The Evolution of the Tennis Racquet Most accounts suggest that tennis was begun by a group of French months somewhere in the 11th or 12th century. Racquets didn’t exist in the early days, so what they played was more closely akin to handball than tennis, as they used their hands to toss the ball back and forth over a crude net. As it turned out, hitting a ball repeatedly with your hand could start to hurt after a while, so some people began wearing gloves or wooden paddles to bounce the ball back and forth. These could be considered the first tennis racquets, rough as they were. Still, the invention of the legitimate tennis racquet wouldn’t come about until the 14th century, where Italians were said to have crafted them with strings made of guts and a sturdy, bound wooden frame. By the 1500s these were used widespread, albeit with a smaller, more oval-shaped head. The closest ascendant of the modern racquet didn’t come about until 1874 when Major Walter C. Wingfield patented tennis equipment and rules to bring the sport outdoors. During this transition, racquet heads grew closer to the size of those made in the 1970s. However, it remained heavy and on the smaller side despite the developments to better the gear over the years. Metal-headed tennis racquets, though around since 1886, blew up in popularity in 1967, to the point where then-famous tennis players like Jimmy Connors used it during their career in the sport. Nearly ten years later, the first oversized racquet gained popularity among the masses, this one made of aluminium. The lightweight metal alternatives to what was used in the years beforehand, in addition to the broader surface area, made tennis easier for newcomers to the game to play and enjoy, while giving advanced tennis players an unbelievable amount of power behind their swings. Unfortunately, despite the power these new racquets provided, they were unpredictable. The aluminium would warp and distort in such a way that they would send the balls off in an entirely different direction than originally intended. The need for sturdier framework in the big leagues led to a mixture of carbon fibres and plastic resin, which was called “graphite” (with no relation to the actual mineral). In 1987, Wilson Sporting Goods created the widebody frame, which increased the width of the racquet head while maintaining the light weight and stiffness that was desired for the game. Tennis racquet makers suffer from their success. The durability and reliability of racquets made today leave customers so satisfied with their products that they can enjoy the same one they purchased ten years down the line, making replacements not necessary so long as it’s cared for properly. Quality products are hard to come by these days, though, and with society ever-advancing, who knows where the tennis racquet may lead us next?
How to Prep Your House Before Traveling Preparing for a trip can be stressful. How do you plan to get to your destination? What will you bring along with you? Is there a boarding kennel nearby for your pets to stay at while you’re gone? With so many questions that need answers before you leave, it’s easy to forget that prepping your house for your time away is equally as important. What, then, should you do to prepare your home for while you’re away? Maintenance There’s no need to pay more on your bills than necessary when you’re not home. Unless someone is housesitting for you, your home will be fine sitting without luxuries. To save on your bills, check to make sure your air conditioning is either off or set to high, as there won’t be a need for a cool home while you’re away. Your dishwasher, sinks, and washing machine don’t need water either, so turn your plumbing off at the main valve to help prevent leaks. Along those same lines, turning your water heater to vacation mode will save on your heating bill, and making sure to unplug all unnecessary electronics will save on your electric bill. Double-check your smoke detectors to be sure that they’re in working order, check on your pool pump to keep it running if you have a pool, and leave a list of emergency contacts with a friend or neighbour in case something comes up that needs your attention. Kitchen and Bathroom Before you leave for your trip, toss any perishables from your refrigerator to prevent food from rotting while you’re away. If you are gone for a while, unplugging your fridge and leaving the doors open will help negate the growth of mould and mildew. Do the same with your pantry if you have any open food to prevent bugs, and wash your sink out to keep mould from growing on old food that may be in it. To avoid any smells, take out the trash before you leave, and pour chlorine into your toilet bowls to clean them and stop bacteria from moving in. Anti-burglary Not every home has the anti-burglary system that Kevin from Home Alone built up, but you can still do your part in making sure your empty house doesn’t tempt burglars. A motion sensor light on your porch or a timed light can make it seem like you’re home to any outsiders, and keeping your curtains and blinds as you would when home won’t draw as much attention to the opposite being the case. Lock all doors, move any outside spare keys elsewhere while you’re gone to make it harder to get inside, and if you have a security system, be sure to notify the company before you leave. Avoiding announcing your trip on social media until after you’ve returned home will help prevent attention being drawn to your absence as well. Park your car in your garage if you have one, or have a friend drive it periodically if you don’t so it seems like you’re home. Investing in a sprinkler system or hiring someone to care for your yard will help with both anti-burglary and general maintenance, and having all mail either halted, kept at the post office, or forwarded elsewhere will take away another tip-off that you’re away.
