Grand Duchy of Australis
 | This article refers to a micronation or element of micronationalism which is defunct and no longer exists. You can help make the article reflect that or ask on the talk page for further information. |
Grand Duchy of Australis | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–2023 | |||||||||
 Flag
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| Motto: Consociati fideles perstemus (English: United together let us remain steadfast) | |||||||||
| Status | Succeeded by  Second Commonwealth of Australis | ||||||||
| Capital | New Yera | ||||||||
| Common languages | English, Afrikaans, and Dutch | ||||||||
| Demonym(s) | Australisian | ||||||||
| Government | Semi-constitutional monarchy | ||||||||
| Grand Duke | |||||||||
• (2020-2021) | Daniel R | ||||||||
| Margrave | |||||||||
• (2021) | Patrick Kenny | ||||||||
• 2020 | Jared B. | ||||||||
• 2020 | Patrick Kenny | ||||||||
• 2021 | Cameron Koehler | ||||||||
• 2021 | Rory Leonard | ||||||||
• 2021 | Tucker Gladden | ||||||||
• 2021 | Isaiah David | ||||||||
| History | |||||||||
• Founded as Commonwealth of Australis | 8 April 2020 | ||||||||
• Unified Royal States proclaimed | 6 May 2021 | ||||||||
• Duchy proclaimed | 28 May 2021 | ||||||||
• Succeeded by Second Commonwealth of Australis | 3 January 2023 | ||||||||
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Australis, officially the Grand Duchy of Australis and also known as the Unified Royal States of Australis, was a self-declared sovereign nation, more commonly known as a micronation to external observers. Australis declared independence from the Commonwealth of Australia on 8 April 2020. It was located in the southwestern area of the state of Western Australia. During its early history, the nation had two official capitals - Jarrahview and New Yera, however New Yera was proclaimed as the sole capital of Australis in late 2020.
During the early history of Australis, it was an absolute monarchy, ruled by the Grand Duke of Australis, Daniel R. A meritocratic council was also formed, which served as an advisory body to the Grand Duke. From January 2021, the nation became a semi-constitutional monarchy, with the formation of a House of Commons led by a Prime Minister, which was initially active, however it began to suffer from inactivity in mid-2021.
Australis frequents high positions on intermicronational rankings of performance. It placed second in the December 2020 Cupertino Member Positivity Survey, earning 114 points. Furthermore, Australis ranks 4.40 on the Categoric-Gradial System of Classification, placing it in the 'Very High' category. On Daniel's Scale of Micronational Seriousness, Australis scores 3.60, placing it in the 'High' category. In addition, Australis scores 4.60 on Freayth's System of Classification. Australis has held full membership in the Cupertino Alliance and Grand Unified Micronational since July and November 2020, respectively. Australis is a member of the Constantia Pact, a diplomatic pact between several nations connected via the micronational social club The Fun Gang. Australis was widely believed to be one of the most influential micronations in the Oceanian sector from late 2020 until its dissolution.
Etymology
The name Australis was chosen by Daniel R. The name Australis is derived from Terra Australis Incognita's historical term, meaning 'Unknown Southern Land'. This name was given to a hypothetical undiscovered continent, that was later found to be Australia. Australis was also chosen to be the name as it fits with the Latin naming scheme that was used in the early history of the nation.[1]
History
Pentarchy Era (April–May 2020)
The Pentarchy Era commenced with the establishment of Australis. On 8 April 2020, the Commonwealth of Australis was established by a group of five people - Daniel R, A.M, A.W, R.F, and C.A.[2] These five people comprised the Pentarchy - an executive and legislative governing body of five equal individuals tasked with running Australis. The week following the founding of Australis saw massive population inflation, with the population almost tripling, reaching 13 citizens by 17 April. On 18 April, Australis created the first version of its MicroWiki page to further its foreign relations. It is also around this time when Australis joined the Organization of Allied Micronations, a now-defunct micronational organization, as a founding member. Australis' membership in this early phase opened gateways and set a standard for future Australisian diplomacy. Within its first month, Australis opened diplomatic partnerships with the now-defunct Republic of Suverska, the Union of Jutar, Commonwealth of Rhodesia and Imperium Aquilae.
