The Great Australian Literature Quiz

Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson conducted their feud in The Bulletin, a long-lived publication known for its support of early Australian literature.

The Aboriginal poet who first published as Kath Walker later took the name Oodgeroo Noonaccul. This name change reflected her connection to her Indigenous heritage and her commitment to advocating for Aboriginal rights and culture. Oodgeroo Noonaccul was a prominent figure in the Australian literary scene, using her poetry to raise awareness about the struggles and experiences of Aboriginal people. She played a significant role in promoting reconciliation and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Sally Morgan's book, "My Place," won the HREOC humanitarian award.

Helen Garner's first novel, "Monkey Grip," was published in 1977 and quickly gained a cult following. It has remained popular and is still in print today.

David Williamson is the correct answer because he gained widespread recognition and success after the release of his play "Don's Party" in 1971. This play became a significant milestone in Australian theatre and established Williamson as a prominent playwright. The success of "Don's Party" propelled his career forward, leading him to create numerous other successful works and solidifying his reputation as one of Australia's most influential playwrights.

The correct answer is Miles Franklin's "My Brilliant Career". This novel is semi-autobiographical and begins with the lines "My dear fellow Australians, just a few lines to tell you that this story is all about myself - for no other purpose do I write it". The protagonist of the novel, Sybylla Melvyn, shares many similarities with the author, Miles Franklin, and the story explores themes of gender roles, independence, and the pursuit of a creative career.

In his poem, Geoff Page describes war memorials as something that is seen each day but noticed only once a year. This suggests that war memorials are often overlooked or taken for granted in our daily lives, but they hold great significance and are given special attention on occasions such as Remembrance Day. By choosing this phrase as the title for his collection of poetry, Page may be highlighting the importance of remembering and honoring those who have sacrificed their lives in war.

The correct answer is Moore River Native Settlement. In Doris Pilkington's book, she describes her mother and aunt's escape from this government institution. Doris herself also spent many years in the same place. This suggests that Moore River Native Settlement is the name of the notorious institution mentioned in the question.

In 1951, Frank Hardy's novel Power without Glory, which was originally self-published, sparked a 9-month criminal libel trial. This trial gained notoriety due to the controversial nature of the novel and the legal implications it raised. The specific details of the trial and its outcome are not provided in the question.

The correct answer is Leichhardt's search for an overland route from Sydney to Darwin. This is the ill-fated historical expedition that forms the basis of the narrative journey in Patrick White's Voss. The novel follows the character of Johann Ulrich Voss, who embarks on a similar expedition in the Australian outback, mirroring Leichhardt's real-life journey. Through Voss's experiences, the novel explores themes of exploration, isolation, and the clash between European settlers and the indigenous population.

In Kenneth Slessor's poem "Five Bells," the five bells referred to symbolize the chime of a ship's clock. The poem is an elegy dedicated to the artist Joe Lynch, who drowned in Sydney Harbor. The bells represent the passing of time and the cyclical nature of life, as well as the connection between life and death. The ship's clock chimes serve as a reminder of mortality and the transient nature of existence, adding a melancholic tone to the poem.

Donald Horne is the correct answer because he coined the term 'the lucky country'. This term refers to Australia and was used by Horne in his book titled 'The Lucky Country', which was published in 1964. In the book, Horne criticized Australia's complacency and highlighted the country's reliance on natural resources rather than innovation and hard work. The term has since become widely used to describe Australia's perceived good fortune and lack of ambition.

The song 'From little things big things grow' by musicians Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly recounts the 1966 Wave Hill Walk-off led by Vincent Lingiari.

The correct answer is Indonesia. Christopher Koch's novel, The Year of Living Dangerously, explores Australians' engagement with Asia, specifically in Indonesia. The story is set in Jakarta during the political turmoil of the mid-1960s, highlighting the complex relationship between Australians and Indonesians during that time.

Peter Carey's first collection of short stories, published seven years earlier than his first novel Bliss, was titled The Fat Man in History.

