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Most talked global topic on Facebook in 2014 ... Germany's midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (right) and forward Lukas Podolski take a 'selfie' after their victory in extra-time in the FIFA World Cup final with Argentina. Picture: AFP / Adrian Dennis Source: AFP
FROM tragedy to celebration, when it came to the biggest events of the year Australians turned to Facebook to cheer, to mourn and, in some cases, to humblebrag.
The social network today releases its annual year in review that shows the most popular topics people talked about, the most popular places people checked in and the most popular games of the year.
Facebook spokeswoman Mia Garlick said the annual list was a “chance to see what really captured the hearts and minds of the 13 million Australians who are regularly engaging via Facebook.â€
“People do talk about the things they are most passionate about or really impacted on them, whether it be the highs like the World Cup or the Sydney Rabbitohs but also when they’ve got more sombre things to share,†she said.
#1 place shared on Facebook in 2014 ... Darling Harbour in Sydney, which featured the annual Santa Fun Run to raise funds for the Variety Club. Picture: Toby Zerna Source: News Corp Australia
In 2013, the topics that dominated were a federal election, the royal baby and tragedies of a typhoon, a flood and the death of world leader Nelson Mandela.
Wind the clock forward and we’re still fascinating by a mix of pop culture, tragedy and celebration.
The most talked about topic on Facebook by Australians in 2014 was Robin Williams, following his tragic death, ahead of Tony Abbott and Malaysia Airlines.
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Sports were big in the top 10 but charity also got a look in with the Ice Bucket Challenge and Game of Thrones was just on top of the Ebola virus outbreak.
Sitting just outside of the top 10 was Schapelle Corby, whose release from an Indonesian jail got people talking on Facebook but not enough to move her up from the eleventh most popular topic.
While current events, by nature, change from year to year, this year there was a major difference in the places Australian’s wanted to brag about being at compared with the previous year.
Back in 2013, Melbourne was the place to be with it scoring the four top places with the MCG, Crown Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena and Ethiad Stadium.
Unthinkable act and third most talked about topic on Facebook ... The crash site of the downed Malaysia Airlines passenger flight MH17. Picture; AFP / Bulent Kilic Source: AFP
But Melbourne only managed one mentioned in the top 10 this year, with the MCG clinging on to third place.
The big winner this year was Queensland, with three Gold Coast theme parks, Surfers Paradise and Brisbane’s South Bank making up half of the top 10, with Sydney scoring four spots.
The Facebook top 10 lists were created by measuring how frequently a topic was mentioned in Facebook posts in the past 12 months.
To see all of Facebook’s top 10 lists of the year, go to yearinreview.fb.com.
Most Talked-About Topics in Australia
The passing of a legend ... Robin Williams. Source: CBS Source: Supplied
1. Robin Williams
2. Tony Abbott
3. Malaysia Airlines
4. Ice Bucket Challenge
5. Game of Thrones
6. Ebola virus outbreak
7. Conflict in Gaza
8. South Sydney Rabbitohs
9. World Cup
10. Melbourne Cup
11. Schapelle Corby
Most Checked-Into Places in Australia
Beautiful one day ... checking in at Brisbane’s South Bank. Picture: Mark Cranitch. Source: News Corp Australia
1. Darling Harbour, Sydney
2. Sydney Opera House
3. Melbourne Cricket Ground
4. Sydney Harbour
5. Taronga Zoo
6. Warner Bros. Movie World — Gold Coast, Australia
7. Sea World — Gold Coast, Australia
8. South Bank, Brisbane
9. Dreamworld Australia
10. Surfers Paradise
Top Global Topics of 2014
Goal! ... Australia turned to Facebook to cheer on the Socceroos. Picture: Cameron Spencer / Getty Images Source: Getty Images
1. FIFA World Cup
2. Ebola virus outbreak
3. Elections in Brazil
4. Robin Williams
5. Ice Bucket Challenge
6. Conflict in Gaza
7. Malaysia Airlines
8. Super Bowl
9. Michael Brown/Ferguson
10. Sochi Winter Olympics
Top Global Games of the Year
Not a bum rap ... Kim Kardashian found even more fame with her app game. Source: Supplied
1. Cookie Jam
2. Bubble Witch 2 Saga
3. Candy Crush Soda Saga
4. Klondike
5. Kim Kardashian: Hollywood
6. Old Vegas Slots
7. League of Angels
8. Hero Defense
9. SuperCity
10.Sparta: War of Empires