Good Morning to one and all, Thank you for giving me this opportunity today. As this is Australia Day I would like to reflect today on the issue of Identity There are many Australians who say that Australia has no national identity and would be racist if it got one.
Ironically, such an attitude is a uniquely Australian thing to say. But Australia is a country that has been described, as diverse, multicultural and unique.Australian society has evolved in a very short space of time from the earliest convict settlements established in the mid 19thcentury, to the cosmopolitan states that currently exist and attract migrants from all continents across the globe. Australia’s history has been define by conflict, human rights violations, economic growth and the hardship associated with establishing a refined society in a harsh and primitive landscape. One aspect of Australian Identity that is continually misrepresented to the rest of the world is the stereotypical image of the tanned, blonde, athletic, easy going, slow talking Aussie.It is true that our climate and geography enable Australians to spend leisure time at the beach or outdoors.
It is also true that Australians tend to love sport. The true Australian identity, however, is linked to opportunity and the hope of a better life. It would be too simplistic to claim that the true Australian identity could be defined effectively by examining the Indigenous communities that existed prior to the British colonization of Australia.It would also be unrealistic to just focus on the British colonies that developed from convict settlements to towns that attracted free settlers seeking a better life from what Britain and Europe offered. Perhaps the only idea that we can retain from these early times is the concept of seeking a better life and this is a common aspect of Australian identity that resonates with all who have come to Australia.
There are still a lot of things to be understood about Australian identity.For someone who is a foreigner in this country and barely has an understanding about the culture, it’s a bit difficult to grasp everything. But as soon as I arrived in this country, there are certain undeniable traits that the Australian possesses uniquely. They love to smile. Whenever you come across them they always have a ready smile painted on their face. They love to converse with everyone.
A simple conversation which can make anyone feel accepted in this country. I also observe that although this is a multicultural nation, everyone seems to fit in.While it is true that there is Caucasian, Dark Skinned people that can be found here, there seems to be an equal rights and opportunity for everyone. Even the aboriginals and Torres Strait islanders enjoys the same privilege as the “Caucasian” ones, may it be in school, workplace, or public places. This is what I have encountered so far. Yet, there are still some issues that cannot be solve instantly.
It is quite inevitable to hear about problems in the rights and privileges of indigenous people.Australia will never acquire a national identity until individual Australians acquire identities of their own. " Patrick White This has made it quite difficult for Aborigines to clearly define what they need to improve their lives. In addition, there has been a tendency to homogenise Aborigines, which has in turn resulted in the diversity of Aboriginal thought and culture being recognised. From what I have read in the history of Australia , Australia has a very poor record when it comes to treatment of its Aboriginal citizens in the past.Indigenous Australians were dispossessed of their land, despised for their culture, and marginalized, abused, and murdered.
Fortunately, there have been improvements in the past couple of years. A change in administration led to a national apology from the government for the Stolen Generations, and the country as a whole celebrates Sorry Day. The new administration also reversed the country’s opposition to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.In conclusion, Australian identity has a wide scope of area. But surely when you immerse yourself with the Australian way of life it is not that difficult to recognize the unique and true identity of the Australian.
It is their love for their country and their people. They are passionate to what they do and very accommodating and accepting to different culture. They are not afraid to deal with the difference and conflict of cultures but welcome everything to see if there is anything to learn and gain from it.
