Aussie Vehicle Icon – Ute

“Ute” is female name in Germany; but here, in Australia is the utility vehicle. You would find Ute is very popular car here; it is not only used as for work, but also for family using as well. Ever I was driving a Ute for 5 months while I lived in QLD, it was so handy, especially, I just moved back to Australia. Moreover, we have a boat, so carrying a tiny could be a hassle. But with a Ute, life becomes much easier. For some reasons, I find Ute implies some Aussies’ life-style and attitude; it’s practical and substantial oriented without being vanity. 

Ford Australian was the first company to produce a coupe utility. The story sounds like an urban legend: In 1932, a Gippsland farmer’s wife sent Ford a request for a revolutionary new car design: “Why don’t you build people like us a vehicle to go to church in on a Sunday, and which can carry our pigs to market on Mondays?” she asked. The job of designing a car of this versatility fell on the shoulders of 22 year old engineer Lewis Bandt, and two years later, the first Ford ute was released.

The original ute had a wheel base of 112 inches, a five foot five inch tray that could carry 1200 pounds (550kg). The car went on to become a huge success, and was exported to the US and dubbed ‘kangaroo chasers’.

Sadly, Bandt’s invention was also part of his final moments as he was killed in a collision with a sand truck. He was driving a vintage 1934 Ford Ute he had rebuilt for himself. Fortunately, Bandt’s legacy lives on with utes owned and operated by tradespeople and farmers all around the world.

(More information to heck:http://www.abc.net.au/dimensions/dimensions_future/Transcripts/s779287.htm)

Mr. Lewis Bandt 

Like other vehicles, Ute also could be good looking as well. It’s not particular for male driver, it’s could be very sexy for girls. I also find Aussies have special feeling about their Utes, there are ever specific Ute racing every year.

Aussie Delicious Icon

Before I came here, the impression of Australian delicious could be seafood such as the fresh oyster or lobster. But I guess those haven’t lived the Australia who won’t know the delicious icon today I’m going to present. It’s Australian Ice Coffee. With my traveling experience been lots of countries, I should admit Australian Ice Coffee is the best. 

To someone may have not tasted the delicious icon, there is the Aussie ice coffee recipe for you information. Summer is coming; you could try to make one by yourself at home. This is my own recipe to share with you, hope you’re going to enjoy this summer!

Aussie Ice Coffee Recipe

-          Chill the coffee first

-          Pour one third coffee in the glass (a tall and thick glass)

-          Put few ice cube into half of the glass

-          Put an ice cream ball into (ice cream could be vanilla flavor)

-          Put in the cold milk in the glass until three quarter

-          Put whipped cream on the top

-          Put coco or cinnamon power on the cream, or plane some chocolate on the cream

-          Serve with a small container of syrup, it depends how sweet you want to be

-          Enjoy the yum…

After I had research the ice coffee in the world, I find German have the quite similar ice coffee without ice cream. For more information about worldwide ice coffee, you could check the following URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iced_coffee#Germany

Where is the best Aussie ice coffee you could get? Be honest, I don’t have lots of idea. If you’re local Aussie, could you help me contribute some inputs here, at least in Melbourne?

Of course, if you don’t want to put so much effect in, just want to have simple cold coffee. Here is the commercial branding ice coffee you could choice in the following video: 

Dare

Farmer Union

Big M

Aussie Fashion Icon in 2013

I knew our girls would love the fashion topic. I guess lots of marketers want to play in fashion industry. However, maybe we could be “Fashion genius” and “Marketer genius” to predict “What would be Aussie Fashion Icon in 2013?”

Before we start, maybe we could list the most popular Aussie Fashion Brand first. After quickly searching of the top Aussie brand (URL as below), I just realized I don’t really know much Aussie Fashion, lol!! Anyway, please let’s have a class if you are same as me who don’t know any brand from the following URL.

http://www.thevine.com.au/top10/fashion/top-ten-iconic-australian-fashion-brands/ 

In fact, listing all of them is too much for me, how about list three of my favor Aussie brands first; then we could star from them -- Country Road, Witchery, and Zimmermann. 

What’s the Colour in 2013? -- Neon Brights

A major trend on the international catwalks of the previous few seasons, vibrant neon shades are set to brighten up the Australian spring and summer. For those with no fear, the head to toe clashing neons seen at Ginger & Smart are a must.

What’s the Pattern in 2013? -- Garden Party

If you invest in just one printed piece for the summer season makes sure it is garden style floral print – be it a mirrored, oversized or ditzy, a floral print is a must to keep that wardrobe on trend. The garden print features on all possible garments, be it a stylish trouser suit, classic shirting or romantic skirts and dresses.

What’s to Wear in 2013? -- Peplum

 The stand-out shape creates curves on the hips, whilst nipping in the waist, creating a womanly hourglass silhouette.

Aussie Fashion Icon

If let me use some words to describe Aussie; my answer will be “laid-back”, “relax”, “sporty”, “nurture”, “eco”, “organic” and so on. And I find all those elements are infused in Aussie’s fashion.

“Comfortable” is the key to the fashionable style here. This is so different from Asian culture; especially comparing with where I was from, Shanghai. With the metropolitan life style in Shanghai, inattentive dressing could be stereotyped as impolite, uneducated or clodhopper. Girls could scarify the feet comfort to suffer a pair of high hill. Yes, high hills are so vital for Shanghainese girls, I have strong feeling of my hills as well. So I came to Melbourne with my 25 pairs of hills together back 2007. Because the culture difference, I found I was bit of over-dressed at beginning of my uni-live. Of course, I have given up wearing my hills daily for long time.

