I grew up in an electorate that had been 'blue-ribbon Liberal' since the 70s, and Labor representation only a tiny blip before that. Became very apathetic about voting after seeing the LNP win by a landslide at every local, state and federal election.
I'm now in a seat that's been either Labor or Greens since almost Federation. One seat in the House of Reps won't change the world (or even the country, most likely), but it's comforting to walk around my neighbourhood and know that the majority of the people I encounter are certified Non-Fuckwits. (It's also fun on polling day to see offers of LNP and far-right parties' how-to-vote cards declined by pretty much everyone in the queue.)
Huh, I've not heard of this, though it doesn't surprise me.
In the area where I grew up (waaay out in the sticks, with no easy public transport access to the closest AEC office), the AEC tended to send people out to your home on your 18th birthday (or soon after it) and enrol you on the spot. This was decades ago, though, before you could do any of it online.