Lately, I've been seeing A LOT of Sam Kekovich.
Coming from a lamb-down-under, speaking our lamb-uage, he's trying to
set straight a few problems. As he sees it, it's Un-Australianism, the
scourge of our great nation. Today is Australia Day - perhaps the bastion of Australianism. Let's reflect on it shall we?
Australia Day, the day where we celebrate our great country, marking the
arrival of the First Fleet and the proclamation of British Sovereignty
over 'New Holland'. Officially, that's what it is. What about for the
average bloke, the common sheila, and the kids? Well, I guess it's a day
to be thankful for what we have, to share that joy and thankfulness
with others and perhaps indulge in the bounty that we have. Sam Kekovich
is a little miffed with Un-Australianism at the moment. As far as I can
make out, it involves the moving away from traditional values that are
often associated with Australia: Mates, Laid back, Fair go, Lamb chops
(so....much...lamb...) and the Barbie. Yet, when I ask people what Aus
Day means to them, they generally capture these 5 points in what they
describe to me - 'Yeah mate, just havin' a Barbie, got some chops or
something. Nothing big, just laid back you know. Come 'round if you
want, everyone's invited!' So for me, I feel like it's a day that's been
designated a holiday in order that we as Australian citizens might get
together and...exercise...if you will, our Australianism! Obviously
there are a number of other traits that arguably are Australian and if
you can think of a few, try to include them in what you do today. Take pride in your day today.
This leads me to my next point - Patriotism. We are
funny bunch when it comes to that. You just have to look at the
Americans and they put us to shame. Seriously, who of us stand at the
footy IF they sing the National Anthem? Who of us sing? Granted there
will be a few of you, but it's a minority. You could say this is a sad
state of affairs - our anthem means little to us, people dislike the
flag, we eat the two animals on our National Emblem
(I believe we are among VERY few who do that), we tend to hold our
leaders in very low regard (tall poppy syndrome) and generally we don't
like to be emotional about the nation. Again I say look at the Americans
and they are RIGHT into all those things. But I think it would be a
mistake to say the Americans dictate what patriotism is. While our
version of it may not rest in the outward symbols and icons of our
nation, I believe we hold a great deal of pride in the values that
surround our national identity. We dislike arrogant, stuck up people who
are unwilling to share and include (Fair Go). We dislike people who are
so wound up they can't just sit down and relax...around the BBQ (Laid
back & BBQ). If you aren't either of the above, we'll call you
'Mate'... Though we might use it in an aggressive way (Mate). I'd say a
majority of us don't mind lamb either. While it may not be an obvious or
intended display of our particular brand of patriotism, these are a few
things I believe we all hold fairly dearly and Australia Day is a day where we celebrate our country and be patriotic, in our own way!
So today when you meet up with friends and family around the BBQ just take
a moment to reflect on Australia, what it means for you to be
Australian and if you get a warm fuzzy feeling inside, don't be
scared...it's okay; go do something Australian! Eat a Kangaroo or Emu.
It doesn't get more Australian than sticking it to some age-old tradition set up by the Poms!
Hope you all have a great (and safe) day.
P.S. - Put a chop on the Barbie for me would you?
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