Doorknobs and lightswitches -- Aussie style

We live in an old Queenslander (a style of architecture). I have noticed that in this house, as well as many buildings built in the 1970s(?) and before, the doorknobs are of an usual hight -- at least compared to the Pacific Northwest in the U.S.

Gye Greene has kindly allowed himself to be used as my model. Note that GG is 5'10" tall -- a typical male height -- and that the doorknob to the laundry room is shoulder-height. This is consistent with all the doorknobs in the house. The sign he holds indicates that the doorknob is 4'9" high, or 1.45 metres.

The lightswitches are also unlike those in the U.S. In this first photograph, an American might think it is in the "on" position; this is incorrect. In Australia, the "up" position is "off."

Similarly, the following photograph, showing the light switch flicked downwards, appears "off" to my American-trained eyes. But the lights are on.

I am generally used to this inverted way of thinking -- but it still trips me up, now and again!

--TG