As a Central Australian, I’m often miffed when people tell me they are going to Central Australia to see “that big rock”. There is much more to the Red Centre than the big rock, more appropriately called Ayres Rock, or by it’s Aboriginal name, Uluru.

Over the many years I have lived in Central Australia, tourists have asked me some strange questions. For example, “Is it true that Ayres Rock is hollow and extends underground with a sub-terranean city for the Australian Government to go in times of disaster or nuclear attack?” Or another, more common one, “Can you see Ayres Rock from Alice Springs?”

I really don’t know the answer to the first question and usually respond to the latter, “Can you see 400km?” Many, particularly Japanese tourists who have no real idea about large spaces and US citizens, who are unaccustomed to the metric system, look at me blankly. No, unless you were a couple of dozen kilometres up, you definitely can’t see Ayres Rock from The Alice.

However, unless you fly directly to Ayres Rock from Perth or somewhere else, you usually don’t get there without going through Alice Springs, or “The Alice” as we who live there prefer to call it.

If you plan to go to Ayres Rock via Alice Springs, don’t waste your money and by-pass The Alice. You’ll do yourself a great disservice and miss some wonderful tourist experiences. Don’t get me wrong, Ayres Rock is great to see at least once. But that’s really all there is at Uluru along with some very high class hotels … The Rock!

Alice Springs was originally a staging post for the overland telegraph line that went from Adelaide in South Australia to Darwin at the “Top End” of the Northern Territory. Because of the vast distance the telegraph had to go, it needed repeater stations to re-energise the transmissions. North of Alice springs a few kilometres is the original Overland Telegraph Station.

The Alice on the south has a stunning mountain range called the MacDonnell Ranges that run in almost a straight line from east to west. Almost by divine providence, there is a gap in the range created by the usually dry Todd River. This gap allows passage into and out of the township on the southern side.

What can you expect to see and do at The Alice?

Apart from the stunning natural beauty of the MacDonnell Ranges, beautiful clear, blue skies and nearby gaps like Emily and Simpson’s Gap,(a photographer’s dream) there is a Desert Wildlife Park set at the bottom of the ranges on the western side of town that is second to none; see the Australian wildlife and reptiles in their natural habitats.

We have a reptile farm, a camel farm, numerous Aboriginal art shops, world class hotels, a saloon bar called Bojangles that web-casts across the Internet (with a bit of planning, you can wave to your friends at home as you sip a coldie or have a meal). Araluen Cultural Precinct will satisfy the needs of artists and people interested in theatre. Nearby there is the Strehlow Centre with Aboriginal artifacts and much more. The Royal Flying Doctor Service is also worth a visit as is the School of the Air.

The best time to visit is between April and October when the weather is cooler and more pleasant.

So, when you plan your holiday to visit that “big rock down under”, don’t forget to spend three or four days at The Alice. You won’t regret it and, you never know, you may just run into me. If you do say, “Hi!”

Copyright 2008 Robin Henry

Filipina girls in Australia comprise among the third largest Asian Australian immigrant groups. These Filipina women represent 65.5% of the current Filipino community in Australia. There was a rise of Filipino Australian marital unions in the 1970’s. Based on the figure, it cannot be denied that a lot of Australians and other foreign men have long been attracted to the beauty of the Filipina.

Filipino women have captured the hearts of so many men for decades, wherever they may be around the world. Most of the Filipina girls in Australia are already direct descendants of those who migrated 3 decades ago.

Noting the physical beauty of a Filipina, they bring with them a whole lot more than just their appearance. They have a very cheerful and happy disposition plus the fact that they are a pleasure to be with. It is not easy to court a Filipina though because one of their dating customs is to play hard-to-get whenever there is a possible suitor. Do not expect that they will immediately jump on you just because you are a foreigner.

Playing hard-to-get also gives them the chance to determine your true intentions. Aside from that, if you are one among the many suitors, it allows her to choose which ones are true. Time and trial by fire are one of the things that you will undergo to woo your would-be Filipina girlfriend. You will have to persevere and have a lot of wooing tactics in your pocket to be at the top of the heap.

One of the best ways to attract a Filipina is to be a gentleman in simple ways. Simply pulling up a chair or opening a door for her will score you some points. You have to be consistent though because she will find out sooner or later if you are genuine with your behaviors.