Dymphna Cusack is the correct answer because she was a founding member of the Australian Society of Authors and co-authored the controversial novel Come in Spinner, which was published in 1951.

In the book "Seven Little Australians," the name of the family home, Misrule, suggests that the behavior of its occupants is unruly and disorderly. The word "misrule" implies a lack of discipline and order, indicating that the family members living in Misrule might exhibit rebellious or unconventional behavior. The name of the house provides a hint about the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the family's actions and interactions within the story.

The central character of Kate Grenville's Lilian's Story is based on a 1920s cheerfully eccentric bag-lady.

Shirley Hazzard's People in Glass Houses is a collection of linked stories that satirize the United Nations.

"The Rush That Never Ended" by Geoffrey Blainey deals with the aspect of Australia's history related to mining. This book explores the significance and impact of mining in shaping Australia's development and economy. It delves into the gold rush era and the subsequent mining booms that have played a crucial role in the country's history. The author likely examines the social, economic, and environmental consequences of mining throughout different periods in Australia's past.

The opening line of Joseph Furphy's Such is Life is "Unemployed at last!". This line sets the tone for the novel and introduces the main character's situation of being unemployed. It implies a sense of relief or freedom from the burden of work, which suggests that the story may revolve around the character's experiences and reflections during this period of unemployment.

In his speech, Former Prime Minister Paul Keating stated that during a drought, the next best thing to rain is music. This suggests that music has the ability to uplift spirits and provide solace during difficult times. It can bring joy and a sense of relief, serving as a source of comfort and distraction from the hardships of a drought. Music has the power to evoke emotions and create a sense of unity, making it a valuable and powerful tool in times of struggle.

The correct answer is Dunk Island. The 1908 essay collection, "The Confessions of a Beachcomber," is known for immortalizing the environment and lifestyle of Dunk Island. The book provides insights into the island's unique beauty and the experiences of a beachcomber living there.

In Michael Gow's play Away, a violent storm at the beach brings three families together to begin a process of healing. The storm serves as a catalyst for the characters to confront their own personal issues and find solace in each other's company. It forces them to seek shelter and support from one another, leading to the development of new friendships and the opportunity for emotional growth and healing. The storm acts as a metaphorical representation of the turmoil and challenges that the characters face in their own lives, ultimately bringing them closer together.

"Kiss the One-Eyed Moon" is not a play by Louis Nowra. The question asks for a work by Louis Nowra that is not a play, and "Kiss the One-Eyed Moon" does not fit this criteria.

The correct answer is China. In Alex Miller's The Ancestor Game, the author explores new frontiers of the historical novel by portraying Australia and China. The novel delves into the rich cultural and historical connections between these two countries, providing readers with a unique perspective on Australian history.

In the given question, the correct answer is "The racially motivated murder of his uncle." The question states that William Yang's Sadness includes stories about his two 'families' and friends who died of AIDS. The question then asks about the event behind the story. The correct answer, the racially motivated murder of his uncle, aligns with the theme of the book and provides insight into one of the significant events in William Yang's life.

The correct answer is "Endless, roaming land." This description is not expressed in Dorothea Mackellar's iconic poem, "My Country." The poem mentions Australia as the "land of sweeping plains," the "land of the rainbow gold," and a "wilful, lavish land." However, it does not mention Australia as an "endless, roaming land."

The correct answer is Henry Readford. Rolf Boldrewood's novel "Robbery Under Arms" is based on the life of the real-life bushranger Henry Readford. The central character in the book is also named Henry Readford, who becomes involved in a life of crime and robbery in the Australian bush. The novel portrays the adventures and exploits of this character, drawing inspiration from the real-life activities of Henry Readford during the 1850s.

The correct answer is "The Darkening Ecliptic." This title refers to the collection of poems that were supposedly written by Ern Malley, a fictitious poet created as a hoax by Australian poets James McAuley and Harold Stewart in 1944. The Darkening Ecliptic is the name of the collection that was published and gained attention before it was revealed to be a literary fabrication.