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Some Australian women are quite masculine. They are great for a friendly chat, a beer and the sharing of a fart joke or two. Many of these women like to play football. Other Australian women are decorated with more feminine characteritics. Many of these women are graduates of the Australian sport of calisthenics.

The word 'calisthenics' is derived from the Greek words kalos, 'beautiful' and sthénos, 'strength'. True to its naming, calisthenics is an artistic sport that combines dance, gymanstics, singing, ballet, and apparatus. In addition to the physical attributes usually cultivated by a sport, calisthenics aims to build emotional and social attributes. A team of participants practice a routine choreographed to music and subsequently present the routine at competitions.

Calisthenics was invented during the Victorian gold rush as a way of helping people stay healthy. Initially, it focussed on the apparatus with exercises being designed to keep joints supple and muscles strong. Over time, clubs and music were added as the sport took a turn towards the thearter and domination by females. Public classes began in the 1880's. By 1903. the Royal South Street Society had introduced calisthenics to its Eisteddfod in Ballarat. In the 1930s, calisthenics was introduced into Victoria's state schools. (There are different version of calisthenics in America that focus more on gymnastic skills and appeal more to men accordingly.)

Although calisthenics is a competitive sport with regular competition between states, there are also non-competitive versions for participants who are attracted to the performance but shy from the competition.

The appeal of calisthenics seems to be that it is a mix of sport, art and social development. As a sport it helps physical development, coordination, self-discipline and team spirit. As an art it develops an appreciation of music and rhythm, as well as the beauty of line, grace and form. As a social activity, it builds social skills by facilitating social interaction, teamwork, as well as helping participants deal with the pressure and excitement of a performance.

Female participants develop quite a rounded personality. Like many Australian women, they are still partial to the odd fart joke at the pub; however, as they walk to the bar to buy their round they do so with a deal of feminine grace. Some men also perform calisthenics. In some ways these men can be seen as very wise as they put themselves into an environment dominated by attractive ladies. In other ways, they can be seen as unwise as they develop a kind of personality that women like in a gay shopping partner, or as their best male friend, but nothing more.