Even if she is already your girlfriend, the test for determining your intentions continues. Filipinas even in Australia or in any parts of the world still are clannish. Make sure to set a schedule for visiting her parents in the Philippines to personally introduce yourself. It is also helpful for you because you will have the chance to know your Filipina girlfriends’ personality more in her environment. Filipina girls in Australia are a little less reserved though than their counterparts in the Philippines.

As in the United States and other countries in the world, non-Australian residents who would like to visit or work in Australia need to obtain a visa. However, there is an exception to this rule, as New Zealand residents are not required to get an Australian visa before entering Australia. They will be issued a visa upon their arrival in the said country.

There are a number of places where non-Australian residents can apply for an Australian visa. A most accessible source would be the Australian embassies located in several countries around the globe. Other sources include High Commissions and Consulates, travel agents and airlines.

There are generally four types of Australian visas. The first one is called electronic travel authority or ETA visa. This is an electronically stored permission to stay in Australia for a minimal amount of time. This is applicable for tourism and business purposes and comes free of government charge.

The second visa type is the tourist visa. Normally valid for a period of one year, this visa allows an owner to travel to and from Australia with a maximum stay of three months per travel. Unlike ETA's, tourist visas have corresponding government charges.

For people who want to do business in Australia, business visas are also available. The length of stay in Australia for business visas depends on the agreement that will be arrived at after the applicant consults the Australian visa office. Normally, business visas are valid for five years.

Temporary visas are also available for people who wish to go to Australia to perform some special activities such as entertainment performances, sport competitions or short-term company assignments. Meanwhile, those who seek to be granted temporary residence in Australia may need to be sponsored by an Australian organization or company.

The length of the stay indicated in the visa should be strictly followed. When the visa is about to expire and the owner still needs to stay longer, he or she is strongly advised to consult with the Department of Immigration and Multicultural affairs office in Australia. Serious penalties are imposed for violators.

Australians like to refer to Australia as ‘The lucky country’. This phrase drawn from Donald Horne’s book ‘The Lucky Country’ (1964) is not only world renowned, it is also a phrase that is held close to every Australian heart and is used in numerous ways to describe everything that makes Australia a great Nation.

With an exceeding amount of people moving to Australia each year Australia is fast becoming the most popular country to migrate to and with good reason.

The following steps describe what to do before you leave your country and what to do when you first enter Australia.

STEP 1: Apply and obtain a valid visa or citizenship. This information can be found under Document for Travel to Australia (DFTA) and Visa and Citizenship Application Information on the Australian Government website.

STEP 2: Complete all the financial, taxation and legal matters that may affect you and your family. You may need to set up a new bank account that can operate from both your old and new country.

STEP 3: Get information about transferring your belongings this may be different depending on how much you want to move to Australia.

STEP 4: Make sure you have the specific documents that are needed when you first arrive in Australia. These include the originals of birth, marriage, medical and work records. You can bring school reports for children and your university or trade papers. You will need your passport for travel also.

STEP 5: Make sure you know details about customs when entering Australia. Australia is very strict with the items it allows you to bring into the country. Australia does not allow most animal and plant material into the country and the country you leave may stop the export of certain items. Any items that you plan on bringing into Australia you need to make sure that they meet the Australian standards and laws. You can check this on the Australian Governments Australian Customs and Boarder Protection Service website.

In addition the country you leave may limit the cash you take out. You must declare any large sums of overseas currency at customs when you arrive. This information can also be found on the customs website.

STEP 6: To make your arrival easier make all your travel plans, find out contact details for relatives, sponsors and friends in Australia if you have any and inform them of your itinerary and leave your new contact details with friends and family before you leave.

STEP 7: Having a health screening is a good idea before you arrive. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) may ask you and your family to have a pre-departure health check to help make sure that you are fit and ready for travel. This is a different check to a visa medical. The health check occurs about three days before you depart. You need to take your medical records to the health check. The health check involves you signing a consent form, having a physical test, chest x-ray and test for HIV and a test for pregnancy for women of the right age. The doctor may need to immunises you against measles, mumps and rubella and if needed treats you for parasites. If you are fit for travel then all is okay. If not, then IOM will change your flight time until treatment occurs and you are fit for travel. When you arrive, you give your medical papers to your service provider or proposer and have any follow up treatment you need.

