Here we are in the 21st century and our nation has changed
so much over the decades. I thought it may be interesting to
see where do we belong in the 21st century. Are we still
tied to Britain as strongly as we once were? And where does
our future lie - with Asia, the US, the UK or a combination
of all three?

Let's see. The Queen of England is also Queen of Australia; we are in the British Commonwealth; we have the Westminster (mainly) parliamentary system; we were settled by Britain; our history is firmly British; our language is English, and the country hasn't changed, just the population as has the population in England itself.

Yes. Australia just still tied to Britain and it always will be. Our British background, values, freedoms and rule of law is what attracts migrants from less pleasant cultures.

Hi Foxy, thanks for the discussion.

Yes and no, its not something most Australians think about all that much these days. Pre war with the white community of Australia very much of British stock, England was viewed as the mother country. Britain had a huge empire, it was easily our largest trading partner and the dominant world power. America pre war was viewed as foreign (in the words of my Old Man), other than little New Zealand across the ditch, we had no friends in this part of the World, there were nothing but hoards of savages to the north of us, kept in check by the colonial powers of the day. Pre war it was official policy both in Australia and England, the defence of Australia (and NZ) was primarily the responsibility of Britain. Pre war Britain was everything to white Australia, our biggest market, our biggest investor our only source of foreign capital, in those days we were tied to the British bond market, Britain was our source of European heritage. We were British to our boot laces. thus the calls to the European imperial war in 1914 and the war for the control of Europe in 1939 and the imperial war in Asia in 1941, Australia's involvement from the outset was not questioned, Britain's interests were Australia's interest, and the support at home was universal.

WWII changed thing, the economic defeat of Britain and the resultant lost of its empire, the rise of US military dominance in our region and its economic power, the outbreak of the Cold War these all had overwhelming influences on Australia and its outlook. Post war we realised we could no longer rely on the safety of the British Empire, we were in a vulnerable position, militarily, economically, strategically, the catch cry become "populate or perish" and post war immigration began in earnest.

People of English descent were by far the single most
influential ethnic group in Australia and the founding
of Australia by English people is still evident in
place names, buildings, street layouts, and even suburbs
in Sydney are derived from English counties. English is
the nation's mother tongue.

But that's talking about the remnants of the past to a
certain degree. How does a young Australian feel about
England in the 21st century?

Are the ties as strong as they once were?

Foxy,
How do you think that the town of Home Rule in NSW got its name? Paul

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Dear Foxy,

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Yes, Australia is still tied to Britain. We never really grew up and left our mummy’s apron strings – psychologically speaking, of course. Still a lot of nostalgia here.

Nine generations later, we still feel a bit lost in the Pacific Ocean, so far from the mother country in a hostile world, so different from ours – psychologically speaking of course.
How sad it is to see the state of our relationship today with our leading trading partner, China, which represents 43% of our total exports. And to think that 78.2% in all go to our neighbours in Asia, while only 4.9% go to the UK.

Yes, Australia is still tied to Britain. Though it’s been nearly half a century since Britain turned its back on us and joined the European Union.

Our dear English queen is growing old now. Britain is growing old. Britain is no longer in the European Union.
Perhaps Britain needs us now. As an aging parent needs her long-lost child. As a loving mother, or are we just a trading partner ? Do we need her protection, or does she need ours – as in the past ?

No matter. Let’s forget and forgive. Welcome back mum. Nice to see you again. Glad you’re back. How’s our future king and his second wife getting on ? Sorry about the first one. She really was nice wasn’t she ?

Tough job, royalty. Pay your taxes in the UK now, do you ? Good for you. Have to keep up with the times. The - times - are-a changin ! But not here. Not in good old Aussie. We’re still the same. No taxes, and loyal to the bone !

Here’s a welcome back poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Let’s all sing it together :

Here we go. Altogether now !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al7ONqrdscY&ab_channel=VisitSapphireValley

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