I befriended my first Iowans even before arriving in Iowa from Canberra, Australia. They were homely and friendly Hawkeyes that had been to the Iowa game in Arizona, we met on our flight from Dallas to Des Moines.

“You speak really good English” said the woman, a high school computing teacher, with a kind motherly smile.

I could say little more than thank you and nod politely. I was unaware that my ability to speak was worthy of praise. I turned back to my in-flight magazine, confused, but numbed with jet lag.

“So,” the woman ventured cautiously “Do you speak English down there?”

I was dumbfounded and pulled out of my trans-Pacific stupor.

“Yes” I managed to spit out, my head swimming with both American and Australian stereotypes.

“Oh OK” she said, defeated, understanding exactly why my English was so good, and realizing how strange her compliment was.

I scrambled to explain Australian history, to flesh out my bleak response.

“Well we were a British colony and we’re still part of the Commonwealth, so that’s why we speak English, I mean technically Australia has a queen.”

“Oh like Canada,” she said. 

“Exactly” I said, restraining my laughter, the shock had worn off and the humor of the situation had set in.

As an Australian, I was completely unaware just how isolated our desert island really is. I quite arrogantly had made the assumption that foreigners have an understanding of my nation that reaches beyond Crocodile Dundee and those barbecued shrimp.

Although Hugh Jackman is indeed our greatest achievement, Australia is so much more than the idea of a rugged man wrestling wild and exotic animals; it is a country of innovation and adventure, of extremes and contradictions of conflict and mateship.

Few people would know that we have our first female Prime Minister, a ranga — or red head — who was the deputy before challenging the Prime Minister to ensure their party remained incumbent prior to the then-looming election.

Another little known fact is that Australia is the birth place of Wi-Fi. The Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organization invented the technology in the mid 90s, and now there are plans to create a world-class fiber optic broadband network to span the entire country. That’s no small feat when you consider that Australia is about the same size as the continental USA in terms of landmass.

Australia’s geography and size alone allows it to experience some of the most extreme weather conditions on Earth. At the moment there is severe flooding the size of Texas in some of our most important agricultural and mining areas of Queensland and New South Wales, while on the west coast there are enormous bushfires ravaging hinterland and threatening homes.

Perhaps it is the environment itself that lends to the Australian way of life. Australians are innately aware that life is unpredictable, so we just lay back, chill and try to enjoy the fruits of the land. That means the swimming in crystal waters and soaking up the sun on white sand beaches; quad biking across desert plains and bush land, dodging Kangaroos; or partying in our vibrant and modern cities to some of the best dance music the world has to offer; always with mates and a cold beer — but never ever Fosters.

Australians may not have the famous Midwestern hospitality, but we will call you a mate, regardless of whether or not we know you. You will be invited to drink, eat and laugh as long as you don’t take yourself too seriously, and above all else we want to tell you about the lucky country just to prove you wrong about those damn shrimp.