Fly the flag for Australia today... ideally on your face

Australia Day is drawing to a close Down Under, where the lucky Aussies have enjoyed a public holiday to celebrate the great nation, its heritage, history and its humour. They’ve been thronging in their thousands, with all the major cities putting on firework displays, live music and a general carnival atmosphere.

It’s the height of summer Down Under, and the typical Aussie household will take in the local celebrations and spend the day with friends and family, usually in the backyard or on the beach, enjoying the good life in the sunshine with cold beers and great, fresh food.

They’re probably calling it a night about now, but here in the frigid northern hemisphere the day is young and there’s still time to come over a bit Antipodean and keep the trans-global party going.

So if you’d like to tip your Akubra hat to the Great Southern Land, feel free to pick and choose from this menu of a few of the essential ingredients that make up a proper Australia Day.

1. Throw a barbecue

So it’s the middle of winter – who cares? Rug up, head outside and fire up the barbecue – you can warm your hands on it while your sausages cook. Or have an indoor barbie on the griddle pan if it’s really too grim outside. Add some fish and skewers for a light, fresh, southern-hemisphere take and serve with cold beer – preferably Australian.

2. Fly the flag

String up the Southern Cross – Australia’s national flag – at the front of your house, car or wherever. Whether large or small, bunting or bedspread, it’ll bring joy to any Aussies who spot it. Even better is to follow the great Australia Day tradition of painting the flag onto your body – preferably your face.

 3. Plan an Aussie menu

Pop into the supermarket on your way home and snap up anything Aussie for an Australia Day dinner… Think snapper fillet with snow peas and pumpkin puree, spicy Thai noodles, surf ‘n’ turf (steak with prawns), meat pie or just Vegemite on toast. Follow with Anzac cookies, peach Melba or pavlova and wash down with a good Aussie wine.

4. Compile an Aussie playlist

Think beyond the Best of Kylie, and whack on the likes of the Avalanches, the Bee Gees, Silverchair, Powderfinger or Xavier Rudd. To transport yourself straight to the red earth and big skies of the Outback, try country star Slim Dusty or some traditional Aboriginal music. Or if classical is more your thing there’s the likes of Nellie Melba and Joan Sutherland. Enjoy.

5. Go a-Waltzing Matilda 

Learn and sing Australia’s unofficial national anthem, Waltzing Matilda (here’s how it’s done!)
If you have a musical streak, dig out your guitar, piano, tin whistle or whatever and have a living-room jamming sesh.

Right then, off you go – enjoy yourselves in proper Aussie style. All of us at Embrace Australia wish you a very happy Australia Day.

Australia is a country of beaches and barbeques, a place not normally known for literature but unbeknownst to the international literati, there is a culture of literary genius brewing just beneath the surface, ready to explode.

February – Adelaide Writers’ Week

The literary year kicks off with Adelaide Writers’ Week in February, an event which has been announced as going annual from next year and is one of the oldest festivals of its kind in Australia with a history of more than 40 years. It will be playing host to a number of Australian writers as well as some big names from the international community.

Writers in attendance include Brian Castro, Nicholas Drayson and Michelle de Kretser whose latest novel The Lost Dog was long listed for the Man Booker Prize in 2008. Joining them are international big hitters Irvine Welsh, Richard Dawkins and Jim Crace.   

March – Perth Writers Festival

Perth Writers’ Festival is held in Early March and this year saw a number of international writers in attendance such as Annie Proulx, Simon Armitage among many and a huge list of Australian writers.  

The festival takes the normal format with various events including seminars, readings, launches, discussions and workshops with something for everyone.

May – Sydney Writers’ Festival

Sydney Writer’s Festival from 16^th to 22^nd of May is without a doubt the largest in the year and the biggest in the southern hemisphere. On offer is a plethora of big names including David Mitchell, Michael Cunningham and Howard Jacobson.

There are a huge number of events featuring a bewildering number of writers. Around 60 percent of the events are free and include interviews, workshops, readings, lunches and panel discussions.

There is something for everyone over the week from politics (Naomi Oreskes) to food (AA Gill), fiction to poetry, current affairs (Fatima Bhutto) to history and Business to Art. The festival is so popular that many of the events are already sold out.

May – Emerging Writers’ Festival

The Emerging Writers’ Festival in Melbourne from 21^st to the 30^th of May is the place to go for new talent and is summed up by the words of Richard Watts, Director of the first Emerging Writers’ Festival in 2004.  

“Our Festival aims to support grassroots writing by providing a place to showcase the amazing diversity of work that new Australian writers are creating. At the Emerging Writers’ Festival, authors outside the mainstream can present their writing without the normal boundaries of literary fashion or favour. It’s a great opportunity for readers too, to hear fresh work from the best writers they haven’t heard of – yet.”

Tickets go on sale four weeks prior to the event and amateur writers are welcomed to contact the festival and get involved no matter what stage they are at in their journey. This is a really interactive event where anyone can take part as long as they have a passion for writing and something to say.

August – Melbourne Writers’ Festival

Melbourne Writers’ Festival runs from August 26^th to September 4^th and features over 300 writers from across Australia and the world. Each year the festival breaks its own box office record, over 40,000 people attended in 2010, its 25th year and this year’s festival is expected to be even bigger and better.

Last year one of the most eagerly anticipated events was a speech by Joss Whedon, the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The full festival program including attending writers will be released in July.

September – Brisbane Writers’ Festival

From September 7^th to 11th Australia the Brisbane Writers’ Festival is held in the State Library and plays host to a range of national and international writers. It has been running for a staggering 50 years. Much of this year’s programme is still to be confirmed. 

Many of Australia’s literature festivals are undergoing a degree of change; both the ACT Fiction Festival and the ACT Poetry Festival for example will no longer be running; instead the collective will be offering a series of seminars for those interested. Presumable while some festivals grow and gain a following others die out.