Australian Laws Of Which Tourists Should Be Aware Every country has strange and unusual laws, and Australia is no different. If you’re not a native, however, you either may not know about these laws or may not believe they exist. No matter the case, here are five Australian laws you should know about before travelling to Australia. Wear Your Bicycle Helmet Australia is one of two countries in the world that require you by law to wear a bicycle helmet if you plan on going for a ride. The goal of this law is to prevent potential head injuries, but even so, not everyone agrees with the law being in place. Until the law is repealed, however, riding without a helmet could earn you a fine anywhere between $100 and $300. No Bulletproof Vests If you were considering bringing along your bulletproof vest to Australia, you might want to rethink that. In Australia, it is illegal to own and wear bulletproof vests without proper licensing in South Australia, Victoria, Northern Territory, ACT, Queensland and New South Wales. Don’t Crash a Wedding or Funeral If you’re travelling to Australia with the intent of crashing a wedding or funeral, you may want to think again. It is illegal to do either of these things in South Australia, and those who do will be charged a $10,000 fine. No Hooning In Australia and New Zealand, hooning refers to people who drive recklessly or dangerously on purpose to draw attention from onlookers. This can include burnouts, speeding, doughnuts, and screeching tyres. Rather than a fine, police in Queensland are allowed to confiscate your car in response to hooning, so to save your car drive carefully. You’re Required to Vote Unlike in some other countries, voting is compulsory in Australia. If you’re only visiting, there’s no need to worry about this particular law, but if you plan on migrating to the country, keep this in mind. The law was enacted after the first World War, going from a 60% voter turnout in 1922 to over 91% in 1925. If you fail to vote, you must provide a legitimate excuse or pay a $20 fine; if you don’t pay that fine, the matter will be brought to court and give you a $180 fine if you’re found guilty. Whether you go to the actual polls, send your vote in from overseas, or qualify for early voting, make sure to get your vote in so you don’t face the penalties.
The Hidden Gems of Australia Every country has its famous attractions, and Australia is no different. People from all over flock to Sydney, Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, and more, all of which are sights to behold. However, there are hidden gems that go unnoticed by the general tourism populace lurking in the less-visited corners of Australia that are worth putting into your next trip’s itinerary. Arnhem Land, North Territory If visiting the wilderness is something you’re interested in, look no further than the remote Arnhem Land, located in North Territory. It’s about the size of the state of Victoria and is home to the indigenous Yolgnu people. To visit you’ll need to obtain a permit from the Northern Land Council or visit on tour with someone who has a permit, but it’s worth the effort to see Arnhem Land in its beauty. See wildlife native to that part of Australia, including the region’s largest predator: the saltwater crocodile. Also able to be seen are dugong, nesting turtles, jacana, azure kingfishers, magpie geese, brolga and jabiru. Take a peek at the nearby community of Gunbalanya to see and buy art, or go on cultural tours with indigenous guides to see ancient rock art, historic ruins, and idyllic beaches. Bay of Fires, Tasmania From Binalong Bay in the south to Eddystone Point in the north, the Bay of Fires is a 50 kilometre long stretch of land filled with sugar-white beaches, crystal clear waters, and a feeling so serene that you’ll feel like the only person to have stepped foot there. Snorkel with marine life and into underwater caves, walk along the beach, or sign up for one of the many tours or events offered there to experience what the Bay of Fires has to offer fully. Settle down at a campsite with an incredible view or stay at a remote eco-lodge near Binnalong Bay. Lake Bumbunga, South Australia Though there are several pink beaches to choose from, Lake Bumbunga is an easy, less than two-hour drive from Adelaide to Lochiel. The colour of the sand shifts from white to pink to blue due to the saline levels of the water, making it a go-to spot for photographers who want that perfect shot. If you walk a little further north, you’ll come across the famous Clare Valley wine region, where you can treat yourself with a rosé to match the colour of the sand.
