OZtralia.tv Blog

 By: Priscilla Fox

With a little bit of travel under my belt I can safely say that the USA has quite an affinity with the pizza. Based on my close observations as a true fan, there were so many restaurants and eateries to choose from that specialized in this delicious piece of art, that I felt I was in pizza heaven.

Unfortunately though I could not find another favorite dish of mine and it is only when one travels in Australia that this flavorsome meal is a plenty.

Protein-rich, crunchy and compact, the Australian meat pie has been named a National dish.  Its origins lay mainly in English lands, but as usual Australians have given the pie its own identity and has become a firm staple in our dietary plans.

This meat-wrapped pastry is for anyone who wants a compact savory snack.  As in a previous article I’ve written about Aussie Rules a must watch Aussie football game, it is important to note that crowds who watch this game can consume anything up to 90,000 pies in one day.

It has to be embellished heavily with gravy or tomato ketchup and without it; I would have to say would be a culinary sin. Another important thing to note is that it is a dish to eat on the go or while doing other activities, so eating it with one hand is considered a great skill.

It is great to know that us Aussies always cater for every culture from around the globe and I can safely say we look after our USA visitors very well. Where else can you get a meat-pie pizza?

Today while sitting at our offices in New York, I could not help but think back to my team’s recent time in Australia. I miss it a bit…

Over the last two years we have had the great pleasure of visiting Australia and film in the country. While there, I have to admit, there were times one felt like all he wanted to do is go home. However, looking back it sure was a fantastic journey and we look forward to going back to the great “Land Down Under” soon.

On OZtralia.tv, it is our mission to show you how great travel in Australia is, and get you excited about traveling there yourself one day.

We hope you enjoy!

-Heath, OZtralia.tv Executive Producer

By: Priscilla Fox

I don’t know about you but I feel like taking a big break from the world as life gets very hectic in the 21^st century. There are constant emails, cell calls, appointments, time for the family, friends, dog, cat, bird, goldfish, pet hamster and oh, somewhere in there one needs to work too.

As I take a big breath after assessing the long to-do list that constantly haunts me, I think about finding a place to visit in Australia that can give me a different perspective on things; a place that will give me the ‘bigger’ picture.

While searching I realised that with only 21,251,958 us friendly folk, Australia tends to be a big place, but when it comes down to it, we do adopt a lot from our USA neighbors. How can I put it, it is just too ‘big’ to describe.

What I am really suggesting is that we have many big places to visit such as the Big Pineapple, Big Banana, Big Cow, Big Egg, Big Koala, Big Lobster, Big Orange and the Big Prawn (shrimp is the translation). For those who are partial to some Aussie beer, the Big VB (Victoria Bitter) can sits at our northern city Darwin and one can not forget the natural phenomenon that all tourists visit, the biggest rock in the world, Ayers Rock at Uluru.

Australia is just full of ‘big’ landmarks and I am sure the astronauts from NASA have no trouble locating our continent by these ‘big’ eye-catchers that are scattered across our soils.

After that thought I’m more relaxed so I’ll sign off as I am about to sit down with my favourite, a big cup of coffee and pancakes…maybe a trip to the USA will help me locate those.

By Priscilla Fox

Believe it or not Australia does have a winter season and although you may wonder to what possible extent we Aussies could understand what that really entails, let me take the opportunity to say that this sun-filled golden land also receives a good dumping of snow.

Alright, before I hear the snow shovels banging on my door, I will admit that the snow only really arrives in our southern most regions and for approximately 3-4 months but it still gets cold!

So along with this glorious season it makes sense to get warm and well… ugged up. Sounds very close to ugly and yes, I am referring to none other than a boot originally used by World War I pilots, called the ugg boot.

These Australian sheepskin wonders that live up to their name were made to keep the feet warm and have become a worldwide favorite, taken on by the shearers themselves in the 1950’s and the surfing fraternity around the 1960’s.

Ugly yes, but a big yes to being warm and comfy too. Although not a favorite to make the next runway show, these babies have also been famously worn by many fashionistas such as Britney Spears, Kate Hudson, Eva Longoria, Kate Winslet and Pamela Anderson.

