@pointspread , Australians are very happy to be called “Aussies”. (I’m one). There are “Australian Alps” and skiing is popular up there each winter and early spring. We have an unpopular prime minister (Recently the position seems to be associated with unpopularity). Many Aussies (but not enough to overturn the system) want a republic in which we would have a presidential figure replace the current head of state (The Queen).
Down under here we have the holiday period variously known (In Victoria at least) as “Christmas break”,“Summer holidays”,“End of year holidays”. School ends roughly mid December and starts the new school year end of January.I’ve never known a cold Christmas (now 50). Last Thursday was 24C. Beautiful day. Lots of BBQs. It was 31C today. Saturday will be 37C. Australian’s get a minimum of 4 paid weeks leave a year (and it can accumulate). Most will take a few weeks off at this time of year.
Registration in Australia is pretty easy. Done once (updated if you change address). I can’t recall needing to bring ID to vote, the staff just cross your name off the local list of voters. Last election I had to spend 10 seconds in the queue.
Yes, In Australia voting is compulsory. Down here we think it odd that politicians have to also waste effort just encouraging people to vote! Seems to work well. (We can still get dropkick politicians voted in).
Aussie here…. We have Vegemite every day on toast. The trick is spread it thinly over butter/margarine on toast. Many folks unfamiliar with Vegemite spread it too thick (like peanut butter). I’m unaware of anyone using Vegemite as an ingredient in any dish? In relation to the Aussie Spaghetti Bog I know we use beef stock cubes, tomato sauce.
Historic