Rambling

Pavlova

The famous desert known as the Pavlova is named after a famous Russian Ballerina   Anna Pavlova......

Australia and New Zealand love to argue about where it was first made.

 The cake is made of merangue, marhsmellow and cream. The top is usually fruit such as strawberries, Peaches, Pasionfruit and Kiwi Fruit.

A biographer of Anna Pavlova, wrote that a chef, Bert Sachse, at a hotel in Wellington, New Zealand, created the dish when Pavlova visited there in 1926 on her world tour. Australians say the pavlova is based on a cake baked by Bert Sachse at the Esplanade Hotel in Perth on 3 October 1935, but Sachse's descendants believe that he may have come up with the recipe earlier, since Anna Pavlova visited Australia in 1926 and 1929 and died in 1931. The earliest known books containing the recipe were published in New Zealand.

 

VEGEMITE

 This is an Australian product through and through. Whilst popular in both Aus and NZ, Food technologist Dr. Cyril P. Callister invented Vegemite in 1923 when his employer, the Australian Fred Walker Company, had him develop a spread from brewer's yeast after war had disrupted the supply of imported yeast spreads. The name for the spread picked at random. It is also owned by Kraft now, which is an American company.....but that disgrace is for another time.

We're happy little vegemites

as bright as bright can be,

we all enjoy our Vegemite

for breakfast, lunch, and tea

our mummies say we're growing stronger

every single week

because we love our Vegemite

we all enjoy our Vegemite

it puts a rose in every cheek

 

CROWDED HOUSE

The band Crowded House is another one that is debated quite frequently.  Two original members were from Australia and one, the lead singer, was from New Zealand. People still love their music today. It was a sad moment when they had their farwell or goodbye concert at the Sydney Opera House.

RUSSELL CROWE

Born in New Zealand and moved to Australia when he was 4 years old. The claim to this well known celebrity is often debated and the answer can depend on whether his temper is getting him in trouble in the newspapers or if he is winning Oscars for his outstanding acting.

 

PRIME MINISTERS:

New Zealand has a female Prime Minister Helen Clarke. She has won two terms and succeeds the previous PM Jenny Shipley who was the first female PM in New Zealand.

Australia is yet to have a female in the top job. John Howard is the current Prime Minister. He is the 30th PM to run the country and at 67, pretty much about to be the oldest as well. Will be due for the poles again within a year.  

 

The population of Australia at present is:

20,090,437 to refresh this figure visit the population clock at the link below

http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/ABS@.nsf/0/1647509ef7e25faaca2568a900154b63?OpenDocument

 

The population of New Zealand at present is:

4,035,461  to refresh this figure visit the population clock at the link below

http://www.stats.govt.nz/populationclock.htm