During this time, Pentarchy members R.F and A.W resigned, and were replaced by S.H and C.O in an election that held many former powerful figures of government such as Jared B. and X.M. Towards the end of April, the Pentarchy held an election to form a separate legislative branch of government. Initially, this legislative branch consisted of five seats. The election had two political parties contesting government - the left-wing Australisian Libertarian-Socialist Party and the right-wing Australisian Liberal Party. The Libertarian Socialist Party, backed by four of the five Pentarchy members, won with an absolute majority vote, with no seats being gained by the Liberal Party. On 6 May, the Australisian Parliament was dissolved and political parties were outlawed by the Pentarchy, to 'maintain the political and social goals of Australis'. The system was replaced by a Governor system, with one person each representing their respective state, appointed by the Pentarchy. This system held similarities to the transitionary eras` meritocratic system.
Also coinciding with this date was the day Australis changed its official name, from the Commonwealth of Australis to the Unified Royal States of Australis, due to the name being easily confused with the Commonwealth of Australia. From 6 to 28 May, Australis was experiencing instability within the government. The Pentarchy was viewed by the citizen base to be failing, as Daniel R was performing most of the work of developing and running Australis. The other five members at that point participated very little in Australis. In a last-ditch effort to keep the Pentarchy stable and to reignite activity, a vote was passed to make Daniel the Head of the Pentarchy, which in doing so violated the original purpose of the Pentarchy, to have five equal rulers. In addition to this, two high-ranking individuals within Australis, initially gaining power in the April election, were appointed as advisors to the Pentarchy. These were Xavier Joubert and Jared B.. Despite the best efforts of the Pentarchy and its advisors, it ultimately collapsed on the 28th of May 2020, after Daniel guaranteed Jared the role of Chancellor, if he helped lobby members of the Pentarchy to vote to dissolve the Pentarchy in a vote. The vote was passed unanimously, due to the other members believing that the nation would operate smoothly under the rule of Daniel R.
Transitory Era (June–August 2020)
The Transitory Era, also known as the Early-Daniel Era, was a time of change and growth in Australis, following the transition of Australis from a Pentarchy into a Grand Duchy, the strengthening of foreign relations with the Kingdom of Australand, and the admittance of Australis as a member of the Cupertino Alliance. Following the dissolution of the Pentarchy, Daniel R ascended to the throne as the first Grand Duke of Australis. At this time, the Australisian Government was relatively undeveloped, with many Pentarchy Era policies and initiatives still in place. To begin changing these old policies, Daniel appointed Jared B., former Prime Minister of Australis and later Advisor to the Pentarchy as the first Chancellor of Australis. The final major change to Government during this era was the de-democratization of Australis, with the Australis Leadership Council becoming a Meritocracy based Government.[3] During August, the State Revitalization Program was established, an initiative intended to promote cultural growth and activity, as well as developing the nation, on the state level, however, this program soon saw inactivity. Also in August, the Department of Immigration and Foreign Affairs launched a trial of paper-based citizenship application forms - this saw a rapid spike in population. The trial was seen as a success, and the program was further developed. However, population was not in direct correlation with activity and little to no new citizens ever participated in the wellbeing of Australis before the wipeout in December 2020.
Golden Era (September 2020 - June 2021)
The Golden Era, is an era that saw a rapid increase in Australisian influence and popularity.
In early September, the Australisian autonomous territory of Nullus was dissolved due to no longer having any dedicated citizens willing to run the territory. Due to this, the territory belonging to Nullus was revoked, returning the territory to the control of Australia. Shortly after this, another territory, situated northeast of Amicitia, was scouted and annexed by the Grand Duke. During September, Australis signed and ratified treaties with the Commonwealth of Naveria, Misberia, United Kingdoms of Greater Monmark and the Kingdom of West Sayville, on the 9th, 10th, 29th, and 30th, respectively. Other notable events that occurred in September included the acceptance of Australis into the League of Independent Nations, the first Parliamentary session being held in Belvoir, Australis, and the introduction of the honorary subject system within Australis.
In October, Australis was an active contributor and supporter of the production of the La Salle Convention, directed by Sertor Valentinus, with Australis being an original signatory to the convention. The convention was ratified by the Australisian Government on 8 October, coinciding with the day commemorating six months since Australisian independence. For the six-month celebrations, the Australis Times released a special article documenting the history of Australis since its establishment. October saw a great expansion of the foreign relations of Australis, with Patrick Kenny, former Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Australand, becoming the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and initiating a major reform of the Australisian diplomacy process to stamp out simulationists from Australis.[4] One of the most significant events in October was the acceptance of Australis as a provisional member of the Grand Unified Micronational.
