Same-sex marriage and a World cup spot in the same day. Cheers Australia!

Our love is real

More than 12.7 million people voted in the same-sex marriage postal survey which resulted in a massive 79.5% turnout. It wasn’t an easy fight and it wasn’t without controversy. In the end, though, the ‘Yes’ vote won.

61.6% of the people who took part in the vote voted yet. The No campaign got just 38.4%. Former prime minister Tony Abbot said that 40% votes would have delivered a “moral victory” for the No campaign.

1.6% of people who took part in the non-binding postal survey said Yes. The No campaign got 38.4% - lower than the 40% that former prime, Tony Abbott said would deliver a “moral victory”.

According to media reports, some MPs are saying that they would still be voting no in parliament, or worse even, abstaining. 133 of the 150 federal electorates had returned a majority support for same-sex marriage.

Once the results were declared and revealed live over a big screen by Australia’s chief statistician, people broke out into hugs and loud cheers. There were rainbow celebrations across the nation. People were wearing wedding dresses sequined units. They declared “our love is real”

With this result, Australia will become the 26th nation to formalize the unions. That is if the legislation is passed by parliament.

Ian Thorpe, one of Australia’s most famous Olympic swimmers, came out as gay three years ago. “It means that the way you feel for another person, whoever that may be, is equal,” Thorpe told reporters during the Sydney celebrations.

The poll is non-binding but prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said that he would raise a bill in parliament with hopes of passing laws by Christmas.

Socceroos are going to Russia 2018

Australia completed a convincing 3-1 second leg win over Honduras in front of a strong home crowd of 76,080. The first leg was goalless.  With this win, Australia has booked their spot in the FIFA World Cup that is taking place in Russia in 2018. The match took place at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.

Captain Mile Jedinak, has been phenomenal ever since his return from a five-month injury layoff. 33-year-old Jedinak scored a hat-trick in a victory that will forever live on in the memories of the Australians.

“It’s a bit hard to describe, it’s unreal ... we’re very grateful we’re going to another World Cup,” Jedinak said. “It’s extra special. It was our duty to the nation as football players to get this job done.”

With this victory, Australia has reached their fourth World Cup in a row.

"This group has gone through a lot, from the way we want to play, to not qualifying automatically, to tough [play-off] matches against Syria, to the talk before this one," said midfielder Mark Millgan, a vital player of Australia's last three World Cup campaigns.

Honduras may have scored a consolation goal, but it was too little too late. The Socceroos and their fans celebrated late into the night.

Australia becomes the 31st team to book their place at the 2018 World Cup. The last place will be taken by either New Zealand or Peru.

Amazon in Australia

Just as a bonus for them Australians, Amazon is slated to launch within days. Products have started to appear on everyone’s favourite e-commerce website. And shoppers across the country will finally be heaving a sigh of relief that Amazon is ‘fully’ entering the country.

Australia’s LGBTQIA community, Socceroos, and their friends, family, and supports, will be celebrating for days to come.