25 - 30 years is the norm in Australia for a mortgage. But a fixed interest rate can only be set for 1 - 5 years at a time.

Nah that was just the talking clock. The wake up/reminder service was a ‘premium’ service accessible via 1234.

1194 in Australia, it was discontinued in 2019 after 66 years. It’s now on the internet http://1194online.com/

Sort of along the same vein - as unions grew weak in Australia a different way to represent workers was needed. Industry Superannuation funds were created. Workers pay into these retirement funds which in turn invest in the companies. These funds now represent the investors interest in the companies the investors work at.