STEP 8: If you are travelling to another destination on the same day, you may need to organise a transfer to a domestic air terminal. All airports have taxis, hire cars and public transport available from the airport. Airport pickups are also available by different bus companies. If you wish to hire a car you will need a drivers license and there may be other restrictions. Airline staff members can assist you with transfers to another terminal and the staff at the information desk can assist you with information about public transport and other types of transfers when you arrive.

STEP 9: if you are not moving into a home straight away you may need somewhere to stay, you can book this before you leave however if you do not wish to book somewhere to stay, you can do so when you arrive at the airport. The cost and quality can vary greatly. Some accommodation places will provide a transfer for you. Seek help from staff at the arrivals information desk.

STEP 10: On the day of your flight you should leave yourself plenty of time to get there. Most airlines recommend you arrive there three hours before the flight time. The weight limit for your baggage is 40kg. This means you may have one bag under 40kg and one item of hand luggage that fulfils the airline’s limits. The airlines advise you to carry travel papers, valuable, precious and fragile items in your hand luggage and items you may need for the flight. Take the usual security care of your baggage during packing and at the airport. Do not carry any illegal goods in your baggage and make sure all items in your hand luggage fit the airlines criteria. For example no aerosol cans, liquids over 30 ml and Sharpe items.

STEP 11: When you arrive in Australia the first step to enter Australia is at the immigration desk. You will need your passport with visa and Incoming Passenger Card. The official there records your arrival and returns your papers to you. You then collect your baggage, which Australian Customs and Border Protection Service officers will check using an x-ray machine or a search. They look for prohibited goods or items that have not been declared. If they find any illegal item you did not declare, you may pay a larger fine. After this, this is the end of official checks and you are now in the arrivals hall. This is where your family, friends or sponsor can greet you if you have any in Australia and where you can also change money, get transport and arrange short-term accommodation. There may be an arrivals information desk to provide answers to your questions.

Colored contact lenses are a style statement amongst many people these days. There are various colors and designs in which these lenses are available. These contact lenses help in bringing a dramatic change in style and personality of a person and they help people get an instant make over. There are many colors in which these contact lenses are available; some of them are blue, gray, green, honey, sapphire blue, amethyst, hazel, and turquoise. There are certain lenses that are transparent but they enhance the eyes without changing its color when worn by someone. These lenses can of the colored types (with or without power) and they can be of the transparent types. There are some lenses that help color blind people.

There are many companies found in Australia that sell contact lenses. Most of the contact lens distributors are based in Melbourne and Victoria. These orders arrive with 6 days depending on your location in Australia. The delay of delivery usually lies in the outback regions. Some of the distributors charge you for delivery when the orders are below $ 100 and if the orders go above a certain price then the distributors bear the price. Most of the sent by Australia post usually come with insurance for your goods in case of damage, so ensure that you check with the distributors on the insurance.

Lenses usually cost from $ 45 and the long lasting ones are costlier. There are many lenses that are a rage in Australia. The UV lenses that shine in the dark have become very popular at the rave and beach parties of Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth. There are several Australian celebrities who sport lenses; some of them are Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Kylie Minogue, Abbie Cornish and Heath Ledger.

Lenses can be ordered online and there are several websites that offer discounts. These websites also promise a delivery anywhere in Australia within a week. Sometimes you can also look at cheaper options available from Japan and Korea. These websites also have distribution centers in Australia. There are many options available on the internet but make sure that you check that the site you are ordering from is legitimate. If you are sporting a lens for the first time then make sure you consult a doctor.

There are many options available for Cheap Colored Contacts lenses in Australia, talk to friends and relatives who use regularly use contacts before buying them.

Tiaro is a small Australian town located between Gympie and Maryborough in Queensland. In the late 1800's the town sprang to life as an overnight stop for gold wagons making the rough arduous journey from Gympie Gold Fields to the seaport in Maryborough. These days the town rallies its tourism ranking by offering free overnight camping accommodation.

