An egalitarian mindset:
Australians embrace a spirit of egalitarianism that embraces tolerance, mutual respect, and compassion for those in need. Australia also holds firmly to the belief that no one should be disadvantaged on the basis of their country of birth, cultural heritage, language, gender or religious belief.
Aussie Modesty
- Australians are very down to earth and always mindful of not giving the impression that they think they are better than anyone else.
- They value authenticity, sincerity and dislike pretentiousness
- Australians prefer people who are modest, humble, self- deprecating and with a sense of humour.
- They do not draw attention to their academic or other achievements and tend to distrust people who do.
- They often downplay their own success, which may make them appear not to be achievement-oriented.
Mateship / 'Giving everyone a fair go' principle
- Australians place a high value on relationships between everyone they know.
- This gives the impression that Australians are very friendly and informal people
- They believe in the principle that everyone should be given a 'fair go' and they have a strong affection for the underdog or the disadvantaged. These values originate from the early settlers who mostly were convicts who struggled against a harsh and unfamiliar land and cruel rulers.
A Multi-Cultural Society
- The initial population of Australia was made up of Aborigines and people of British and Irish descent.
- After World War II there was heavy migration from Europe,Middle East & Asia
- This was in response to the Australian policy of proactively trying to attract immigrants to boost the population and work force.
- In the last thirty years, Australia has liberalised its immigration policy and opened its borders to South East Asia.
- This has caused a real shift in self-perception as Aussies begin to re-define themselves as a multi-cultural and multi-faith society rather then the old homogenous, white nation
Massive sports culture
The iconic green and gold sports colours of Australia are a statement that the country is a sports-mad country.
With more than 120 national and thousands of local, regional and state sporting organisations, it's estimated that six-and-a-half million people in Australia are registered sport participants.
The number one watched sport in Australia is Australian Rules Football (AFL) with its high kicks and balletic leaps, while in New South Wales and Queensland the brute force and tackling tactics of National Rugby League (NRL) is the sport choice .
Australia’s national Rugby Union team, the Wallabies play on the international circuit and in the Bledisloe Cup, part of a Tri Nations tournament with South Africa. Australia is a nation of swimmers and Olympic medals attest to our performance in the pool.
The Australian cricket team is in action all summer while in January, the tennis Australian Open.begins. Held in Melbourne, this attracts more people to Australia than any other sporting event.
Soccer is a growing sport. While the Bells Beach Surf Classic draws world-class surfers. On Boxing Day crowds gather to watch the boats sail out of Sydney Harbour for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. On the first Tuesday in November, the nation stops for the famous horse race, the Melbourne Cup while and in March rev heads converge in Melbourne for the Formula One Grand Prix.
Folklore
The time period when only Aboriginal people resided in Australia- prior to the invasion of the Europeans is known as Dreamtime is a term used to describe the mystical time when the Aboriginal people established their world. The myths are seen as being absolutely truthful and inhabit everyone in the Australian culture. These myths are comparable to the American mythology and explain the creation of natural things such as the sun, etc.
The Aboriginal Dreamtime is part of the culture that explains the origins of the people and of the land. Dreamtime includes a story of how things have happened, how the universe came to be, how humans were created, and how the Creator intended for humans to function in this world. Essentially, Dreamtime is the Aboriginal Religion and Culture
Holidays
- Australia Day, on 26 January, is the day Australians celebrate the founding of the first European settlement in Australia in 1788.
- Anzac Day, on 25 April, is the day the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac) landed at Gallipoli in Turkey in 1915 during World War I. This day is set aside in memory of those who fought for Australia and those who lost their lives in war. The day is a national public holiday and is commemorated with ceremonies, the laying of wreaths and military parades.
There are also a number of other non-national holidays which are celebrated only in specific states and territories (or celebrated in all states, but at different times of the year). These include Labour (or Eight-Hour) Day and the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth. Melbourne Cup Day, which occurs on the first Tuesday of November each year, is a public holiday in metropolitan Melbourne.
The Melbourne Cup is a world-famous horse race which brings Australia almost to a standstill. For a few minutes, most people, whether at work, school or home, stop to watch the race on television.
Culture references:
http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/people_culture.html
http://www.australia.com/about/culture.aspx
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/australia.html
http://fits.depauw.edu/mkfinney/culturaleresumes/australia/trads.htm
Photos taken from:
http://animotivation.blogspot.com/2010/02/abc-cricket-game-broadcast-live.html
http://watch-live-internet-sports.blogspot.com/2010/10/live-streams-australia-vs-new-zealand.html
http://www.clbuzz.com/2010-australian-open-schedule-tennis-fixtures/
http://www.jettygirl.com/press/2008.03.24.bells.html
http://www.besthoneymoonideas.org/sydney-australia-a-honeymoon-wonder/
http://www.videosoccer.net/tag/world-cup-2010-highlights
http://www.grandprix.com.au/default.aspx?s=photogallerydisplay&galleryid=258&photoid=1
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/12/2362649.htm?site=news
http://billpetro.com/history-of-australia-day
