To the original topic:

Dear David f,
>Why emphasise a distinctive national culture? That has often led to feelings of national superiority and war.<

I don't think there is any widespread feeling of 'superiority', national/nationalistic or otherwise, held by the majority of Australians - nor any real possibility of such a delusional notion overtaking them any time soon. A feeling of thankfulness perhaps, for living in the luckiest country in the world, a sense of pride, and a sense that what we/they have is worth preserving.
And I think that this care and concern for the preservation of 'what we/they have' (here in Oz) is very much shared by the great majority of our immigrants, past and present, once they get to know 'us'.
How many new immigrant arrivals (other than detainees, that is) would turn around and say "This is not what I was expecting; I want to go home"?
How many ex-detainees when released into community and given support to become acclimatised (whether given a visa or not) would be horribly disappointed (or would be fearful when they walk down the street or catch a bus)?

I am reasonably confident that the great majority of new immigrants like what they find, once they cross the language and cultural barriers, and wouldn't want it, our culture and 'identity' changed any more than the majority of 'Aussies' would.
As for war, we always seem to be fighting other people's, in the cause of peace, harmony and democracy.

Jay,

'Knockout', the New Jersey, USA, 'One hitter quitter' game, shown on your YouTube link from Thursday 3 April, is a real eye-opener, giving some insight into the potentials of a 'fragmented' society - something to be avoided/averted/obviated at all cost.
(Could this 'game' possibly be the origin of some similar 'antics' by some Oz youth {of unidentified ethnicity/nationality/culture} at Sydney's Kings Cross and elsewhere?)
The thought of Oz youth (immigrant or otherwise) emulating the worst of overseas example is indeed worrying, and a cause for reviewing the direction of parts of our national 'culture'.
(Assimilation gone wrong; or disenfranchised/alienated youth run amok?)

Dear onthebeach,

When the settlers came to Australia they completely disregarded any rights that the Aborigines had to their land. They slaughtered possibly 20,000 of them. They acted pretty much like other Europeans did to any other tribal people.

Australia is very good at keeping news of its misdeeds quiet. Australia has been condemned by the UN for its blockade around Bougainville during Bougainville's war with PNG. The issue in the war was the Panguna mine and the profits derived from it by an Australian corporation. An estimated 20,000 died because the Australian blockade contrary to international law did not allow even medicines to get through.

While other societies have committed their crimes due to religious craziness and overcrowding Australia has committed its crimes for land and greed. The Aborigines and the Bougainvilleans are as dead as if they had been killed for other reasons.

I don't believe Australians are any more virtuous than people of other cultures.

david f, "When the settlers came to Australia they completely disregarded any rights that the Aborigines had to their land. They slaughtered possibly 20,000 of them. They acted pretty much like other Europeans did to any other tribal people"

If you are interested in facts you might search for comments by joe 'Loudmouth' on that very subject. His research failed to find evidence to support your allegation and in fact, as opposed to your black armband factoids, found evidence that authorities cared for Aborigines. Have you come across loudmouth's posts?

completely disregarded any rights that the Aborigines had
onthebeach,
Yes, there are always people who disregard others' rights. There were also a lot of indigenous who acted that way. There were also even many more who have done more for the indigenous that the indigenous themselves could have possibly done. That by the way is happening right now under your nose if you care to look & have the integrity to acknowledge.

Dear onthebeach,

The record of massacres and giving station owners freehold title to land disregarding the fact that others were living on the land exists. You like many other Australians, can ignore it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_massacres_of_Indigenous_Australians contains a list of some of the massacres and a discussion of the secrecy surrounding them.

Certainly not all Australians participated, and some tried to protect the Aborigines. The authorities have a mixed record. However, the record is mostly bleak.

Great crimes are often accompanied by great denials. You will believe what you want to believe. It is quite common for people who belong to a nation, a religion or other group to think they are in some way better than those who don't belong to their group. It is common for tribal people to call themselves by a name meaning 'the people'. The clear implication is that those who do not belong to the group are something other than the people. Nations are in some respects a tribal group. Calling a recounting of the crimes 'a black armband view of history' is a form of denial.

david f,
Have you ever read about the stories & legends of pre-invasion ? Most are about some killing.