artwork & content Copyright Jean Burman 2007
We are one, but we are many
And from all the lands on earth we come
We share a dream and sing with one voice:
I am, you are, we are Australian. – Judith Durham
Australians the world over have just celebrated another Australia Day (January 26). What was once only one day of celebration… has now become a whole weekend of celebrations and ceremonies… fun and festivities… sun… surf… backyard barbies… and beer.
It’s mid-Summer here… so more often than not… tents are hauled out dusted down and pitched by a creek in favourite camping spots across the country. Then with snags tossed on the barbie and a damper in the fire, the sheilas wait for the billy to boil, while the blokes crack open an ice cold tinnie. Okay… that’s the stereotype… but if we’re honest it’s pretty close to the mark! Others still, head to the beach.
Basically whichever way we celebrate it… Australia Day is a time when friends and family get together and celebrate what it is to be Australian. (But just what it is to be Australian has been the subject of much debate in recent years) However… it seems the good old Aussie standard of friendship, openness, tolerance and a fair go for all is still valued strongly by most Australians.
Australia Day is also a day when those born overseas can take the oath of allegiance (now called The Pledge) and become “one of us”. Here is what all new Australians promise to do
“From this time forward, under God, I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey”
It’s disheartening then (and decidedly un-Australian) to hear the nonsense of a group calling themselves British People Against Racial Discrimination (all Australians citizens who have taken The Pledge) kicking up a storm in Australia and taking it to the UN, complaining about the use of the word “pom” in reference to the people of England. An endearing term in the eyes of most aussies, “pom” is not an acronym for Prisoner of Mother England as has been suggested… but rather… a reference to the pomegranate (a fruit with rosy cheeks) dating back to the First Fleet. I always thought the word pom came from ”pompous” but look how wrong you can be! *wink*
Aussies have always had affectionate nicknames for those with whom they share a friendly camaraderie (rivalry). I do however concede that some of the adjectives preceeding the word could be seen by some as somewhat offensive… like “whingeing” or worse. But for the most part… you don’t see the kiwis and yanks getting their knickers in a knot about being called by their colloquials! >smile<
Disheartening also to hear of the latest nonsense from Australian citizen Sheikh al-Hilali who believes that Muslims have more right to be in Australia than the descendants of convicts. He hasn’t been here long enough to know (much less care) that a great many Australians came here of their own free will as free settlers after the First and Second Fleet…and that those who can claim convict heritage… are very often proud of it.
Aussies come in all different shapes and sizes… races and creeds… and from all countries of the world. There are those of us who were here already… and those who came in chains with the first fleet… those who came as free settlers in the 1800s… and those who came as migrant workers in the 1950s. There are those who came in sinking boats in the 1970s…and those who’ve found their way here since. I count among my friends good people of many differing ethnic backgrounds… all of whom live in this country with the right attitude… and that is to make a positive contribution and to live in peace with their fellow Australians.
What I don’t understand is why some immigrants come here to become Australians… and then continue to bear old grudges and carry forward old greivances (and sometimes the fanatical beliefs) of their mother country… by inciting hatred, and racial and religious division among their differing ethnic groups… and between (and against) ordinary Aussies. They choose not to live as Australians in the Australian way despite the promise they made to do so.
So why are they allowed to stay?
Struth…we’re all Aussies here Mate!
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
My daughter-in-law is more or less Aussie. She was conceived in a lifeboat on a ship taking her mother and father,then unmarried, to england to seek fame and fortune as actor singers. She came back to australia with her father and stepmother at age ten. Her stepmother Chin was chinese-irish and is still going strong at age 80. She and my son go back almost every year.
Well… there you go… another Aussie from “all over”! I think it’s great. That’s a terrific story Roger… and very romantic! Thanks for stopping by… it’s great to see you here!
Hi Jean!
Made it!!!!!!!!!!!