The fashion strategy for footwear in Australian must be Thongs and UGG boots.

1.Thongs: Anywhere, Anytime

In China, we call thongs as slippers. Slippers were worn at home or backyard, so wearing slippers was not proper to go to the public such as shopping mart, cinema, or restaurant. I guess the Aussie fashion has been influencing Chinese as well; it’s not that strict rule about wearing slippers nowadays. But it’s still not suitable to school or office. Students probably would be prohibited to getting in school, because wearing slippers is recognize as inappropriate grooming. 

In Australia, thongs are not only the comfortable footwear, but also an icon for Aussie’s fashion. Girls wear thongs and hot pats with nice tan skin they just get from sun-bake at beach. Thongs imply the beach, sports, and fun.

With these implications, Aussie has the reasons to wear thongs anywhere at anytime.

At the station

with suits

 @ wedding

The Thong (the new Australian national anthem?)

2.UGG Boots

I assume you probably have the same idea pop up in your mind; the icon of Aussie fashion must be UGG Australian Boots. Bingo! UGG Australian Boots are so popular these days. When I back my home town, I often get the enquiry of UGG Australian from my girlfriends. It looks you must have a pair of UGGs if you think you haven’t been OUT!! 

The commercial branding strategy is quite successful for UGG Australian. But do you know the brand of UGG Australian boots are not from Australia? Do you know the boots couldn’t be called UGG outside of OZ and Kiwi? Do you the history of UGG boots?

*Ugg Boots Made in Australia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF_bR8o4ohE

UGG boots were worn at rural area back 1920s in Australia, then adopted to surf activity in 1950s. The wife of one of sheepskin boots manufacture owner who commented the boots were ugly, then the owner named it as UGG boots. In early 1970s, an Australian went to US, and sold the boots and brand to the American company. This company registered “UGG Australian” as trademark in more than 140 counties. It was also not allowed to use “UGG Boots” in Australia until the Australian government set UGG as a craft process for the boots. 

For more information of the history could check following URL:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugg_boots

Aussie: Being Iconic

People always get an impression and knowledge of the culture through the national icon. On the website of the Australian Foreign and Affairs Department (http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/national_icons.html); it lists the following Australian icons:

• Uluru and the Sydney Opera House 
• Meat pies, lamingtons and vegemite 
• A horse called Phar Lap and a hat called Akubra 
• Kangaroos and koalas 

What is your thought of Australian Icons? Is it same as above?

Since my first trip in Aussie land in 2003, then I studied, worked and lived in Australia; come and go, all together, I have literary been staying in here nearly 2.5 years. I’m still not 100% well knowing lots of things here, but getting better to appreciate the country and culture. During my journey to learn Aussie, I have experienced some Australian unique icons with my own ideas.

G’day mate!

The first icon I experienced was the Aussie slang.

“G’day mate.” A stranger started to talk with me in the park. It took me 3 seconds been silent, and then replied “sorry, what do you want?” The stranger left me with a strange blink at the park. Later on I realized it’s a typical Aussie slang for greeting. OMG! How could I miss this one?!

If you’re born in here, how many times you say it everyday? If you’re expatriates, have you started to say it? 

*More information about Aussie slang could reference there links:
http://www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html#E
http://www.aussie-info.com/identity/language/

A Happy little Vegemite

I’m not talking about Mr. Rudd here; I do mean the happy little vegemite.


When I tasted the vegemite at first time in 2007, it wasn’t pleasant at all. I couldn’t understand how my friend could stand it. But you know what; I have my vegemite toast almost for every single breakfast. I was ever searching vegemite when I lived in the Middle East. For someone still haven’t loved the vegemite, here are some recipe could make you be addicted the yummy tasty.
1) Egg and Vegemite Soldiers (Classic!!)
- Buttering the toast with one lay of vegemite (Better don’t put too much on the toast, if it’s 1st time you try vegemite)
- Sliding the toast as finger size
- Deep in the egg yolk.
 
2) Salmon and Spinach Patties
-Ingredients
500 g salmon fillets, skinned and chopped into 1/2-1 cm pieces
100 g baby spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
3 spring onions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon grated root ginger
1 tablespoon VEGEMITE
1 egg white
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1 teaspoon caster sugar
1 teaspoon VEGEMITE, extra
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1 continental cucumber
1/4 small red onion, finely sliced
1 tablespoon oil
4 bread rolls, split in half
- Method
PLACE the salmon, spinach, onions and ginger in a bowl and mix to combine. Beat together the VEGEMITE and egg white then stir into the salmon mixture to help bind. Divide into 12 and gently shape into patties. Chill.
WHISK together the vinegar, sugar, extra VEGEMITE and sesame oil. Use a peeler to cut the cucumber into long ribbons. Toss cucumber and red onion in dressing.
HEAT the oil in a frypan and cook patties for 3-4 minutes on each side or until cooked. Place on serving plates with cucumber salad and rolls. Serve immediately.
 
For more vegemite recipes: http://www.vegemite.com.au/Pages/breakfast-recipes.aspx

However, I found a naughty vision of Mr. ‘Rude’ vegemite video to share:

BBQ
BBQ for weekend gathering, BBQ for birthday party, BBQ for National Day…The BBQ I had here are ever more than the BBQ I had in last 30 years back home. 

The key elements of Aussie BBQ are steaks, sausages and beers; in parks, someone’s back yard; the most important is FUN! 

To someone who isn’t born in Australian, could you share your feeling about BBQ party here?




**Australian Geographic's 100 Aussie icons

http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/australian-gographics-100-aussie-icons.htm