Who are we? Exploring Australian Identity by Juan Vaamonde

2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 4 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 5 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 48 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3744 2 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 5586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 7 884 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 47 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 54 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 74 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 74 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 8 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 984 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 7 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 786 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 54 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 554 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 84 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 76 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 874 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 78 54 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 44 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 14 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 78 44 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 904 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 724 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 77 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 7 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 7 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 786 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 54 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 554 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58 3745 63 90 38 90 983 47 32 60 472 10 43 94 2 7 39 101 34 8 97 64 53 80 24 29 58 207 72 55 784 4 84 586 23 85 84 58 3 88 58

WHO ARE WE? Exploring Australian Identity

Designed & written by Juan AndrĂŠs Vaamonde Arnouil.

NUMBERS

numbers is DEDICATED To my p arents.

Juan JosĂŠ Vaamonde Autet & Virginia Vaamonde Arnouil

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Numbers / Introduction

This part is dedicated to a quantitative overview of Australia. The next four chapters cover the areas of population, culture, health, the economy and chronology to give a rough idea of what it was like in the past one hundred years and how it has evolved into the nation we see today. I have selected key topics to graph such as the rates of alcoholic consumption by Australian adults, the population growth of capital cities in comparison to major international cities and the amount of followers of the major religious faiths. All of the data depicted in these graphs have been carefully researched utilising the Australian year books produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. For each graph you will find a statement indicating my source. This part is not meant to be an exhaustive statistical study of Australia by any means. I am relatively new to data visualisation and this project was an opportunity to experiment. I owe a lot to Edward Tufte’s “The Visual Display of Quantitative Information” and Jenn and Ken Visocky O’Grady’s “The Information Design Handbook.” Information design is a beautiful area of graphic design and I thoroughly enjoyed designing these graphs. I hope they provide you, the reader with tantalising glimpses into the numbers that comprise this nation of ours.

Numbers / CONTENTS

Introduction Chapter 1: Population

Total Australian Population (1901-2007)

Mal es & Femal es: population & a ge distribution

Population of Australian Capital Cities (1947-2008)

Urban & Rural Population (NSW, VIC, QLD & AUS)

Cities of the World: in 1938 & toda y

Chapter 2: Culture

Langua ges Spoken at Home (2006)

Religious & Non-Religious (1986, 1996 & 2006)

Christian Faiths (1986, 1996 & 2006)

Non-Christian Faiths (1986-2006)

Countries of Birth (1954-2008)

Chapter 3 - Economy & Health

Leading Causes of Death

Alcohol Consumption

Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Economic Performance

Chapter 4 - Chronology

WWI Casualties

Timeline of Australian Inh abitants

6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

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8 POPULATION

Chapter 1 / Population

The population of a nation and the study of its intricacies and fluctuations over time can reveal much of the nation’s makeup, allowing one’s depth of understanding to reach new heights. In this chapter I have designed five statistical graphs on a range of areas within the single encompassing category of Australia’s population. There are graphs that progress over time and highlight the manner in which something has evolved . There are graphs that compare and contrast aspects of Australia’s population with the rest of the world. All of this, I hope, comes together to form an involving and enlightening chapter.

96 51 4.5 2.4 Of the fathers of nuptial births in the commonwealth of Australia in 1913 had occupations in the field of science.

Was the life expectancy of females in the time period of 1881 to 1890. The life expectancy of males in the same period was 47.

The average Australian household size in 1911. It dropped to 3.5 in 1954 and 2.6 in 2006.

The population of the Australian Capital Territory in 1919 in thousands. In the same year, New South Wales had a population of almost two million.