Fame does not often come to Tiaro, but on the 6th June 1876, on a farm close to the town, Thomas William Glasgow was born. Educated in Gympie he took up a clerical position with the Queensland National Bank. As life dictates the Bank could have been Glasgow's calling except for his interest in horses and military pursuits. In 1893, Glasgow joined the Wide Bay Regiment Queensland Mounted Infantry as a trooper.

Back in those days, countrymen joined Light Horse military units as a part time recreation. Also enjoying these weekend amusements was a close friend of Glasgow's, Brudenell White.

On the 19th October 1899, recreational military life became serious with the proclamation of the South African Boer War. Glasgow joined immediately as a Lieutenant in a company commanded by Captain Harry Chauvel. During the Boer War, Glasgow was awarded the Distinguished Service Order medal for his duty. After the War, in 1903 he continued his amateur soldier pursuits organizing the 13th Light Horse Regiment at Gympie. Australia had greater endeavors for his friend Brudenell White who in March 1908 joined the staff of the chief of intelligence, Colonel William Bridges.

On the 4th August 1914, the First World War was declared. Glasgow was the first person in Gympie to join the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). He was second in command of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment. Glasgow landed with the Regiment at Anzac Cove. After the evacuation of Gallipoli the AIF was enlarged. Glasgow gained promotion to the rank of Colonel (temporary Brigadier-General) and the command of the 13th Brigade AIF.

Brigadier-General Glasgow's 13th Australian Infantry Brigade, was made up of the following battalions:

· 49th Battalion (Queensland)

· 50th Battalion (South Australia)

· 51st Battalion (Western Australia)

· 52nd Battalion (South Australia, Western Australia & Tasmania)

After the formation of the 13th Brigade in Egypt they were transferred to the battlefields on the Western Front. Glasgow's Brigade had costly encounters with the enemy at Mouquet Farm days after the Battle of Pozieres. The Brigade was reinforced and in 1917 followed with difficult victories at Noreuil and Messines.

In the beginning of April 1918, the Western Front was in turmoil. German forces had broken through the Allied lines; most expected the Germans to advance to the Channel Ports and Paris. Allied commanders had to rally every available force. Most Australian divisions were out of the lines when the Germans had first undertaken their offensive called Operation Michael at the end of March 1918. The Australian 4th Division was urgently sent to the front, this force included the Glasgow's 13th Brigade's 49th Battalion (Queensland), 50th Battalion (South Australia), 51st Battalion (Western Australia), and the 52nd Battalion (South Australia, Western Australia & Tasmania).

On the 5th April 1918, they fought the decisive Battle of Dernancourt on the railway embankment near Dernancourt, south of regional French town of Albert. The under strength Australian Brigades (numbering about 4,000) fought four German Divisions totalling about 25,000. Located on the western side of the Nacre River valley, the Australians formed a defensive line at the railway embankment, from which they held back German attacks. The Australian Battalions soon found themselves outflanked by German forces to their rear. They were ordered to hold on at all costs but by midday the 48th Battalion was facing annihilation and the senior officer ordered a withdrawal. This action cost the 12th and 13th Brigades (4th Division) 1,100 casualties.

On the 24th April 1918, the 13th Brigades' Commander Brigadier General William Glasgow received an urgent order to march his brigade towards the sound of the guns. A renewed German attack had taken Villers-Bretonneux, threatening Amiens and the Allied line of defense and the thrust towards Paris had to be halted at all costs.

Glasgow had only a few hours to reconnoitre, plan the counter-attack, brief his men and send them forward to meet the enemy. These Battles resulted with the Brigades of the 4th Division halting the largest-ever German attack on Australian troops at Dernancourt on 5 April 1918.

Following three weeks later, the successful advance of the Glasgow's 13th Brigade and 'Pompey' Elliott's 15th Brigade which were triumphant in the retaking of Villers-Bretonneux. The Honor of which resulted in the Villers-Bretonneux Australian National Memorial being made at this site. The Memorial lists 10,773 names of soldiers of the Australian Imperial Force with no known grave who were killed between 1916, when Australian forces arrived in France and Belgium, and the end of the war.

