Australian Classics Trivia Quiz

First published in 1894, making it one of the earliest and most influential Australian children's novels, "Seven Little Australians" was written by Ethel Turner. The story follows the energetic and often unruly Woolcot family, particularly the seven children who frequently clash with their stern yet loving father, Captain Woolcot. Turner's novel was interesting because of its realistic portrayal of Australian childhood and family life in the early years of British settlement.

A tragic turning point in the novel is the death of 13-year-old Judy Woolcot, the most rebellious and spirited of the children, who is killed when a gum tree branch falls on her while she is trying to save her brother. This sudden accident deeply affects the family and Captain Wolcot intimates that he loves the remaining children more dearly due to the loss.

Written in 1901, "My Brilliant Career" follows the dreams of a young woman named Sybylla Melvyn, who desires a future built on independence and self-expression rather than marriage. As she matures, she struggles with social expectations and personal ambition, ultimately choosing a path that values her creative and emotional freedom. She chooses to refuse marriage to Harold Beecham, deciding instead to pursue independence and her ambitions. Life is hard, though, and having turned down another offer of marriage from Harold, her personal choices leave her living in penury, feeling that ambition is pointless, but nonetheless proud of being an Australian.

Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin was born in the late 1800s; her success as a writer meant she won numerous awards. In her will, she left a bequest establishing an annual literary award known as The Miles Franklin Award.

"A Town Like Alice" was first published in 1950 and written by Nevil Shute, one of Australia's most widely read twentieth-century authors. Set across wartime Asia and post-war Australia, the novel follows Jean Paget, whose experiences during World War II profoundly shape her values and sense of purpose. A significant event in the novel is Jean's imprisonment by the Japanese and her participation in a brutal forced march alongside other women.

This ordeal tests her endurance and moral strength, shaping her compassion and resilience. After the war, Jean channels these qualities into rebuilding a struggling Australian outback town, linking personal survival with national renewal. The novel became an Australian classic for its strong female protagonist, its emphasis on mateship and resilience, and its optimistic vision of post-war Australia.

"The Red Chief", published in 1953, was written by Ion Idriess, a prolific Australian author known for blending history with adventure and social commentary. The novel offers a portrayal of conflict between European settlers and Aboriginal Australians, focusing on cycles of retaliation driven by fear, cultural misunderstanding, and injustice.

A pivotal aspect of the story is the violence between settlers and Aboriginal groups. The novel is considered significant because it was one of the earlier popular works to seriously address the impact of European settlement on Aboriginal peoples and show how fear and power struggles destroyed lives on both sides.

First published in 1955, "I Can Jump Puddles" is an autobiographical novel by Alan Marshall, chronicling his childhood in rural Victoria after contracting polio. The book is considered an Australian classic because it presents an honest, compassionate depiction of rural life and disability, celebrating the strength of the human spirit and the enduring Australian ideal of determination in the face of hardship.

The narrative follows young Alan as he navigates physical disability while refusing to let it define his identity or limit his ambitions. A key moment in the text occurs when Alan insists on participating in physical activities alongside his peers, despite his condition. This act of defiance encapsulates the novel's central themes of perseverance, imagination, and resilience.

Considered an Australian classic for its affectionate, humorous portrayal of post-war Australia and its exploration of belonging, identity, and multiculturalism through an outsider's perspective, "They're a Weird Mob" celebrates Australian culture while gently mocking its quirks and traditions.

It was published in 1957 and written by John O'Grady under the pseudonym Nino Culotta. The novel humorously recounts the experiences of Nino, an Italian immigrant trying to make sense of Australian slang, customs, and social norms. Much of the comedy arises from Nino's confusion while working manual labour jobs, where he struggles to understand workplace language and behaviour. These moments are significant because they highlight the cultural barriers faced by migrants while also celebrating the informality and egalitarian spirit of Australian society.

First published in 1967, "Picnic at Hanging Rock" is an imaginary tale written by Joan Lindsay which has become one of Australia's most haunting literary works. The novel centres on the mysterious disappearance of several schoolgirls and a teacher during a picnic on Valentine's Day in 1900, an event that is never explained.

This unresolved mystery is crucial to the novel's eerie atmosphere and thematic depth, encouraging readers to reflect on the power of the natural landscape. The Australian bush is portrayed almost as a character itself; ancient, unknowable, and indifferent to human control.

The novel is regarded as an Australian classic for its gothic tone, symbolic use of landscape, and mystery.

"The Thorn Birds", published in 1977, was written by Colleen McCullough and is a sweeping family saga set largely in the Australian outback. The novel spans several decades and focuses on themes of love, ambition, faith, and sacrifice. Central to the narrative is the forbidden romantic relationship between Meggie Cleary and Father Ralph de Bricassart, a Catholic priest whose ambitions conflict with his feelings for Meggie.

This relationship drives much of the novel's emotional tension and explores the cost of choosing duty and power over personal happiness. Because it brought vivid depictions of rural Australian life to an international audience and showcased the emotional scale and ambition of Australian storytelling, the novel is considered a must-read Australian book.

First published in 2000, "True History of the Kelly Gang" was written by Peter Carey and presented as a fictionalised memoir of Ned Kelly, Australia's most famous outlaw. Written in a raw, distinctive voice, the novel portrays Kelly's life from childhood to outlawry, emphasising poverty, police corruption, and systemic injustice.

A key turning point is Ned's gradual transformation into an outlaw after repeated mistreatment of his family by authorities. This transformation raises complex questions about whether Kelly is a criminal or a victim of oppression. The novel reinterprets a national legend in a nuanced way, exploring themes of class struggle, authority, rebellion, and identity that are central to Australian history.

"The Book Thief" was published in 2005 and written by Australian author Markus Zusak. It is set in Nazi Germany and tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a young girl who finds comfort in stealing and sharing books during World War II. Despite its European setting, the novel is considered an Australian classic because of Zusak's distinctive narrative voice, most notably the narrator, Death. Its global success again demonstrates Australia's contribution to world literature.

Liesel learns to read and uses words and storytelling to connect emotionally with others, employing the resilience she finds in reading to grow in empathy and moral courage. She hides a Jewish man, and comforts neighbours during bombings. In the story, reading becomes a powerful symbol of hope, compassion, and humanity amid extreme violence and oppression.