Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Australia Day (feat. our correspondent Ken Oathcarn)
Australia Day. It's a day of high jinx, high revelry and high people in Australia; a day when a large and vocal majority come together to "celebrate what's great" about this country.
But what is the meaning of all this fanfare? What is the true origin of this passionately marked day of facepaint and binge drinking? Is everyone in Australia so keen on this particular anniversary?
To get to bottom of these questions, and more, join your amiable host Robert Foster as he conducts a high-octane, high-frequency satellite link-up with a representative of the Mainstream Australian media: multi-Logie award-winning broadcaster, entertainer, emu-wrangler and true blue Aussie, Kenneth Oathcarn.
WARNING: contains adult Australian vernacular - viewer discretion is strongly advised.
Written, produced and performed by Hugo Farrant (Robert Foster) & Giordano Nanni (Ken Oathcarn).
Maggie's Australia Day Pavlova
MAGGIE Beer shows how to make Australia's favourite dessert, writes Simon Wilkinson.
So what will you be putting on top of the pavlova this Australia Day? That magical circle of billowing white meringue is a blank canvas, as much at home with the wildly fragrant fruit of the tropics as the peaches, nectarines and berries of the southern climes or classically the passionfruit that's grown on a vine trailing over the back shed.
That expression of person and place is one factor that makes the pavlova an Aussie icon just as much as that other spectacular white structure on Sydney harbour. A meringue opera house now there's a thought.
The people who voted in our poll on taste.com.au certainly think so, declaring pav their choice of dessert for Australia Day, ahead of other frontrunners lamingtons and peach melba.
Two Big Australia Day Skyshows for Perth
The biggest Australia Day party will again be in Perth with the country's biggest fireworks skyshow on the Swan River foreshore.The City of Perth Skyworks will light up the sky from 8pm (WST), with an Australian Spirit theme.
Internationally-known entertainer Rolf Harris will also contribute a "special feature" for the soundtrack.
But before the pyrotechnics begin, the city will also host free entertainment throughout the afternoon for families.
The Youth Zone concert at Langley Park will begin at 4.30pm with headline acts Amy Meredith and Stone Circle, as well as paintballing and cars.
Earlier, Survival Perth will be held in the Supreme Court Gardens to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture.
Aboriginal artists will perform music over six hours including Kwarbah Djookian, James Scott, Ulla Shay, Walkabout Boys, Bartlett Brothers and The Yabu Band.
Across the river, the City of South Perth will host Celebration Zone at Sir James Mitchell Park with various entertainment and activities.
For those south of the river, the City of Fremantle will celebrate Australia Day with a free sausage sizzle and entertainment, as well as face painting and giant bubbles.
Performers will include the Vegemite Dancers, Aboriginal Dancers, Sunshine Brothers and Blue Shaddy, and the Village Art Markets will also be operating at the Esplanade.
From 8pm, the Cities of Fremantle and Cockburn will co-host the Indian Ocean Skyshow, launching the fireworks from a barge 300m off the coast at Bathers Bay.
Spectators are advised to view the show from Bathers Beach foreshore, the Round House, Esplanade Park, North Mole, Monument Hill, South Beach and Fishing Boat Harbour.
It's expected to reach 40C on Australia Day so people are being warned to remain hydrated.
The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) warns those attending the Skyworks to leave the sparklers at home because they can easily start a fire.
Police will also be out in force to target anti-social behaviour and alcohol-fuelled violence.
Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan said there would be designated alcohol zones.
"Drinking outside the zones is against the law and offenders face a $200 fine," he said.
"Under the Liquor Act, police have the power to seize alcohol, even if its unopened, from anyone drinking and deemed to be causing or likely to cause undue offence, annoyance, disturbance or inconvenience to others."
Last year, police issued almost 50 move on notices and 23 people were arrested.
Two Big Australia Day Skyshows for Perth
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Australia Day at Sydney Olympic Park 2012
Sydney Olympic Park and Auburn Council invite you to celebrate what's great on Australia Day at Bicentennial Park with free family entertainment.There will be plenty of food stalls to satisfy your hunger plus free rides for the kids.
The stage will be jam packed with entertainment for all ages and there will be a great variety of community stalls on display.
To end the day a sparkling fireworks finale!
View the Sydney Olympic Park Australia Day Map
- www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au
- Bicentennial Drive
Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127 - Phone: (02) 9714 7888
Australia Day at Sydney Olympic Park 2012
Thumbs up for Barbie Girl - 2012 Lamb Australia Day Video Advert
AGFORCE'S Richard Pietsch has given a big "thumbs up" to this year's Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) Sam Kekovich Australia Day lamb campaign, but says the lamb industry still has a way to go before hitting the highs of 2011.