The Importance of Written Contracts If you go to court over an agreement dispute, a question you’re likely to hear is, “Did you get it in writing?” It’s not something that crosses everyone’s mind, especially if you’re making a deal with someone you trust, but things change. Perhaps something went wrong in your business, your relationship turned sour, or conditions changed. Taking that to court, however, gets tricky, because without a signed and written agreement, you have no proof for the terms of your contract. A judge needs more to work off of than a he-said-she-said situation, because the human brain, while intricate, isn’t infallible. Memories can fade over time, or not be passed over if a new party gets involved, or someone could choose to lie about the situation, and with no proof, the judge could assume the other party’s word has just as much validity as your own. When entering a contractual relationship with someone else, keep this in mind while setting up your document: Be Detailed This is critical. A detailed contract stating what’s expected of both parties leaves little room for interpretation or loopholes the other person can take advantage of. Performance, payment terms, termination rights, and rights upon default (to name a few) should be clearly stated in your documentation. Negotiating a detailed contract will often bring up any problems that a verbal agreement might miss before energy and resources are poured into the project. Hashing out these disagreements will prove whether or not there’s a deal to be made at all. Contracts Must Be in Writing to Be Enforced As mentioned above, without a written contract, it’s difficult to enforce anything at all. Some contracts must be written down, however, such as real estate leases for over a year, the sale of real property, or the agreement to pay a debt of another. Having a contract written down will give you the legal advantage of enforcing what the both of you agreed to upon signing, but likewise, that very thing can be thrown back at you, so be sure to follow your contract exactly. Simply writing down the agreement isn’t enough, let alone enforceable, so going to an experienced attorney to assist in writing up the contract is your best course of action. The benefits of having a written contract far outweighs the quickness that verbal agreements can have. To save your business time, resources, and money, have a contract written before making your next deal—it could very well save you down the line.
Four Famous Australian Court Cases There are several different court cases seen every day, but not all of them stand out enough to be remembered years down the line. Cases that are remembered are surrounded by controversy, a historical moment, new precedences, or are merely odd interpretations of the law. Australia has had its fair share as well, including these three famous court cases. Mabo vs Queensland (No 2), 1992 Possibly the most famous Australian court case, Mabo vs Queensland (No 2) rewrote the country’s national land laws to recognize its indigenous population as the original inhabitants of Australia. The former Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, issued a public apology to the stolen generations of indigenous people. After a decade of reaching a conclusion to this case, they were allowed to claim traditional rights to unalienated land. Chamberlain vs the Queen, 1984 Chamberlain vs the Queen was an odd murder trial centred around the death of an infant during a camping holiday. The prosecution of the case claimed the child’s mother committed the murder, while the mother claimed a dingo took her child. Questionable blood testing, poor eyewitnesses who backed the mother, and a forensic scientist who had their evidence overturned in previous trials eventually led to the mother being found guilty for the murder of her infant child. In 1986 new evidence emerged regarding the case that showed the child might have actually been killed by a dingo, leading to the eventual release and acquisition of Chamberlain. Commonwealth vs Tasmania, 1983 An environmental victory was achieved with the Commonwealth vs Tasmania case in 1983. The Federal government clashed with the Tasmanian government in the High Court over the construction of a hydroelectric dam, which the Tasmanian government believed they had a legal right to build. The Federal government, on the other hand, opposed the construction under the World Heritage Convention, which aims to protect heritage around the world that has such a high universal value that its conservation is important for current and future generations. The Federal government won the case in the High Court with a 4:3 majority vote, both setting a legal precedent and preserving a key part of the Australian wilderness.
