After I submitted the article on values and what we hold in common, Steve Irwin died. One only needs to look at the intensity and widespread nature of the public response to his life and death to realise that the traditional bushman ideal of the Australian character is alive and well.

Good article Kevin. It is only through the establishing our own identity we have any hope of embracing another. The attraction many have to Australia is this very identity and uniqueness – we have good reason to celebrate it and to not morosely dwell merely on the flaws.

Relda... the fact that you (like me) are saying things like "we need to establish our identity" speaks VOLUMES about how far we have fallen from 'who' we are because we lived it unchallenged on a daily basis.

I know my identity, and its Australian of Anglo/Celt heritage. I see it in poems like the Geebung Polo Club, Man from Snowy River, Man from IronBark, Clancy of the overflow,etc etc etc.... but I think it is best expressed by Dorothea McKella in the first 2 verses of her poem "My Country".

It is captured in the Australian Light Horse, and many other wonderful examples of the new person who is 'Australian'.

Kevin's noting of the 'Cultural Left' seeking to endorse “multiple perspectives” and “diverse views” is important. Socially this is the equivalent of 'Browns Cows'....going off in all directions.

This approach could not have anything to do with the large proportion of migrants in blue collar jobs and hence politically more in tune with 'the left'....could it ? :)

I can (and do) totally appreciate the history of other countries like Italy and Greece, and am fairly well read about the Empire of Alexander and of Rome. But I expect Italians and Greeks who come here (at our invitation) to bone up on our history as well. i.e. British, warts and all. It should be taught along with Australian history, including poetry and art.

I spent 8 yrs in Malaysian part of Borneo. Even before I arrived I had read up on the History of the place. The White Rajah's (as fascinating story). After 8 yrs I spoke an indigenous dialect and the Lingua Franca of Malaysia (Bahasa Malaysia) When I returned, I even THOUGHT in Malay... finding it easier. I think I did a pretty good job of assimilating to the place.

I ask the same of any migrant to Australia. Learn about us, know about us, assimilate with us as far as possible. Intermarry with us, socialize with us (and we with them).

Above all, put Australia first and ethnicity second. No square_pegs in round_holes:)

Kevin,

Of the twenty-something civilizations that have exited since Sumer (4,000 BCE), Western civilization (from 476 CE) has been the most successful. It is also the only civilization when on the cusp of decline has been able to pull out of the nose dive, trice. Egalitarianism has been a major factor, as co-opertion leads to the sharing of effort and the spread of information.

Control and deference work against peer cooperation. Political powers both left and right and fundamental Religion arrest individual freedoms and horizonal altruism. Thus,non-constistutional Monarchies, all-knowing Clergies, Fascists and Communists work to arrest independent thought.

Australia vis~a~vis most other countries, has been particualrly successful avoiding extreme ideologies; by-and-large, we have a celtic heritage, accept the ideals of the French reformation thinkers and have adapted well, when dropped in the deep-end, when Britain entered the Common Market.

The issue is not one of Race, but of Social Philosophy... Being liberated and not being told what to do. It's not even directly about Democracy, which is only a process. Rather,its is recognising autonomous syncrony of the People is not a tautology, because it fuses us towards better outcomes for Australia. Alien societies, religious extremists and some immigrant communities pull against these historically Western-Australian values.

“While it is true that Aborigines settled in this continent years before Europeans and migrants from many different races and cultures have made this country their home, the reality is that Australia’s development as a nation and its legal, political institutions and language are Anglo-Celtic in origin and deeply influenced by our Judeo-Christian heritage.”

Too right!

Cultural relativism is a crock used by the left when it suits them. When the cruel and barbaric practices of some cultures are mentioned, the cultural relativists go very, very quiet.

Too many Australians believe that we have just been ‘lucky’. That the hard work and solid cultural heritage and background that made Australia what it is counts for nothing. Their ‘un-Australian’ attitudes and disdain for the Australia culture might very well see everything go down the drain in the not so distant future.

Fortunately, it will be the dopey generation that will have to cope with it

“Learn about us, know about us, assimilate with us as far as possible. Intermarry with us, socialize with us (and we with them).” – I like your sentiment here David.

In a similar vein (but off topic), I enjoy listening to Mary Black’s “Flesh and Blood”. Her Irish rendition of the song is moving.

“Oh come on walk with me, talk with me,
Tell me your stories
I’ll do my best to understand you
You’re flesh and blood, flesh and blood
Don’t refuse me your love
More than words can express
More than wealth or success
Oh there’s a thousand things to do
So let’s start here with me and you
All the pain that you feel
All the hurt that seems so real…”