Are Australians still beach mad? How is the face of the average Aussie changing? In our 2014 / 2015 cultural snapshot of Australia, we demystify cultural myths, shed light on the country’s economic outlook, and explore the emerging and established trends across eleven sectors.

Australia is having a minimalist moment. Ryan Nicodemus and Joshua Fields Milburn preach the joys of owning less and living to more than 2 million readers. Now they’re going on a global tour and inspiring a host of others. So why the sudden urge to declutter?

Houzz is the world’s leading social platform for renovation and home ownership. Australians are particularly active on the site, and with a $33 billion home and renovation market, the country is a natural place for Houzz to open its third location-specific website.

We’re losing focus on the present. We spend 47% of our time thinking about something other than what we’re actually doing. In the UK, US and Australia, fuelled by the desire to slow down and appreciate the moment, mindfulness – which can reduce anxiety by 70% – is now the antidote to busy city lifestyles.