The demographics of Australia show it to be one of the most urbanised populations in the world; the majority of Australians live on the coast. Australia's cities are melting pots of different cultures. The influence of the longer-established southern European communities in particular has been pervasive. The great post-World War II influx of both English and non English-speaking migrants from England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Germany, Former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Malta, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, East Asia and South-East Asia has had a significant impact. Lesser numbers of immigrants have come from the African and American continents. The demographics of Australia covers basic statistics, most populous cites, ethnicity and religious affiliation. ... Alternate meaning: crucible (science) The melting pot is a metaphor for the way in which heterogenous societies develop, in which the ingredients in the pot (iron, tin; people of different backgrounds and religions, etc. ... The southern half of Europe is shown in shades of red. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This article is about the country. ... Yugoslavia (Jugoslavija in the Latin alphabet, Југославија in Cyrillic; English: South Slavia, or literary The Land of South Slavs) describes three political entities that existed one at a time on the Balkan Peninsula in Europe, during most of the 20th century. ... Eastern Europe is a concept that lacks one precise definition. ... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... This article is about the geographical region. ... Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ...

To understand its culture the physical distances between settlements and the very centralised nature of those settlements within each state must be borne in mind.

Arts in Australia

The arts in Australia — film, music, painting, theatre, dance and crafts — have achieved international recognition. However, in practice, it is difficult to discern anything distinctly Australian by looking at its artistic output in music, dance or literature. The arts in Australia have been influenced by its culture including a sense of European Australian isolation and remoteness. ... Ned Kelly depicted in the first ever feature-length narrative film The cinema of Australia has a long history and has produced many internationally-recognized films, actors and filmmakers. ... Australian music is the music originating from the country of Australia. ... The Art of Australia refers to both Australian Aboriginal art and Post Colonial art. ... Serge Sudeikins poster for the Bat Theatre (1922). ... A wide variety of dance occurs in Australia. ...

Traditional "high culture" gains small attention from much of the population, in contrast to popular culture. High culture thrives with a few excellent galleries (some in small towns); a rich tradition in ballet, enlivened by the legacy of Dame Margot Fonteyn and Sir Robert Helpmann, and continuing with Graeme Murphy; a strong national opera company based in Sydney; and excellent symphony orchestras in all capital cities, particularly the Melbourne and Sydney symphony orchestras. However, this is diluted across a large and largely empty continent. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Popular culture (or pop culture) is the widespread cultural elements in any given society that are perpetuated through that societys vernacular language or lingua franca. ... Margot Fonteyn ( 18 May 1919- 21 February 1991) was a leading British ballet dancer of her time. ... Sir Robert Murray Helpmann CBE (9 April 1909 – 28 September 1986) was an Australian dancer, actor, director and choreographer, Born Robert Murray Helpman, he added the extra n to avoid his name having 13 letters, at the suggestion of Anna Pavlova, who was a devotee of numerology. ... Graeme Murphy (born November 1950) is one of Australias most well known dance choreographers and formed the Sydney Dance Company in 1976 with fellow dancer and collaborator Janet Vernon. ... Opera Australia is Australias major opera company, formed by the merger of the Australian Opera and the Victorian State Opera companies in 1996. ... Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performing in the 2005 Classical Spectacular Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performing in the 2005 Classical Spectacular The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is an orchestra based in Melbourne, Australia. ... Sydney Symphony Orchestra, now known as the Sydney Symphony, is a symphony orchestra based in Sydney, Australia. ...

Architecture

Main article: Architecture of Australia

Contemporary Australian architecture includes a number of iconic structures, including the Sydney Opera House (the original design being by Jorn Utzon), the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne and Parliament House, Canberra. Significant architects include Harry Seidler and Francis Greenway. Architecture in Australia shows the substantial influence of that of English architecture with contemporary Australian architecture being more eclectic reflecting the multiculturalism of Australian society particularly post World War 2. ... The Sydney Opera House is located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. ... Jørn Utzon (b April 9, 1918) is a Danish architect. ... The Royal Exhibition Building from the main avenue of the Carlton Gardens The Royal Exhibition Building, viewed from the west The Royal Exhibition Building is located in Melbourne, Australia. ... Parliament House Canberra: The main entrance and the flag mast. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Francis Greenway Hyde Park Barracks, designed by Francis Greenway; Old Colonial Georgian architectural style; drawing by Hardy Wilson in 1914 Francis Howard Greenway (20 November 1777 – September 1837) was an iconic Australian colonial architect. ...

