The places people become

Looking to Australian literature and poetry, the Australian landscape often acts as reckoning force. Poetry I learned as a child and books I have read over the years are odes to the wonder and variance of the country. Classic poetry like Banjo Patterson’s The Man from Snowy River; Dorothy McKellar’s, The Sunburned Country; modern fiction such as Judith Wright’s The Nature of Love; Patrick White’s Raising Babylon; and more recently Tim Winton - all full with acknowledgements of the natural beauty and harshness of the country and how the landscape affects people.

Whether it be the bush, or the sand and surf, the natural beauty of the Australian environment very much helps Australians identify as a “people”.

The classic bushy, the surfers on the coast, those of the urban myth, all have an identity attached to places unique to Australia. And it is an equitable beauty: every one has access to it. Rich people can buy waterfront apartments overlooking the harbour but the “other half” still get to walk the dog and have picnic’s in the parks of the harbour foreshores, the beaches or national parks.

I have been to countries where the best beaches are cut off to the public and only the rich tourists from the elite resorts can gain access. Australia’s reasonably classless and democratic society allows access for all to the most beautiful places “our” country has to offer.

Taking off to enjoy the countryside, the park or the beach is one of the most popular pastimes. Australians of all backgrounds and nationalities do this. The country’s natural resources and beauty have also contributed to Australia’s prosperity. Mining, agriculture and tourism have helped shape the nation.

The physical country has helped shape the identity of the nation.

It’s been 20 years since I lived in Queensland: I live in the central west of Sydney these days. It’s a long way from the sand and seaweed of Redcliffe’s beaches and the beautiful islands I could see from the veranda of our house. I love the area where I live now for its vibrancy and diversity.

I have married a foreign man and have children. I mix socially with many people whose heritage is non-Anglo, many born overseas. My friends and husband’s family all love Australia for many of the reasons I do. They love to travel to the beach and countryside, go fishing, have picnics with family and friends in beautiful places and have holidays away from the city.

We are all one literally part of the diverse and beautiful landscape.