More details of any of the festivals will be announced closer to the time of the program being released so keep an eye out for all the latest information.

If you pop down to your local supermarket the chances are you’ll be able to lay your hands on a bottle of Australian wine, this is because Australia is the world fourth largest wine exporter. Australia produces around 500 million litres of wine a year with over 60 wine producing regions throughout the country covering over 160,000 hectares of land however most of Australia’s wine is produced in the south where it is cooler.

Now, when discussing wine a word you will read and hear is terroir, this is a french word that has no direct english translation. Loosely translated however it means the variables associated with producing wine such as the lay of the land, humidity, soil type, average rain fall and so on. All of these factors have an impact on the taste of a wine, with certain varieties being suited to certain terroir.

Now, if you’re a wine buff planning a trip down under you’ll know all this already so i’ll get straight on with the four best wine regions in the country.

Hunter Valley

We begin our tour of Australia’s expansive wine country with Hunter Valley Wine Country just two hours from Sydney. It is one of Australia’s oldest and most famous wine producing regions. There you will find vineyards and grape varieties that have a heritage stretching back generations. The most prominent wine producing families are Drayton, Tulloch and Tyrrell.  

Pokolbin/Rothbury is one of the key wine producing areas in the region and is home to some of the oldest vineyards as well as restaurants and accommodation. Lovedale/North Rothbury is home to a number of newer and boutique wineries and art galleries. Broke Fordwich is also home to boutique wineries, fine restaurants and gourmet local produce. Dalwood is home to the oldest grapevines in the Hunter Valley region and Singleton has a number of boutique wineries.

Many of the wineries in the region offer private tastings, tutorials and educational courses.

Among its wide variety of wines The Hunter Valley region produces a nationally and internationally awarded Semillon, Verdelho which is a fruity medium bodied wine unique to Hunter Valley, a Shiraz distinctive to the region and a number of speciality wines including dessert and organic wines.

As well as a great place to enjoy some of the finest wines the country can muster, Hunter Valley is also a destination for food lovers. You can indulge your gastronomic senses in grand manors and boutique eateries.

There are events in the region from February through to November including Hunter Valley Wine and Food Month in June, a flower festival, a music festival and a chocolate festival.

Yarra Valley

the stunning Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley in Victoria is also one of the best known wine producing regions in Australia with a history stretching back 160 years. Among its 146 wineries are Chateau Yering, Domain Chandon and numerous restaurants all set in some of the most picturesque countryside in the world. All this can be found just 45 kilometres from Melbourne CBD.

Yarra Valley boasts an almost unbeaten range of topography, a variety of soil types and elevations above sea level meaning that producers there can grow a range of world class wine varieties. The award winning Yarra Valley Shiraz, an exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon and Moet Chandon are just a few of the wide variety that Yarra Valley has to offer.

Yarra Valley also has a number of annual events, one of which is Shortest Lunch, a chance to tour a number of the smaller and boutique wineries, enjoying good food and great wine in a relaxed atmosphere. The event is a celebration of the winter solstice and this year takes place on the 18^th and 19^th of June.

Shedfest Wine Festival on the 8^th and 9^th of October sees the wineries of the Warburton Highway open their sheds and celebrate all that is great about Yarra Valley with excellent food, great wines, a wealth of local produce and live music. Participating wineries include Brumfield Winery, Five Oaks Wines, Shelmerdine Vineyards, Seville Estate and more.

The Barossa

The Barossa in Southern Australia is yet another of Australia’s famous wine producing regions with a history spanning six generations and 150 years. There are over 70 tasting rooms, 150 wineries and 755 grape growers. As well as the wine there are historic towns with farmers markets where you can sample some of the local produce.

The Barossa is made up of two regions; Barossa Valley and Eden Valley and the area is dominated by two main soil types which help to create distinctive and often exceptional wines just an hour from Adelaide.

The main varieties produced are Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Semillon and Chardonnay and among them the Barossa Shiraz and Eden Valley Riesling are considered two of the very best while Jacobs Creek is the local celebrity wine. Alongside these tried and tested varieties are a few new additions such as Tempranillo, Marsanne and Zinfandel which are gaining a strong following.

There are a number of events throughout the year, the largest being the Barossa Vintage Festival, a nine day celebration running from the 23^rd of April to the 1^st of May which features over 100 different events including live music, comedy, the Grand Vintage Festival Ball, auctions, tours and of course plenty of tastings. 

Swan Valley

Swan Valley in Western Australia is found just 25 minutes from Perth and is the state’s oldest wine producing region. Swan Valley is known for its boutique wineries and micro breweries and is home to more than 40 small family owned vineyards which produce excellent whites, reds and some of the world’s best fortifieds, many of which cannot be bought anywhere other than at the wineries that make them.

Wineries in Swan Valley include Ambrook Wines, Baxter-Stokes Wines, Henley Park Wines, Lilac Hill Estate, Waters Edge Winery and many more for you to discover and enjoy.

Perhaps the best way to see Swan Valley is the Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail, a 32 kilometre loop which takes in everything the region has to offer. On the trail you will visit a wide range of restaurants and cafes, wineries, breweries, distilleries.

 Along the way stop off at the Great Northern Distillery and try its award winning Canefire Rum and make sure you try the Feral White and Rust beers at Feral Brewery, both of which won best in their respective class at the Australian International Beer Festival.

In Swan Valley you can get a taste for the good life with fresh local produce, much of it organic and just about the freshest grapefruit juices on earth.   

All of the featured regions cater for weddings so why not combine the two greatest loves in your life in one special event beneath a spectacularly blue sky. As well as doing tasting, many breweries and wineries offer the opportunity to make and label your very own bottle, a perfect way to remember the experience.