November saw the expansion of Australis into Europe, with the territory of Beacon being annexed in the United Kingdom. Following this, six honorary subjects in the United Kingdom, relatives of the Grand Duke, were accepted into Australis. Shortly afterwards, Australis was upgraded to a full member of the Grand Unified Micronational. Following the resignation of incumbent Chancellor Jared B. on 8 November, Patrick Kenny, a government member, was appointed by the Grand Duke. During November under the Kenny Administration, Australis signed a treaty of mutual recognition with the Iceni Federal Republic, and the government was overhauled. This Government overhaul included a cabinet reshuffle, as well as the renaming, creation, and dissolution of departments.
Decline and dissolution (July - September 2021)
On 9 September 2021, after several months of inactivity and political instability, Australis was dissolved by the Grand Duke, as a result of him taking a semi-permanent hiatus from the online micronational community. He later proclaimed the Swannian Union as a successor to Australis, which would only operate locally.
Government and politics
Monarch
The Monarch of Australis was the Grand Duke of Australis. The final Grand Duke was Daniel R, styled HRH Daniel I. Following the dissolution of the Australisian Pentarchy in May 2020, Daniel ascended to the throne as its founder on 28 May 2020. Until January 2021, he reigned absolute, however agreed to apply limitations to his power in the Early Democratic Era.
The Margrave of Australis was the heir presumptive for the throne of the Grand Duke. The final Margrave was Patrick Kenny, Lord-President of the Australisian Privy Council.
Privy Council
House of Commons
Foreign relations
Australis maintained an open foreign policy. The Department of Foreign Affairs was responsible for making decisions on foreign policy and forming mutual recognition and relations with other nations. The earliest organization that Australis was involved in was the Organization of Allied Micronations, which later was disbanded. At dissolution, Australis was a member of multiple organizations, some of the most notable being the Cupertino Alliance and the Grand Unified Micronational. Australis applied to become a member of the Cupertino Alliance on 8 July 2020. Shortly after the application was received, on 15 July 2020, Australis became a full member state of the Cupertino Alliance.[5] From early February to late April 2021, the Department of Foreign Affairs was closed as a result of a lack of a suitable treaty template for signing treaties of mutual recognition. As a result, no official diplomacy was conducted during this time, except for participation in micronational organisations. This period ended with tbe naming of Daniel R as Chief Ambassador of Australis, and a subsequent total redesign of the Department of Foreign Affairs, in which it was renamed to the Department of Immigration and Foreign Affairs (DIFA). In addition, a new template for treaties was created. The first treaty to be ratified under the new system was with the Co-operative Republic of Wendatia, on 31 May 2021.
| Flag | Name | Treaty Ratified | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bilateral Recognition | ||||||||||||
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Republic of Suverska | 18 April 2020 | ||||||||||
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Imperium Aquilae | 5 May 2020 | ||||||||||
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Kingdom of Australand | 16 June 2020 | ||||||||||
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Vishwamitra | 26 August 2020 | ||||||||||
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Kingdom of Ebenthal | 3 September 2020 | ||||||||||
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Monmarkian Empire | 29 September 2020 | ||||||||||
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Kingdom of West Sayville | 30 September 2020 | ||||||||||
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State of Iceni | 17 November 2020 | ||||||||||
.svg)
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Kingdom of Ikonia | 9 December 2020 | ||||||||||
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Kingdom of Atiera | 4 January 2021 | ||||||||||
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Commonwealth of Essexia | 21 January 2021 | ||||||||||
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Snagovian People's Republic | 28 January 2021 | ||||||||||
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Co-operative Republic of Wendatia | 31 May 2021 | ||||||||||
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Kingdom of Northwood-Oregon | 17 June 2021 | ||||||||||
.svg)
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Empire of Aenopia | 3 July 2021 | ||||||||||
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Kingdom of Oskonia | 14 July 2021 | ||||||||||
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Revalian Kingdom | 22 August 2021 | ||||||||||
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Free Nation of New Athens | 22 August 2021 | ||||||||||
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Kingdom of Novus Hierosolymis | 23 August 2021 | ||||||||||
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Waterside Park | 23 August 2021 | ||||||||||
Participation in intermicronational organisations
| Name | Logo | Status | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cupertino Alliance | 
|
Full membership | 15 July 2020 | See Australis and the Cupertino Alliance |
| Constantia Pact | 
|
Full membership | 23 October 2020 | Founding member |
| Grand Unified Micronational [6] | 
|
Full membership | 4 November 2020 | See Australis and the GUM |
Participation in multilateral agreements
| Name | Date ratified | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wrythe Convention | 16 May 2020 | |
| Edgbaston Convention | 24 September 2020 | |
| La Salle Convention | 8 October 2020 | Original signatory |
| Montediszamble Convention | 23 November 2020 | |
| Sough2020 Convention on Global Climate Change | N/A | Participated in talks, never ratified |
Geography
Australis was primarily situated on the Swan Coastal Plain, a relatively infertile, sandy lain on the western coast of Western Australia, to the west of the Darling Scarp, a steep escarpment once forming the shoreline of Western Australia during the last ice age. The land on which Australis stood was once roamed by the Whadjuk and Wardandi tribes for tens of thousands of years before the European colonisation of Western Australia.
