Unit 25. Some important dates of early australian history

25.1. Read and translate the text

1605-06 First Dutch sighting of the coast

1616 Arrival of Dutch ship Ecndracht at western coast

1642 Abel Tasman’s discovery of Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania)

1688 William Dampier’s landing on north-west coast

1770 Captain Cook’s discovery of New South Wales

1788 Foundation of first settlement (Sydney) by Governor Arthur Philip

1851 Victoria became a separate colony

1851 Discovery of gold in Victoria

1854 Battle at the Eureca Stockade

1859 Queensland became a separate colony

1883 Comletion of railway between Victoria and New South Wales

1889 Comletion of railway between Sydney and Brisbane

1898 William Farrer’s appointment as government wheat experimentalist. New South Wales

1901 Establishment of the federal Commonwealth of Australia

Why is the Year 1901 Important in the History of Australia?

On January1, 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia came into being. Before this, Australia consisted of a number of separate colonies. By the Commonwealth Act of 1900, the colonies became a federation. The formation of the commonwealth marked the beginning of Australia as a full nation.

The History of Australia Day – 26 January

26 January 1788, the historic landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove.

26 January 1818, Governor Lachlan Macquarie ordered a 30-gun salute to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of foundation. He also declared that 26 January be a public holiday.

Until Federation in 1901, 26 January was celebrated only in New South Wales as Anniversary Day. There it commemorated the beginning of European settlement at Sydney Cove. Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania celebrated their separation from the mother colony, New South Wales; South Australia and Western Australia were proud of their independent foundations.

During 1935, Premiers from all States of Australia met together and made an agreement that Australia Day would be 26 January, and that form 1936 an annual public holiday would be declared on the Monday closest to that date. They decided that the agreement that this agreement would remain unchanged for at least the next fifty years.

In 1980, the National Australia Day Committee had promoted Australia Day as a time for celebration and awareness of national pride. In 1980, 30 local community committees held official Australia Day celebrations. By 1982 there were approximately 600 local communities holding celebrations.

UNIT 26. POLITICAL SYSTEM OF AUSTRALIA

26.1. Read and translate the text

Australia is a constitutional monarchy, with the Queen of Great Britain at its head. It consists of six states and two territories. The queen is represented by the Governor General, who is appointed by the Australian government. The Governor General appoints members of the Executive Council, his advisory cabinet.

The main legislative body in the country is Federal Parliament. It consists of the Queen, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The members of the Senate are elected for a six­year term. There are ten senators from each state and two from each territory in the Senate. The House of Representatives is elected by general direct vote for a three-year term.

The executive power belongs to the queen and the government. It is headed by the Prime Minister. The ministers are chosen from members of Parliament and the Executive Council. There are two major political parties in Australia: the Australian Labour party and a coalition of the Liberal and the Agrarian parties.

Till the 1930s Australia mostly depended upon Great Britain in its political affairs. But in 1931 Australia became fully independent from Great Britain.

26.2. Answer the questions:

1. What is the political system of Australia?

2. How many states are there in it?

3. Who is the head of the country?

4. What is the main legislative body in the country?

5. What does it consist of?

UNIT 27. GOVERNMENT

27.1. Read and translate the text

The system of government was based on a written constitution approved by the British Parliament and reflected the political traditions of Europe and North America. The Australian government is given the power of low by being elected by a majority, of the people using the secret ballot.

Australia is an independent sovereign nation within the Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth II is formally Queen of Australia. The representative of the English queen is the formal head government structure.

The Australian Federation has a three-tier, Federal, State, and local, system of government. It is historically based on a two system, the party or coalition of parties with the majority in the House of Representatives forming the government.

The Australian Parliament and government are responsible for all matters of national interest. Six state governments complement activities of the national government on a state level. Parliamentary elections are conducted by a statutory electoral office, which is part of the permanent. Four political parties are represented in the Australian Parliament – the Liberal Party, the Australian Labor party, the National Party of Australia and the Australia Democrats.

The Australian National Flag

The Australian flag is major national symbol, both within Australia and overseas. It belongs to equally to all Australians and anyone in Australia may fly it. The Australian National Flag has a spacious blue background and depicts three symbols: the Commonwealth star, the stars of the Southern Cross and the Union Flag. The Commonwealth star has seven points, one for each state and one for the additional territories.

The Australian Faunal Emblem: the Emu

The emu appears with the kangaroo on Australia’s Coat of Arms. During pre-historic times in Australia there were giant emus called Genyornis.

Economy

Australia has a prosperous western-style capitalist economy, with a per capita GDP at the level of the highly industrialized West European countries. Rich in natural resources, Australia is a major exporter of agricultural products, consumer goods and equipment, minerals, metals, and fossil fuels. The government is pushing for increased exports, so that a downturn in a world commodity prices can have a big impact on the economy. The government is pushing for increased exports of manufactured goods, but competition in international markets continues to be severe. The country buys abroad farm equipment, office equipment and other goods.

Cultural Growth

Australians are world famous for their love of sport, but they are also enthusiastic supporters of the arts and the communications industries.

Australian cultural achievements are becoming well known internationally through the awards gained by films and literature, and the reputation of touring Australian groups.

Government support has been an important factor in developing the arts.

The Australian Chamber Orchestra, established 20 years ago, become a permanent orchestra five years ago and now tours overseas several times a year.

Government-supported television and radio channels play an important part in artistic and cultural development, with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) receiving $515.1 million from the Federal Government in 1994-95 and the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) $75.7 million.

Aboriginal Arts

Aboriginal art was little known and appreciated until recent years.

Indigenous dance and music have been introduced to national and international audiences through Federal Government support.

Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal musicians and combines traditional and modern Aboriginal musical styles, has also proved popular in Australia and overseas. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writes like Sally Morgan and Jack Davis, and the late Kevin Gilbert and Oodgeroo Nunuccal, are well known throughout Australia.

The Federal Government has decided that it will establish a gallery of Aboriginal Australia in Canberra to provide a national perspective on indigenous cultures.

Aboriginal Music

For many thousands years, music has played a very significant part in the life of Australia Aborigines. Song and dance are vital in many rituals and ceremonies, and are often used to dramatize and illustrate a story. The actions of birds and animals are imitated. Children enjoy imitating and learning the dances of their ciders. The word ‘corroboree’ is well known and is often used as the name for an Aboriginal ritual dance.

UNIT 28. AUSTRALIAN CITIES AND TOWNS

28.1. Read and translate the text

The capital of Australia, Canberra, is a young and comparatively small city. It was founded in the 20th century and now has a population of about 260 000 people.

The centre of Canberra is a small hill. Several streets run from that hill. Special charm is given to Canberra by an artificial lake in the centre of the city. A fountain more than 100 meters high is in the western part of the lake. At night powerful lights illuminate the water. It is the Captain Cook Fountain, one of the main places of interest in Canberra.

Another one is a memorial military museum. The building of the Australian Academy of Sciences is quite unusual in form — it is like a huge overturned bowl.

Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia.

28.2. Answer the questions:

1. What is the capital of Australia?

2. When was it founded?

3. What are the main cities of Australia?

4. What are the main places of interest in Sydney?

5. What can you say about Melbourne?