In the period before European settlement of Australia in 1788, evidence of permanent structures built by indigenous Australians in Australia is limited. Much of what they built was temporary for housing and other needs. As a British colony, the first European buildings were derivative of the European fashions of the time. Tents and wattle and daub huts preceded more substantial structures. Georgian architecture is seen in early government buildings of Sydney and Tasmania and the homes of the wealthy. While the major Australian cities enjoyed the boom of the Victorian Era, the Australian gold rushes of the mid-19th century brought major construction works and exuberant Victorian architecture to the major cities, particularly Melbourne, and major provincials such as Ballarat and Bendigo. Other significant architectural movements in Australian architecture include the Federation style of the turn of the 20th century and the modern styles of the late 20th century which also saw many older buildings demolished. The history of Australia from 1788-1850 covers the early colonies period of Australias history, from the first English settlement and penal colony at Port Jackson in 1788 to the establishment of other colonies and the spread of settlers. ... 1788 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Language(s) Several hundred Indigenous Australian languages (many extinct or nearly so), Australian English, Australian Aboriginal English, Torres Strait Creole, Kriol Religion(s) Primarily Christian, with minorities of other religions including various forms of Traditional belief systems based around the Dreamtime Related ethnic groups see List of Indigenous Australian group... A United Kingdom overseas territory (formerly known as a dependent territory or earlier as a crown colony) is a territory that is under the sovereignty and formal control of the United Kingdom but is not part of the United Kingdom proper (Great Britain and Northern Ireland). ... Categories: Stub | Construction ... A Georgian house in Salisbury For the unrelated architecture of the country Georgia, see Architecture of Georgia (country). ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... Slogan or Nickname: Island of Inspiration; The Apple Isle; Holiday Isle Motto(s): Ubertas et Fidelitas (Fertility and Faithfulness) Other Australian states and territories Capital Hobart Government Constitutional monarchy Governor William Cox Premier Paul Lennon (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 5  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product... The Victorian era of the United Kingdom marked the height of the British Industrial Revolution and the apex of the British Empire. ... your gay, your gay, im your secret admirer and i like your boobs there nice and smooth. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Manchester Town Hall is an example of Victorian architecture found in Manchester, UK. The Carson Mansion is an example of a Victorian home in Eureka, California, USA The term Victorian architecture can refer to one of a number of architectural styles predominantly in the Victorian era. ... A view of Ballarat East and Eureka from Sovereign Hill. ... For the electoral division in the Australian House of Representatives, see Division of Bendigo. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Architecture of Australia. ...

Significant concern was raised during the 1960s, with green bans and heritage concerns responding to the destruction of earlier buildings and the skyscraper boom particularly in Sydney. Green bans helped to protect historic eighteenth century buildings in The Rocks from being demolished to make way for office towers, and prevented the Royal Botanic Gardens from being turned into a car park for the Sydney Opera House. It's very interesting there. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969. ... A green ban is a form of strike action, usually taken by a trade union or other organised labour group, which is conducted for environmentalist or conservationist purposes. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... George Street, the main street of The Rocks The Rocks is a tourist precinct and historic area near the central business district (CBD) of Sydney, Australia. ... The Royal Botanic Gardens is a 30 hectare site located beside Sydneys Central Business District. ... The Sydney Opera House is located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. ...

Art: Painting and sculpture

Main article: Art of Australia

See also: Indigenous Australian art

Australia has had a significant school of painting since the early days of European settlement and Australians with international reputations include Sir Sidney Nolan, Sir Russell Drysdale, Arthur Boyd, Brett Whiteley, Pro Hart and Ken Done — not to mention the prized work of many indigenous artists such as Emily Kame Kngwarreye. The Art of Australia refers to both Australian Aboriginal art and Post Colonial art. ... Aboriginal hollowed log coffin Indigenous Australian art is art produced by Indigenous Australians, covering works that pre-date European colonisation as well as contemporary art by Aboriginal Australians based on traditional culture. ... Sidney Nolan, The Trial, 1947: enamel on composition board; 90. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A tapestry which is a greatly enlarged version of Arthur Boyds painting hangs in the Great Hall of Parliament House, Canberra Arthur Merric Bloomfield Boyd AC OBE (20 July 1920 – 24 April 1999) was a member of the prominent Boyd artistic dynasty in Australia, with many relatives being painters... Front of the Brett Whiteley gallery in Surry Hills, Sydney For other uses, see Brett Whiteley (disambiguation). ... Pro Hart gallery in Broken Hill Kevin Charles Pro Hart, MBE (May 30, 1928 – March 28, 2006), born in Broken Hill, New South Wales, was considered the father of the Australian Outback painting movement and his works are widely admired for capturing the true spirit of the outback. ... Ken Done, AM (born 29 June 1940) is an Australian artist probably best known for his design work; his simple, brightly coloured images of Australian landmarks have adorned a very popular range of clothing and homewares sold under the Done Design brand. ... Emily Kame Kngwarreye (1910-3 September 1996), Australian Aboriginal artist from the Utopia community in the Northern Territory. ...

