Science

 F.M. Barnet, a virusologist; the Nobel Prize in 1960

 John Eccles, a physiologist; the Nobel Prize in 1961

Mass Media

Australia has two public broadcasters (the ABC and the multicultural SBS), three

commercial television networks, several paid TV services and numerous public, non- profit television and radio stations. Each major city has daily newspapers, and there are two national daily newspapers " The Australian" and " The Australian Financial Review".

Sport

Sport plays an important part in the Australian culture, due to the climate that favours

outdoor activities. It is considered the Australian " religion" and the Aussies (i.e. inhabitants of Australia) are world beaters in cricket, rugby, swimming, cycling. Other popular sports are baseball, yachting, soccer and Aussie Rules (a unique Australian sport, similar to football). The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games were declared by the International Olympic Committee Head Juan Antonio Samaranch the best games ever.

Note: It‟ s interesting to suppose what the IOC Head will say in 2014 after the Sochi

Olympic Games, isn‟ t it?

Russia and Australia

Our states have always been friendly countries. Yet the cannons, that are pointed

seaward, line the coast of some Australian cities. They have been there to " repulse a Russian invasion". It goes without saying that no cannon is ever fired, for our countries have never been at war. During the Second World War, Australian seamen accompanied the allied convoys between the British ports and Murmansk. Many of the seamen were decorated with Soviet military orders.