CULTURE
GOVERNMENT/ HISTORY
There are different views in concern to the subject of Australia’s culture and the relations to the government and history. Many claim that Australia’s blend of global influences-the cross-fertilisation of cultures by the dominant political powers of Great Britain, the United States, and emerging neighbours in Asia.
Others argue that separate and distinct Australian cultures have existed for a long time, as an example, Aborigines. Aboriginal cultures dating back thousands of years took many forms, with over 100 separate languages, and with widespread social networks making it necessary for Aboriginal people to be multilingual to communicate. A separate British-influenced Australian culture is also said to have existed since the mid-1800s.Commonly recognised examples of Australian culture include;
• Poets: Henry Lawson, Banjo Paterson, C.J. Dennis
• Authors: Miles Franklin, Mary Grant Bruce, Rolf Boldrewood
• Painters and artists: Arthur Streeton, Frederick McCubbin, Sidney Nolan
• Architecture: Federation style, Queenslander style
• Music: Waltzing Matilda, Slim Dusty, The Seekers
• Heroes and heroines: Ned Kelly, Don Bradman, the ANZACs
• Australian way of life: Bush barbeques, Australian Rules Football, Surf Lifesaving Clubs
• Cultural icons: Vegemite, Akubra hats, gold prospectors, shearers, swagmen
• Entertainers and Characters: Ginger Meggs, Paul Hogan, Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson (Barry Humphries), Mick Molloy
It could be argued that both of the above views are valid-that there are unique Aboriginal and Australian cultu ...