Cinema

Main article: Cinema of Australia

Australia has a long history of film production. It is claimed that the first feature-length film was the Australian production The Story of the Kelly Gang. However, the purchase of virtually all cinemas by American distribution companies saw an almost total disappearance of Australian films from the screens. A notable exception was Charles Chauvel's classic Jedda (1955). During the late 1960s and 1970s an influx of government funding saw the development of a new generation of directors and actors telling distinctively Australian stories. Films such as Picnic at Hanging Rock and Sunday Too Far Away had an immediate international impact. The 1980s is regarded as perhaps a golden age of Australian cinema, with many very successful films, from the dark science fiction of Mad Max to the comedy of Crocodile Dundee, a film that defined Australia in the eyes of many foreigners despite having remarkably little to do with the lifestyle of most Australians. The 1990s saw a run of successful comedies such as Muriel's Wedding, The Castle and Strictly Ballroom, which helped launch the careers of Toni Collette, P. J. Hogan and Baz Luhrmann. The indigenous film industry continues to produce a reasonable number of films each year; also, many US producers have moved productions to Australia following the decision by Fox head Rupert Murdoch to move the new studios to Melbourne and Sydney where filming could be effectively completed well below US costs. Notable productions include The Matrix and Star Wars episodes II and III. Ned Kelly depicted in the first ever feature-length narrative film The cinema of Australia has a long history and has produced many internationally-recognized films, actors and filmmakers. ... The Story of the Kelly Gang (also screened as Ned Kelly and His Gang) is widely regarded as the worlds first feature length film. ... Charles Chauvel {1897 - 1959) was an Australian film maker, born in Queensland. ... Jedda (1955) was the last movie made by Charles Chauvel, and the first to star two Aboriginal actors, (Robert Tudawali and Ngarla Kunoth), in the leading roles. ... Picnic at Hanging Rock is a 1975 Australian mystery film , and adaptation of the novel of the same name. ... Sunday Too Far Away is an Australian feature film which was directed by Ken Hannam and released in 1975. ... For other uses, see Mad Max (disambiguation). ... Crocodile Dundee is a 1986 Australian comedy film set in the Australian Outback in the area around Walkabout Creek and in New York City. ... Muriels Wedding is a 1994 Australian film written and directed by P. J. Hogan. ... This article is about the Australian movie. ... Strictly Ballroom is the name of a 1986 play and its 1992 film adaptation. ... Toni Collette (born November 1, 1972) is an Academy Award-nominated Australian actress and musician. ... P. J. Hogan (born 1962) is an Australian film director. ... Baz Luhrmann (born Mark Anthony Luhrmann on September 17, 1962) is an Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated Australian film director, screenwriter, and producer. ... Keith Rupert Murdoch AC, KCSG (born 11 March 1931) is an Australian born United States citizen who is a global media executive and is the controlling shareholder, chairman and managing director of News Corporation, based in New York. ... This article is about the 1999 film. ... Star Wars can mean: The Star Wars Saga, a series of fantasy films, novels, comics, and video games, set in the distant past in space in a galaxy far from the Milky Way galaxy. ... Film poster for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) is the fifth Star Wars science fiction movie released and the second part of the prequel trilogy which began with Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. ... Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is the third episode of the Star Wars film series (but the sixth film to be produced), to be released on Thursday, May 19, 2005. ...

Cuisine

Main article: Australian cuisine

Vegemite on toast.

Historically Australian cuisine was based on traditional British cooking brought to the country by the first settlers. ... Larger version of Vegemite on toast. ... Larger version of Vegemite on toast. ... Vegemite on toast. ...

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Beverages

Alcohol - beer and Australian wine in particular - is an important part of Australian culture. In fact 32 of Australia’s top 50 beverage brands are alcoholic and most of these favour local brands. ^[1] The Australian wine industry is the fourth largest in the world, [1] exporting over 400,000,000 litres a year to a large international export market that includes old world wine-producing countries such as France, Italy and Germany. ...

Music

Main article: Music of Australia

Australian music is the music originating from the country of Australia. ...

Indigenous Australian music

Main article: Indigenous Australian music

Aboriginal song was and remains an integral part of Aboriginal culture. The most famous feature of their music is the didgeridoo. This wooden instrument, used amongst the Aboriginal clans of northern Australia, makes a distinctive droning sound and its use has been adopted by a wide variety of non-Aboriginal performers. Indigenous Australian music includes the music of Australian Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, who are collectively called Indigenous Australians; it incorporates a wide variety of distinctive traditional music styles practised by Indigenous Australian peoples, as well as a range of contemporary musical styles both derivative of and fusion with European... A didgeridoo. ...

Aboriginal musicians have turned their hand to Western popular musical forms, often to considerable commercial success. Some notable examples include Archie Roach, the Warumpi Band, NoKTuRNL and Yothu Yindi. Archie Roach (born 1956, Mooroopna, Victoria) is an Australian musician. ... The Warumpi Band was an Australian band from the bush, coming from Papunya, Northern Territory, Australia. ... NoKTuRNL are a four piece band formed in 1996 in Alice Springs, Northern Territory Australia. ... Yothu Yindi (Yolngu for child and mother. ...

Classical music

The earliest western musical influences in Australia can be traced back to two distinct sources: the first free settlers who brought with them the European classical music tradition; and the large body of convicts and sailors, who brought the traditional folk music of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The practicalities of building a colony means that there is very little music existent from this early period although there are samples of music originating from Hobart and Sydney that date back to the early 1800s.^[2] For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This article is about the country. ... This article is about the country. ... Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ...

The establishment of choral societies (circa. 1850) and symphony orchestras (circa. 1890) led to increased compositional activity, although many Australian classical composers attempted to work entirely within European models. A lot of works leading up to the first part of the 20th century were heavily influenced by folk music (Percy Grainger’s "Country Gardens" of 1918 being a good example of this) and a very conservative British orchestral tradition.^[2] Percy Grainger. ... Country Gardens is an English folk tune collected by Cecil Sharp and arranged for piano in 1918 by Percy Grainger. ...