Not long after the end of the war Glasgow become a Senator of the Australian Parliament. In 1939, Glasgow was appointed first Australian High Commissioner to Canada. Returning to Brisbane in 1945 he died in 1955. Two tribute statues of Glasgow, which are located in Brisbane, commemorate his life.

Some people mourn an aspect of political candor that existed in Australia during the era of the 20th Century's political struggle to ensure educational opportunities for the working class. A sense of Australia 'doing right' to 'get somewhere' or to 'forge ahead', existed in contrast to the 21st Century's 'spin doctoring', with its continual reference to various complex financial graphs and charts. The Australian term 'fair dinkum' was a colloquial expression used to denote an opinion that was genuinely held with no reservations. 'Fair Go' was associated with the making of reasonable judgemental policies and the term 'using your Nous' was another popular term, referring to using one's common-sense. Master tradesman often exhorted their apprentices to use their Nous to solve problems.

A fair dinkum Aussie Pollie, in that bygone era, used his or her Nous to ensure a fair deal, and such a person became a well respected Australian politician. The Australian Federal Minster, Simon Crean, had earned such a reputation, along with the rough and tumble criticism from those who put profits ahead of all else. Simon Crean devoted his life creating educational opportunities for fellow Australians, be they unemployed tradespeople or those engaged in fields of higher education.

Simon Crean has become a pivotal figure in ensuring that Australians get a fair go to become acquainted with the development of an entirely new science of chemistry. This medical science, now established by three 1996 Nobel Laureates in Chemistry, is emerging onto the world stage, in complete defiance of the 20th Century's fixed life-science world-view. Australia, thanks to Simon Crean, holds a prominent position within its great futuristic global potential, in which the importance of the Platonic tradition of Greek philosophy, to fuse ethics into the Nous, is of paramount importance within the functioning of the new chemistry.

During 1995, as the Minister for Employment, Education and Training, Simon Crean's Department investigated an application by the Science-Art Research Center in Australia to become An Australian Government Approved Research Institute. A major Australian University's assessment for the Government claimed, that while the Center's work was not factually erroneous, it was inconceivable. The scientific hostility toward the Center's work was such that its mathematical life-force theories, reprinted in 1990 as one of the 20th Century's important discoveres, by the world's largest research institute based in Washington, the IEEE SPIE Milestone series, was treated with hostile contempt in Australia.

Fourteen years earlier, the Commonwealth Government had awarded the Center's director a grant to supplement a UNESCO appointment for him to attend a World Summit Science Meeting in Trieste. The successful application form clearly explained that the Center's objective was to bring to Australia an understanding of a new science and technology beyond the ability of Australian educational system to comprehend. In 1995 the Australian Department of Taxation agreed that monies had been spent on the research, which had been given adequate Governmental approval in 1979. Therefore, the work of the Center could not be considered to be inconceivable. Minister Simon Crean, appeared to have personally weighed up this very contentious issue and decided on giving the Center a fair go. Ironically, the research was directly related to using the physics structure of the Classical Greek science of life, derived from the ancient concept of the Nous. Simon Crean, has become an important political figure for future history books, as being an Australian politician that used his Nous when other influential Australians could not.

Recently, the NASA High Energy Astrophysics Division Library, published the argument that the Nous was based upon a fractal life-science logic that cannot conceivably be accepted within the general understanding of present science. The discovery that Fullerene chemistry is based directly upon the life-science of the Nous is now basic to a completely new understanding of medical chemistry. Relevant research by Florence University's New measurement of Humanity Project, was endorsed on the 24th of September, 2010, with the "Giorgio Napolitano Medal" being bestowed upon its organisers, Professors Paolo Manzelli and Massimo Pregnolato, for research conducted by their Quantumbionet / Egocreanet New Renaissance Project. The Australian Science-Art Center became the first research institute in the world to successfully rename the Fullerene Chemistry as Platonic-Fullerene Chemistry.

In his Guest Editorial within the Journal of Consciousness Exploration & Research issue of the Quantum Brain / Mind / Consciousness November 2010 (Part II), Professor Massimo Pregnolato's paper, entitled Time for Quantum Consciousness, contained a specific mention of the work- the Science- Art-Research Center of Australia. The Social Cradle being constructed by the Center to nurture the new human survival life-science into existence was specifically noted. Reference was given to the Center's Space-Time Model being mentioned in the June 2007 edition of NeuroQuantology.