Australia is a land of Ancient tradition and equally ancient animals, it is home to some of the oldest known species on the planet. The Platypus for example has not changed for at least 100,000 years.

While Australia is home to some extraordinary animals it is at risk of losing many of them, this means that zoos and sanctuary’s play an increasingly important part in protecting endangered species and increasing awareness of the threat posed to them.

Australia Zoo

Let’s kick our tour of Australia’s zoos with the most famous of all, the zoo made famous world-wide by Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter.  Australia Zoo was opened 40 years ago by Bob and Lyn Irwin with the aim of promoting a stronger relationship between the people of Australia and its wildlife.

The zoo became a popular tourist attraction upon the success of The Crocodile Hunter which quickly found millions of viewers world-wide.  Irwin captured the public’s imagination with his gung ho attitude to the wildlife documentary.

In many of his programs a typical scene would see him chasing an enraged snake, capturing it, telling us just how dangerous it is then releasing.

But Irwin also angered many wildlife groups who have said that his program promotes a culture of interference with wildlife, something that every conservation group is against. In 2006, on the 4^th September, Steve Irwin died after being stung in the chest while swimming with Stingrays in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

The Australia Zoo is found in Queensland on the Sunshine Coast and covers 76 acres and is now run by Terri Irwin. It is relatively expensive compared to what we are used to paying in the UK, at $58 for an adult day ticket it may stretch the wallet but it really is worth the visit.

Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo first opened in 1862 making it the oldest zoo in Australia and is home to over 320 species, botanic gardens and a number of education, research and conservation projects. The zoo is constantly evolving, with projects under way and in the pipeline.

Due to the wide variety of wildlife in Australia, the zoos take a far more active interest in educating the young than UK zoos do, there are numerous educational programmes aimed at informing young people and opening up new and exciting career paths that zoos initiate and take part in.

Werribee Open Range Zoo

If you feel like something different head on over to Werribee Open Range Zoo, just 30 minutes from Melbourne city centre for an African safari. Set in an impressive 225 hectares of open savannah. There you will be able to see lions, monkeys, hippos, rhinos, giraffes, zebras and antelopes in as close as you can get to their natural habitat, albeit on a different continent.

You can also get up and close with a number of the zoos animals including African cats, rhinos and giraffes. Adult day tickets are $24.80, to meet a rhino adults will need to pay $70 for an hour.

Perth Zoo

Perth Zoo is an institution which is actively contributing to conservation through vital research and breeding-for-release programs which aim to regularly release threatened native species back into the wild and monitor their progress.  

The Zoo is home to 190 species, a total of 1100 animals and while many other zoos are continuously growing, Perth Zoo manages to stay fairly stable due to its emphasis on breeding-for-release.

The gardens are an oasis and an integral part of the zoo because some plant species are also under threat from poor environmental management and habitat destruction.  The gardens house a wide range of local flora and the Rainforest Retreat has more than 5000 plants.

You will find the Zoo just five minutes from Perth CBD and on the Swan River and has not closed since the day it opened in 1898. Admission is reasonable at $21 for an adult day ticket.

Adelaide Zoo

Adelaide Zoo is one of the largest in Australia with over 1800 animals and 300 species to meet and learn about. From Alligators to Frogs, Big Cats to Meerkats and Snails to Spiders there is bound to be something to interest you.

As well as having perhaps the largest range of animals on show, Adelaide Zoo also works with Conservation Ark, an organisation which works, through research, education and direct intervention to protect endangered species.  

Australia currently has 37 species listed as extinct, 92 critically endangered, 156 endangered and 538 vulnerable species.

Wildlife Experiences

If going to the zoo is not for you then head to the tropical north of Queensland where there are a number of wildlife experiences that will get you up close and personal with a variety of animals in their natural environment.

Cairns Tropical Zoo is set in 6 hectares of landscaped tropical gardens and is home to the most comprehensive variety of wildlife in North Queensland. CTZ is one of the few places in the world where you can hold and cuddle a Koala for just $16, a necessary experience for an animal lover visiting Australia.

Urimbirra Wildlife Experience

The Urimbirra Wildlife Experience is in South Australia, less than an hour’s drive from Adelaide. It allows you to enjoy more than 70 different species in 16 hectares of their natural habitat. There you will be able to see animals up close and get an understanding of their behaviour.

There are fresh water and salt water crocodiles, snakes and lizards to keep you captivated. There are also a variety of Kangaroos and Wallabies that promise an unparalleled photo opportunity. The site includes 6 hectares of wetland bird sanctuary that is home to Pelicans, Herons, Egrets Black Swans, parrots, cockatoos, kookaburras and a whole host of other birds.

The park also has a child friendly farmyard with chickens, guinea pigs and rabbits.

Entry is a very reasonable $12 for adults and $6 for children aged between 4 and 14.

Healesville Sanctuary

Healesville Sanctuary is perhaps Australia’s largest wildlife sanctuary with more than 200 species in 30 hectares of Australian bush. You will be able to view native animals in their natural setting including Koalas, Kangaroos, Wombats, Emus, Dingoes, birds of prey and Platypuses.

It was first opened to the public in 1934, before that it had been used by scientists for medical research. It was the first organisation to successfully breed Platypus and saw the first ever platypus born in captivity in the 1940s.

Healesville Sanctuary is currently engaged in the conservation of a number of endangered species including the Helmeted Honeyeater, the Mountain Pygmy-possum, the Orange-bellied Parrot and the Spotted Tree Frog. All of these animals are under threat from the loss of their natural habitats.

Australia has one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth not to mention more than its fair share of geographical wonders. Sometimes seeing the country from the ground simply doesn’t do it justice. To get the best views you have to take to the air.