In the war and post-war eras, as pressure built to assert a national identity in the face of the looming super power of America and the “motherland” England, composers looked to their surroundings for inspiration. Peter Sculthorpe began to incorporate elements of Aboriginal music, and Richard Meale drew influence from south-east Asia (notably using the harmonic properties of the Balinese Gamelan).^[2] Peter Horace Sculthorpe AO OBE (born April 29, 1943) is a noted British composer . ... Richard Meale (born Sydney 23 August 1932) is one of Australians leading composers. ... See: Bali, an Indonesian island Balinese language Balinese (people) Balinese (cat), a cat breed Balinese Gamelan, local music This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Javanese gamelan ensamble with two female sinden (choral singer) during traditional Javanese wedding at Sasono Utomo, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta, Indonesia A gamelan is a kind of musical ensemble of Indonesia typically featuring a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums, and gongs; bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked...

By the beginning of the 1960s Australian classical music erupted with influences, with composers incorporating disparate elements into their work, ranging from Aboriginal and south-east Asian music and instruments, to American jazz and blues, to the belated discovery of European atonality and the avant-garde. Composers like Don Banks, Don Kay, Malcolm Williamson and Colin Brumby epitomise this period^[2]. In recent times composers including Liza Lim, Nigel Westlake, Graeme Koehne, Elena Kats-Chernin, Richard Mills and Constantine Koukias have embodied the pinnacle of established Australian composers. Don Banks (b. ... Don Kay can mean: Don Kay (composer), the Tasmanian composer Don Kay (politician), former alderman on the Ottawa City Council Category: ... Malcolm Benjamin Graham Christopher Williamson CBE, AO (November 21, 1931 – March 2, 2003) was an Australian composer. ... Nigel Westlake (born 6 September 1958) is an Australian composer, performer and conductor. ... Graeme Koehne (born 1956 in Adelaide, South Australia) is a composer. ... Elena Kats-Chernin (born 1957) is an Australian composer. ... Richard Mills (born in 1949) is an Australian conductor and composer. ... Constantine Koukias (born 1965) is an Australian composer. ...

Well-known Australian classical performers include sopranos: Dame Joan Sutherland, Joan Carden, Yvonne Kenny and Emma Matthews; pianists Roger Woodward, Michael Kieran Harvey, Geoffrey Tozer, Geoffrey Douglas Madge and Leslie Howard; guitarist John Williams; horn player Barry Tuckwell; and conductors Simone Young and Geoffrey Simon. Dame Joan Sutherland OM, AC, DBE (born November 7, 1926) is an Australian dramatic coloratura soprano noted for her contribution to the bel canto revival of the 1950s and 1960s. ... Yvonne Kenny is an Australian opera singer. ... Roger Woodward (b. ... Geoffrey Tozer (born November 1954) is an Australian pianist of great international renown. ... Geoffrey Douglas Madge is a classical pianist. ... Leslie Howard (April 3, 1893 – June 1, 1943) was a British film actor. ... John Christopher Williams (born 24 April 1941) is one of the worlds best-known classical guitarists. ... Professor Barry Tuckwell, AC, OBE, (born 1931) is an Australian French horn player who spent much of his working life in the UK. He was born in Melbourne and joined the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at 15, only a year after starting on the horn. ... Simone Young (born March 2, 1961) is an Australian conductor, particularly well known for opera. ... Australian conductor Geoffrey Simon is resident in London and has appeared there with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Chamber Orchestra and English Chamber Orchestra. ...

Pop and rock

Main article: Australian rock

Australia has produced a wide variety of popular music. Some notable examples include the 1960s successes of The Easybeats and the folk-pop group The Seekers, through the heavy rock of AC/DC, Cold Chisel, Men at Work, and the slick pop of INXS, to Kylie Minogue & Natalie Imbruglia, Silverchair and more recently Jet, Wolfmother, Eskimo Joe, Grinspoon, The Vines, The Living End and others are currently enjoying enormous success internationally. Australian rock and pop musicians have produced a wide variety of music. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969. ... The Easybeats were a rock and roll band from Australia. ... This article is about the Australian music group. ... This article is about the band. ... Cold Chisel are a rock band from Adelaide, Australia. ... This article has been selected as the current Australian Collaboration of the Fortnight! Please help improve it to featured article standard. ... INXS (pronounced In Excess) are an Australian rock group. ... Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE (pronounced ,[1]mɪnoʊg;[2] born 28 May 1968) is an Australian Grammy and BRIT award-winning pop singer, songwriter and actress. ... Imbruglia redirects here. ... This article is about the band. ... For other uses, see Jet. ... Wolfmother is a Grammy Award winning hard rock band from Australia. ... For the restaurant, see Eskimo Joes. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Vines are an Australian garage rock band notable for producing a raw musical hybrid of 60s rock and 90s alternative music. ... This article is about the Australian band. ...