Popul ation

Total Australian Population 1901-2007 / ABS Australian Year Books 1901 to 2009-10

20 million

10 million

2007

1999

1989

1979

1969

1959

1949

1939

1929

1919

1909

1901

5 million

POPULATION

Males & Females: population & age distribution 1901, 1921, 1979 & 2008 / ABS Australian Year Books 1901 to 2009-10

FEMALE

MALE

10million

<15

5 million

15-64 65+

<15 15-64

2008

1979

1921

1901

2008

1979

1921

65+

1901

NUMBERS

Popul ation

Population of Australian Capital Cities 1947-2008 / ABS Australian Year Books 1939 to 2009-10

4 million

Sydne y, NSW

Melbourne, VIC

Brisbane, QLD

Perth, WA

2 million

Adelaide, SA

Canberra, ACT

Hobart, TAS

2008

1999

1986

1976

1966

1959

1947

Darwin, NT

POPULATION

Urban & Rural Population 1921, 1954, 1976 & 1986 / ABS Australian Year Book 1991 (Not including inter-state migration)

VIC

QLD

AUS

RURAL

1986

1976

1954

1986

1976

1954

1921

URBAN

RURAL 1921

1986

1976

1954

1921

1986

1976

1954

URBAN

RURAL

NSW

1921

NUMBERS

Popul ation

Cities of the World: in 1938 & today 1938 / ABS Australian Year Book 1939

1.3m

2.3m

0.8m

8.7m

0.9m

7.5m

3.2m

1.3m

6.5m

10 million

TODAY

5 million

TOKYO

ROME

OSAKA

NEW YORK

NAPLES

LONDON

LIVERPOOL

BUENOS AIRES

MELBOURNE

SYDNEY

1938

2 million

NUMBERS

14 CULTURE

Chapter 2 / culture

This country can claim one of the most culturally diverse groups of people on the planet. To a visitor Australia can appear to be a â&#x20AC;&#x153;mini-earthâ&#x20AC;? as a friend of mine put it. Since the settlers of Europeans in 1788, many peoples from all over the world have come to call this land their home, all of them driven here by different reasons. As a direct result, many parts of the country are a microcosm of wonderful food, music, and languages every corner of the globe. Naturally there are issues that come along with so many ethnic groups living together, but as long as each person shares the same love for living here as the everyone else, there is the potential for all of to live in harmony.

317 453 21 73 The number of marriages in Australia in 1946 that werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t of a Christian denomination. All 317 of those marriages were in fact Jewish.

The number of students of a non-Christian faith attending university in Australia in 1933. There were 3,263 university students that belonged to the Church of England alone.

The percentage of people conferred with Australian citizenship from 2008 to 2009 that were originally from the United Kingdom. People from India comprised 10.4% and people from China comprised 7.7%.

The year the Sydney Opera House was opened. It was designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon.

Cul ture

Languages Spoken at Home: proportion of the population 2006 / ABS Australian Year Book 2009-10

1.6%

1.3%

1.2%

1.1%

1.0%

0.5%

0.4%

1.8%

HINDI

GERMAN

TAGALOG

SPANISH

VIETNAMESE

MANDARIN

ARABIC

CANTONESE

GREEK

ITALIAN

0.9%

CULTURE

Religious & Non-Religious: proportion of the population 1986, 1996 & 2006 / ABS Australian Year Book 2009-10

RELIGIOUS

NON-RELIGIOUS

100%

50%

Christian

No Religion

2006

1996

1986

2006

Not Stated

1996

Non-Christian

1986

NUMBERS

1986 1996 2006

UNITING CHURCH

7TH DAY ADVENTIST

PRESBYTERIAN

PENTECOSTAL

ORTHODOX

LUTHERAN

JEHOVA’S WITNESSES

CATHOLIC

BAPTIST

ANGLICAN

Cul ture 17

Christian Faiths: proportion of the population

1986, 1996 & 2006 / ABS Australian Year Book 2009-10

25%

20%

15%

10%

NUMBERS

18 CULTURE

Non-Christian Faiths: proportion of the population (1986, 1996 & 2006 / ABS Australian Year Book 2009-10)

BUDDHISM

HINDISUM

ISLAM

JUDAISM

2006

1996

1986

2006

1996

1986

2006

1996

1986

2006

1996

1986

Cul ture

The Main Countries of Birth of Australians 1954-2008 / ABS Australian Year Books 1969 to 2009-10