Plato's spiritual, or holographic optic engineering principles, translated into Fullerene synergistic forces that influence protein functioning within the DNA, remains an impossible world-view concept within the Australian educational system. Nanotechnology has proven, beyond all doubt, that this cultural understanding is nothing but an ignorant and barbaric relic of the Dark Ages. Minister Simon Crean, who has been recently appointed as the Federal Minister for the Arts, may well have reason to employ his Nous once again, this time, not over a physics energy issue, but an entirely artistic one.

Plato's optical principles, postulated by the Science-Art Research Center of Australia, as belonging to the functioning of optical physics responsible for artistic creativity, is no longer just theory. The Center had the good fortune to prove, through viewing paintings through special optical lenses, that some artists had been unconsciously painting holographic images into their work for centuries. The hidden images are now so evident that the Italian Renaissance's laws of optical artistic perspective have been superseded by the Australian discovery.

As a result of that discovery, the Science-Art Center was able to contribute to the understanding of the cerebral electromagnetic functioning of creative thought. Florence University recognizes that the Center's decision to help construct a Social Cradle to nurture their important research, was based upon Buckminster Fuller's warning, to either get the new science off the ground or inherent global entropic extinction in the near future.

The Director of the Center was recently appointed the Artist Ambassador to the New Florentine University Renaissance Project, a responsibility fully endorsed in writing by ten world famous scientists. As such, the Center may well have reason itself to introduce itself once again to the good offices of Simon Crean's Administration, because the Australian Art Establishment has no understanding that the new art life-science chemistry exits, let alone at the level of comprehension by three Nobel Laureates in Chemistry. Furthermore, the Australian Governmental Arts Administration has expressed no interest whosoever, of the fact that in 2009 the Director of the Science-Art Research Center was the recipient of a Gold Medal Laureate for his successful modification to Leonardo da Vinci's Theory of All knowledge.

That honor was also awarded to the Head of Moscow University's Department of Biological Research, Professor Simon Schnoll, whose work has received recognition from Princeton University's Global Consciousness Project, headed by Professor Roger Nelson. As the current global entropic situation grows worse, the world will soon become desperate to develop the New Renaissance solution technologies, pioneered in Australia. The term 'fair go' is now really on the line for the entire world to observe and see what transpires, as the Center herein, presents its new Ambassador credentials to the Australian Government.

Professor Robert Pope ©

The first document attesting of Australia was made in 1606, by the Dutch navigators. In 1770, James Cook explored the Eastern coast of Australia, claiming it for the British Empire. It was transformed in a punishment colony, and as large number of people came here, the local population started to disappear.

As a surface, Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. Besides the continental surface, Australia contains several islands, the largest and most interesting of them being Tasmania. Australia is a federation, and a parliament constitutional monarchy. A visit to Australia is an adventure in a huge zoo, with kangaroos, koala bears, emus, Dingo dogs, and Tasmanian Devils. In Melbourne, one of the most beautiful cities of Australia, you can find numerous parks and gardens: the Fitzroy and the Botanical Royal Gardens, and Albert Park Lake. On the Philip Island, you can live unique experiences in the Koala Reservation, where you can admire the nice Koala bears in their natural habitat, and you will even have the chance to walk along them.

In the National Park Port Campbell, you will find the most spectacular and dangerous cliffs in Victoria. Admiring the 12 Apprentices, a column formed with stone pillars and remaining stones from London Bridge, you will understand the impressive force of the Ocean that created those great stone sculptures. In Cairns, you will have the chance to cruise to Agincourt Reef, where you will experience the magic of the Great Corral Barrier, the largest maritime reservation of the world. Here, you can swim, you can take long trips with a boat, and you can relax watching the sea.

A visit to Sidney must start with the Sidney Opera, one of the most beautiful architectural jewelries of humankind. In the old Rocks area, you will see the St. Mary Cathedral, the Parliament, the Darling Port and Chinatown. You can admire the beautiful sightseeing of the port and the famous bridge from the Sidney. You can continue your journey through the cosmopolitan Kings Cross, through the Rushcutters and Double Gulfs, the Watson Gulf and the spectacular Bondi beach. In Sidney, you can also enjoy a cruise and you can admire the city from the board of the cruise ship. At the end of the trip, you can shop and you can eat some interesting foods in the charming area of the port.