The arrival of the 1961 underground movement into the mainstream in the early 1970s changed Australian music permanently: Skyhooks were far from the first people to write songs in Australia by Australians about Australia, but they were the first ones to make good money doing it. The two best-selling Australian albums ever made (at that time) put Australian music on the map. Within a few years, the novelty had worn off and it became commonplace to hear distinctively Australian lyrics and sometimes sounds side-by-side with imports. Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called The Seventies. ... Skyhooks were an Australian rock band of the 1970s, sometimes classified as a glam rock band, although this is mainly the result of the bands flamboyant costumes and make-up. ...

The national expansion of ABC youth radio station Triple J during the 1990s has greatly increased the visibility and availability of home-grown talent to listeners nationwide. Since the mid 1990s a string of successful alternative Australian acts have emerged - artists to achieve both underground (critical) and mainstream (commercial) success include You Am I, Grinspoon, Powderfinger and Jet. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation or ABC is Australias national non-profit public broadcaster. ... Double J redirects here. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Powderfinger is an alternative rock band based in Australia. ... For other uses, see Jet. ...

Television and media

Main article: Television in Australia

While Australia has ubiquitous media coverage, the longest established part of that media is the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the Federal Government funded organisation offering national TV and radio coverage. The ABC, like the BBC in Britain, CBC in Canada, PBS in the United States, is a non-commercial public service broadcaster, showing many BBC or ITV productions from Britain. Australian television channels include two government owned national networks, three major commercial capital city networks, several regional commercial networks and independent stations that are generally affiliates of the major networks, and a handful of community stations. ... The Australian Broadcasting Corporation or ABC is Australias national non-profit public broadcaster. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see ITV (disambiguation). ...

Commercial channels include Channel Seven, Channel Nine, Channel Ten along with the channels on Foxtel Australia's largest pay TV provider^{[citation needed]}. It is owned by News Corporation, Publishing and Broadcasting Limited and Telstra. Also American channels like CBS, NBC, and FOX are being shown terrestrially. Channel Seven is an Australian television channel broadcasted by the Seven Network. ... Channel Nine is an Australian television channel broadcast by the Nine Network, available in major markets across Australia. ... Channel Ten is one of Australias three commercial television channels, broadcasted by Network Ten. ... Foxtel is a subscription television company in Australia, formed through a joint venture between Telstra and News Corporation. ... 1211 Avenue of the Americas (Sixth Avenue), where News Corporation is based News Corporation (abbreviated to News Corp) (NYSE: NWS, NYSE: NWSa, ASX: , LSE: NCRA) is an American media conglomerate company and the third worlds largest. ... Publishing and Broadcasting Limited, or PBL, is one of Australias major media companies. ... Telstra Corporation (ASX: , NZX: TLS, NYSE: TLS) (formed from Telecom Australia) is an Australian telecommunications and media company under private ownership, with a dominant position in landline telephone services, a large share of mobile phone services, domestic consumer (including dial-up access, 50% of Broadband internet broadband cable modem, satellite... This article is about the broadcast network. ... This article is about the television network. ... This article is about the animal. ...

The publicly funded Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) has a multicultural focus, broadcasting TV and radio programmes in a variety of languages, as well as world news and documentary programming in English. It is seen as less highbrow than the ABC but is willing to air more controversial programs such as South Park, Queer as Folk, and Oz that would not be shown on Australian free-to-air TV otherwise. Less mainstream sports such as football (soccer) and cycling receive coverage. The Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) is one of two government funded Australian public broadcasting radio and television networks, the other being the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). ... This article is about the TV series. ... // Queer As Folk (US) Based on the British series of the same name, Showtimes Queer as Folk presents the American version. ... Oz is an American television drama series created by Tom Fontana, who also wrote or co-wrote all of the series 56 episodes. ... Soccer redirects here. ... Cycling is the use of bicycles, or - less commonly - unicycles, tricycles, quadricycles and other similar wheeled human powered vehicles (HPVs) as a means of transport, a form of recreation or a sport. ...

In the 1990s and 2000s, Australia's two publicly-funded national networks, ABC and SBS, have received an increasing share of market ratings, although as of 2005 they only accounted for 15.7% and 6.1% of the national ratings, respectively.^[3].

The ABC has made an impressive contribution to television drama with popular series like Brides of Christ and in comedy, with the 1970's hits Aunty Jack and The Norman Gunston Show and more recently Kath & Kim and The Chaser's War On Everything. Debate about the role of the ABC continues, as many assign it a marginal role as commercial TV and radio stations are far more popular choices. Critics claim that Australian children view television programs imported largely from the USA, however, the Australian Content Standard^[4] requires all free-to-air commercial networks to broadcast an annual minimum of 55% Australian content (between 6am and midnight). Kid Eager, Aunty Jack and Thin Arthur from the album cover of Aunty Jack Sings Wollongong (1974) The Aunty Jack Show was a Logie-award winning Australian television comedy series that ran from 1972 to 1973. ... Norman Gunston on the cover of his 1976 book. ... Kath & Kim is a Logie Award-winning character-driven Australian television comedy series, created by Jane Turner and Gina Riley. ... The Chasers War on Everything is a satirical television comedy series broadcast on ABC TV in Australia. ...

