What does `Being Australian` stand for? Is it kangaroos, koalas, convicts, sunshine, beaches, BBQ, the Sydney Opera House? Or is it Aboriginal art, sports, multi culturalism and traditional virtues of egalitarianism, classlessness, ‘a fair go’, Ausie battler and mateship? As an international student, what does it mean to be Australian in a multicultural society? Is there an elusive quality, a ‘national identity’, which binds all as Australians? And what about the ‘Australian way of life’?

 

National identities are a strange phenomenon. Each one of us could describe ourselves with a multitude of different identities. These identities can be seen as defining us as people and may be cultural, ethnic, religious, gendered, class-oriented or ideological. They are as varied as our imagination. There are many stereotypes of national identities. In Europe, British are about class difference, cricket, tea and a history of colonialism. Germans are stiff, well organised, obedient to rules, Italians are creative, great lovers and totally unorganised, while the French are great cooks and enjoy life with an appreciation of culture and wine. Being from Holland myself, we are stereotyped by tulips, clogs, windmills and an entrepreneurial spirit mixed with political freedom and tolerance.

 

In Australia, the religious, cultural and ethnic complexity of our society is particularly diverse. Sara Cousins from the Monash University National Centre for Australian Studies asked some interesting questions about the Australian national identity: “In the midst of this diversity, is there an elusive quality, a ‘national identity’, which binds us all as Australians? There are certainly national cultural stereotypes and national symbols that we all recognise as Australian (see the start of this article ed.), but do these really reflect the everyday reality of living as an Australian today? Do national identities ever have anything to do with cultural experience or are they more to do with a constructed image of a ‘nation’? What is it about our cultural stereotypes, if anything, that continues to resonate with Australians? Who is excluded? Does our national identity still depend upon a white Anglo-Celtic male viewpoint?”

Looking at films it certainly does seem to be that way. Mad Max, The man from Snowy River, Ned Kelly, The Castle and recently Australia reflect a view of the ‘born colonist’. A white Anglo Saxon male, regarded as a hardy type, adaptable, independent, sport loving and resolute. He was egalitarian and valued mateship highly above any respect to authority. The anti-authoritarian character of the ‘Australian Type’ was perpetuated by images of bushranging Ned Kelly (follow link for more info). Rough men with a small hart, like Mel Gibson and Russel Crow personify that image. The rugged but friendly movie star `Hugh Jackman` was recently voted to be the best person to sell Australia to tourists overseas. But then there are TV series like Neighbours, Kath & Kim and Summer Height High, that reflect another image of Australian society. Life in the suburbs that could not be further away from the rough bush ranger style. Are they not also part of the national identity?

Many international students come to Australia to build up a new life. Most are after a permanent residency, believing Australia to be a better place to raise their children. Sara Cousins asks herself: “How do contemporary visions of the diversity of Australian multiculturalism fit into this construction of the ‘Australian way of life’? Do representations of the ‘Australian way of life’ incorporate cultural difference? A wave of critique by Australian feminists, Aboriginal activists, and ethnic community leaders has challenged the dominant representation of what it means to be an Australian. In contesting standardised assimilationist views of an ‘Australian way of life’, they argue for an acceptance of diversity and choice over all aspects of lifestyle, culture and religion. Has multi-culturalism as an official government policy led to the imagining of a multiplicity of identities in Australia?”

 

For now the answer must probably be no. But with so many new (Asian) immigrants coming to Australia every year, there will be a shift. How do you think the national identity of Australia will look like in 20 years time? And in 50 years? Please let me know, leave a comment!