Studying Law in Australia Obtaining a law degree is a rather popular choice to make. By getting a law degree, students not only have a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities, but they gain self-confidence and exercise their critical thinking, persuasive reasoning, and analytical skills both in the classroom and out in the field. Practising law offers financial stability and a position to shape the world as well, so why not go into the field? There are so many high-class institutes to attend that give their students quality education, but no country can quite beat out what Australia has to offer law students. Why Australia, though? Other than the fact that the University of Melbourne ranks at #6 on a list of top law schools in the world and the University of Sydney ranks at #12, many international students choose to pursue their education in Australia due to the high quality and internationally prized status of degrees obtained there. At the undergraduate level, students will receive a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) after completing a four-year curriculum, while those who get the Juris Doctor (JD) will get their degree after three years. Most students obtain an additional degree either during or before their law curriculum, and specialization programs are offered to students to give them a more well-rounded knowledge of national and international law. Most schools with a law program have a core curriculum that teaches students concepts such as torts, criminal law, and property law. Electives dive further into learning about international law, jurisprudence, and all students have to satisfy a language requirement. Upon graduation, students often go on to be barristers or solicitors for private practices or the government. Since most countries recognize the degree, they can take their knowledge outside of Australia if they wish. Since a law degree in Australia has such a broad focus on interdisciplinary skills, graduates don’t necessarily have to go into practising law like they studied, as they can also apply their degree to fields such as journalism, business, and technology. As with any university or degree, students should consider costs when choosing their school. They should also consider the curriculum taught, the school’s reputation, its location and climate, the size of the student body, and the international student demographic for the school. Law students are always needed, and Australia provides high-quality education needed to succeed in the field. Some may ask, “Why attend law school in Australia?” when the question should be, why wouldn’t you?
What to Expect in Australian Court Proceedings If you’ve never been to court before, then attending a proceeding can be intimidating. That’s to be expected if you don’t know how, exactly, it works, especially if you’re a new migrant or just visiting. Knowing what to do and expect once you arrive could help ease your nerves and make the day go a lot smoother than anticipated. What to Wear It’s important to dress appropriately when going in for your court case. A suit and tie aren’t necessary, but you should aim to keep yourself neat and tidy when going in for your hearing. It could be several hours before you’re seen, so wearing comfortable clothes will make the wait more bearable. Before the Hearing Expect airport-style security when entering the courthouse. You and your belongings may be scanned before you’re allowed to enter the courthouse, and any prohibited items, like knives, will be confiscated. Once inside, you’ll need to find the courtroom your hearing will be taking place in. A list should be printed and displayed in the foyer and will have your case name and room number. If you can’t find the room, approach a court officer to ask for directions. Court officers wear either a red badge or a uniform and assist with the case. Once you get to the appropriate courtroom, let the court officer there know you’ve arrived so you can be told where to wait for your case to be called. If you have a lawyer representing you during the hearing, find where they are and discuss where you’ll be waiting instead. The judicial officer will approach your lawyer at the bar table when your case is ready to be heard, or you will be called by the court officer to speak to the judicial officer if representing yourself. If you plan to leave the area, notify a court officer so your case isn’t heard without you being there. During the Hearing Courts have a formality to them. Some people may bow when they enter or leave the courtroom as a show of respect to the court, but bowing isn’t a requirement of anyone. While in the room, note the judge, who’s dressed in a red, black, or purple robe with a traditional wig, and the magistrate, dressed in black robes but no wig. Turn off your cell phone and sit quietly while in the courtroom, and do not interrupt the proceedings for whatever reason. Do not eat or drink, take photographs, or make audio or video recordings, and do not approach or speak with any member of the jury. Being caught with your phone out can lead the judicial officer to think you’re doing something illegal, which would result in you either being asked to leave the court or arrested. Video and audio recording is prohibited unless permission is gained beforehand. When your case is up, you’ll be led to either stand at a microphone or sit at the bar table. Stand when you speak and address the judge and magistrate as “your honour” when speaking to them.