It all started with people moving over a land bridge into Australia and that is where our first people came from and are still here.
Then the Brits sent over their worst offenders because their prisons were overflowing because of Draconian laws.
These people were forced to build the first lot of infrastructure that allowed another wave of people to come and settle here.
During the Gold rush the Chinese and Islanders came here to work and many stayed and prospered.
After World war one and two there was an influx of Europeans that came and settled here.
After the Vietnam conflict a lot of people came as refugees and have settled here.
The newest arrivals are people from Africa and other parts of the World that have been affected by War .
What a fantastic Stew of different Races, backgrounds, cultures and beliefs we have in this Country.
SO what is an Australian?
Mateship, Tolerance, Honesty and a real sense of Fair Play is in my opinion is the "essence" of being Australian.
In most parts of the world this culture does NOT exist and would not be tolerated that is why "an Australian" is unique regardless of their race , Colour, or how long they have lived here.
BTW, I was born a Pom and have since "Evolved" into an Australian :)
What a fantastic Stew of different Races
Yep I have that many in me and some good one's to, bloody jew and german, greek english irish and all over all rolled into one..I think your description is what it was to be aussie as those days are long gone and especially in the city where people can't even look you in the eye :winkextra: I think you'll still find it a little in the bush but it's changing here as well and we are little america not really australia any more so when I find a nice bloke like you it's an honour and gives me a little faith :hi:
Quote from: 'trout' pid='56828' dateline='1407829023'BTW, I was born a Pom and have since "Evolved" into an Australian :)
Me too! :)
Trout,
I agree completely.
It's sad that some focus on the difficulties rather than the benefits our country has had.
What a good introduction there Trout, I am a migrant who embraced Australia as my "Homeland' for the last 17+ years.. came to Australia to do my studies and became a part of it... I have seen many things in life. Let me tell you Australia is a land of opportunities and a true paradise.. hope people realize it and help to keep it that way for the future generations ! Now I am a proud Australian !
My lot have been out here from the late 1800's and we weren't cons, one of the originals was a merchant seaman from greece and "apparently" couldn't get a ship home so stayed and then married a jew and so on and after talking to so many relo's and other old people we missed the boat and even as a kid in the 70's it was so safe and friendly as compared to today so where are peoples history from?
me, born Belfast, Nth Ireland, came out from UK on SS Strathnaver 1959 aged 11.5 and stayed. Now I is a an Aussie and have a piece of paper to prove it.
This place has changed since I first arrived with the Asian community getting stronger these days than the Europeans were 50 years ago.
All sorts mixed up in this country.
Maybe we should change the word Australian to 47 Heinz Varieties or something similar.
Quote from: 'Goldseeker' pid='56853' dateline='1407842462'me, born Belfast, Nth Ireland, came out from UK on SS Strathnaver 1959 aged 11.5 and stayed. Now I is a an Aussie and have a piece of paper to prove it.
This place has changed since I first arrived with the Asian community getting stronger these days than the Europeans were 50 years ago.
All sorts mixed up in this country.
Maybe we should change the word Australian to 47 Heinz Varieties or something similar.
I too think Australians have changed over the 4.5 Decades that I have been here and for me I think that is a GOOD thing :yahoo:
When I first arrived from London and ended up in Three Springs WA it was a Total culture shock.
Being only 14 at the time I got over that in a heartbeat :)
There was however at that time a culture of mistrust for "Foreigners" and this persisted until the early 90's.
Thank the gods that we think differently these days and have gone from simply being a Country that everyone was curious about , To becoming a Nation that everyone is envious of :wavemulticolor:
Hello,
This is the best place, but things are changing rather than evolving. People no longer come here to become an Aussie and embrace the lifestyle. They now bring their issues rather than escaping them. I am glad I wont be around in 50 years, as I think gated communities will become normal.
Yes so true so couldn't agree more so second that Chris, the bush is now as violent as what the city was 10 year ago and as you say the old lot assimilated and like mine even changed their name so it sounded more english as my true name has about 10 letter s and I can't remember the correct spelling but it's something like Kocacarsis shortened down to O'Cass so it's really hard for us to chase up history and one lot went Ko'cass so see anyone with this name and it's a pretty high chance they're related to me. The only part they could chase back was on my mum's mum side from ireland back to the early 1800's. I must find the bit of paper that has the correct spelling on it.
Not to rock the happy-fest boat but Trout painted the PC version of history.
The only mob that came over by the land bridge no longer really exists among us. (Truganini) was the last full blooded Aborigine as the aborigines on the mainland had long been exterminated by migrants from Asia (mostly northern Burma). Now all that's left are predominantly of Anglo stock (quarter-caste etc), there are about 6,000 of them (was about 3,000 full bloods when white man came), went to college with one that had blue eyes.