Helicopter Tours

Helicopter tours are one of the best ways to see a large area of Australia from the air and Down Under Helicopters is one such tour operator. Operating from Cairns, Down Under Helicopters offers a wide range of tour options throughout North Queensland including half day and full day packages that will make you thirsty for more.

One of Down Under Helicopters’ half day tours includes a 25 minute flight over rainforest covered mountains and the natural wonder that is the Great Barrier Reef, taking in miles of coral and sand cays before landing and joining Down Under Cruises for the second half of the tour.

After landing and having a bite to eat you will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the incredible variety of marine life through snorkelling and scuba diving for two hours beneath the hot Australian sun and basking in the gloriously warm Coral Sea.

On the way back to Cairns, via a leisurely cruise you will enjoy live entertainment with a glass of wine, arriving back in Cairns at 5pm. This tour costs $299 per person and tours range between $120 and $1795.

Other tours on offer include a morning at the zoo, horse riding, bungy jumping, quad biking and skydiving. Or if you are really feeling adventurous you could have a go at flying the helicopter yourself at The Cairns Helicopter School.

Blue Sky Helicopters, based in Sydney offers a view of the city that few people ever get to see. If you are willing to share the experience with others then you can try the Share With Others Harbour Discovery Flight at $149 per person for 15 minutes and get unparalleled views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. If you don’t feel like sharing you can book a private charter for 3 or 4 people at the same price per person. 

If 15 minutes in the air isn’t long enough then take a look at the Best Of Sydney tour which lasts a whole hour and takes in the big sights mentioned above as well as Bondi Beach, Palm Beach, Botany Bay and much more. The tour costs $600 per person for sharing or to book the whole helicopter for up to four people you will expect to pay $2400.

For those who want to really remember the experience a 60 minute Aerial Photography Flight may be on the cards. Through expert guidance you will learn how to get the most spectacular pictures as you are flown the same way that the company flies professional photographers and if you are feeling particularly adventurous you can choose to fly with the doors off.

Again you can choose to share with others for $300 or hire the whole helicopter as private charter for up to 3 people at $900.

Hot Air Ballooning

Hot air ballooning is one of the best ways to see Australia, imagine drifting silently across a vast flat land beneath a perfect blue sky and sipping a glass of champagne.  

Balloon Aloft, located two hours north of Sydney offers sunrise flights over Hunter Valley, begin 45 minutes before sunrise at Peterson’s Champagne House in Pokolbin the flight lasts for an hour and encompasses some of the most picturesque landscape in the world.

After the flight you will be able to enjoy a gourmet champagne breakfast at Restaurant Cuvee at Peterson’s Champagne House with your fellow balloonists as well as a brief history of hot air ballooning and a flight certificate.

The sunrise flight, including breakfast costs $299 during the summer and $335 for the rest of the year, extra family members or friends are welcome at breakfast for an extra $25 per person.   

Hot Air Ballooning is a company that offers a range of flights all around Australia; you can fly from Cairns, the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Port Douglas. Flights including champagne breakfasts are popular and start early, the Brisbane flight including champagne breakfast starts as early as 5.45am and will take you across stunning scenery.

As with Balloon Aloft you will have a knowledgeable pilot and ample time to take pictures before heading back down to earth. After your flight you will be taken back to O’Reilly’s Grand Homestead & Boutique Vineyard for a freshly cooked champagne breakfast, once you’ve been fed and watered you can be transferred to a number of locations including theme parks and shopping centres.

This flight will cost you $240 which is around average for a flight with this company.

Sky Diving

To get the ultimate adrenaline rush and see Australia from the unique perspective of 14,000 feet why not jump out of a plane and take part in a sky dive. 

Companies that offer skydiving experiences include Sydney Skydivers who have facilitated 1.5 million jumps and for just $255 you could take part in a tandem jump with a highly experienced skydiving instructor. As you fall at up to 120 miles per hour you will have unparalleled views of the city, the coast and the Blue Mountains.

Jump The Beach offers tandem skydives over Mission Beach in Northern Queensland. For $334 you will be able to fall from 14,000 feet, getting incredible views of the rainforests, the Great Barrier Reef and tropical islands for a full 60 seconds. 

There are a number of other skydiving companies all around the company and prices vary but not much. However you decide to get your own perspective make sure you do it Down Under.

Australia's education is world class

Thinking of moving to Australia? If relocating involves bringing the little ones then take a look at this quick guide to schools down under.

The Australian education system is similar to that of the UK, with school life starting at kindergarten at the age of 4 or 5 depending on which state you are looking in followed by 12 years of primary and secondary education. At the end of secondary school you can take an exam which will give you a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, a certificate which is recognised by all Australian universities and vocational training institutions as well as many international universities.

This certificate has a lot in common with the American SAT system where every student’s chances of attending university rest almost entirely on achieving one grade.

As with the UK, Australian States have control over the funding of their schools however there also private sector schools which charge fees and are usually affiliated with religious institutions, catholic schools for example make up around two thirds of all private schools. 

The school system varies little from one state to another, of course funding is directed toward different areas however the ages for enrolment and the general quality of teaching does not really differ.

The school year is divided into terms which run from January until December with a long break over Christmas (remember that in Australia Christmas is during the summer). The school day varies but generally starts at 9am and finishes at 3.30 pm Monday to Friday.

It is an exciting time to be starting school in Australia because while schools in the UK are undergoing money saving reforms including a huge cut in funding which will see fewer teaching jobs and a cut in modernization programs in order to tackle the national deficit, Australia has no such problems.

There is a spending program called Building the Education Revolution which is a $16.2 billion investment in Australia’s school system and is the largest element of the $42 billion National Building Economic Stimulus Plan. 

