When such questions as "What is an Australian? What does an Australian look like? Or behave?" are analyzed, it raises a degree of ambiguity, especially when we try to define the boundaries of being an Australian.
National Identity can be defined as, a claim made about the collective personality of a culture, with distinctive attitudes and values- leading to forms of different behaviors. The definition should include; common language, common perceptions, sharing of traditions, how people perceive them and more importantly, how they see themselves when placed amongst other nations. An identity cannot be adopted; instead it is created, within a certain space, in a certain period of time. .
Now with a clear definition, it would seem relatively easy to determine Australia's National Identity. Yet, we as Australians still have trouble identifying ourselves, in saying what we are and we are coming to be, which follows much of what David Williamson is saying in his article "A richer tapestry of many identities". The reason to this uncertainty is because the very nature of Australia itself. Australia is continually evolving; and this evolution will continually shift our identity in some way or another. .
Understanding the fabrics of Australian community will help us achieve this national identity, and an important aspect is multiculturalism. (Culture, language, ideas, values and attitudes) It is a dynamic force- it brings cultures together thus having an impact on local community some way or another. This contribution due to the sharing of cultures ultimately leads to an evolution of Identity.
Many attempts have been made to construct this Australian Identity. But when we try to rigidly define the characteristics of an Australian, we fall into the trap of using stereotypes. For Example: Who is more Australian; the sporty, blonde hair blue eyed lifesaver of an Irish descent or the Local shopkeeper, works 15 hours a day, 7 days a week and who is a fifth generation Indian? Both born & bred in Australia, studied and played together, similar in everyway, yet they are called different when we describe them in terms of Nationality.
AN INTRODUCTION TO AUSTRALIA Mainland Australia, with an area of 4.9 million square miles, is the largest island and the smallest continent on Earth. ... Western Australia is about the size of Western Europe. ... Australia is a land unlike any other. ... Typical Australian landscapes are very old. ... Much of Australia lacks reliable annual rainfall. ...
But, at the same time, it imposes on all of us on obligation to put Australia's interests first. " Australia is a land of migrants. The first group of migrants came to Australia over 40,000 years ago. ... Many of them paid their own fares to migrate to Australia. ... In today's society approximately three million Australians, which is one in every five, were born outside of Australia. ... When a large group of experienced and well-educated people migrate to Australia it is very much an advantage for Australia. ...
Australian democracy guarantees us our civic freedoms and our fundamental rights and equality, and it is the institutions of Australian democracy that enable diversity in our society to flourish. ... Diversity works for all Australians. ... They have made an enormous contribution to Australia, along with the unique contribution of Australia's Indigenous people, earlier migrants and their descendants. ... The Government is committed to mlticultural Australia, with policies and programs that unite us as Australians working to advance Australia fair. ... Every Australian benefits from...
As Australian film seeks to define an essential Australianness, they tend to adhere closely to a particular template, while slightly varying the ways in which they represent and resolve conflicts and the ways in which they relate to the broader issues of Australian identity and cultural values. The two films will be analysed to show the various ways in which they represent ideas of Australia and Australianness. ... Australian national identity in the past was created on the basis of an assumed masculinity; this unwritten proclamation appeared to lie at the heart of Australian self-image. .....
Multiculturalism has been a reality for Australia since the first fleet. ... It is due to this that most Australian citizens opposed non-white immigration, to preserve British culture and traditions as the dominant influence in Australia. Thus the "White Australia Policy" was developed, primarily allowing only white British and Irish settlers to migrate to Australia. ... "Australia should concentrate on eliminating immigrants' old ideas, on destroying the old worlds in the interest of a new Australia." ... Hence modifications were made to the "White Australia Policy". ...
Prior to WWII Australia was a very hard country to get into. ... It has allowed Australia to gather much needed population. ... As more and more migrants came to Australia until Approximately 1/5th of Australia's population was born overseas. "Immigration's the key" Prior to 1945 the White Australia Policy prevented anyone to enter Australia unless they were from Britain. ... With the introduction of this new policy any person in Europe can enter Australia as long as they gave up their culture and learned to live the Australian way of life. ...
Being Australian Being Australian means to enjoy life and live it to the full and is a feeling of joy and pride, being able to share its freedom, its riches and its happiness. ... To be an Australian is to be proud of what your country stands for. To most Australians, being an Australian means doing whatever you think is best for your country. ... To them, being an Australian meant sacrificing their life. ... To every person, being an Australian may mean different things. ...
Australian Climate (107 words) Rainfall in Australia is low as well as unreliable because of its size, and has a variety of climates. Its excessive dryness contributes to two thirds of Australia's land surface which is classed as desert or semi-desert. ... In summer, Northern Australia receives heavy rainfall, where as Southern Australia experiences dry conditions and is generally cooler. During winter, Northern Australia is still fairly sunny and warm while South Australia has cool wet winters, and Eastern Australia remains fairly wet all year round, in comparison to the western parts ...
Analysis of Australia *Geography* Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. ... The mainland of Australia has an area of 2,967,909 square miles. The country is divided into six states: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia. ... There is no dominant religion in Australia. ... *Money* The exchange rate of a US dollar to an Australian dollar is as follows: 1 US dollar = 1.94 Australian dollars. ...