1 million

United Kingdom

New Zealand 0.5 million Ital y China India

Vietnam Greece

2008

2000

1990

1980

1970

1960

1954

Lebanon

NUMBERS

20 HEALTH & THE ECONOMY

Chapter 3 / HEALTH & the ECONOMY

After lasting two terms in office, the reign of the Liberal party under John Howard ended in 2007 with the election of Kevin Rudd. John Howard left behind a complex legacy, with quite significant achievements and quite an impressive track record with Australia’s economy. Mr Rudd inherited a nation with a flowering economy, unfortunately he came into power just when a recession hit the world. He employed certain tactics, and whether or not they worked, economists agree, Australia has largely been left untouched by the worst of the crisis. At least for now. Now we have a new Prime Minister in power, Julia Gillard, and we can only wait and see how well she can manage the economy as we go further into her term, and the economic situation worldwide grows ever more complicated. Understanding Australia’s health situation is in some ways more difficult, unlike our economic situation which largely depends on external factors or private internal players, the Australian health system is fractured by each state’s government. However when it comes to the health of the Australian people, some trends are nationwide, such as life-styles and substance abuse.

17 1

9.8

The amount of litres of beer the Australian adult drank per capita in 1981. That’s more than the British adult drank of all alcoholic drinks put together, 20 years earlier.

Australia’s economy managed to grow for 17 years in a row, since 1992, at an average of 3.3 per cent per year

The total expenditure on health by the Australian government as a proportion of gross domestic product.

Australia ranks first for labour, agricultural and industrial productivity per person employed in the Asia-Pacific region according to the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook.

Heal th & The Economy

Causes of Death in 1998: proportion of total deaths 1998 / ABS Australian Year Books 2001

27%

22%

9.4%

4.8%

3.6%

2.1%

1.4%

20% Femal e

Mal e

VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

SUICIDE

PNEUMONIA & INFLUENZA

PULMONARY DISEASE

STROKE

HEART DISEASE

CANCER

10%

HEALTH & THE ECONOMY

Alcohol Consumption: litres per capita adults (15+) 1961, 1981 & 2001 / WHO Glob al Status Repor t on Alcohol 2004

AUSTRALIA

USA

14L

Total Alcohol

2001

1981

1961

2001

1981

1961

2001

1981

Beer

1961

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Heal th & The Economy

Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Economic Performance In The Last 30 Years ABS Australian Catalogues 5206.0, 5302.0, 6202.0, 6401.0; Reser ve Bank of Australia (Current Account Defici t expressed as percentage of GDP)

12% Inflation Unemplo yment

0 GDP

Current Account Deficit

2009

2007

2008

2005

2006

2004

2002

2003

2001

2000

1998

1999

1997

1995

1996

1993

1994

1991

1992

1990

1988

1989

1987

1986

1985

1983

1984

1981

1982

1980

-6%

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24 Chronology

Chapter 4 / chronology

Even though Australia has only a relatively short history as a nation, it has more than made up for it through its presence on the world stage. Whether if it is through participation in wars, hosting major sporting events and dominating them, through its contributions to science, entertainment, the arts, manufacturing, and technology or the constant export of valued people, skills and ideas to the rest of the world, Australia is a nation that has left an imprint upon history much greater than one would have thought considering its small size. In this chapter are graphs too few to truly communicate the weight of this contribution, but I hope they will be insightful and of interest to you nonetheless.

13 83 66 2 The amount of Australian Labor party Prime Ministers Australia has had over the years. We have had 8 Liberal Prime Ministers.

The thousands of people from New South Wales that served abroad with the Australian forces in WWI. In total, 228,282 Australian people served abroad.

The year of the 20th century when Australia gave all women the vote permanently. It had previously only been applied to women who werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t aboriginal.

The amount of times the Summer Olympics has been held in Australia. Recently in Sydney in 2000 and in Melbourne in 1956.

Chronology

World War I total casualties: and proportion of population UNITED STATES

UNITED KINGDOM

SERBIA

RUSSIA

NEW ZEALAND

GERMANY

FRANCE

AUSTRALIA

(World War I casual ties 1914-1918 / Wikipedia)

3 million

15%

2 million

10%

1 million 5%

TOTAL DEATHS

POP.