There are three elements to the Building and Education revolution (BER), the first of which is $14.1 billion allocated to the Primary Schools for the 21^st Century program. In this element of the program funding has been approved for 10,521 projects in 7942 schools. This includes refurbishments and upgrading of facilities.

The second element is the $821.8 million Science and Language Centres for 21^st Secondary Schools which has allocated funding for the construction of new laboratories and language centres in 537 schools.

The third element is the $1.28 billion National School Pride program which has allocated funding for 12,680 projects in 9483 schools to include the upgrading of outside areas including both learning areas and sports grounds.

Those moving to Australia will find the transition easy as the Australian curriculum is very similar to that of the UK. It is based around 8 core subjects; English, Languages other than English, Health and Physical Education, Mathematics, Science, Studies of Society and the Environment, The Arts and Technology.

In Australia Secondary School or High School as it is generally called begins at the age of 12 and finishes at the age of 16 followed by two years of college. A student can leave education at 16 however they will be encouraged to complete their higher education unless they have a particular career path in mind which will not be complemented by further education.

Because of Australia’s long sunshine hours there is almost always a wide range of extracurricular activities for students to take part in. These include the obvious; Aussie Rules Football (a game that is somewhere between football and rugby), Cricket and water sports.

In order to move down under with your family you will need to apply for a Family Visa which can encompass a number of family set ups. Of course your children will not factor into your eligibility, the primary factor will be your career so make sure you check the up-to-date jobs list.  

Still having trouble deciding? Consider this; Australia has a 99 percent literacy rate which is on par with the UK. Australia has considerably more sunshine over the course of the year, crime rates are generally very low, job prospects are good as the economy is booming and Australia was rated one of the most desirable places to live in the world with a high quality of life, life expectancy, economic mobility, education, health care and human rights.

You may find yourself diving for eggs in Australia.

Britain has lots of Easter traditions such as the kids favourite Easter animal;  the Easter bunny and the joys of the Easter egg hunt. You may think that most other countries that celebrate Easter would have many of the same traditions and whilst that is true, some of the traditions have a rather surprising twist to them. So let’s have a look at how Australia celebrates Easter.

Easter is traditionally associated with spring and new birth. It’s the time when blossom starts to appear on our bare trees and the first daffodils are peeping out of the ground. Lambs and chicks are popular images with children as the dead, dark, dreary days of winter finally give way to the life and joys of Spring. But of course April in Australia is not in the Spring, instead Easter is celebrated in the Autumn when the countryside is bathed in glorious colours of gold, burgundy, deep purples and dazzling orange hues. So for Australians, Easter is when they bid farewell to summer and start making preparations for the coming of winter.

The Australian Easter is generally a four day weekend, starting on Good Friday and ending on Easter Monday. Every shop is closed on Good Friday and it is the only day of the year when newspapers are also unavailable – an event unheard of in the UK! The religious significance remains the same, with many Christian Australians observing mass on either Good Friday or Easter Sunday.

The Easter Bilby

Now the Easter bunny – what could be cuddlier? This friendly little chap traditionally goes around with a basket of eggs hiding them in your garden all ready for that Easter egg hunt. The tradition started in Germany and the bunny was seen as a symbol of fertility, perhaps some couples hoped the bunny would bring more than eggs to their houses. However in Australia the bunny has a rather different perception and it’s none too friendly.

Rabbits are responsible for the destruction of vital vegetable crops in Australia and because of that destructive trait they are not generally welcome sights at Easter, in fact the Foundation for a Rabbit-Free Australia discourage shops from stocking chocolate bunnies. Rather than the Easter bunny therefore, the Aussies came up with their own Easter animal – Bilby.

Chocolate Bilbies are now popular in Australia.

The bilby is a rabbit-eared Bandicoot that is currently endangered in Australia. The idea of the bilby replacing the Easter bunny is thought to have come about from the South Australia National Parks Service. The Foundation for a Rabbit-Free Australia have successfully campaigned for the Bilby to become the traditional Australian symbol of Easter. And with its long floppy ears, large dark eyes and pointed nose it’s just as cuddly and cute as its British counterpart. The famous Australian author Jeni Bright wrote a story about Burra Nimu, the Easter Bilby for children to further the cause of replacing the traditional bunny with the bilby.

Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

The Hot Cross Bun also has a different variation in Australia. Not to be seen to be missing out on life’s treats, the dried fruit is replaced with chocolate chips and the spiced mixture of the dough has another ingredient – cocoa. Making the Australian hot cross buns deliciously different.

Royal Easter Show

Each Easter Sydney plays host to the famous Royal Easter Show, a unique agricultural show where the very best of Australian produce is proudly showcased and exhibited. Everything from farm animals to fruit and veg is displayed here – but only the best of the best! The event has now become a spectacular carnival and a much celebrated date in Sydney’s calendar. Other highlights are fairground rides, fireworks, amazing robot displays, parades and of course the tasting of Australia’s finest cuisine.

Egg Knocking

In families all over Australia the Easter game of egg-knocking will be played. Everyone involved has to find a partner and then choose an egg each – these can be chocolate eggs, hard boiled or for the more adventurous, fresh eggs. One partner then taps the other’s egg with their own and so on, each taking it in turns to tap the egg. The first egg to crack loses and the winner is then free to challenge the winner of another pair. The game continues until there is only one egg left which the winner presumably has to eat. Especially if it’s a fresh egg and the winner is being all smug about winning.

Easter Egg Hunts

The huge Easter egg hunt in Bendigo.

Of course Australia observe the traditional Easter egg hunts, but this being Australia, some of the egg hunts are organised in slightly unusual places, such as the Dolphin Scuba Diving Centre in Perth where chocolate eggs are hunted by divers. One of Australia’s biggest Easter egg hunts is organised by Vision Australia, a charity that works with visually impaired people. Over 75,000 eggs are hidden in Bendigo, Victora on Good Friday and around 2,500 children participate in the egg hunts every year. Blimey, that’s 30 eggs per child!