Climate
In the Western Australian territories of Australis, Australis experienced two different Köppen climate types. In the northern regions of Australis, nearby to the city of Perth, Western Australia, a Csa (hot-summer Mediterranean) climate was experienced. However, in Australis Town and North Constantia, a Csb (warm-summer Mediterranean) climate was experienced. On average, the northern regions experienced 868mm (34 in) of rain per year.
| Climate data for Amicitia, Australis | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 45.8 (114.4) |
46.7 (116.1) |
42.4 (108.3) |
39.5 (103.1) |
34.3 (93.7) |
28.1 (82.6) |
26.3 (79.3) |
30.0 (86) |
34.2 (93.6) |
37.3 (99.1) |
40.4 (104.7) |
44.2 (111.6) |
46.7 (116.1) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 31.2 (88.2) |
31.6 (88.9) |
29.6 (85.3) |
25.9 (78.6) |
22.3 (72.1) |
19.5 (67.1) |
18.4 (65.1) |
19.1 (66.4) |
20.4 (68.7) |
23.4 (74.1) |
26.8 (80.2) |
29.3 (84.7) |
24.8 (76.6) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 18.1 (64.6) |
18.4 (65.1) |
16.8 (62.2) |
13.8 (56.8) |
10.4 (50.7) |
8.6 (47.5) |
7.9 (46.2) |
8.3 (46.9) |
9.5 (49.1) |
11.6 (52.9) |
14.4 (57.9) |
16.4 (61.5) |
12.8 (55) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 8.9 (48) |
8.7 (47.7) |
6.3 (43.3) |
4.1 (39.4) |
1.3 (34.3) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
0.0 (32) |
1.3 (34.3) |
1.0 (33.8) |
2.2 (36) |
5.0 (41) |
6.6 (43.9) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
| Average Rainfall mm (inches) | 19.1 (0.752) |
13.4 (0.528) |
19.7 (0.776) |
35.2 (1.386) |
87.7 (3.453) |
127.3 (5.012) |
144.5 (5.689) |
125.5 (4.941) |
82.8 (3.26) |
38.8 (1.528) |
21.7 (0.854) |
10.9 (0.429) |
733.2 (28.866) |
| Average precipitation days | 2.9 | 2.3 | 4.5 | 6.8 | 11.2 | 14.5 | 17.2 | 15.9 | 14.6 | 9.2 | 5.5 | 3.5 | 108.1 |
| Sunshine hours | 356.5 | 319.0 | 297.6 | 249.0 | 207.0 | 177.0 | 189.1 | 223.2 | 231.0 | 297.6 | 318.0 | 356.5 | 3,221.5 |
| Source: Bureau of Meteorology[7][8] Temperatures: 1993–2020; Extremes: 1897–2020; Rain data: 1993–2020; Relative humidity: 1994–2011 | |||||||||||||
Regions
Australis was composed of three states, one Crown dependency, and 1 territory. States are claimed areas of Australis that have a significant population.
| Flag | Coat of Arms | Name | Date Admitted | Capital | Official(s) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| States | ||||||||||||
|
|
Amicitia | 10 April 2020 | New Yera | Duke • Lord Casper Members of Parliament • Hon. Tucker Gladden • Hon. James Bornstein | |||||||
|
None | Integritas | 10 April 2020 | Western Jarrahview | Duke • Lord Patrick Members of Parliament • Hon. Isaiah Burdette • Hon. Rory McPhail | |||||||
|
None | New Eiffel | 13 February 2021 | None | Duke • Vacant Members of Parliament • Hon. Cristian Dobrev • Hon. Matthew G | |||||||
| Crown Dependencies | ||||||||||||
| None | Austral-Garuda | 3 November 2020 | None | Governor • Max Baez | ||||||||
Demographics
All national demographics were operated by Statistic-Dime, a government-owned company, widely regarded as the most influential and successful statistical organisation in the community. While no census ever officially occurred in Australis, citizenship applications served to collect statistical and demographical information on citizens.