Chronology

Timeline of Australian Inhabitants 2010 Today

1800 Settle ment

1600

1400

1200

1000

(Encyclopedia Bri tannica)

European settl ers & everyone else

0 201 0

10000

20000

30000

40000

Indigenous peopl es

50000

NUMBERS

Faces 30

WHO ARE WE? Exploring Australian Identity

Designed & written by Juan AndrĂŠs Vaamonde Arnouil.

Faces

FACES

Faces is DEDICATED To my famil y.

Past & Present. In Australia, North, Central, South America & Europe.

Faces

Faces / Introduction

This part attempts to expose the true sentiments of the Australian people today. I have interviewed a small cross section of demographics, showing a variety of ethnic groups, religious beliefs and opinions as well. Hopefully Faces will give you, the reader, an insight into the minds and hearts of your fellow Australians and perhaps you might even be able to relate to one of the interviewees through their responses. When talking about people who claim to be more Australian than others because they are blonde-haired, blue eyed and/ or Anglo-Saxon, I have always been of the opinion that there are two historically acceptable ways of approaching the subject of saying who is truly Australian and who is not. The first approach, I think would be to say that all those of Aboriginal descent are the true Australians, and all others are not. Of course this is not quite applicable in today’s society, but it far less ridiculous and offensive than the previous assertion. The second approach, which is I believe to be the most appropriate, is that just because someone’s family may have been here a few generations before yours, does not entitle them to claim they are a higher level of “Aussie.” Indeed, when the long history of the Aborigines living in this land is taken into account, (indicated by the enyclopedia Britannica to be approximately 50,000 years) the claims of AngloSaxon descended people to be more Australian than everyone else is revealed to be ludicrous, the arrival of British settlers in 1788, and subsequent non-British settlers up until now, would be shown as the same dot on a timeline of the history of Australia going back as far as the Aborigines have been here. Before you go on to read the interviews on the following pages, contemplate for a moment the words of former Prime Minister Bob Hawke, in response to the opposition leader, Tony Abbots’s claims he would “stop the boats.” “We’re all bloody boat people,” Mr Hawke said. “That’s how we found the place. We cannot turn the boats back, these people have got initiative, guts and courage and Australia needs people like that.”

Faces / CONTENTS

Introduction INTERVIEW A: David INTERVIEW B: Daniel INTERVIEW C: Alina INTERVIEW D: Ha yl e y

34 36 38 40 42

Faces

Inter view A / DAvid

Where were you born and does that place have a special significance for you? Around the Westmead area, it’s where I live now. And it’s not really significant in any way I don’t think. It’s just the place I’ve always lived. I don’t really know any different. Where and in which time period did you grow up? I grew up in the 90’s and in the Sydney suburb of Toongabbie. Could you tell us a bit about your childhood in that area? It was fun, we used to go out for a bike ride and do all kind of active things. Sport in general, I had local sport around Toongabbie. And I then went to Pendle Hill High School. Are you religious? And if so, with which religious group would you believe yourself to be a part of? I am not religious, in any way shape or form. I was just thinking that it really wasn’t a religious upbringing. My Dad was a bit religious, but he wasn’t really very into it. My Mum had a very religious upbringing, and then when she grew older she got away from that and moved towards more spiritual things, like possibly Buddhism. But more that style of thing, so there really wasn’t religion in our house. What is your ethnic background? I’m part Italian I guess. I’m sure I’m other parts something else. But yes, quarter Italian or one eighth Italian, something like that. Do you feel that there still exists a widespread notion that to be Australian you must be of an Anglo-Saxon background? Partly. I think a lot of people consider white like... like when people of other races say “Oh yeh you’re an Aussie” then it’s sort of beginning this notion of being a white person. Whereas when you look at Australia as a whole I think everyone sort of considers themselves Australian. So there’s that little bit of stigma I guess. How would you compare Australian society to other countries? Well I don’t really know too much about other countries really. I’ve never left Australia. But from what I’ve heard, from what I’ve learnt over the years is just that we’re much more open and accepting of other races and religions and stuff like that. Although things like the Cronulla riots do take Australia a step backwards. What is the criteria you think someone should fit in order for you to consider them a member of this country? I think where you stop, where you stay, is your home. If someone came here from another country and they want to stay here, I think they should be allowed to. That’s pretty much it. As long as they