There have been many Australian television shows that have been successful, such as Homicide and Division 4 in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Skippy the Bush Kangaroo in the late 1960s, Number 96 and The Box in the 1970s, Prisoner in the 1980s and Neighbours and Home and Away in the 1980s and 1990s, and, the most successful of them all, A Country Practice (1980 - 1993). Many of the shows from the mid 1980s onwards have been exported and have sometimes been even more successful abroad, such as Steve Irwin's The Crocodile Hunter, The Crocodile Hunter Diaries, and New Breed Vets in which Irwin exemplifies the fun and passionate, yet masculine and fearless male stereotype with which Australia has been previously associated, and which have been aired regularly since the late 1990s in over 120 countries around the world. Title screen of Homicide Homicide was an Australian television series made by Crawford Productions for the Seven Network between 1964 and 1977. ... Division 4 is an Australian television series made by Crawford Productions for the Nine Network between 1969 and 1975. ... (DVD cover) Skippy the Bush Kangaroo was a popular Australian television series for children produced from 1966 to 1968. ... Number 96 was a revolutionary Australian daily soap opera set in a Sydney apartment block. ... The Box was a popular Australian soap opera than ran on Network Ten from 1974 until 1977. ... This article is about the Australian soap opera. ... Home and Away (also commonly known as H&A) is a Logie-winning soap opera that is produced in Sydney by the Seven Network since July 1987. ... A Country Practice was one of the longest-running Australian television drama series. ... For the rugby league footballer of the same name, see Steve Irwin (rugby league). ... Crocodile Hunter redirects here. ... The Crocodile Hunter Diaries is a wildlife documentary television series first aired on cable TV channel Animal Planet. ... For other uses, see Stereotype (disambiguation). ...

Sport

Main article: Sport in Australia

Australian rules football at the MCG

The opening match of the 2003 Rugby World Cup at Telstra Stadium.

Australians are passionate about sport and it forms a major part of the country's culture, particularly in terms of spectating, but also in terms of participation. Most of Australia's patriotism is expressed through sport and thus it is taken quite seriously, especially seen during major international events such as the Olympic Games. Beach cricket being played at Cottesloe Beach in Perth. ... Australian Rules football at the MCG. The player taking the mark is Alistair Lynch of the Brisbane Lions, against Collingwood Football Club. ... Australian Rules football at the MCG. The player taking the mark is Alistair Lynch of the Brisbane Lions, against Collingwood Football Club. ... “MCG” redirects here. ... Image File history File links World_Cup_Telstra_stadium. ... Image File history File links World_Cup_Telstra_stadium. ... The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth rugby union world cup. ... The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913, adopted in 1914 and debuted at the Games at Antwerp, 1920. ...

Australian Rules Football

The extremely popular national sport, Australian Rules Football was designed to keep the cricketers fit in Winter. There are 16 teams in the national competition (the Australian Football League) from across the country. Most teams however are Victorian teams, and the Grand Final is played each year at the home of football, the Melbourne Cricket Ground. High marking is a key skill and spectacular attribute of Australian rules football Precise field and goal kicking using the oval shaped ball is the key skill in Australian rules football Australian rules football, also known as Australian football, Aussie rules, or simply football or footy is a code of... This article is about the national league in Australian rules football. ...

Cricket

Cricket is the national sport of Australia and has long been so. Figures from the game's past like Sir Donald Bradman and Richie Benaud are some of the most popular figures in the nation's history. This article is about the sport. ... Sir Donald George Bradman (August 27, 1908 - February 25, 2001) was an Australian cricket player who is universally regarded as the greatest batsman of all time, and one of Australias greatest popular heroes. ... Richard Richie Benaud OBE (born October 6, 1930 in Penrith, New South Wales) is a former Australian cricketer. ...

Internationally Australia has for most of the last century sat at or near the top of the cricketing world. The Ashes competition between Australia and England is the most popular sporting contests in Australia. For other uses, see The Ashes (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ...

Rugby league

Main article: Rugby League in Australia

Rugby league is the most popular winter sport in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and Queensland. The NRL grew out of state leagues in New South Wales and Victoria, however rugby league is most popular in New South Wales and Queensland. Victoria has historically been an Aussie rules football dominated state. Most of the teams in the NRL are based in Sydney and New South Wales. Recently there has been an increase number of teams coming from other states, especially Queensland. Rugby league is a popular team sport played in Australia. ... Rugby league football is a full-contact team sport played with a prolate spheroid-shaped ball by two teams of thirteen on a rectangular grass field. ... Capital Canberra Government Constitutional monarchy Administrator none Chief Minister Jon Stanhope (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 2  - Senate seats 2 Gross Territorial Product (2006)  - Product ($m)  $19,167 (6th)  - Product per capita  $57,303/person (1st) Population (End of November 2006)  - Population  333,667 (7th)  - Density  137. ... NSW redirects here. ... Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Anna Bligh (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd... The National Rugby League (NRL) is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. ...

