And now we welcome the "Koala Brothers", all the way from the UK....

"The Koala Brothers" is a tv show that features on the ABC for Kids website - although it should be noted it does not have a dedicated website within the broader website, unlike "dirtgirlworld" and "Banana's in Pyjama's".  This is quite possible because ironically, the "Koala Brothers" is not a home grown product. It is produced in the UK

source: http://mojoesemporium.co.uk.

"The Koala Brothers" is in stop motion animation (whereas "dirtgirlworld" and the "Banana's" are 2D animation, and the "Banana's" also appear as people in suits).  The type of animation used is not relevant to the scope of this project, but it is worth noting that "The Koala Brothers" do differ from the previous two television shows, in terms of its animation style.

"The Koala Brothers" main characters are called "Frank" and "Buster" and they fly a small plane.  They live in the outback with a range of other characters including "Sammy" the echnida, "Josie" the kangaroo, "Alice" the platypus, "Archie" the crocodile etc.Most characters speak with an Australian accent, except for the exercising crocodile, "Archie" (in image below), who has a British accent.

 Source: http://keithwickham.co.uk/koala.html

In opening sequence to the show, there is an accompanying song.  Within the last few bars of the song, there is the distinct sound of a didgeridoo.  The main 'banner' for the show (featured above) also has a boomerang featured in the design.

In terms of fitting the criteria of "Australian" identity as outlined in the previous blog entry, the show appears to meet a lot of the criteria, including:

• democracy; agreeableness of personal characteristics (e.g., friendly, kind, fair - as discussed previously, this is a fairly common trait in most television shows aimed at pre-schoolers)
• uniqueness and diversity of environment (landscape, animals, weather, conservation - this is a very strong, and distinctive feature of this show as both the landscape (outback), animals (unique Australian marsupials) and weather are key features of the program); 
• sporting prowess; (there is an episode titled "Penny's Big Game"
which is all about an 'outback cricket match' and the crocodile character is constantly exercising outdoors)
• rules of citizenship (birth, living here, citizenship, pride, language - features a lot of Australian language
• and lifestyle"(the animals do seem to enjoy a lot of the stereotypical features of the Australian lifestyle, they seem to own their own business' and homes and enjoy lots of leisure time playing sport and eating ice cream).

In terms of new literacies though, this show does interactive websites, but (as noted previously) these are not to be found on the "Koala Brothers ABC for Kids" website. There are a few 'make and do' activities, but the bulk of the interactive  "learning" options that link from this page are not related to the show at all..  This may well be because the show is produced outside of Australia.  As the show does appear to have a fully interactive website on the BBC's Ceebies website.

"The Koala Brothers" follows in the tradition of marsupials dressed as humans, established by such concepts as "Blinky Bill" (created in Australia by YorramGross).

Source: http://www.yoramgrossfilms.com.au/completed/blinkytv.html

As noted on the Yorram Gross website , Yorram immigrated to Australia from Poland in 1968.

It is interesting how both "Blinky Bill" and "The Koala Brothers" feature many elements that relate to "Australian" identity themes, however neither creator originates from Australia.

In thinking about this, I may now go and have a look through some literature related to Australian film and identity.  Only in order to establish if there is something of use in this literature that might help with the project.