One school of thought is that many convicts sent to Botany Bay in 1788, were just as illiterate as First Fleet diarist, Watkin Tench, claimed that the Aboriginal tribes he met were likely to be.

^ Shouldn't 'sea' be in that sentence, or have I got myself confused again? 😛

Many of the common people of Britain in the past were illiterate, as they did not have the access to books or other written words in the same way that we do now. 

Access shall be granted by invitation only.

I received an invitation to attend a meeting to discuss the upcoming election.

The election of the Australian federal parliament is fast approaching.

Unlike in elections elsewhere in the world, the Australian voter's duty to vote is also compulsory. 

Some of the British MPs have been considering compulsory national service.

National service after 1964 was done by ballot, until Gough Whitlam withdrew Australian troops from South Vietnam. 

The ballot draw took place today to determine the order of parties and candidates on the papers.

Candidates for election in Roman times wore a white toga, which is where the word "candidate" comes from — it literally means one dressed in white.

(Whether candidates then or now could also be described as candid — as in honest, from the same root word — is another matter entirely. )

Mod Note: Just a gentle reminder to be cognizant that political discussion isn't allowed in G&B.

White is the colour of bridal dresses in a number of countries, but many cultures have other traditions.

Do you have favorite Christmas traditions?

Singing Christmas carols is one of my favourite traditions at that time of the year! 

Singing in any version of performing Magician's Nephew, is going to have to be very creative indeed. 

The creative arts are, amongst other reasons, really important to people's well-being; if only those people in their high positions could see that.