Rugby league is played in Australia at club level by teams from cities around the nation, as well as at representative level between Queensland and New South Wales in the national State of Origin series, one of Australia's major sporting events. In addition the Australian Kangaroos represent the country in international matches. Players are selected to play for the state in which they played their first senior football, hence the name state of origin. Prior to 1980 players were selected for interstate matches on the basis of where they were playing their club football at the time. ... Australia team jersey The Australian national rugby league side represents Australia at rugby league. ...

Rugby Union

Main article: Rugby Union in Australia

The Australian national rugby team, the Wallabies are the most supported national team in the Australian winter sporting calendar. Having only been a professional sport since 1995, the game's following is slowly growing out of traditional areas. For the Australian national Rugby Union team, nicknamed the Wallabies, see Australia national rugby union team. ...

Rugby union is also one of the most popular sports within Australia (especially in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory), with teams competing in the Super 14, alongside South Africa and New Zealand. In 2003 Australia hosted the 2003 Rugby World Cup, which saw the national side, Wallabies, defeated by England in the final at Telstra Stadium. For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ... Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Anna Bligh (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd... NSW redirects here. ... Capital Canberra Government Constitutional monarchy Administrator none Chief Minister Jon Stanhope (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 2  - Senate seats 2 Gross Territorial Product (2006)  - Product ($m)  $19,167 (6th)  - Product per capita  $57,303/person (1st) Population (End of November 2006)  - Population  333,667 (7th)  - Density  137. ... The Super 14 is the largest rugby union football club championship in the southern hemisphere, consisting of four state teams from Australia (Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, and Western Australia), five New Zealand franchises, each of which is comprised by a number of provinces (the resulting teams are based in... The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth rugby union world cup. ... First international Australia 13 - 3 British Isles (24 June 1899) Largest win Australia  142 - 0  Namibia (25 October 2003) Worst defeat South Africa  61 - 22  Australia (23 August 1997) World Cup Appearances 6 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 1991, 1999 The Australian national rugby union team is the representative... First international (also the worlds first) Scotland 4–1 England (27 March 1871) Largest win England 134–0 Romania (17 November 2001) Worst defeat Australia 76–0 England (6 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 6 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 2003 The England national rugby union team represents... This page is for Telstra Stadium, Sydney. ...

Other sports

Until recently, the most prominent soccer clubs were based around ethnic loyalties. Now with the new A-League, which started its first season in September of 2005, Australia has a national competition with one team in each mainland state, plus one team in New Zealand and two regionally-based teams (both in NSW). The striker (wearing red jersey) has run past the defender (in white jersey) and is about to take a shot at the goal, while the goalkeeper positions himself to stop the ball. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ...

Australia also has its own unique auto racing organization, known as the V8 Supercars Touring Series. It has a considerable following in New Zealand, and is steadily growing in popularity across the world, where television coverage allows. V8 Supercars is a touring car racing category. ...

Australians also enjoy many other sports, such as tennis, netball, golf, basketball and motorsport. Gambling is a pastime of many, and horse racing and greyhound racing are popular sports for this reason. For other uses, see Tennis (disambiguation). ... A netball game in Australia Netball is a non-contact generally indoor sport similar to, and derived from, basketball. ... This article is about the game. ... This article is about the sport. ... Motor Sport redirects here. ... Horse-racing is an equestrian sporting activity which has been practiced over the centuries; the chariot races of Roman times were an early example, as was the contest of the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology. ... Several greyhounds before a race. ...

Several non-mainstream sports in Australia still attract a high standard from Australian teams due the sporting culture. For example, in field hockey Australia's teams are considered among the best in the world. Australian cyclists have recently been quite successful in the Tour de France and other international cycling competitions, notably Cadel Evans' second placing in the 2007 race and overall win of the 2007 UCI ProTour. From 2008, Australia's only major international cycling race, the Tour Down Under centred on Adelaide, will become the first UCI ProTour cycling race to be held outside of Europe. A game of field hockey in progress Field hockey is a popular sport for men, women and children in many countries around the world. ... Bicycle racers at the 2005 Rund um den Henninger-Turm in Germany Road bicycle racing is a popular bicycle racing sport held on roads (following the geography of the area), using racing bicycles. ... For other uses, see Tour de France (disambiguation). ... Cadel Evans (born 14 February 1977, in Katherine, Northern Territory) is an Australian professional cyclist. ... Stages in 2007 The 2007 Tour de France is the 94th Tour de France, taking place from July 7 to July 29, 2007. ... The 2007 UCI ProTour is the third year of the UCI ProTour system. ... The Tour Down Under is a cycling race held in Adelaide, South Australia, and the surrounding area. ... For other uses, see Adelaide (disambiguation). ... The UCI ProTour is a competition under the International Cycling Union (UCI). ...

As with most nations, women's sport is given less attention than men's, in both media coverage and funding, although the gap is closing slowly.

Australia has recently seen great success in the sport of surfing. In 2007, both the male(Mick Fanning) and female(Stephanie Gilmore) ASP champions were Australian.

Attitudes, beliefs and stereotype

Australians have very strong attitudes and beliefs which are reinforced by the tenets of the country's society. Tenet is a Canadian heavy metal band, started by Strapping Young Lad guitarist Jed Simon and drummer Gene Hoglan. ...