However you choose to celebrate Easter this year, everyone here at Embrace Australia wishes you a happy and peaceful Easter. Do remember to bookmark us for all the latest news on Australian immigration, travel and culture and visit our online forum for friendly chat and debate. Don’t eat too much chocolate – save some for us!

While away those Australian summer evenings down by Sydney Harbour.

So as the temperature in Britain drops to below freezing, schools close and roads are gridlocked, wouldn’t it be nice to get away from it all? Somewhere where the sun is shining, the skies are blue and the unmistakable smell of barbeques are wafting through the calm, balmy air.  Where else would this be than Sydney, the most populated city of Australia and THE place to be this winter!

Do you really need more good reasons to visit Sydney at this time of year? Well, for those of you in any doubt, here are just a few!

Vivacity begins in earnest in Sydney. It’s a whole month packed full of outdoor festivities, entertainment, music and events to celebrate the energy and vibe of this buzzing city. It incorporates Australia Day and the Sydney Festival as well as much much more. If there was ever a good month to visit Sydney, it would be January. If you plan on visiting this month read our guide to what’s on and get caught up in the party atmosphere!

Sydney Festival

From the 9^th to the 30^th of January Sydney really comes alive with the sights, sounds and smells of festival season.  Best of all, Sydney Festival is absolutely FREE! A host of musicians will be playing including Marianne Faithfull and a plethora of other stars bringing you the very best in jazz, dance, rock, pop, blues – whatever musical genre tickles your fancy you can bet that one of your favourite stars will be headlining this event.

Theatre, visual arts, performances, dance and all manner of entertainment will also be taking to the streets of Sydney as Sydneysiders get ready to party the glorious days of January away. The atmosphere is truly electric and there is something for everyone, free kids entertainment and plenty of refreshments to keep you going all day and night.

Australia Day

One of Australia’s biggest barbeques gets underway in Hyde Park as thousands of people from all over Australia come to join in the picnic. So pack yourself a couple of deckchairs and a few tins and head on over to the park where people will be asking if you want to throw another shrimp on the barbie. Add the live music and performers and you really do have a barbeque to remember!

Hidden Networks By George!

Discover the hidden inter-connected laneways dotted about Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD) with this exciting and innovative project by urban designer Dr Steffan Lehman. Temporary artworks have transformed the area and challenge the viewer to think about their future and concept of space itself. The artworks have been designed and created by architects, urban designers, musicians, landscape artists, poets and even a scientist and a lawyer! Challenge your own ideas and way of thinking with these very special and unique artworks. Print off a walking map from thelanewaysbygeorge website.

Try tasting summer in a glass!

Summery Cocktails

After all that walking and dancing you might want a sip of something cool and refreshing and what better than to sample one of Sydney’s cocktails made especially for the festival. Head on over to Alira on Jones Bay Wharf and order one of their Sundowner cocktails. It’s a special blend of vanilla vodka, Aperol, pink grapefruit and Campari ice cubes. Perfect for chilling out!

If you’ve spent the day shopping on Crown Street and need to put your feet up, you might want to check out Low 302 nearby and order a Piccadilly’s Real Citrus. A deliciously tangy mix of cucumber vodka, Pimms, Rosso Antico, lime and ginger. A real fruity drink with a pleasing Carribbean twist.

And staying with the Carribbean theme, Springtime in Tokyo has been described as “summer in a glass” and is a unique mix created by Julian Terna from Sake Restaurant and Bar in The Rocks. Julian uses his expertise to whisk together a cool martini-style drink made with sake fat-washed with roasted coconut, Appleton Reserve and topped with fresh pineapple juice. Even though it’s snowing outside right now, I can already taste the summer!

Bollywood

Forget Hollywood, Bollywood is heading to Sydney this season, well to Parramatta to be exact. This suburb on the outer-western fringe of Sydney could be described as Sydney’s multicultural heart with its strong links to an indigenous past and a thriving and eclectic local community. As with all multicultural areas, it has a bold creative and cultural feel that is reflected in its architecture as well as its food.

A R Rahman is the man behind the Bollywood flavour to Sydney’s Festival and if you liked the dance scene from Slumdog Millionaire then you’ll need to get to Parramatta Park on the 16^th January as hundreds of dancers and singers converge on the park to give a free rendition of the famous soundtrack and dance scene.

Medibank International

If tennis is your thing then this should be right up your street. All the big names of tennis gather together in what promises to be the best tennis event of 2010 – Wimbledon eat your heart out! Sydney has the likes of Serena Williams, Elena Dementieva and Lleyton Hewitt competing in this nationally renowned event. Plus in an exclusive comeback Justine Henin will be returning to tennis especially to play at the Medibank International.

With off-court entertainment from the likes of Ian Moss, Wes Carr and Cassie Davies this really is your ticket to the world! See Medibank International for more details and to get your limited tickets.

Merchant in Venice performed on the banks of the famous Sydney Harbour.

Shakespearean Sydney

If you like a bit of classical literature then you simply have to head down to Sydney’s Harbour for a rendition of Shakespeare by moonlight. Twelfth Night and the Merchant of Venice will both be performed on the harbour foreshore by the Sydney Shakespeare Festival organisers every Thursday to Sunday starting at 8pm from the 7^th of January through until Valentine’s Day on the 14^th of February – a must then for all lovers heading for a romantic break in the city.

There are many more events organised in the city, such as Live Music in the Library and Romancing the Bones. If you want a complete list of events happening in Sydney this winter (if you’re in the UK, or summer if in Australia) then check out the city of Sydney events calendar, or the NSW tourism guide to Sydney.

