“It takes all sorts to be Australian”
“There is no ‘real’ Australia waiting to be uncovered. A national identity is an invention.” Australian identity is one of the world’s youngest national identities yet one of the oldest terrestrial that exited. Australian identity has not passed down for thousands of years or decades like other nationalities around the world. There are some evidence to suggest historical events that has occurred before and after the arrival of white Anglo-Saxon men has shaped the character of Australia. Nevertheless, it can be also the case that the values Australia distribute to its people has caught the attention of visitors who creates their own ideal picture of the country itself. But what also more unique about Australia is its demography. Owning an exclusive diversity. Icons such as thongs, beaches, sun, flies, kangaroos or koalas and an ice cold beer with BBQ (Barbie) are all elements that creates the ultimate soul of Australia as a nation. Living in the country for a period of time, adopting to its great diversity, valuing its unique culture, believes, traditions, landmarks are all needed to be Australian.
Historical aspects, and experiences that a kingdom has gone through often takes responsibility for its national identity. Australia is a country that sheltered one of the world’s oldest cultures that was carried by a strong ‘native’ ethnic group which was known to have an existence of 40000 years. Yet an unknown culture between the outsiders. Roaring history developed after the first fleet. Right after the arrival of convicts or the white Anglo –Saxons, who stole the land of the native people of Australia! This led to the ‘stolen generation’ in order for them to create an identity with a ‘pure white community’. This became the first well known chapter of Australian history. Later on in 1850’s with the gold rush, Australia was flooded with migrants from Europe, Asia and Middle East which stifled the emerging national identity. By 1860 to 1870 more and more migrants came to the land of opportunities, the text ‘Growing up Asian in Australia’ would be a good source of evidence.1880’s it was found that three quarter of the Australian society was born in Australia which created a feeling of nationalism within people. As the population grew Australia became more civilized as a nation. As a result Australians fought in World War 2 as one nation to help fellow countries which moulded the identity of a fearless Australian.
Oneness of an Australian is sharing and accepting the values, not just the opportunities. The words mateship, courage, egalitarianism, resourcefulness and independence are spread throughout the Australian integrity. Though we value individualism we look after each other. Australia embody better than other countries to believe what you want, as long as no one is hurt. Australian identity is not just one particular raise. It’s a nation that is built up with number of different raise and cultures. What attracts many people from different countries to Australia is the way of expression, freedom of speech, ability to move around with equal rights between people. Multiculturalism have impacted greatly in Australian identity. Because of this Australia is well known for its wonderful diversity. Migrants from different ethnic groups are free to practice their traditions and cultures. In the Movie ‘Looking for an Allibrandi’ a story about a young woman who is lost in finding her ‘True identity’ depicts the impact of having Italian roots. She discovers there is no set definition to be an Australian. She became to realise it is the ‘Wog day’ / ‘sauce day’ and such, traditional activities that passed down for generations, the accessible ethnic group she owns along with the opportunity to live in this free land is what being Australian. Like History, our morals and demography has made us to be strong as we are today. Stereotypical images that has being set, can influence identity of a country partially. ‘Tall, slender, strong with a distinctive accent who owns kangaroos as pets’, an image most visitors have. But we know that there is no perfect Australian appearance that can be related. More often it is Australian icons which are attracted by the foreigners. Ultimately kangaroos, koalas, emus are some of Australia’s native fauna which has become few of the significant icons. Kangaroo is a typical Australian icon as it is also displayed on Australian coat of arms. In the ‘Coat of arms Australia’ a kangaroo and an Emu is seen. It is claimed that these two animals were chosen because neither animals can move backwards frequently, which represents that Australia always moves forward without stepping back. Australia is also a country that has rich tourist industry. Over 6.1 million visit Australia annually. Living in a ‘lucky country’ such as Australia we are bound and responsible to protect it as a whole community. Thus the effort people have put in to protect this country depicts their belonging towards the country as an Australian.
On balance it appears that even though a person inherit their own unique culture or tradition it is still part what being Australian. Living on this land for period of time sharing the opportunities the land has to offer between one another, adopting to its demography, valuing its morals, cultures and landmarks can all be classified as the backbone of a ‘True Australian’. A True Australian have being seeing through white Anglo – Saxons and native people ‘the aboriginals’ during different eras of Australian History. But now, the key point of been Australian is ‘been unique’. Australia is a nation that has no particular raise or one particular ethnicity. Australian ethnicity is its oneness and it is evidential of having many elements to create it. Hence, being Australian dose not revolve around one focal point but many. Which is why ‘it takes all sorts to be Australian’.