The Great Aussie Cement Caper: Is Portland Cement a Poser Down Under?
Crikey! You might be thinkin' "Portland Cement? Sounds a bit fancy for us fair dinkum Aussies, doesn't it?" Well, hold your waltzing matilda, because the answer's about as straightforward as a boomerang coming back at ya.
 |
| What is Portland Cement Called In Australia |
They Did Things a Bit Different Back Then...
Believe it or not, Portland cement actually got its name from a place in England – Portland, Dorset, to be exact. Back in the 1800s, Joseph Aspdin, a bit of a brickie boffin (that's a fancy way of saying a bloke who knew his bricks), came up with this newfangled cement that looked a bit like the local limestone they called Portland stone. Hence, the name Portland cement was born – catchy, eh?
QuickTip: Focus on one line if it feels important.
But We're Not Pommy Wannabes...
So, did the Aussies just adopt this fancy English term? Not quite, mates! We might love a good barbie and a spot of cricket, but we also like to keep things simple. Here's the lowdown:
QuickTip: Look for patterns as you read.
- Portland Cement is Still King: Despite the fancy origins, in Australia, good ol' Portland cement is what you'll see most commonly. Builders, tradies, the whole shebang – they all know it. It's the workhorse of the concrete jungle (pun intended).
- We Got Our Own Brands Though: While the generic term reigns supreme, manufacturers in Australia have their own brand names for Portland cement. Think "Blue Circle Southern Cement" or "Marlborough." Catchy, right?
So, the short and sweet is this: You can call it Portland cement in Australia, and everyone will understand perfectly. But if you want to sound like a true blue Aussie builder, throw out a brand name and see if you get a knowing nod.
Tip: Slow down at important lists or bullet points.
 |
Bonus Aussie Nickname (for the true larrikins): Some blokes (and gals!) might even call it "grey gold" – a nod to its value in construction and its, well, greyish colour.
Tip: Absorb, don’t just glance.
FAQ: Your Aussie Cement Conundrums Cracked
Okay, so you might still have a few questions about this whole cement business. Don't worry, cobber, we've got you covered:
- How to spot Portland cement in Australia? Look for bags labelled "general purpose cement" or "GP cement." These are basically just Portland cement in disguise.
- How to sound like a fancypants builder? Use a brand name like "Blue Circle Southern Cement."
- How to impress your mates with an Aussie nickname? Casually drop "grey gold" into conversation. Bonus points for a wink and a cheeky grin.
- How to make your own Portland cement? Not recommended, mate. This stuff involves kilns and a fair bit of science. Leave it to the professionals.
- How much fun can you have learning about cement? Surprisingly more than you think! Now you can tell your mates you know the secret history of concrete jungles down under.
 |