The name for these snugglies definitely stuck early on and they could even go through a name revival. Their original name was ‘fugg boots’ short for flying ugg boots when the pilots wore them, however in our modern language, this could describe them as being uglier than ugly.

It’s not that they’re that bad ladies and gents. Before we start to feel really sorry for them they do come in all our favorite colors and styles. I mean, our celebrities have shown us that they can be matched to any outfit haven’t they? Well, I agree that these booties are a must-have item for our wardrobe but, well, I wouldn’t recommend wearing them for the next cocktail party any time soon.

Regardless of style preferences, our footsies still get cold down under and snow or not, fugg-wear is firmly entrenched in the Aussie fashion bible.

-By Priscilla Fox

To ensure my list of writings cover all things Australian it would be seen as a pure criminal offence if I did not make a special mention of Barbie.

Barbie is quiet, very good looking, smells divine, generates great conversation, well maintained, makes a great meal and is described as smoking hot!

I’m sorry for those in the USA, the Barbie I am talking about is not that hot little plastic blonde number with every accessory known to woman and all fashion-kind who has a lifestyle and partner envied by millions of girls the world over.

The Barbie I am referring to is the Australian term of endearment for the word barbeque. Most of us know it as that wonderful apparatus which cooks meat and seafood with charcoal heat, the smell of which always sends the neighbors crazy with hunger and sudden interest in what is going on in your backyard.

An early Caribbean invention, this baby is an entrenched device in every Australian household and again, bringing in the heavy utensils here, is seen as a social offence not to own one. The weather in most states allows for it to be used year round and is such a quick way to feed the masses that suddenly turn up at your doorstep at short notice. Oh and to make sure you are the perfect guest, the person who hosts the barbeque buys and cooks the meat and those who visit bring the salad and alcohol.

Australian actor Paul Hogan famously promoted our proud culture in an advertising campaign by saying the words “I’ll slip an extra shrimp on the Barbie for you”. To us Aussies, we were a little perplexed at the word ‘shrimp’ as we see them as little fingernail sized sea creatures that hardly deserve the mention of a meal. Prawn is our name for it and those buggers can be the size of a decent banger, (that’s a sausage for the uninitiated).

Regardless of our differences in names, we can all safely agree that one way or another Barbie is a perfect friend to have around, always provides for great discussion, entertainment and a smoking hot time!

News.com.au reported that Kangaroo Island is looking to tourism to help get back on track.

Seal Bay and Kelly Hill parks have opened and the government is hoping to open more soon along with a campaign to promote the message of the parks being open.

You can see the whole story at here.

-OZtralia.tv Staff

By: Priscilla Fox

The Queen, the British Monarchial icon and Head of the Commonwealth of 53 countries including Australia is a very important representative of the rule of Australia. For now though she is hand passed for another form of ‘rule’ in the Australian culture, called Australian Rules.

It is considered important to the lifeblood of Australians, a way to link our spirits young and old and most of all a unique way to define our attitude towards the Aussie way of life. Australian Rules or more affectionately known as ‘Aussie Rules’, is a game like no other. It embodies the athleticism of men and the competitiveness of war-like strengths that only few sports can maintain.

Originally traced back to Gaelic roots, this uniquely Australian game consists of two teams of 18 players with the freedom to wear just a shirt, shorts, football boots and the ability to run around the field anywhere they wish. This 100 minute game consists of getting a ball kicked over mountainous goal posts and where the action to claim the ball between teams doesn’t stop.

Watching grown men jump higher than a Kangaroo to catch the ball is a fun thrilled way to see possession earn a new meaning. With umpires waving flags and the crowds booing them off it is just the Australian way meaning “We need ya there, but doesn’t mean we like ya mate”.

White line fever hits all the players in some way where they turn from a quiet personality to the aggressive player that their fans expect. From conducting Banana kicks to scoring a Screamer, this game is here to stay as the true Australian representation that’s on the mark.