My youngest son has recently returned from a six week holiday travelling all over Europe. For him, it was quite an experience. As a result, we've had many discussions on a wide variety of subjects - including what makes Australia and Australians unique and special. I thought it would be interesting to see what posters on the Forum thought about the subject of, "The Australian Identity.?" What is it, how would you define it? The Australian Identity is often talked about, but rarely defined. What are your thoughts on the subject?

"Buying bread from a man in Brussels
He was six foot four and full of muscles
I said, "Do you speak-a my language?"
He just smiled and gave me a vegemite sandwich."

Dear Lexi

a rather done2death topic :) but still worth a grunt or 2.

It is very difficult to define Aussie identity apart from our history.

It is not consciously 'practiced' because it's culture... you just 'do' it.

Unfortunately, what we lack in Australia at present is an overall sense of unity. Instead..we have been fed a diet of 'celibrate diversity'....which to me is tantamount to cultural/indentity genocide.

I have no wish to celebrate 'diversity' in Australia.. I have a STRONG desire to celebrate 'Austalia' as a whole.

In harmony with that.. I am advocating that ALL funding which is presently allocated to emphasizing 'difference and diverisity' be channeled ONLy to causes or community groups which can demonstrate 'true inclusion'. Which of course will mean that the local "lions" or Rotary will be able to show there are no race or color or economic barriers to anyone joining.

Such groups can be asked to show what specific steps they have undertaken to reach out to and include minorities.. AS AUSTRALIANS and not as 'members of minority groups'

Spread this over the whole of Australia, and within a couple of decades we will be able to speak meaningfully and confidently about 'Australian'....identity.

Prior to WWII.."Australian" mean't white, anglo/celt/irish/scottish.
Post WWII it meant the same...but with increasing numbers of non UK based migrants.

If the UK metropolitan police can have the 'BLACK' police Association.. why should we not have the WHITE Australia policy :)

Why is one good and ther other bad? which is good..which is bad?

Let's face it.. 'identity' to Black migrants in the UK is directly linked to 'black'ness. Same for Muslims. "Muslim"-ness.

It might be color related or creed related.

For me. Aussie identity is when you ask "What's your race?" and they answer "Australian" (no matter what ethnic background.)

Oz identity

Has nothing to do with 'race'

Or religion

But everything

To do with mateship, fair go

And equality

AGIR:

Thanks for your input and good questions. I know that my son loved
his trip and being exposed to the various cultures - however, he was also glad to come home. He talked about the openess, the friendliness, the true sense of belonging that he felt on reaching home. I guess though that's normal - because much as you thrive and enjoy travel, it's always great to come home. It's funny though - he said he felt more "Australian" when travelling overseas. He found that Australians are more easy-going - (especially more - than Italians or the French). As for the Brits? - he loved the UK. His favourite places were - Austria, Bavaria, Switzerland, just to name a few. His least favourite were - Italy, France, (for the attitude of the people) and Hong Kong - for the untidiness and the unbearable smells. And he will never travel again to Europe in the middle of winter. One experience was enough for him. He enjoyed the pretty post-card snow-covered scenery and the Christmas Markets and Spirit, especially in Switzerland, Austria, Bavaria. But when the temperatures fell to minus 11 degrees, he wished he was back in Oz.

Shintaro:

Love your posts. Australia to me is a country of diverse cultures, images and people - I find what makes us unique is - our mateship, we're more accepting of each other, and we certainly come together in times of crisis.

Hi Lexi
It is sometimes difficult to define what it is that makes us Australians so Australian. It often becomes a very personal view and in my view, we are seeing what it means to be Australian in Queensland at the moment; doing it really tough; but stubborn or proud enough to tough it out and fix it all up at the end. It was only a couple of weeks ago that floods were the issue; now it's Yasi. But they'll bounce back I'm sure, and all of us other Australians will be wishing them well and donating whatever we can afford.
There is always plenty of debate about "the Flag" and our heritage. Sadly it's the "mad fringe" that seem to get the airplay, but our history is just that; our history. You might not like it, but it is what it is. Instead of dwelling on the negative aspects of our background, I think we should proudly focus on what we are today, and what we can be in the future. I think that people that come here need to adapt and adopt the Australian way. As always, if you don't like it here then leave.
As for what to tell your son; well, he's a lucky young man to have travelled and luckier still to have returned home to Australia. We are all very lucky to be living in Australia wnere we enjoy democratic freedom, the Westminster justice and legal systems and also have one of the most resource-rich countries in the world to provide for our future prosperity.
My view is that Australians are easy-going, friendly and tollerant. We quietly respect and acknowledge our past and we have always done our bit when called upon to do so. I think we need to look optimistically towards the future and try to balance preserving our "national identity" with being good global citizens and not allow our identity to be dilluted into a mish-mash of cultures that loses our unique individuallity.
That's one man's view anyway. Take care.

Lexi you are too soft.
For AGiR to say any subject is done to death is hugely funny, its a good subject.
Once thought mateship was it, the wanting nothing but to help.
It still is for many maybe most but not all.
Its claiming, unfortunately, any sports champion as ours even if they never lived here or had any ties.
It the beer belly bloke having trouble getting of the bar stool yelling WE WON as another Aussie wins.
What ever it is I would rather be a road kill Koala than anything else.