales Corps marched with fixed bayonets through the streets of Sydney under the command of Major George Johnston to Government House where they arrested Governor William Bligh. from : Australian National Maritime Museum 

Captain William Bligh was the fourth and last naval officer to be appointed Governor of the New South Wales penal colony....When Bligh arrived the colony was in a poor state. Floods, the lack of supply ships and a reduction in convict labour had severely diminished the self-sufficiency of the colony .....as part of Bligh's reforms, Bligh ordered the destruction of illicit stills and prohibited the bartering of spirits for grain, labour, food or any other goods, especially rum, these orders aroused immediate and heated revolt. From My Place for Teachers

 Interesting! Rum Rebellion Day!

For those wondering about the latest bushfire news from Australia - here is the latest news - 9 News-bushfire updates. Bushfires are still raging, and more bodies are being recovered from burnt out properties.

My heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones, and to the families of the American firefighters who lost their lives in an aircraft crash this past week. They were part of a huge outpouring of help that has come to Australia from all over the world. That they lost their lives helping us is tragic. 

Regeneration after the bushfires

  Thank you for visiting today. You might also like - 
Celebrating Australia Day and Waltzing Matilda
How Australian Are You?
Australia Day - Cooee!

Thank you so much for stopping by. If you are Australian, what are you doing today to celebrate Australia Day? Perhaps you would like to tell us in your comments. 
I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

   
All Seasons
MosaicMonday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf

Our World Tuesday

Pictorial Tuesday 

ThroughMy Lens 

Image-in-ing
My corner of the world through my camera 
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity.

The Lovin' Life Team over at: Deep Fried Fruit

 
 Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.