I’m a pretty big movie buff, and a hardcore trekkie (nerd alert!) to boot. Last night, at the Sydney Opera House, J.J. Abrams and the cast of the new Star Trek movie had their world debut. The red carpet was rolled out, reporters were everywhere, but sadly, I was unable to attend.
Today, Hugh Jackman and the cast of the new X Men Origins movie are premering the movie at the famous Cockatoo Island, in the middle of the harbour – one of set locations for the movie.
So why Sydney? Is it because each film features a prominent Australian actor (Star Trek has Eric Bana, while Xmen has Hugh Jackman)? Is it because of the favourable exchange rate between the American and Australian dollar? Or is it because Sydney is truly a destination city, and people (actors and directors included) want to find an excuse to travel here?
Whatever it may be, Sydney seems to have been getting a lot of press lately. It’s a good thing too, the Australian economy needs all the help it can get, and showcasing two big movie world premieres in some of the most scenic parts of Sydney is likely to do some good. As for the movies, I’m excited to see both, but Star Trek – that’s the one I’ll be in line for on opening night. Yes, I’m a trekkie. And proud of it.
Australia’s official language is English, but can you really understand the “lingo”? Take a quiz, to find out if you could really carry a conversation down under. Good luck, mate!
Click here for the quiz.
Post your results back here, and see how you stack up!
AUSTRALIANS look for important qualities when choosing their most trusted people: medical practitioners and scientists have them and so do musicians who relate to kids.The Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Poll ranks burns specialist and 2005 Australian of the Year, Dr Fiona Wood, as the most trusted Australian for the third year in a row. The creator of the cervical cancer vaccine, Scots-born Professor Ian Frazer, is the second most trusted Australian and children’s band The Wiggles come in third on the list. At the other end of the list, self-confessed terrorism supporter David Hicks and Islamic cleric Sheik Taj Aldin Alhilali are the least trusted Australians.
Reader’s Digest editor-in-chief Tom Moore said the top ranking people were trustworthy because they have values Australian people respect. “They are well-known, familiar and respected, consistent, reliable and honest and they all have a generosity of spirit,” Mr Moore said.
She said Australians trust people who had been high achievers, were involved in their communities and had a warm approach. Dr Huntley said The Wiggles fitted into that category.
“Many parents’ afternoons have been saved by The Wiggles,” she said.
So who are the Wiggles? Well, if you’re an Australian with children, you’re sure to know. If you’re soon to visit or live in Australia, you’ll find out very quickly. You can turn around in a grocery store without running into a Wiggles DVD or something branded with The Wiggles name.
The Wiggles is a children’s musical group formed in Sydney, Australia, in 1991. It was founded by Anthony Field, Murray Cook, Greg Page, and Jeff Fatt. The group has achieved worldwide success with its children’s albums, videos, television series and concert appearances. The Wiggles combine music and child development research in their videos, television programmes, and live shows. Field and Fatt were members of the Australian pub rock band The Cockroaches in the 1980s, and Cook was a member of several bands before meeting Field and Page at Macquarie University, where they were studying to become pre-school teachers. A school project led to the recording of their first album and tour in 1991. Their touring company expanded to include other characters (Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus, and Wags the Dog) and a troupe of dancers.
…and so now you know, there is life after Barney the Dinosaur.
