Hello to all, it’s time for the DOWNunder UPdate Newsletter. It’s been a busy week in Australia, and particularly tonight we are seeing a possible leadership spill in the next few days. I never really want to get into politics on this site. Just suffice to say it will be good when the rumblings are sorted and we can get on with good government.

I see part of my task here as the new Editor of the Australia site, is to give potential visitors to our nation, as much information as possible to enable the successful planning and implementation of a super duper holiday in Australia.

To that end, I have trawled through as many 2012 calendars as possible and have come up with a pretty comprehensive listing of all public and school holidays that will be occurring in Australia during 2012. I hope this is a useful tool for potential visitors. Here’s the link to that article: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art7712.asp

The Australia forum exists for readers to participate and contribute to the Australia site. Please feel free to join us at the forum. Here’s a link to the Australia Forum:
http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=315

News from Australia for week 15th – 22nd February 2012
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/irish-tourist-dies-in-yarraswim-prank-20120222-1tmcl.html

A drunken prank ends in tragedy for Irish Tourists.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-17/air-australia-grounded/3835244 yet another Aussie airline goes to the wall.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-01/bus-company-rewards-staff-with-cash-bonuses/3803902 bus company boss says farewell with golden handshakes all round

What happened in Australian History this week:

16th February 1983 – one of the worst bushfire events in Australian history. A total of 75 people lost their lives in Victoria and South Australia. This event is known as the Ash Wednesday Bush Fires

On 18th February 1793, the first school in the Colony opened. The school was held in the newly finished church on the corner of Hunter and Castlereagh Streets during the weekdays. The Reverend Richard Johnson and his wife, Mary, taught between 150-200 children.

19th February 1836 - British Parliament officially proclaims the colony of South Australia and formally defines its boundaries.

On the 22nd February 1792, the first land grant is recorded as being granted to James Ruse. Ruse arrived on the First Fleet on the Scarborough with a seven year sentence nearly expired. He was the first ex-convict to seek a grant of land and he successfully farmed the 30 acres at Parramatta before relocating to the Hawkesbury.

Australian Birthdays
16th February 1973 – Australian Olympian Cathy Freeman born

17th February 1864 Andrew “Banjo” Patterson – Australian Prose and Poet born near Orange NSW

21st February 1937 Ron Clarke – Athlete for Australia, held 39 World records

22nd February 1879 Norman Lindsay, one of Australia’s most celebrated artists was born in Creswick, Victoria.

22nd February 1962 – Steve Irwin – celebrated wildlife expert

Quirky Aussie Stuff

http://dumburst.blogspot.com.au/2009/11/how-poisonous-is-platypus.html What do the platypus and Steve Irwin have to do with each other?

http://www.news.com.au/national/lost-wedding-ring-discovered-after-an-interesting-journey/story-e6frfkvr-1226272435366 wedding ring found - stomach churning

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8412531/elephants-can-battle-invasive-pests-expert elephants in the outback?

Well, that's all from me for this week. I hope this newsletter finds you busy and happy in your life.

Till next week, cheerio for now



Judie Bellingham, Australia Editor
http://Australia.bellaonline.com

One of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com