10 more fun facts about Australia

Two years ago, I wrote an entry called 12 fun facts about Australia. It turned out to be pretty popular and I’ve learned a lot in two years so I thought I’d do another round. Here are 10 more fun facts about Australia.

1. Australia’s first police force was a band of 12 of the most well behaved convicts.
2. Australia has the highest gambling rate in the world with over 80% of Australian adults engaging in gambling.
3. In 1954, Australian Bob Hawke set a new world speed record for beer drinking. He drank 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds. In 1983, Hawke became the Prime Minister of Australia.
4. Australia is the only continent without an active volcano, which is good because even the trees are out to kill you here.
5. Australia has like 100 million sheep. Since they are a tasty snack for dingos and other wild dogs, Australians built a fence to protect the sheep. Now it’s the longest fence in the world. The Dingo Fence stretches 5,614 kilometres (3,488 miles).
6. Australia is the only country in the world that eats its national emblem. Kangaroo meat is low in fat and has a delicious and rich gamey flavour when cooked properly.
7. Australia does not have a bill of rights and freedom of speech is not enshrined. You can be fined by police for using profanity in public. In another unique example of censorship in Australia, the use of telephone, email, fax, or internet to discuss the practical aspects of assisted suicide or voluntary euthanasia is prohibited by the Suicide Related Materials Offences Act. Breaching this act carries a fine of fine of $110,000 for an individual and $550,000 for an organisation.
8. In December 1967, Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared while swimming. It is presumed he drowned.
9. Wombat poop is square.
10. Moomba is Australia’s largest free festival and it’s held right here in Melbourne. Officially, Moomba means “let’s get together and have fun,” but there is a persistent rumour that, in the local Aboriginal language, it may actually means “up your bum”.

Do you know any more fun facts about Australia?