Posts filed under 'Travel'
Australia changed its money denomination in 1966 and converted to the decimal system. Australian money was now based on the Australian Dollar. As with other dollar systems, it broke down into cents. The new dollar took over from the Australian Pound. The new notes and coins made in the Royal Australian Mint did suggest that the country was taking a step back from the British Commonwealth. However, Queen Elizabeth II does appear on the obverse of all coins. The banknotes are made as $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes.
The Mint produces special 50-cent coins from time to time, to celebrate special occasions. There were issues for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and Prince Charles and Diana’s wedding in 1981. The Commonwealth Games of 1982 and the Australian Bicentenary of 1988 were also commemorated. The banknotes, which are very colorful, are used to pay tribute to honored figures in Australian history. The country may still be part of the Commonwealth and, therefore the Queen’s subjects, but it is the sons and daughters of Australia that are remembered on Australian money.
“Banjo Paterson … is most famous for writing the words of the nationalist song, Waltzing Matilda.”
One of the most internationally well-known figures on a banknote was Dame Nellie Melba, the famous soprano and opera diva. The arts were represented again with the inclusion of Banjo Paterson. He was a journalist, writer, poet and true Aussie patriot. He composed poems and ballads in tribute to Australia and particularly, the outback. He is most famous for writing the words of the nationalist song, Waltzing Matilda.
Politics and the arts meet in the form of Catherine Helen Spence, a journalist, teacher and novelist. She was also a suffragette and politician. Women’s politics again feature on Australian money with the image of Edith Cowan. She was a politician concerned with social issues and was the first woman to take a seat in the Australian Parliament. Another politician, Sir Henry Parkes, who died in 1896, was one of the original Founding Fathers.
A renowned Aboriginal was also included. David Unaipon was a man of many talents. He was a writer who re-told the traditional stories of his people and he also wrote articles for newspapers, campaigning for the rights of Aboriginals. He also found time to preach and he was a very practical man and had success as an inventor. One of his inventions, the shearing machine, was his greatest success. Another hero on Australian money was the Reverend John Flynn. He was a pilot and he set up the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the first of its kind in the world.
March 3rd, 2007
Though you might want to take time out of the school year to take your children on a trip, most schools want you to tell them that you are going to partake in educational travel. They don’t want children to miss any more school than necessary, so if you are planning a trip, you want to include some educational activities to keep the schools happy. Most vacations do have some educational value, and just learning about a new place by visiting it can be enough.
“When you meet new people anywhere in the world you are going to learn about them, and you are going to take those experiences home with you for the rest of your life.”
When you visit a new country, you can consider that educational travel. You have to learn how the people live, how communicate (in some cases), and you will learn about local traditions, customs, and ways of life. This is educational travel for just about anyone no matter how old you are. You may find something like a safari is one of the most valuable learning experiences you can have as a family. You could visit the capitol of a country to learn about how their government works, and how it might differ from your own country. You can also visit areas where wildlife is protected, or where events in history have happened.
You might include trips to zoos and local points of interest when you go on educational travel trips. Your kids can learn about animals they may have never seen before, and they can often see plants they may have only read about in books. You can visit local museums to learn about the culture, and festivals are always great additions to educational travel. When you meet new people anywhere in the world you are going to learn about them, and you are going to take those experiences home with you for the rest of your life.
You don’t have to go far from home for educational travel. You can find spots in your own state that would qualify. Those that live in Pennsylvania might want to take a trip to Amish country to learn about a different way of life. While there they can see Hershey. They can visit the wax museum, view a large collection of miniature trains, and perhaps find some time to just explore the capital of the state. All of these activities would easily fall under the category of educational travel, and the best part is that it will be fun as well. Best of all, your children will have so much fun they won’t even realize they are learning something.
This article was written by Duncan Wall, an educational travel advisor who specialises in helping families make family travel both a learning and fun experience.
January 10th, 2007
The Northern Territories is fortunate in having a famous city as its capital. Darwin Australia sits at the tip of the country and is the most populated city in the state with an estimated population of over 109,000. It has a tropical climate comprising of a dry and a wet season, and has to endure thunderstorms and cyclones. Cyclone Tracey was the worst recorded cyclone, occurring in 1974, destroying many buildings and killing fifty people when it hit. The city was re-constructed with stronger building materials.
Darwin Australia takes its name from the British naturalist Charles Darwin. Darwin Australia went through a boom period when gold was discovered in the 1880s. It was officially upgraded to a city in 1959. The city’s main industries are tourism and mining and its port is also important to the economy of the area, exporting cattle, minerals and gas. The area is traditionally home to the military with a large Army and Navy Base.
Something unique about the city is that it was the only Australian city to be attacked in a war. The Japanese forces conducted air raids during World War II, the worst of which took place in 1942 just three months after the attack on the US fleet at Pearl Harbor. The city erected a memorial to the victims.
A truly cosmopolitan place, there are a large number of Indigenous Australians and South East Asians who have migrated. Citizens include people from Vietnam, Papua, China, Greece and Italy. There are also several British and Irish residents. It’s good fishing country and they are keen supporters of the local horse races and rodeos. The Darwin Festival is an annual celebration of music, film, theater, dance and comedy acts.
Recent building developments have included the Wharf Precinct, which contains shops, entertainment, and a convention and exhibition center. There are also excellent swimming facilities. Darwin Australia may be at the extreme Northern Coast but it is not isolated in any way. It’s a city with a small town feel and people from all corners of the globe have made a home there. The resident’s battle against the often hostile weather conditions and the city makes an important contribution to the economy and the culture of the country. No air raids or cyclones could keep this place down and the future looks secure for this industrious heart of the North. It’s easy to see why Darwin is world famous.
January 10th, 2007
