16-Apr-2020 Theme: 'Fire'

(1) In what year was Victoria’s Country Fire Authority officially established? (bonus points: in what year was NSW’s Rural Fire Service officially established?)

Answer: 1945 (bonus point: 1997).

(2) Three Australian raptor species – whistling kites, black kites and brown falcons – have been dubbed collectively as ‘firehawks’. Why?

Answer: During fires they reportedly carry away burning twigs and use them to ignite new areas, in order to flush out prey.

(3) In February 2020 the Federal Government established a Royal Commission into National Disaster Arrangements (aka the Bushfires Royal Commission), and appointed three commissioners. Who are they? (one point each).

Answer: Air Vice Marshal Mark Binskin, Dr Annabelle Bennett & Professor Andrew Macintosh.

(4) The term ‘fire-stick farming’ was coined in a 1969 book authored by an Australian archaeologist. What was the archaeologist’s name? (bonus point: what was the title of the book?).

Answer: Rhys Jones (bonus: Fire-Stick Farming).

(5) Approximately how many homes in Australia were lost to bushfires between June 2019 and February 2020? (a) 2,500 (b) 3,500 (c) 4,500 or (d) 5,500.

Answer: (b) 3,500.

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