Most of the convicts were not the worst offenders, I've read some of the crimes that some of my ancestors did and they were petty things. The most serious of them had his death sentence commuted to Transportation, he ended up as a policeman in Parramatta.
Almost no Islanders came during (or for) the gold rush, it was mostly labourers for Queensland sugar industry. Most Islanders have only arrived since the 1970s anyway.
Over 90% of our newest arrivals are from countries not affected by war (China, India, NZ).
Living in the most ethnically diverse part of Australia I get to see lots of great people from all over the world, also get to see some of the not so great that should be re-exported. Had to deal with one on a bus at 3am this morning, a dozen pairs of ethnically diverse eyes were in unison that this guy was a twat; I guess common sense is universal ingredient that makes Australia great.
I have to agree with the couple of previous comments.
When people come to a "new" country, why can't they leave their troubles behind them. Don't bring them here as we not interested.
A lot of "ethinics", as Al Grasby used to call them, who have been here for years are still not Australian Citizens and I get to talk to a vast array of these people and they are forever complaining that they do not get enough money from the Government, health care etc.
Excuse me, until; one becomes a Naturalized Australian, one cannot be a member of the Defence Force and defend this country. But they can vote, only need to be 18 years of age and have a permanent address.
Come on, you can vote but can't defend this country in war, something wrong here.
I am glad that I may not be around for too much longer as Australia is changing or going down a path that I am dreading.
Quote from: 'trout' pid='56828' dateline='1407829023'Mateship, Tolerance, Honesty and a real sense of Fair Play is in my opinion is the "essence" of being Australian.
I agree to a point, and that's how we perceived ourselves, and true there was an element of that welded into our make up. From my experience this was particularly evident among the older generation when I first started work back in the sixties, and thinking about it since it was probably born from people who faced hardship together as did many of our earlier generations. These values were to a point passed down from one generation to the next, unfortunately slowly watering down along the way as modern day life became more material and more all about the me syndrome. Australians still like to think of ourselves as being that way inclined which is a good thing even if not totally true as it proves the spark remains. But I don't think this was totally unique to Australia, as similar values would have been evident in other parts of the world.
In my opinion what makes us such a great nation, and is no doubt born from our past, is that we are able to have differences without seeing a need to totally destroy the other party, we are capable of doing this through a political system whilst not perfect but actually works.
I am glad that I may not be around for too much longer as Australia is changing or going down a path that I am dreading.
[/quote]
bruce , that is why I am starting to pass on some of my things to my kids already as we never know when our time is up ..
look what happened to robin Williams yesterday ..
After being away for 14 years and then coming back and seeing modern Australia, I feel comfortable saying that Australia is certainly changing. But examining our short history, it's hard to find a time when Australia wasn't changing.
Currently, the rise of China and globalisation have taken the place of the Cold War with both positive and negative impacts.
Human identity is now happening less at a nationality level and increasingly at an ideological level.
Wars are now being fought against concepts (terrorism) and less so where countries are fighting each other.
But Kel makes a very good point...you can't take it with you, so at some point, it's time to liquidate and enjoy the fruits of your labour in whatever form makes you happy.
another good point ,
my kids have no idea what some of my stuff is worth , so as I give to them to store away for later on , I wrap each item for them
[ my way ] and I always write on the wrapping ,what I pay for each item [ what it cost me ] and which ones I believe are going to gain the most in value in the long term ..
hoping they take a little bit of notice from me and check it all out ..
I cant do more then that for them .. ,, kel ,,
doing it now ,it is going to be less strain on them later on ..
my only claim to hysterical fame is that of being related to Gentleman Jim Corbett
one brother went to Oz - (my side of the mob) and the other, Jim's father went to the US of A. My g-g-great or something like that grandmother was his cousin
it's kind of cool really ........
:kez_15: gee Rg I knew yous was a :aggressive: but didn't know it was in ya blood :angel: so remind me not to stir you when I visit :blackeye:
yeah true, it is in the genes
my brothers did boxing and one of my sons did for quite some time as well , both sons quite like boxing
yeah I don't mind it as long as you don't get hit :winkextra: did it at the police boys club when I was a wee tacka but I'm too old and frail now :s
QuoteExcuse me, until; one becomes a Naturalized Australian, one cannot be a member of the Defence Force and defend this country. But they can vote, only need to be 18 years of age and have a permanent address.
I hate to burst your bubble Goldie, but I will anyway. :)
I haven't done the "Naturalisation" thing simply because I haven't had to.
I joined the Australian Army when I was 19 and was "Issued: with uniforms , boots , Rifle AND an Australian Passport.
I am Still a Pom and am still eligible to renew my Brit passport as well.
I spent 6 years in the Army and met some great Mates that I am still in contact with from time to time.
Even back in the 70's there was a mix of different nationalities in the Army with me and willing to put their life on the line to uphold the Aussie way of life.