There has never been a better place to spend the start of a new decade. With so much going on throughout the day and night, you’ll never want to leave this magical city! Good job we’ve provided a migration guide then for all those wanting a piece of Sydney for good. In fact Sydney is one of the top cities for Brits emigrating to Australia, and with all this free entertainment under blue skies and a golden sun, I might just be tempted to join them!

We usher in the New Year by looking back at 2009. Image courtesy of Tourism Australia.

So as 2010 looms just around the corner, let’s have a look back at what 2009 brought with it by taking a wee stroll down memory lane and remembering some of the news headlines from Embrace Australia over the past year.

January was the month that Queensland put out their ad for the “best job in the world” never imagining its huge success and popularity. The job was simple enough, to be caretaker of Hamilton Island for 6 months and write a blog about your experiences.

Over 34,000 video applications were received for the coveted position, including a rather dubious one by Mr Osama bin Laden! In the end the job went to Brit Ben Southall. However Mr Southall faced criticism by some for his infrequent blogs and he was also labelled a “whinging Pom” when his list of complaints included missing the British summer.

February saw the launch of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) to protect visa applicants from unscrupulous and incompetent migration agents. It also relieved some of the pressure from the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) and made dealing with complaints and regulation easier and more efficient.

The bushfires devastated the state of Victoria.

February also saw Australia’s worst disaster in the form of devastating bushfires that engulfed Victoria and killed nearly 200 people, leaving many thousands homeless. Arsonists were said to be responsible for many of the fires that raged through the dry, arid landscape with such ferocity that many people simply didn’t stand a chance. Some of the arsonists caught were later tried for murder.

In March the first of many changes to the skilled migration program and Critical Skills List (CSL) was made by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). Chris Evans announced a 14% cut to the skilled migration intake and the CSL saw many skilled trades removed.

Australian free-diver Walter Steyn broke the world free diving record in April by diving 92m underwater without the aid of oxygen. The 36 year old managed to smash his previous record of 77m. In typical Aussie style one of the first things he said after setting his new world record was: “I’m absolutely stoked.”

In May came the bizarre news that the Australian government had paid cash bonuses of up to $900 to 16,000 dead people! The payments were part of the stimulus package designed to kick-start the economy and head off any potential recession. The government gave the payments to all eligible Australians who had lodged a tax return in the last financial year, unfortunately that included 16,000 who had since died. It is not known if any of the “grateful dead” returned their payments.

Spiderman came to Sydney in June in the form of French daredevil Alain Robert who climbed the 718ft Royal Bank of Scotland Tower without a safety rope or harness. The Frenchman is famous for scaling tall buildings, doing so he says, to raise awareness about climate change. Hundreds of people cheered him as he worked his way up the building, but the police were on hand to arrest him as soon as he came back down.

The baby whale takes its very first breath.

A baby whale’s first breath was captured on camera in July off the coast of Australia. The baby humpback whale was witnessed by marine scientists, being gently lifted to the surface by its mother, to take its first breath of air.

Also in July was the dramatic tale of Jamie Neale, the British backpacker who went missing for more than a week in the wilderness of the Blue Mountains. His remarkable survival and healthy appearance led many to believe that it had been a hoax, something Jamie and his family strenuously denied. Jamie was later criticised for giving a tiny proportion of what he had made from media deals, to the rescue services who spent $100,000 searching for him.

Virgin Blue teamed up with Delta Airlines in August to re-created the “Ten Pound Pom” offer of the 1950s. 150 hopefuls queued for days and nights outside the Travel Agencies offering the deal hoping to grab the deal of the year!

August also brought tragic news in the death of Sam the Bushfire Koala who symbolised hope for many people after the tragedy of the bushfires in Victoria. A picture of Sam drinking from the water bottle of a firefighter amidst a burnt out forest was transmitted across the world. Australians took Sam to their hearts and were devastated by his death in August from Chlamydia.

One of the apocalyptic scenes from Sydney.

In September Sydneysiders awoke to find the city had turned red overnight! A huge dust cloud covered the city and produced spectacular images of Sydney’s most famous landmarks covered in an eerie orange hue. Meanwhile residents of Melbourne were woken by two tremors that shook the city to its core and in Adelaide flood warnings were put in place as the city was lashed by heavy rains.

September saw the most controversial change to skilled migration visas yet when the DIAC slid in changes that affected all applicants, old and new, that were going through state sponsorship. Forums up and down the country were inundated with tales from heartbroken visa applicants who had sold their houses and taken their children out of school in the presumption that they were only weeks away from getting their visas finalised. Many now face waits of up to three years. And to further rub their noses in it, the government refused to give existing applicants a refund if they withdrew their applications.

A new Citizenship test was launched in October that asked would-be Australian citizens questions on Australian politics, law and the responsibilities of citizenship. We reproduced ten questions from the new test to see how well you would do. Many critics argued that the new test discriminated against those whose first language was not English.

A monster shark was feared lurking in the waters around Brisbane.

Meanwhile in Brisbane fears grew about a monster shark in the area that was estimated to be at least 5 or 6 metres long. This was after a 3 metre shark found snared on a baited drumline was discovered to have massive bites on its side. The Australian government said the discovery was enough to justify using such shark nets and drumlines amid criticism about other marine life being caught up in them.

November brought back the reality show we all love to hate – ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here’. This year it was even more gripping as Peter Andre refused to present an insiders series for the This Morning programme after it was revealed that his ex-wife Katie Price would be taking part. Katie herself was criticised for leaving two sick children with her parents whilst she flew off to Australia. She later left the show after being nominated for four bushtucker trials.

