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Country Information – Australia

We’ve uploaded a number of new articles on Australian culture that incorporate some dos and don’ts.

• Cultural Intelligence for Australia
  Considers CQ in relation to adapting to Australia and helps you to identify the aspect you may need to work on most.

• Australian History
  A brief overview of early Australian history with links for further investigation and learning. 

• Australia: Society and Religion
  Statistics and information about the ethnic groups in Australian society and the religious beliefs.

• Australia: Communication
  Covering language, Australian slang and body language

• Australia: Building Relationships
  From greetings and pleasantries, to how friendships are built, what is considered polite including table manners.

• Australia: Entertainment and Celebration
  Looks at the holidays and special occasions in Australia, entertaining friends, both at barbecues and eating out at restaurants and cafes.  Tipping and gifts are also covered in this section.

• Australia: Sport and Leisure
  Giving you some of the background to one of the big areas of Australian culture with links so you can get the local knowledge.

Volunteering is good for you

Here in Australia we are coming to an end of our Australia Day holiday long weekend.  It’s always good to celebrate the country you live in - and to have a holiday!  But one of the things I love most about Australia Day is the Australia Day Awards; where people from different walks of life are appreciated for how they have contributed to Australian society.   I am always inspired by the stories, not just of the winner and finalists for the main category (Australian of the Year) but also for the other categories of Young Australian, Senior Australian, and Local Hero.  

This year the national winners have been involved with community activities ranging from publicizing and supporting Alzheimer’s research, mentoring youth in remote rural areas, caring for those in hospices and palliative care situations, and activism for indigenous rights, assisting with indigenous welfare and employment.  These Aussies have received awards for their volunteering and community involvement but chances are they have received other benefits as well. 

Recent research summarized in an article by Jenny Brennan at Positive Psychology News tells how volunteering can benefit people emotionally, psychologically and even physically. 

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Anzac Day

Australia is not open for business today.  Businesses, banks, the stock exchange are closed.  Most shops, cinemas, and places of entertainment are closed, at least for the morning; this is ANZAC Day, April the 25^th.

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