The AgForce Sheep and Wool president says while it is certain the Kekovich campaigns have given lambs sales a incredible boost over the past eight years, consumption was down in 2011 compared to previous years.
"MLA reported that for 2011, tighter supplies and a 9 per cent jump in retail prices during 2010-11 had quelled consumer demand which had risen steadily for the previous 10 years," Mr Pietsch said.
Australia's weekly servings of fresh meat during 2010-11 increased 3pc compared with the previous year, to average 135.5 million serves.
Lamb was served 22.55m times in January and February 2011, up from 21.86m serves on the same period the previous year.
In 2010-11, lamb represented 16pc share of total fresh meat sales at retail outlets. Beef purchases were steady, on average accounting for 38pc of total sales.
Pork and chicken purchases edged up over the 12 months to June 2011, to 13pc and 29pc, respectively.
Mr Pietsch says this year's summer barbecue-themed Sam Kekovich Australia Day lamb campaign, based on the pop song Barbie Girl from the 1990s band Aqua, was likely to be effective, but may not be everyone's cup of tea.
"I'm not sure that this year's campaign appeals to me, but when we are selling lamb to consumers, Sam's ads in the lead-up to Australia Day have a significant effect," Mr Pietsch said.
"The real test of the campaign is increasing lamb sales and ensuring the profitability of the entire industry."
Lamb producers have enjoyed strong prices through 2011.
AgForce Sheep and Wool policy director Rachael Pratt said this year's Sam Kekovich ads had certainly drawn a mixed reaction from Queensland lamb producers.
"Some producers certainly don't like it," Ms Pratt said.
Chops on for Australia Day
AUSTRALIA Day is synonymous with barbecues and the great outdoors and this year will be no exception with temperatures expected to be in the high 30s towards the end of the week.
In the lead-up to the public holiday, butchers around the region are busily preparing in a bid to meet (or should that be meat) demand.
Lamb is the choice of the day when it comes to Australia Day celebrations thanks to the highly publicised Sam Kekovich campaigns.
And at a local level, butchers are also expecting to see an increase in lamb sales during this period.
Geoff Williams of Willhome Farm Fresh Meats said lamb was always a top seller in the lead-up to Australia Day.
"The emphasis on Australia Day is having something good and quick to prepare for the barbecue and lamb fits that bill," Mr Williams said.
"We expect to be quite busy this week."
These sentiments were echoed by Greg Sait of Sait's Family Butcher.
He said while there was a strong emphasis on lamb for Australia Day, gone were the days where families were restricted to the traditional lamb cutlet.
Gourmet lamb sausages, marinated lamb and other fancy lamb cuts were proving to popular amongst his customers.
Meanwhile, Jodie Fordham of Doeys Meat said "quick and easy to prepare" was the key when it came to Australia Day preparations.
She said while they did sell a lot of lamb during this period, there was "an overall barbecue theme across the board" with sausages, chops and kebabs a popular choice.
Meat and Livestock Australia general marketing manger, Glen Feist, said the Sam Kekovich campaign had set the scene for strong lamb sales during this key promotional period in the past.
"Australians spent a total of $2.2 billion on lamb in 2010-2011," Mr Feist said.
"Our 2011 campaign supported retailers to set a record for sales during the Australia Day week, with Australians spending $17.1 billion on lamb, 12 per cent higher than the same time in 2010."
Top 5 things to do on Australia Day in Perth
Top 5 things to do on Australia Day in Perth1. Travel back in time
The world's best preserved example of a 19th century port streetscape is in Fremantle. Today 'Freo' is known for its laid-back ambience, street cafe culture, fresh fish and chips, gelato, and its aware winning micro-breweries.
2. The Perth scene
Perth is brimming with a plethora of small bars and restaurants cropping up everywhere in the CBD. Explore the city's laneways and back streets and enjoy the quality and sometimes quirky places to eat and drink at.
3. Picnic and barbecues
Western Australia is teeming with postcard-perfect picnic grounds. Picnicking on the river's edge, a game of frisbee at the park and feasting on a good old Aussie barbecue are popular pastimes in this sunny State.
4. Rediscover your favourite Perth beach
Perth beaches are nothing short of stunning and a trip along the Sunset Coast Tourist Drive is a great way to take in the sandy shores and turquoise waters.
5. Sample the delights of the Swan Valley
From wine tasting to art galleries, the Swan Valley is a perfect spot to awaken the senses, tantalise the tastebuds and escape the hustle and bustle of city life. You'll find some of Western Australia's finest wines and local produce here.
(Source: www.westernaustralia.com)
Top 5 things to do on Australia Day in Perth
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