treat our country with respect do all those kind of things. Pay their taxes, that kind of stuff, they should be allowed to stay. What criteria do you think most people in this country would think someone should fit in order to be considered a member of this country? I think everyone has their own opinion about it. But I don’t think there’s one general overreaching thing about it. So you think that a lot of other people would have very different views to you? Possibly. I’d hope that people would be forgiving, and say “anyone can come in” because that’s just the way I see it. But I can see how other people can be xenophobic I guess. Is there other countries you’d rather live in? I’d like to travel, but I think I’ll always consider Australia my home. Is Australian society changing with the influx of immigrants, and how? I think it’s fine either way. I don’t think we’re going to be over run. We’re a super multicultural country as it is. All the other races are the same as everyone else. I don’t really think it’s going to change anything at all. How would you explain our national identity to someone who has never heard of our country? A mish-mash of everything really. (laughs) To be Australian, the whole relaxed attitude, just does it. As long as you’re happy to be here, that’s pretty much what Australia is all about.

Faces

Inter view B / DAniel

Where were you born and does that place have a special significance for you? I was born around the Sydney area, and I suppose I still live here. And I’ve never really lived anywhere else. I’m happy living here, but I’m worried about the job opportunities and things like that. But I suppose I won’t worry about that as much until after I finish my degree. Where and in which time period did you grow up? I grew up in the 90’s and spent my teenage year in the 2000’s. I think I spent my first two year in Kempsey. But I only remember my time around here in Rose Meadow where I still live. Could you tell us a bit about your childhood in that area? I didn’t really like school. I was quite lonely in primary school. And I was still a bit lonely in high school, but I knew how to convince people I was semi-likeable, so I had a bit more friends in high school. But that involved more self-denial, which was annoying now that I look back on it. But at least I’ve realised. But that’s how I see my childhood. I learnt a lot. I spent most of my time close to my family, especially my mum and my grandma. I had a few friends, but only one of them has really lasted to this day. And our closeness is somewhat questionable. We’re not best friends. My childhood was lonelier than what I would have hoped for. But very strength building. It built a lot of hide. If you want to call it that. Are you religious? And if so, with which religious group would you believe yourself to be a part of? Yes I’m a Christian. I’m a Protestant hristian, some people would say Pentecostal. But I like to just say “I read the bible and interpret that as how I think it should be most of the time.” I find myself quite a critical, analytical person so i don’t just gobble up everything I hear. But I do for the most part believe what the bible talks about.

Faces

Inter view C / ALina

Where were you born and does that place have a special significance for you? I was born in Bathurst, yeh because that’s where I’m from, where my family is from. Where and in which time period did you grow up? I grew up in the 90’s really. And I grew up in Bathurst. I moved to Sydney when I was eighteen. Could you tell us a bit about your childhood in that area? I went to West Bathurst primary school, I had a pretty good childhood, my parents were very good parents, very protective. Always wanted the best for us. Are you religious? And if so, with which religious group would you believe yourself to be a part of? No, I’m an Atheist. I just don’t believe in god. I found Atheism on my own, my mum actually used to teach Sunday school, so she’s religious. My dad’s a bit neutral and I sort of after christian studies, I developed on my own that I didn’t believe in God. What is your ethnic background? My grandparents are from Scotland. And from your other parent’s side? Or is that for both parents? Just Australian. My Dad’s side is from Scotland and my Mum’s side is just Australian. My Mum’s parents were born in Australia. So you don’t know where her side is from? No, I don’t know further back than that. Do you feel that there still exists a widespread notion that to be Australian you must be of an Anglo-Saxon background? No. How would you compare Australian society to other countries? Well, to be honest, I don’t really know too much about other countries. As I’ve never been overseas to see it for myself. I only really know here, because that’s where I’ve been. What is the criteria you think someone should fit in order for you to consider them a member of this country? I think someone that says “I’m Australian, I live here,” that’s enough. So I don’t feel it’s limited to a piece of paper. I could say “I’m Australian because I have a piece of paper,” but I prefer to say I’m Australian because I grew up here.