Traditionally, Australians have viewed themselves as an egalitarian society, with a distrust of the rich and powerful; this is reflected by the status of the Eureka Stockade and bushrangers within the Australian psyche. Today this belief continues in the form of the tall poppy syndrome. Egalitarianism is the moral doctrine that equality ought to prevail among some group along some dimension. ... The Eureka Flag The Eureka Stockade was the setting of a gold miners revolt in 1854 in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, against the officials supervising the mining of gold in the region. ... For other uses, see Bushranger (disambiguation). ... Tall Poppy Syndrome (TPS) is a pejorative term used in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand to describe what is seen as a levelling social attitude. ...

The Australian culture has been forged on the hardship of early settlers and later on the heroism of the Australian soldiers. "Mateship", or loyal fraternity, has been a central tenet. This may also explain why the more aggressive forms of sport (Rugby and Australian rules football, for example) are particularly popular in Australia. Australians have a propensity for diminutive forms of names (e.g. Hargrave -> Hargie; Wilkinson -> Wilko; John -> Johnno; Hogan -> Hoges; Lombard -> Lombardy; Fox -> Foxy; James -> Jimmy). To meet Wikipedias quality standards and make it easier to understand, this article or section may require cleanup. ... For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ... High marking is a key skill and spectacular attribute of Australian rules football Precise field and goal kicking using the oval shaped ball is the key skill in Australian rules football Australian rules football, also known as Australian football, Aussie rules, or simply football or footy is a code of...

The phrase, "the lucky country", coined by Donald Horne, is a sobriquet used to describe Australia in terms of weather, lifestyle and history.^[5] Ironically, Horne was actually using the term to criticize Australian society of the early 1960's.^[6] Australia has often being classified as the Lucky Country. ... Donald Horne (December 26, 1921 – September 8, 2005) was an Australian journalist, writer, social critic, and academic who became one of Australias best known public intellectuals. ...

Mateship

Main article: Mateship

Mateship can be defined as the code of contact, particularly between men, although more recently also between men and women, stressing egalitarianism, equality and friendship. Mateship is seen as an important element of the qualities that the Australian Defence Force values in its soldiers and personnel. To meet Wikipedias quality standards and make it easier to understand, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Egalitarianism (derived from the French word égal, meaning equal or level) is a political doctrine that holds that all people should be treated as equals from birth. ... Equal Rights redirects here. ... Friendship is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more humans. ... The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. ...

The Australian Dream

Main article: Australian Dream

The Australian Dream of home ownership underpins suburban Australia. The Australian Dream or Great Australian Dream is a belief that in Australia, home ownership can lead to a better life and is an expression of success and security. ... The Australian Dream or Great Australian Dream is a belief that in Australia, home ownership can lead to a better life and is an expression of success and security. ... An owner-occupier is a person who lives in a house that he or she owns. ...

"Underdog" attitude

Main article: Underdog (competition)

Australians have traditionally had a very strong "underdog" attitude, that they will support those who appear to be at a disadvantage unless Australia is in direct competition with another nation. This can be seen greatly from occurrences during the 2003 Rugby World Cup, where the Georgian Rugby Team arrived in Perth with a crowd of Perth residents welcoming them with colourful support, and support for Eric the Eel during the 2000 Olympics. A similar occurrence was noted in Townsville, Queensland where the Japanese Rugby Team was preferred to that of the French ^[7]. An underdog is a person or group in a competition, frequently in electoral politics, sports, and creative works, who is popularly expected to lose. ... The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth rugby union world cup. ... For the sevens team, see Georgian national rugby union team (sevens). ... Eric Moussambani swimming Eric Moussambani (born 1978) is a swimmer from Equatorial Guinea. ... ‎ The Strand CBD from Museum of Tropical Queensland, features Castle Hill in background Townsville (Postcodes: 4810-4819) is an urban centre on the north-eastern coast of Australia, in the state of Queensland. ...

This underdog attitude is most evident in sport, as sport is also a large part of Australian culture. Should an Australian be asked to choose between two unknown competitors, very often they will choose the one least likely to win. The success of Steven Bradbury in the 2002 Winter Olympics has coined the expression 'doing a Bradbury' which underpins the very spirit of the underdog and a fine example positive thinking and never giving up. Steven Bradbury OAM (born October 14, 1973 in Camden, Sydney) is a former Australian short track speed skater. ... Steven Bradbury OAM (born October 14, 1973 in Camden, Sydney) is a former Australian short track speed skater. ...

There is however, another side to this underdog attitude in Australians. This is the phenomenon of "cutting down the tall poppy", which reveals itself in many typically Australian attitudes. As a result, Australians see themselves as being extremely critical of their political leaders and successful personalities, and always sympathetic to those who are 'being done wrong by' or in strife. This is evident when viewing Today Tonight and A Current Affair, Australia's two major tabloid television programs (which, themselves, have also been severely criticised for poor quality), or listening to "talkback" radio. Outsiders may note that Australians see themselves as holding high suspicions that powerful politicians and high-level income earners are 'ripping them off' or taking