The Cultural Side of Sydney

I just found a great article by photographer Tony Perrottet, an Australian who has relocated to New York. In the article he explains Sydney’s sophisticated cultural scene beyond the tourist trail and ocker Australian stereotype. A great article for any student coming to visit Sydney.

 Read it here.

Australian Style vs American Style

My boyfriend, Mike, came over from America recently. When he first arrived I was thrilled! I’d been talking about Sydney for months and I couldn’t wait to show him around.  Maybe three days after he arrived we got an invitation to join a friend and go to a nice club in Sydney. Mike hadn’t packed many clothes at all. In fact he hadn’t even packed any long pants (which is pretty standard for picky venues).

While this club had recently eased off its strict dress code, we didn’t want to take any chances. Fancier clubs in Sydney can have very strict dress codes. In general, I have always found Sydney Clubs and Bars to be very strict. You’re not allowed to be intoxicated in any bar or club. In fact, if a bartender serves a drink to an intoxicated individual they can be fined up to $1 100. *

After looking through all of Mike’s clothes we decided the best thing to do was go to the shops. Here are the results of Mike’s Australian Wardrobe Makeover:

Mike’s Australian Makeover

 

Australian Style can be pretty subtle. Of course you can always wear exactly what you wear when you are in America. But here are a few style translations. You might find them funny.

 

TRADE:

 

 

 

* The Liquor Act 2007  defines a person as being intoxicated if:

• their speech, balance, co-ordination or behaviour is noticeably affected; and
• it is reasonable, given the situation, to believe that this due to the consumption of alcohol.

Australians Are Weird

Here is a great article about some of the odd things Australians do!

http://www.thevine.com.au/life/travel/were-a-weird-mob—australians-bizarre-behaviour/

Post-‘Fake Australian Of The Year’ Celebrations

‘Fake Australian Of The Year’ was celebrated, after the announcement, with a party in the dining hall with contestants and the international students. Attendees ate Vegemite and Milo, some for the first time.

NOTE:

‘Fake Australian Of The Year’ was an event I held to attract students to my facebook page and blog, to ultimately find out more about coming to Australia. During the competition I filmed American students doing an Australian accent. These attempts were then be uploaded to the facebook event page ‘Fake Australian of The Year’ where students could like and comment on the videos. There were two prize winners. The first prize went to the student with the most likes on facebook. The Official Prize went to a student that a team of three Australian exchange students (not including me) agreed upon.  Students could upload their own videos or I would film them and upload them. At the end, I put all the videos together to make one full video to encourage voting.

FAKE AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED!

‘Fake Australian Of The Year’ was announced on 17th. The winner, selected by three Australian exchange students, was Sam Bo Klien.

Highly Commended went to Leo DaVilgen and Brendan R. Quinn.

 

People’s Choice went to Francisco Alvarenga.

Finalists!

Fake Australian of the Year Finalists have been announced. Vote by writing their name or the time they come up in the video.

 

Inauguration of Dr. Donald Christian

Marieke Laurent (France), Me and Andrea Lozano (Ecuador) at the reception with cookies with the New Paltz emblem.

Woo! On April 13th I represented Australia in the inauguration of Dr. Donald Christian, President of the State University of New York at New Paltz. From each of the countries one international was chosen to represent their country to welcome Dr Donald Christian. The procession of International Flags was the very first part of the formal academic ceremony.

It was really fun to hold my flag and wave at people. Plus, we got cookies!! How cool are they? They have the school emblem on them.

Congratulations Dr. Donald Christian!

Fake Australian Of The Year

As part of a new endeavor to get more students aware of studying in Australia, I’m going to hold an Australian Accent competition this April. Closing on May the 1st, I’m calling all students to upload their best Australian accent impersonation to win prizes.

Two prizes will be handed out. The official ‘Fake Australian of the Year’ prize will be given to a student chosen by the holy covenant of the Australian Exchange Students. The second prize will be given to the video with the most likes on facebook. To upload your video go to the Fake Australian of The Year Page. While you’re at it, if you’re from New Paltz, you might as well check out the Future Australian’s New Paltz group.

Here’s a little video to help you out!

Cool Indie Festivals in Australia

If you’re into hippy, indy type festivals there are plenty in Australia.

These are just few of my favourites.

Secret Garden

Secret Garden is very much a grassroots festival. You can see the volunteers have put a lot of effort and love into getting the project together. I attended last year and had the best time. The festivals location is only announced about a day before. It’s usually around the Sydney Area but far enough that you don’t want to drive home, so borrow what ever camping gear you can find! Last year we had some people who hired trucks and slept in the storage compartments, so be inventive. Another feature of Secret Garden is that everyone dresses up.

To check out the line-up for this year check out the website or the facebook page.

Peats Ridge

Peats Ridge is a sustainable arts and music festival that is held in Peats Ridge in NSW. The event is something else. Held over four days, including New Years Eve, the festival merges great musical acts, art and activities. You camp out in the fields in tents or caravans but you can hire out a teepee. There’s stream that runs through the grounds that is great for when you get too hot. Where I camped it was awesome because if you swam across the river there were horses on field that would come and chill with you. It’s very hippy but very very fun.

There are activities such as stenciling, yoga, face painting and hula hooping held everyday. The highlight of the festival is held on New Years Eve where everyone is decked out in amazing trippy costumes.

To find out more check out their website or facebook page.

Here are some happy snaps from my time in 2010/2011.

My happy camping family.

My friend Lily and I having a classic crafternooooooooon.

My buddy Moopy.

Think you can’t afford going to any festivals? A good idea is to apply as a volunteer. You may only need to work for a few hours each day but you sometimes get yourself a free ticket.

Anyone know any other cool indie festivals around Sydney or Australia?

I think I’ll do a post about some good house music festivals to go to in the future.

Mardi Gras – Sydney Style!

Mardi Gras in Sydney is celebrated very differently from in America. While your beads might be enough of a costume to celebrate in America, Australian Mardi Gras celebrates Gay and Lesbian Pride, and comes in a very different package.

This year Mardi Gras ran from the 12th of February until the 4th of March and I am really sad to have have missed it. Mardi Gras in Sydney is one night where you really can wear anything you like. It’s celebration in Sydney is larger than Halloween. It is a huge highlight of the Sydney Calender and attracts tourists from all over the world. So go all out! Everyone in Sydney comes out for Mardi Gras so don’t feel like the party is not for you.

The night is celebrated by a series of floats that run down Oxford St and a series of events that showcase Gay and Lesbian culture and the community. People gather in Hyde Park and in the city to watch the parade, drink and have fun. It’s usually followed by some awesome after parties too!

http://www.mardigras.org.au/