What criteria do you think most people in this country would think someone should fit in order to be considered a member of this country? Well there’s a lot of different views on it I suppose. You have to know the Australian background. But I myself was born here and I don’t know Australia’s entire history. Do you believe Australia embraces and accepts its multiculturalism? I think to a degree. I think there’s still a large amount of people that don’t. But overall, looking at the big picture, I think we’re quite a multicultural country. Is Australian society changing with the influx of immigrants, and how? Yes. I think it’s a better thing. I think it’s a step forward. Rather than being a backward society that’s narrowminded, it’s helped to be a little more open-minded. How would you explain our national identity to someone who has never heard of our country? In my previous university semester I worked on “The Australia Project.” And to me, I said that being Australian was family. A sense of connection. So my project was based on family connections and friends. Because that was the most important thing to me. And that was how I saw Australia, that we’re a very connected country.

Faces

Inter view D / hayley

Where were you born and does that place have a special significance for you? I was born in Auburn, Sydney, Australia, there’s not really much of a signifiance. Where and in which time period did you grow up? I grew up in the late 80’s early 90’s. We kind of moved around, we started off in Strathfield, and then went to Holsworthy, then Glenhaven, Greenacre, and then it’s kind of back and forth between Greenacre and Kellyville. And then finally finished off in Liverpool. Could you tell us a bit about your childhood in that area? Strathfield was probably when I was youngest, probably lived there when i was 10 or so, and that was pretty decent. Mucked around as kids. Then as we moved to Greenacre I guess with more maturity we were playing around with other people, we socialised differently. Are you religious? And if so, with which religious group would you believe yourself to be a part of? I am religious. I’m a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints. Aka Mormon. It means a lot to me, its how I structure myself as a person and how I am, and I really identify with it. And I’m proud to be a part of it. What is your ethnic background? My father is Anglo Indian, several generations in India, so my dad was born in madras. And my mother was first born Australian but her parents... one’s Polish and the other is Swiss. Do you feel that there still exists a widespread notion that to be Australian you must be of an Anglo-Saxon background? I don’t think so, I think the definition’s pretty much changed, I mean we’ve had immigrants since Australia’s been started, it was never really primarily British or whatever, and i think that’s what gives Australia the whole multicultural aspect to it. How would you compare Australian society to other countries? I think we’re easy-going, we’re kind of like Canada in that sense. but, because we’re more multicultural i think we’re more understanding of other cultural as well, so we’re with the technology and we’re with social norms, and we kind of break the boundaries, we’re limited by some particular laws. What is the criteria you think someone should fit in order for you to consider them a member of this country? I think you have to be as I mentioned before, being open minded about other cultures is important. I think

you’d have to be somebody who at least knows the basic history of the country, and has the same ideals as to what our country applies to, sort of a thing. What criteria do you think most people in this country would think someone should fit in order to be considered a member of this country? I think a lot of people do care if you’re born here or not. I think there’s still the idea that some people are just here for opportunities, which is kind of sad, i mean you don’t have to be Australian to have citizenship or you have to know the national anthem, or the general history. I feel that sometimes people set to high of a standard. There’s that whole area of our culture where people think that Australians have to born here, and people can’t move in and automatically think that they’re Australian, yes I don’t believe in that. Have you ever been discriminated against? When I was younger yes. People used to say that I was a “curry muncher,” I never really took that seriously. It’s true though. It is, because once I mentioned, because I’m primarily white, they think “Ok that’s odd, now I’ve got something to pick on you with.” But i know that a lot of people, especially from a lot of other countries though, they just see, when they look at australia they mainly just see convicts, Cronulla that sort of a thing. That’s what they think all Australia is like, but that’s not really true. Is Australian society changing with the influx of immigrants, and how? When it comes to people moving into the country, who are from a different background, i know they tend to stick within certain areas to be comfortable. but i also believe that they are branching out once they do become comfortable with language and with socialising with people. i think that once they understand how the rest of Australians are, that we’re pretty laid back and easy going, they’re like “Oh hey, this is cool place i can move on, I don’t have to stick in this little community.”