Population
In April 2020, the month when Australis was founded, the nation recorded its largest-ever population gain, growing from 0 to 28 by the end of the month. The population continued to climb until May 2020 when population growth began to slow down. By the end of December 2020, the nation had reached over 70 citizens, however, the population decreased rapidly as a result of a 'citizenship purge', requiring all citizens to renew their citizenship to remain citizens of Australis, which received a relatively poor turnout, bringing the population down to 17. However, the population began to climb again, sitting at 45 citizens in April 2021.
| Population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| April 2020 | 28 | — |
| May 2020 | 46 | +64.3% |
| June 2020 | 46 | +0.0% |
| July 2020 | 53 | +15.2% |
| August 2020 | 61 | +15.1% |
| September 2020 | 62 | +1.6% |
| October 2020 | 69 | +11.3% |
| November 2020 | 65 | −5.8% |
| December 2020 | 17 | −73.8% |
| January 2021 | 28 | +64.7% |
| February 2021 | 38 | +35.7% |
| March 2021 | 42 | +10.5% |
| April 2021 | 45 | +7.1% |
| Information taken from end of each month. | ||
Nationalities
| Position | Nation | Number of Citizens |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Australia
|
11 (33.33%) |
| 1 |  United States
|
11 (33.33%) |
| 3 |  United Kingdom
|
5 (15.15%) |
| 4 |  w:Bangladesh
|
1 (3.03%) |
| 4 |  Canada
|
1 (3.03%) |
| 4 |  w:Czech Republic
|
1 (3.03%) |
| 4 |  w:France
|
1 (3.03%) |
| 4 |  w:India
|
1 (3.03%) |
| 4 |  w:Romania
|
1 (3.03%) |
Intermicronational rankings
- CGSC: ▲ 4.40 Very High (2021)
- Daniel's Scale of Micronational Seriousness ▼ 3.60 High (2021)
- Freayth's System of Classification:
4.6 High (2021) - Boodlesmythe-Tallini System of Classification: 5th World High (2021)
Culture
Australis had a semi-constructed culture. The languages of the nation were taken from the primary languages spoken by the founders of Australis, and several other cultural features, such as national dishes and national plants, were brought over from the culture of Western Australia.
Languages
According to a survey conducted in October 2020, an estimated 24% of citizens were capable of speaking fluent Afrikaans, while 100% of citizens were capable of speaking English fluently. Both languages were designated as official languages, however, English was the dominant, preferred language throughout the nation. In addition, to preserve native Australian culture, Nyungar, a native language spoken by Aboriginal Australians in the Southwestern region of Australia was designated as a recognised regional language, despite there currently being no native speakers of the language within Australis.
National symbols
The national animals of Australis were the Western Grey Kangaroo and the Numbat. These animals are endemic to the Australian continent and widespread throughout Australis.[9][10]
The national plant of Australis, like the national plant of Western Australia was the Kangaroo Paw. It is endemic to South-Western Australia. Kangaroo Paw typically flowers in spring and summer (September–February).
News and media
All Australisian media was state-run. The primary source of news within the nation was the Australis Times, founded in April 2020, which released articles on happenings within Australis periodically, but grew to cover general micronational news.[11] During October 2020, the Australis Times was accepted as an accredited publication on both MicroWiki and MicroWiki@Discord. News and media within Australis were also posted on YouTube, via the state-run YouTube channel, URS Australis.
Hexium Calendar
In addition to using the Gregorian calendar, Australis utilised its own calendar, Hexium. In the Hexium system, the standard 365 day year was split into six months, based on Gregorian months. Hexium was a secondary calendar system, with Gregorian being the standard system within Australis, however, Hexium was an acceptable format in Australisian documents and other information.[12]
| Hexium | Gregorian |
|---|---|
| Unum | January–February |
| Dium | March–April |
| Trium | May–June |
| Quartum | July–August |
| Pentum | September–October |
| Hexium | November–December |
References
- ↑ "Australis - About". Australis Website. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
- ↑ "Original Planning Document for Australis". Australisian National Archives. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ↑ "Australis and Meritocracy". Australis Times. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
- ↑ R, Daniel (27 October 2020) Foreign Office reshapes diplomacy process
- ↑ "Australis Accepted into the Cupertino Alliance". Australis Times. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ↑ "Australis gains Provisional Membership in the GUM". Australis Times. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ↑ "Climate statistics for Australian locations – Perth Metro". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ↑ "Climate statistics for Australian locations – Perth Regional Office". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ↑ "Western Grey Kangaroo Distribution" (PDF). Department of Environment and Conservation, Western Australian. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ↑ "Numbat - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures". Animalia. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ↑ "Australis Times". Australis Times. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ↑ "What is Hexium? - Australis FAQ". Australis Website. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
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| Government and politics |
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| Geography |
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