Christmas Fun

Because of Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Eve 1974, Santa never made it to which Australian city?

• Sydney

• Brisbane

• Townsville

• Darwin

Answer explanation

Cyclone Tracy virtually destroyed Darwin. 65 people were killed - 49 on land, and 16 at sea. Post Cyclone Tracy Building codes require buildings be clad to protect them from flying debris. Roofs must be tied to the building's foundations.

Who sang an Australian Christmas song about six white boomers?

• Slim Dusty

• Rolf Harris

• Col Joye

• Lee Kernaghan

Answer explanation

A boomer is a large male kangaroo. According to the song Santa unhitched the reindeer and used the six white boomers to pull his sleigh through the blazing Australian sun.

What Australian Christmas tradition began in Melbourne in 1938?

• Christmas barbecue

• Carols by Candlelight

• Christmas carol competition

• Decorating gum trees for Christmas

Answer explanation

"Carols by Candlelight" was first held in Melbourne in 1938 in an effort to bring people together to celebrate and share the Christmas spirit. Today "Carols by Candlelight" gatherings in parks and gardens are held all over the country in the weeks before Christmas.

Which sporting event begins on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) in Sydney?

• Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

• Boxing Day Test Match

• Sydney Marathon

• Christmas Boomerang Championships

Answer explanation

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race begins in Sydney on Boxing Day and finishes in Hobart several days later depending on weather conditions. It is a 630 nautical mile ocean race.

Australia's Christmas Island has an amazing annual migration of which creature?

• Crabs

• Small Fairy Penguins

• Pelicans

• Crayfish

Answer explanation

At the start of each wet season, millions of crabs migrate from the rainforest and down cliffs to spawn in the ocean. Later the baby crabs return to re-inhabit the forests.

In which Australian City is the traditional Boxing Day cricket test match held?

• Adelaide

• Sydney

• Melbourne

• Brisbane

Answer explanation

The Boxing Day test match is a traditional sporting event in which Australia plays a team from one of the major cricketing countries around the world.

if you decorated your house with some Ceratopetalum Gummiferum - what would you use?

• Wattle

• Christmas Bells

• Christmas Bush

• Gum tree branches

Answer explanation

Christmas Bush is very popular at Christmas as both a garden plant and as a cut flower. Large amounts of the native flowering bush were harvested and sold in Sydney markets as early as 1882.

In the Australian version of "Jingle Bells" what mode of transport is used instead of the one horse open sleigh?

• An old bush horse

• A beat up old truck

• A worn out Ford

• A rusty Holden ute

Answer explanation

The ute or utility is an important vehicle for country Australians. It has a two seat cabin in front and a large open tray behind. No ute would be complete without a trusty work dog riding in the back

Pavlova is a popular Christmas dessert in Australia. What is the basic ingredient of a pavlova?

• Jelly

• Flour

• Egg whites

• Bananas

Answer explanation

A pavlova is a meringue cake with cream and fruit.

White Christmas is also popular and traditionally Australian - what is it?

• A specially decorated white tree

• A Christmas confectionery

• A snow covered Christmas scene

• A festive Christmas drink

Answer explanation

White Christmas is a popular confectionery made with ingredients including rice bubbles (rice krispies) fruit and copha. Copha is solidified coconut oil.