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Welcome and thank you for visiting Cormac McAnallen's GAC online. Click here to learn more about the club and visiting Australia....
The Club's brief history / background is well documentated as is the Tribute to Cormac section. The Club Chat page enables users to interact online. This forum enables you to discuss topical GAA issues, developments and concerns. The Craic page highlights the social side of our Club through a colourful photo gallery. You can even buy club merchandise from the Club shop page. Our live news feeds will ensure when you do visit you will be kept updated on recent global GAA news.
The menu bar on the left will provide you with an insight on the structure of the Club and the NSW GAA season. This will include fixtures and results. On the bottom left the Club Poll offers you the opportunity to vote on current GAA matters. The Player Profile page will highlight one specific player from the current football or camogie teams. The section will also catalogue past player profiles.
The Club is consious that many visitors to the website will be from Ireland or reside outside of Australia. Therefore the section below will act as a great source for those interested in joining the club or at least keen to explore how to get here and why it's so popular......
Working Holiday Visa
The Working Holiday Program provides opportunities for people between 18 and 30 to holiday in Australia and to supplement their travel funds through incidental employment. Australia has reciprocal Working Holiday Maker arrangements in effect with the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Republic of Ireland, Republic of Korea, Malta, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China, Finland, the Republic of Cyprus, France, and Italy, Belgium, Estonia and Taiwan. The visa allows a stay of up to 12 months from the date of first entry to Australia, regardless of whether or not you spend the whole time in Australia. You are allowed to do any kind of work of a temporary or casual nature, and you can work with each employer for up to three months. Working Holiday Makers who have worked as a seasonal worker in regional Australia for a minimum of three months while on their first Working Holiday visa, will be eligible to apply for a second Working Holiday visa. Applicants need to demonstrate that they continue to meet the requirements for a Working Holiday visa. These include: - being aged between 18 and 30
- having no dependents; and
- being a citizen of a country named in the working holiday maker reciprocal arrangements
For more visa information and lodge an application, click the following link:
Accomodation
Searching for accommodation can be stressful for most people, but with a little research and planning this process can be fun. Knowing where you would like to live usually helps. Basing yourself in Bondi is a typical starting point for most backpackers then once you have found your bearings, explore elsewhere. However there are many accessible and equally suitable suburbs to base yourself in. In the eastern suburbs: Bronte, Bondi, Bondi Junction, Bondi Beach, North Bondi, Woolaware, Randwick, Coogee, Queens Park, Waverley. In the city: Surry Hills, Kings Cross, East Sydney, Sydney Central, Pyrmont and Glebe. Here are some useful web links to assist you find suitable accommodation. We have listed both tempoary accomodation, like backpacker hostels and more long term accommodation (6-12 mths).
Work
Finding suitable employment when you arrive is a nessecity for most people on a working holiday visa - unless you have won the Irish lotto ofcourse! The Club is happy to assist every Club member source employment, either directly through a sponsor or our wider network. Although we don't like to see anyone struggle to find work we do prioritise our players first.
Many backpackers / one year holiday makers are happy to work in menial jobs to subsidise their travels, accommodation and partying. The construction and hospitality industries provide most of this style of employment. You will need to complete the Green Card health and safety course to work in the construction industry. For those interested in working in bars you will need to do the RSA (responsible service of alcohol) course. These courses are available at a variety of training centres throughout Australia. When you register with the club, we are more than happy to assist you find regular employment and accommodation.
Sydney
Sydney is a vibrant, dynamic and accessible city waiting to be explored. Find out more about the city's diverse localities, rich history, world famous tourist attractions and exciting events calendar. Check out the links below for more info:
Australia
Australia is a stable, democratic society with a skilled workforce and a strong, competitive economy. With a population of over 20 million, Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent and is the sixth-largest country in the world in land area. Australia’s multicultural society includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and migrants from some 200 countries.
Australia’s spectacular natural environment, rich Indigenous history and culture, multicultural communities, and vibrant food and wine sector make it one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. More than 5 million people visit Australia every year, making the tourism industry the largest contributor to Australian services export earnings. Australia is one of the world’s oldest landmasses and has been populated for an estimated 60 000 years. Before the arrival of European settlers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples inhabited most areas of the continent. Australia’s contemporary history is relatively short, with the first European settlement established by England on 26 January 1788. The quality of life enjoyed by people in Australia is one of the highest in the world. Australia’s clean physical environment, health services, education and lifestyle combine to make it an attractive place to live. Australia’s ancient Indigenous traditions and multiculturalism are reflected in the diverse cultures and forms of artistic talent present in the country.
From the very beginnings Irish men and women formed the basis of a significant portion of Australia's population, some as convicts, either political prisoners such as Michael Dwyer, the Wicklow Chieftain, transported following the rebellion of 1798, others as criminals. They were followed in later years by many who came as free settlers escaping the depravation of Ireland and seeking a new life. The aftermath of the 'Potato Famie' of 1848 saw many arrive as assisted migrants.
Many went on to make valuable contributions to the broader Australian community and to this day that contribution continues in as varied endeavours as the arts, theatre, music, medicine, law, business, the military and politics. At the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce, St. Patrick's Day Breakfast on the17th March, 1999, Mr. John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia, in speaking of his own Irish background, paid tribute to the contribution made by Irish people in Australia. Mr. Howard, whose great grandmother came from County Westmeath and great grandfather from County Armagh, made the following comments, "It is really understating the history of this country and it is misunderstanding the temper, the moods and the passions of the Australian people to see the Irish contribution as merely being one of just another immigrant group." "Of all the many tributaries which have shaped the mighty river which is modern Australia, none has been more distinctive or important than the Irish contribution."
Irish Influence on Australia
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