Is there anyone on the list that can tell me, or direct me to a source which can tell me, the derivation/origins of the terms Australia, Australasia, Australis? Thanks in anticipation.

Hello Chris, I found this on a school web site: Name origins. In recent years, some unusual tee-shirt slogans have greeted visitors to Austria: "No kangaroos in Austria" and "It's not the Outback," for example. If students tend to confuse the names of Austria and Australia (the Outback), tell them about the tee-shirts! A lesson on name derivations might help, too. Austria's name is derived from an Old German term, "Ostarrichi," meaning "East realm." "Austria" - a later, Latinized version - has the same meaning. But "Australia" comes from the Latin "Terra Australis," a term for "Southern Land." HOWEVER - there does seem to be an Austrian connection after all! In last Monday's Sydney Morning Herald there was an article about the new exhibition in the NSW State Library "Matthew Flinders - The Ultimate Voyage", curated by Paul Brunton. In the article, there was a rather curious assertion: "Since medieval times the suspected land mass in the south had been referred to as Terra Australis Incognita (the unknown southern land). In 1606 the Spanish explorer Quiros named Vanuatu, which he thought part of the southern continent, "Australia", partly in deference to Phillip of Spain, who was also a Prince of the House of Austria." I had thought the the name "Australia" progressed something like this: 'Austreos' is Greek for hot, dry. 'Auster' is Latin for a hot, dry south wind - and thus became synonymous with 'the south', hence: 'Terra Australis' - the south land, which (from the time of Ptolomy) was thought to exist in order to "balance" the northern hemisphere. On his second voyage, Captain Cook set out to prove or disprove this myth once and for all. He thought that New Zealand may be the north-west corner of such a land mass - which is why he spent so much time sailing around it - and in the process developed a far greater affection for the place than he ever had for Australia - which was never in contention for the crown - being too far to the north. Cook didn't find the mythical balancing land mass. Nontheless, Flinders applied the name 'Australia' - in preference to New Holland or, indeed (baring in mind the contenders of the day) New Spain! You must add these to your list of theories! Best wishes Sybil Cameron ----- Original Message ----- From: "Christopher Dunlop" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2001 4:10 PM Subject: [A.G.R. ] Derivation of Australia and Australasia > Is there anyone on the list that can tell me, or direct me to a source which can tell me, the derivation/origins of the terms Australia, Australasia, Australis? > > Thanks in anticipation. >

----- Original Message ----- From: "Christopher Dunlop" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: 09 October 2001 16:10 Subject: [A.G.R. ] Derivation of Australia and Australasia > Is there anyone on the list that can tell me, or direct me to a source which can tell me, the derivation/origins of the terms Australia Hi Christopher The word Australia was first used by Mathew FLINDERS c 1803 . The NSW State Library have BASS & FLINDER exhibition on at the moment >, Australasia Not sure who dreamt up that version >, Australis? Is Latin ........Old maps have Terra Australis on them ...... means unknown land . Bye Marg Morters Member of Central Coast Family History Society GOSFORD NSW Australia