Australia’s forgotten children also got an apology from Australian Prime Minster Kevin Rudd this month. Between 1947 and 1967 an estimated 11,000 British children were sent to Australia as part of an immigration plan by Australia. Many of the children suffered abuse and cruelty at the hands of their carers and many more were wrongly told that their parents had died. Mr Rudd made his formal apology at a Canberra ceremony where many survivors openly wept. Britain has said it will apologise for its role in the new year.

A proposed strike by BA cabin crew in December left many holidaymakers to Australia wondering if they would get to spend their Christmas on Bondi Beach or Brighton Beach. Family reunions were thrown into jeopardy and worried travellers inundated the BA helpline. The strike however was stopped by a court injunction, much to the relief of passengers up and down the country. However there could still be a strike in the new year.

The giant iceberg that was heading for Australia.

Not only that but a giant iceberg that had broken off the Ross Ice Shelf in Antartica was heading for the western Australian coast – still in one piece! The huge iceberg was double the size of Sydney Harbour when it was spotted drifting 1000km towards the Australian coast, but luckily it broke up into smaller pieces once it reached warmer waters.

So that’s it, our round-up of the news and events from the past year. Who knows what 2010 will bring, more rampaging kangaroos perhaps? But we sincerely hope that it brings good news to many visa applicants. Don’t forget to bookmark us as we keep you up to date on all the happenings in immigration, travel and culture. If you love Australia, then why not Embrace Australia?

Deck the halls with boughs of holly - but do the Aussies?

As the festive season surrounds us, we thought we’d bring you our Christmas guide to Australia and the UK, including traditions, facts and tales from the two countries. I’ve got my santa hat on so let’s begin!

Christmas in Australia occurs at the height of summer where the temperature can reach a sweltering 30°C whilst here in the UK, us Brits are wrapping up warm to beat off an average temperature of just 1°C with only 1 to 2 hours of sunshine, whilst down in Oz the sun shines all day long!

Carol singing is a huge favourite in Australia as well as in the UK and every year thousands of people turn out in Melbourne for the annual Christmas Eve Carols by Candlelight, a tradition that evolved in 1937. Many other Australian cities now follow suit with their own carol singing events in the weeks before Christmas.

The traditional Christmas meal in Australia is much the same as in the UK, with a turkey dinner topping the list and a flaming plum pudding for dessert. The only difference is that they will probably have their turkey outside on the verandah whilst we huddle around an open fire (or gas or electric – whatever!). In fact Bondi Beach becomes crowded with thousands of Christmas Day picnickers.

Christmas Day on Bondi Beach is popular with backpackers.

In the UK it was tradition to put a silver coin in our Christmas pud which was said to bring good luck to whoever found it – if they didn’t choke on it first! In Australia the tradition was a small gold nugget although now they would bake the pudding with a small favour inside, much as the French do at Easter.

After the Christmas meal, the Brits favourite activity, apart from watching the TV, is playing games. Charades and board games being the most popular. Whilst in Australia, because of the warm weather, Aussies prefer to burn off that Christmas pud with a spot of cricket or swimming.

Australians also have their own version of a White Christmas. It’s a type of confectionery made of rice krispies, fruit and coconut oil and traditionally eaten around Christmastime.

Australians prefer this colourful Christmas bush to our prickly holly.

Our traditional Christmas decorations are holly, ivy and mistletoe – dating back to Pagan times. The Australians however like to decorate their homes with Christmas Bush, a native plant that has small, red flowered leaves.

Santa Claus arrives in Australia – by surfboard! Santa surfing is now popular down under as hundreds of people take to the warm oceans and ride the waves dressed as Santa. Many surfing clubs now hold Christmas charity events where participants done the famous red costume for charity.

Talking of Santa, in the hot Australian outback what better animal to pull Santa’s sleigh along than six white boomers? A boomer is a special kangaroo that Santa uses to pull his sleigh along the rough terrain of the outback. The boomers were made famous in the song by Rolf Harris and John Brown back in 1960. The boomers’ names are Jackaroo, Bluey, Two-up, Desert-head, Curly and Snow.

And can anyone name Santa’s reindeer? Go on, give it a go! Answers are at the bottom of the page – no peeking! We’ll give you a clue, there are 9 of them.

Australia’s worst Christmas was back in 1974 when, on Christmas Eve, Cyclone Tracey ravaged Darwin and by the following evening, almost 70% of Darwin was in ruins with many people left homeless and devastated.

Kim Kimeklis has won multiple awards in Brisbane’s Christmas lights competition and has earned the nickname of ‘Christmas Nut’ by her husband. The lights and decorations take over every inch of her house and garden and approximately 300 – 400 people visit each night from the 1 December when she switches them on. It costs her $100 a month for the low-voltage lights and they have to be checked for safety by an electrician before they are turned on.

The brightest house in the UK!

In the UK, the most brightly lit house award goes to Alex Goodhind in Melksham who actually paid workmen to fit an industrial sized cable under his house to accommodate his 100,000 lights that took him 3 weeks to assemble. He’ll also pay an extra £500 for his electricity bill.

Australia has some sporting Boxing Day traditions. A cricket test match is held on Boxing Day every year in the Melbourne Cricket Ground that can attract up to 90,000 spectators. And in Sydney, Boxing Day heralds the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, a 630 nautical mile race that can last several days.

Australia has it’s own version of Jingle Bells. Instead of riding in a one-horse open sleigh, you would be riding in a ute. It’s a two seater vehicle with an open tray behind it that was widely in use in the Australian countryside.

So that’s our Christmas fun guide to Australia and all that remains is for us here at Embrace Australia to wish everyone who visits us a very peaceful and prosperous Christmas and New Year.

Did you get all the reindeer names? Here they are: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph. All of the names apart from Rudolph are taken from the poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Rudolph came from a story and colouring book created by Robert L May for his employer at the Montgomery Ward department store. His brother in law later penned the well-known song that turned Rudolph into a star!