For me personally, being an Australian isn't about Race , Creed or Colour.
It is a concept of giving everyone a "Fair Go" tolerance and NOT being scared/fearful of change but embracing the that change :good:
C-mon you Mob I have read the posts and I can see FEAR in many of them, This is unwarranted as we are a "Brand New" Nation and we are still Evolving.
NO I cannot see walled communities becoming the Norm in Aus, it simply would be considered Un-Australian and shunned .
I truly believe that my Grandkids will inherit a better Country when I pass Simply because of the diversity we have here and the openhearted nature of most of us .
:ok:
Trout, I'm not sure why they issued you with an Australian passport.
My sisters husband came from England when he was 10 (circa 1963), joined the RAN at 15 and did his 20 years (CPO) as a "foreigner".
He travelled with the Navy all over the world on his navy issued travel documents (not a passport), served (HMAS Vendetta?) off the coast of Vietnam etc.
Funny thing is that after he left the RAN he was advised that as a "foreigner" he didn't have automatic right of entry to Australia so he was naturalised. Had to swear loyalty to the Queen and promise to defend Australia and all the other guffaw at the ceremony. Silly bureaucracy.
Fair enough Trout re your Military service but when did you enlist?
I was posted to HQ ACDG in PNG during the period 1975/77 and it was during this time that a signal from Army Office was received stating "that only Australians/Naturalized Australians would be promoted and all others would remain as is".
I promptly wrote to the authorities and gained my own Naturalization certificate to prove that I was naturalized as early as 1961/2, well before I joined up. As I was a minor when I was initially naturalized, I was noted on my mothers Naturalization papers.
I know several people who were born overseas, and have had to produce naturalization papers to prove they were Aussies so they could join the Defence Force in the last couple of years.
I and many others were in the same boat re naturalization certificates requirements otherwise we would have stayed Corporals for the rest of out Military careers, no promotions and no subject courses for promotion.
If are able to, give the enlistment office a ring and see if I am correct or not.
Gee trout and I thought I lived in a box, you really need to get out more mate as I have seen gated for years now and slowly but surely getting more so sorry but your wrong and don't get me started on the religious places up QLD that have huge walls and guards and their schools are the same and even here they are putting up big fences around new estates so can you tell me why if it's such a nice caring place as I don't see that but I do see the world turnin to crap and most due to religion and this so called globalisation BS and fear but are the fears warranted, I'd say yes. The violence is unreal and to see the 'ladies' of today are just so rude crude and really quite disgusting and being a cleaner really opens your eye as to how much when your out and about in the general public. The libs started a lot of this as they play on paranoia and fear, just look at what howard did about the guns etc etc and terrorists. People are that stupid that they don't even realise they lost the war as soon as they took any notice as that's what it's all about, terror, putting fear into something to get it to do what you want..gee look what has happened here recent with a few people that are users and it does do damage and it puts people off, well it does me as it takes me ages to build trust so it tears me apart when people aren't who or what they say..yeah I know I'm too soft but tryin to get my 'I don't give a rats' attitude back like a lot here have, my life was a lot better when I didn't care but they said I might mellow after my op but I go up and down depending on how I'm being treated by others but can snap at any time and smash shit and even people if they get in my way and annoy me but I try and be good mostly :angel:
here's just a little bit off wiki
Australia[edit]
Although gated communities have been relatively rare in Australia, since the 1980s a few have been built. The most well-known are those at Hope Island, in particular Sanctuary Cove, on the Gold Coast of Queensland. Other similar projects are being built in the area. In Victoria, the first such development is Sanctuary Lakes, in the local government area of Wyndham, about 16 km south west of Melbourne. In New South Wales there is Macquarie Links gated community[9] as well as Southgate Estate gated community. Many Australian gated communities are built within private golf courses.
In the ACT the only example is Uriarra Village, based around community horse paddocks and dwellings jointly managed through strata title.
Hello,
Many people would like to live in a gated community, but the cost would put them off. Think of little old Ladies that live in Public housing. For that matter, the rest of the tenants that are not Oxygen thieves. The slide down-hill has begun, we have whole areas / towns that most dont want to live in. Funny you mention Urriara, when the fires came through and burnt most of the then village, someone supposedly took the nozzles off the fire hoses before the fires got there. A company got the land to develop, also land under the flight path near the Airport. Now the planes are being moved. Another development running over a year late was blamed on the ACT Gov. No legal action from them. To me it seems that people are being paid off. I have other "inside" info I will leave out though.