I totally agree with all that you have said. I was born in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea….but made in Australia! I have Scottish, English and German blood pumping through my veins. In my heart, my beliefs and my attitude I am an Aussie girl the whole way. Through my mothers lineage – my 2 daughters are 8th generation from the convict ships and we are very proud of that. We come from a long line of battlers that have copped the life they were given on the chin. We stood up, dusted ourselves off and continued on – making the best of what we have!
Great to see your here Jools! Yes… I think the early pioneers were made of tough stuff. My grandmother had nine children and she and the whole family moved north from the Northern Rivers to the Atherton Tablelands when it was just opening up in the beginning of last century. My mother used to like to tell everyone that she was born on the banks of the Beatrice River in Millaa Millaa (mind boggling thought) but we visited her birthplace recently just before she died and it turns out that there was actually a house… albeit a very small one!
Hey… we have something else in common… I grew up in Papua New Guinea as well. My family were in Mt. Hagen and Wabag for several years and I went to boarding school in Brisbane. They were fun years and I have lots of fabulous memories of our days in the wilds of the Western Highlands. I never got to Rabaul… but my very favourite place on earth would have to be Madang. I’ll bet it’s not the same now tho.
Wow! Cool Jean! We lived in Hagen, Port Morseby, Garoka, Lae and Rabaul, (ofcourse Rabaul does not really exist anymore!) I do not have any memories at all – sadly! But my mother loved it there – she has many fond memories and often breaks into a bit of pidgeon english!We were there from 1963 – 1968.
My feelings of being an Aussie run very deep – its more of a passion for the country. The sense of vastness and reality. i love the bush, I love the colours and the creatures. I love its harshness, yet it can be so soothing. I love how I feel at peace and can sink into the depth of the age of Australia. I never tire of the sunsets, the sunrises and the space of Australia.
Jools… it’s hard to believe that Rabaul doesn’t exist anymore. (For those who don’t know Rabaul as the world knew it ceased to exist after a volcanic eruption in 1994) – it must be especially hard to take when it’s the place of your birth! I listened the other day to an old record (a single) we had as kids called “Tree pela lik lik pik” … that’s pidgin english for “Three Little Pigs”. It was hilarious to hear it again after all these years… we were in stitches.
Jools… I too feel a strong connection to this beautiful country of ours. Coincidentally it was only the other day at Skybury when the hypothetical discussion turned to whether we would ever relocate overseas… it occurred to me…(and I found myself making the remark) “This country is in me… and I am in it” I truly believe that.
Absolutely Jean! I would love to see many places (Canada, France, Italy, Scotland………) But to live anywhere else would be to hard to do!
I had the opportunity to return to New Guinea about 20 yrs ago (I was a Governess up in Cape York) but decided against it as I was on my own,( which is odd because being alone has never fazed me – most of my travels have been “alone”) Because I have no real emotional connection to New Guinea (other than my place of birth) it is not on my “to do” list. However I do get excited when others can recollect time there. My life as an Aussie has given me much insight. I have worked as a Governess and a Jillaroo in remote areas, so have “lived the life” – not just viewed it from a distance as a “tourist”. Also working as a fruit picker and a bar maid around “the traps” affords you the time to meet and know the people and the places. My address book is “chokers”, my memories are many! And…….it ain’t over yet!!!!!!!!
Jools you’ve certainly had an interesting and exciting life so far… I’ll join you in the chorus that “it ain’t over yet!” Hmm… maybe I’ll even add “they ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” How about joining me on that one too!?
Totally Jean – I’m up for it!
The journey is only just beginning Jean! I am currently preparing for a “biannual show” (Autumn and Spring) in my backyard and garage studio. I have 54 paintings ready to go. Have sent out over 200 invites (from which i have received some great feedback!) Have you been able to get over to my site at zaadz lately as I have uploaded all of my new stuff………….I’m excited!
Jools! That’s wonderful! 54 paintings OMGosh… what an exhibition this is going to be! The backyard and garage studio venue is a great idea for displaying your work in context… great stuff! I’m going over to zaadz right away to see the new work! Keep painting Jools… you’re doing g-r-e-a-t!