Aussie author Tim Griggs has lived and worked on more continents than most people will visit in their lifetimes. The corporate writer-come-journalist-now-novelist met with EMILY BANYARD in London to chat about Churchill, travel, living in the UK and his new novel, Distant Thunder.

KEITH URBAN, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Croc Dundee are personalities you might not expect to see sharing the same stage.

Hundreds gathered at Australia House to honour 2012’s Australians of the Year in the UK.

Barry Humphries displayed all of the modesty of Dame Edna Everage or Sir Les Patterson after receiving the Australian of the Year award in the UK.

When Dame Edna graces the London stage in the pantomime production of Dick Whittington, it’s not just the Aussies in the audience who swoon. TIM MARTIN found out that the Brits are actually quite fond of the ‘housewife from Melbourne’ too and she’s right at home in panto.

An Australian’s time spent in the UK can be filled with any number of traditionally English experiences. But one is both easily experienced and a truly English cultural experience, going to see a pantomime.

It’s that time of year when London decks the halls and gets fully into the Christmas spirit. From festive lights to winter pub specials, panto theatrics to ice skating on the Thames, NINA McGRATH explores what the English capital has in store for us at this time of the year. Merry Christmas!

Being the only Australian in my office, I was like the new play thing, expected to say things on demand such as, “strewth”, “daggy”, and “flamin’ galah”. Is that really how people in England see us?

The Last Night of the Poms with Dame Edna Everage – Royal Albert Hall, Sept 15, 2009. Review by Anna Prytz

INTERVIEW: Barry Humphries admits that his larger than life creations Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson allow him greater creative freedom. “I don’t like being me,” he says.

IN celebration of the 50th anniversary of Australia’s quintessential comedy act, Alex West has produced a fascinating documentary, The Man Inside Dame Edna.

Dame Edna Everage, not to be outdone by other glamorous dames, has joined forces with international cosmetics brand MAC to launch a range of makeup.