As a Kiwi, we had trifle on all 'special occasions'.
It was always sponge in the base of a large dessert bowl,seriously dowsed in sherry, lightly coated with raspberry jam, then covered with thick layer of vanilla custard, occasionally a layer of jelly, then topped with whipped cream and decorated with fresh strawberries or kiwifruit depending on season.
It tasted better after being a couple of days old when the sherry had thoroughly infiltrated its flavour through the whole creation.
I can also remember "Ice Cream Pudding" some sort of vanilla flavoured cold custard. Why it was considered any sort of reasonable substitute for genuine ice cream I've never determined.
