Aussie Towns Trivia

[Gristlechewer]

I'm calling Bullsh!t on the Gristlechewer origin of Ainslie, but in the spirit of some entries which have at times being a little liberal on actual detail, I like it.

Exeter, NSW. Population bugger all. Most people know Exeter for the Coffee, Petrol and Maccas stop on the way south out of Sydney, but the Exeter CBD is about 8km from the Service Centre.

Urban legend has it that when the Brumbies first started up, several Sydney based players stopped at the Maccas (on the Northbound side of the Hume Highway) for a feed as they drove towards Canberra for training.

Having finished at Maccas, instead of crossing the bridge over the Hume and continuing their journey Southbound, they took the more logical route down the on ramp and drove back towards Sydney. They almost got to Campbelltown before they twigged that something was not quite right.

Awww c'mon Hugh. That beautiful long dark hair, those legs. You honestly can't tell me. Hahahaha

 

[Gristlechewer]

NORTH NARRABEEN - NSW

Wave mecca on the northern beaches of Sydney. In its original incarnation North Narra has been a working class area that grew into an upper middle class area with time. If you don't have at least 30 years in the water there, forget it. You will never get a wave. The young guys that were born to the area that haven't been poached by Auggies or Scots all shred the place. Fair amount of animosity comes from these young guys, defending their surf break. Not many can actually fight though your car can sustain brutal beatings whilst in the water.
So that leaves the food side of things which, again like Terrigal is your basic seaside fare. Fried everything. If it wasn't for the surf you really would have no reason to go there. And that would make all of the 'locals' very happy.

 

[Baldric]

Nagambie - Vic They have rowing on the lake, also parachuting. Pie status is unknown. Famous as the birthplace of Black Caviar (the horse)

 

[Gristlechewer]

EAST NANANGO - QLD

Out Kingaroy way. A wonderful part of the world that brought us one of the most famous Australians ever....

Matthew Laurence Hayden. There was also a peanut farmer from out this way who's name escapes me. No food except pumpkin scones. Should be heritage listed just because of Haydos

 

[Baldric]

Ouyen - Vic. No doubt you can get a pie here, but they are famous for their vanilla slice (snot block)

 

[Gristlechewer]

Nhulunbuy - NT

North East Arnhem Land. Where else would you want to spend your childhood years? Fishing for Barra, Jacks and Muddies? Playing Footy and living in a beautiful part of the world that has two types of weather. Dry or wet.
George Rrurrambu, the lead singer from the Warumpi Band came from these parts showing the cultural side and Will Chambers calls this lovely little place home showing the sporting side.
Old mate Dr Davidson still runs the clinic in between fiishing giving this area a good long service. As far as food goes everything is fast in these parts. Catch a goanna if you a quick enough, a spanish mackarel from the beach if you are good enough. Go muddy catching in the creek but keep your eyes peeled for salties coz they are quick.
One of the worlds most beautiful places, which obviously means that it is better than Auburn

 

[Baldric]

Yellingbo - Vic In the Yarra Valley. I suppose you would find strawberry and fruit farmers there. For a pie go to Woori Yallock or if that is too much of a mouthful go to Launching Place. No need to look for rugby here, it will be AFL country

 

[Baldric]

Ovens - Vic. No doubt some great pies came out of here.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Sans Souci, NSW. A suburb very close to Hobbitsville in Sydney's South. Legend has it that the suburb is named after the local tradition of Pierre Bousselein's refusal to sell tomato sauce with his pies baked on the premises at Pierre's Patisserie. "Sans Souci" Pierre would tell his customers translated roughly from his Aix-en-Provence French provincial dialect meaning "No Sauce". Like all great pastry chefs, Pierre believed his pies to be tasty enough not to need additional condiments. Sadly Pierre's Patisserie burnt down in the late 1950's and has been replaced by a Greek Yum Cha restaurant.

 

[Mr Doug]

Ilfracombe, central Queensland, postcode 4727, district pop. 269 (census 2006), home of the "Wellshot Hotel", once had 460,000 sheep. Features Heritage Museum, swimming pool, 14-hole golf course (I think the westerly winds blew the other four holes away)!! Famous people to live up there: Quentin Bryce (Aust. Gov. Gen.), Mr Doug's cousins who as well as having over 50,000 acres, thousands of sheep, and hundreds of cattle, have the first five coal-seam gas exploratory drill holes for Galilee Energy, (Galilee Basin) on one of their stations!
Good people, but a slower pace of life. Currently experiencing very dry conditions.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Ilfracombe, central Queensland, postcode 4727, district pop. 269 (census 2006), home of the "Wellshot Hotel", once had 460,000 sheep.
<snip>

And we make fun of the NZers and their "woolly friends"

 

[Mr Doug]

And we make fun of the NZers and their "woolly friends"

Mr Jarse, you've entered territory which I initially contemplated, then thought 'best leave that alone'!

 

[ChargerWA]

Elgin, WA.

Small rural township 2 hrs south of Perth. Farms, farms and more farms. Known locally for the "Elgin Hall". One of the only old town halls to survive into the modern day that is still functional and regularly used for community events. Also has a good little Bush Fire Brigade.

 

[Gristlechewer]

NANA GLEN - NSW

Just a wee bit up the road from Coffs Harbour, as you drive along the Pacific Highway you will see a sign to the left "Nana Glen"
It has a Museum of Interesting Stuff, gathered by some Kiwi Bloke that bought a nightmare in Redfern. Can't comment on any food here as there is none. If Rusty didn't have a farm here, it would be overgrown with lantana. In saying that... Still better than auburn

 

[boyo]

NEWNES NSW

Former mining town, now largely abandoned. Oil from shale was produced there.

 

[Gristlechewer]

SWINGER HILL - ACT

Deep in the heart of Canberra there lies a dark dark secret. They changed the name of the suburb because 'Hellfire Club' was already registered. The public servants of Woden like their lives a little spicy, so Swinger Hill came about. Every second Thursday of the month in Woden Plaza carpark they meet to get it on!!!
Just bring your own armor-all and you will have a fun time.
Nobody famous. No decent food of any standard as we are talking canberra here. A culinary desert so to speak.
Would I choose to be here or auburn? The ultimate conundrum

 

[Baldric]

Lower Plenty - Vic. A suburb of Melbourne and somehow in an obtuse way follows on from Swinger Hill.

 

[boyo]

Young, NSW
I've never been there, so can't comment on the pie situation.
Known as the cherry capital of Australia.

 

[ChargerWA]

Gwalia - WA

I'm going to push HJ's patience her by listing a town that is now officially abandoned. ~200kms north of Kalgoorlie and only a few kms away from Leonora. Famous for the Sons of Gwalia gold mine, but has been abandoned since the mine shut in 60's.

The mine re-opened in the 80's but the population has never come back as they commute from Leonora or FIFO.

 

[Nusadan]

Alligator Creek, QLD

Smallish town off the highway 20km south of Townsville, don't think there is a pie shop there when there's many to pick from within 20mins away!