You can have a great experience if you would like to rent a car, to admire the beauties of this country from Melbourne to Adelaide. Any method you would choose to visit this country, you will surely be charmed by the unique sightseeing of this continent.

There are many excellent law firms in Australia, and the geographical proximity to the Asia-Pacific region makes these firms some of the best in the world at negotiating business mergers and acquisitions in the region. The firm of Blake Davison seems to be the choice of Chinese investors, and their legal team recently advised PetroChina on a joint venture bid for Arrow.

There are six big firms in Australia that deal with business, and one of them is Allens Arthur Robinson, which was awarded the prestigious title of Australian Law Firm of the Year in 2010 by Who's Who Legal Awards and also in 2010 were the Australian Deal Team of the Year in the Australian Legal Business Awards; they also scooped five other awards in the latter.

Freehill's is an established Australian law firm which can trace its origins back to the 19th century when about 140 years ago one of its founding fathers, Bernard Freehill was admitted to practice law. This firm has won many awards, among the most recent Law Firm of the Year 2010 which it collected at the 12th Annual Insto Distinctions Awards. In 2009 it was also ranked first in the Best Lawyers International List and FinanceAsia awarded it the prestigious title of Best Financial Law Firm. It is an equal opportunities employer which has a "Women in Business" forum.

There are many other firms which qualify as some of the best in their fields, although not all operate throughout the continent of Australia. Some are based in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane, or Sydney, so depending on the area a person lives there will be a very good firm of legal advisors close at hand.

Some of the leading family lawyers offer free seminars on family law, so that the person in the street can better understand how the law works; one of these firms is Harris Friedman in Sydney. Andersons Solicitors serve all of South Australia and has been established for more than 100 years. They pride themselves on their sensitivity and the sound advice that they offer families and individuals as well as businesses. As family lawyers they offer a free 30 minute interview for people with legal problems so that their situation can be assessed and the advice given during that session is free.

Whatever your need in the legal field, if you live in Australia or do business there, you can find some of the best legal representation in the world.

Bob Katter’s “An Incredible Race of People: A Passionate History of Australia,” published by Sydney Pier 9 in 2012.

Bob Katter is one of those people who loves their country. His book is an excellent and worthwhile read. Bob Katter has been a member of the House of Representatives since 1993 for the seat of Kennedy as a member of the National Party where his career began in Parliament. As a member of the National Party from 1974 to 1992, he represented the seat of Flinders, a member of the National Party in Queensland. He was the minister of Joh’s government holdings portfolio from 1983 to 1989. Katter was born in Queensland, the son of Bob Katter, Sr., who was a member of Kennedy from 1966 to 1990 and then migrated to Australia. He was born in Lebanon and set up a clothing store and picture theatre in Cloncurry. Bob Katter, Sr. had an interest in cattle and mining before he went into politics.

Katter went to the University of Queensland to continue his studies but dropped out, which later on turned out to be a good thing. He did not have to “prostitute” himself to anyone, he said. Katter’s father was also the member of the Labour Party and Liberal Party until 1957. He then joined the Country Party and went into politics. Bob Katter was a National Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland from 1974 to 1992 and Minister for the Northern Development of Aboriginal and Islander Affairs. Katter was a strong supporter of Bjelke-Petersen’s Country Party. Fast forward to 1996. A large swing vote got him re-elected multiple times.

In 1998, he moved into federal politics and got 70 percent of the vote from 2001 to 2010. He had a falling out with the Liberal and National Parties. Katter then resigned from the National Party.

In June, Bob Katter started a new political party called Katter’s Australian Party. His constituency was largely based in agriculture. He was angered about the preferences of the Labour Party, but he was nevertheless re-elected despite Labour preferences with a two-party swing vote to the Liberal National Party.

Katter was an agrarian socialist who was a romantic about the past and about the ideals of returning to developmentalism in Queensland. You can’t put his book down because it’s a great read about his life and times, though one may not agree with everything he says in the book, “An Incredible Race of People: A Passionate History of Australia.”