I feel many dont see what is coming, and wont until it is far too late to do anything about it. The 70's IMO will be remembered as the best times in Aus. We had our own identity having moved on from a Pom supply colony. We were not the 51st state of the US either.
ausjack, I hear ya. Working security I have to inspect the toilets and I couldn't do your job for quids. The ladies toilets are even worse than the gents (have to check for ODs, blind drunks, lines of coke, fornicating couples etc),do people know that the toilets and not the floor/walls are where you are supposed to go? Not just rough areas but upmarket venues as well. Had a pub 2 weeks ago that sold $20 hamburgers, girls were flashing, guys were pissed and/or stoned. The week before had to watch a detained young guy until the cops came (busted with coke). Those rich white kids have an entitlement mentality that I only see exceeded by the very wealthy Chinese.
QuoteFair enough Trout re your Military service but when did you enlist?
1972 I think.
I was just finishing my Infantry training at Singleton when National Service was ended.
Turned the place into a "Ghost town"
QuoteGee trout and I thought I lived in a box, you really need to get out more mate
No I don't live in a box, I choose to live in the Country and NOT the City.
Maybe us Country Folk think about things and treat people differently than our City Cousins.
I have been to every City in Australia (except Hobart ) and to me they are all "Rat Races" Barring Darwin of course, That's Gods Country :)
I feel many dont see what is coming, and wont until it is far too late to do anything about it. The 70's IMO will be remembered as the best times in Aus. We had our own identity having moved on from a Pom supply colony. We were not the 51st state of the US either.
yep so true Chris and it's so sad because as a kid it was great and my brother and I were allowed to stay out after dark to play but as long as mum could see us or at least be in ear shot and if we wanted to go to a mates we had to ask and we didn't have to go destroy anything to have fun as that was playing cricket or what would be considered to mundane for the kids of today and TV is not only a baby sitter but mum and dad and sex educator and back then we knew that if we did do something wrong and got found out there was hell to pay and that you'd get in more trouble if you lied but yeah different times because we didn't have to have it all unlike today where you CAN have it all and you can have it now (credit) and we wonder why it's like it is.
Gee Neal I feel sorry for ya mate because it's only getting worse all the time and I'm sort of lucky I don't do that any more, so can anyone tell me how so much drugs get in if the pollies and big boys in the cops and customs aren't getting kick backs because what they show on TV is nothing to what's on the streets and we're talking major quantities so if people aren't on the take and it's because there's not enough to check it all why not employ more people and personally I think we should set up an island and ALL freight and people go there first and that way you not only keep a better eye on what's coming and going in and out but also help stop things like this ebola that I really don't think we want here but anyways just more of my mad man ravings :)
Barring Darwin of course, That's Gods Country :)
Your a bloody classic trout :laugh2: But yes way different to city people, gee just try asking for directions and people freak but then I am scary :)
Ausjack, I've worked lots of different jobs over the past 4 decades and some were in container depots (both at the docks and elsewhere). It isn't possible to search 10,000 plus containers/day thoroughly. I've unloaded many containers and it takes hours for each one. Might be a thousand boxes from Thailand containing a million sealed tubes of ointment in a container and how can you know if one box has tubes of another substance? Or how about concrete garden furniture from China? Might have a bag of drugs put in the wet concrete. I've unloaded both of those as well as tinned goods, fresh produce, frozen goods, bulk powdered goods and a whole lot more from dozens of countries.
In one of my jobs I delivered life sized concrete statues to an alleged hit mans house, other ornaments to Abe Saffrons son and nude statues to a house of ill repute. Guess I don't work a boring 9-5 job.
Quote from: 'ausjack' pid='56975' dateline='1407952485'here's just a little bit off wiki
Australia[edit]
In the ACT the only example is Uriarra Village, based around community horse paddocks and dwellings jointly managed through strata title.
Hey guys
that gated community is just up the road from where I live ha ha
country-style gating!!!
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Quote from: 'ausjack' pid='56975' dateline='1407952485'but I go up and down depending on how I'm being treated by others but can snap at any time and smash shit and even people if they get in my way and annoy me but I try and be good mostly :angel:
hey wot is this about???
you're making me nervous AJ ......
ABI mate :( but most of the time I'm ok just very stressed with what this government is going to do with people like me so I don't handle things well these days sorry.. and some I think is in the genes as most of my relo's have a short fuse :angel:
Quote from: 'ausjack' pid='57025' dateline='1408003386'I think is in the genes as most of my relo's have a short fuse :angel:
:laugh2: .... try wearing trackies ...... your short fuse won't show through.
(Sorry, just had to ...... payback for pulling my tail!).
:laugh2: now I'm gonna use ya as a pinyata :)
:laugh2: .... so you're gonna beat the rainbow out of me!
:wavemulticolor:
:dead_horse:
:wavemulticolor:
Skittles everywhere!
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Now don't you go gettin any ideas trout :laugh2:
:yahoo::yahoo: fight on you guys , I hate peace .. :aggressive::aggressive::kez_11::kez_11:
,, kel ,,
yeah I'll take on
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If a newbie came across this last page they would think ya all on acid.:wavemulticolor:
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