15.
8 Australia’s national identity
What do you think of when you hear the word
‘Australia’? People overseas might think of the
Sydney Opera House, Uluru, kangaroos or ‘Crocodile’
Dundee. But for those of us that live here, our idea of
Australia might be a little different.
Our national identity is made up of our shared
history and values along with our diverse traditions
and cultures. We might all have different definitions
of what it means to be Australian, but there are
a number of common ideas that many of us will
recognise.
Mateship and the Anzac legend
One of the many ideas that make up Australia’s
national identity is the concept of mateship.
Mateship refers to the strong relationship between
mates or friends, which is based on loyalty, support
and the ability to rely on each other.
Another part of the Australian national identity
is the Anzac legend, which began on 25 April 1915
during World War I’s Battle of Gallipoli. Although
Source 1 Food items, such as pavlovas, can be
considered part of the Australian national identity.
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the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (the
ANZACs) did not win the Battle of Gallipoli, the
diggers (soldiers) showed great courage, humour and
mateship throughout the war. These qualities became
known as the Anzac spirit and part of the Anzac
legend.
Since then, mateship and the Anzac legend
has been important to Australian diggers in many
conflicts and war. On Anzac Day each year, we
remember the mateship of Australian soldiers and
respect their commitment to the people they fought
with.
Today, mateship is still an important part of S
Australian culture. Many of us can identify with the i
concept of mateship. For some people, it is working
with team members on the sporting field. For others,
it is helping out a friend or neighbour. While it may
be part of our lives in different ways, mateship is an
important part of the Australian national identity
because it encourages us to work together and help
those who need our support.
Source 2 The Sydney Opera House in New South Wales is an Australian
icon that people in other countries easily recognise as being from Australia,
even though it might mean very little to some people in Australia.
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Source 3 The State War Memorial in Kings Park remembers the Western Australian men and women who have served Australia
in war or conflict. The memorial is visited by over 40 000 people every year.
Our changing identity
Australia is a very young country. Although
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have
lived here for thousands of years, Australia has
existed as a united, or federated, country since 1901.
Since then, it has seen a lot of change.
Before Europeans arrived on this continent, our
country was populated by many diverse Aboriginal
nations and peoples. These groups of people did not
own the land; rather they identified as its caretakers
and looked after the land that provided them with
everything they needed. After the British arrived, the
population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples suffered great losses.
By the time Australia was federated in 1901, our
country identified very strongly as a part of the
British Commonwealth. Our population was mainly
white and Christian, and our national anthem was
‘God Save the King’, the national anthem of the
United Kingdom.
Today, Australia is made of many diverse people,
cultures, and beliefs. Australia’s national identity
is evolving again to become a more multicultural
society. Just by walking around somewhere like
Northbridge in Perth, we can see how Australians are
able to benefit from the music, food and customs of
different cultures as part of our day-to-day lives in
Australia.
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15B What does it mean to be an Australian citizen?
The inclusion of people from a diverse range
of societies has given Australia a sense of cultural
diversity, which is an important part of our society
and the Australian national identity.
Although Australians might come from a range
of different backgrounds, having a shared sense of
national identity and pride can help us to feel a sense
of belonging.
Check your learning 15.8
Remember and understand
1 What is a national identity?
2 What is mateship?
3 How has the Australian national identity changed
throughout history?
Apply and analyse
4 How would you describe the Australian national
identity?
5 Name three important features or values that you
think make up the Australian national identity.
Evaluate and create
6 Create a concept map that explores the idea of
the Australian national identity. Your concept map
should organise the ideas, values, customs or
icons you associate with our national identity.
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