Australia has many things in common with the rest of the world, though there are several parts of our national identity and culture which are peculiar to us. These are detailed in the sections below. They include emphasis on physical as opposed to mental achievement, the concept of mateship, Australian idiom, language and humour. The embracing of the concept of multiculturalism is also covered. Be aware that any culture and national identity is always changing.

This page looks at topics M to Z including areas such as Mateship, Myths & Stereotypes, Multiculturalism, Social & Cultural Features and Sport.

The First Page looks at topics A to L including areas such as Art & Culture, Australian Identity, Humour, Educational Activities, Australian Values, Language and other general information.

Information is aimed at undergraduate level. Some information may be useful at a higher level.

Be aware some units/topics have different titles at different universities, even though content may be the same or similar. Australian information is supplied wherever possible.

In addition, there are databases, primary documents, reference material and other general information where these are seen to be relevant.

All standard Glossaries are now found on this page, listed alphabetically.

Additional unit material will be included as time permits.

Note that The Culture Portal closed from 1 July 2010 though pages appear to remain accessible.

If you are aware of any worthwhile information which is not included, suggestions for additions are welcomed.

M - R

Mateship

From the earliest European settlement, this was seen as a defining characteristic of Australian culture.

• A Sketch of Mateship
  A sketch demonstrative of the concept of mateship, Henry Lawson. Scroll down to this.
• Gallipoli, Mateship, …
  And the Construction of Australian National Identity. Links on the role and depiction of mateship, especially in film.
• Is Mateship a Virtue ?
  Essay by James S Page that takes a critical look at what mateship is and effects this might have - are these virtues ? PDF file.
• Mateship
  Listing of quotes and statements relating to mateship from Prime Ministers, writers, everyday people. Interesting.
• Mateship [2]
  Origins, military context, use in other situations, references, links, more. From Wikipedia.
• Mateship as an Australian Value
  Article by Tom Lovett in The Epoch Times.
• Mateship, Diggers and Wartime
  Article, Australia.gov.au. Information, links.

Media Presentation

Links to media presentations including several from the ABC.

• Australia’s Place in the World
  ‘Today in Australia’s Place In The World we look at the forces that have shaped foreign policy-making since the Second World War’.
• Remaking Australia, Part 4 : Miriam Lyons
  ‘A look at remaking Australian culture, for want of a smaller topic’. One of a series of responses after the Federal election of 2007. Crikey.
• Suburbia
  ‘While Australians like to think that the bush is at the heart of the country, roughly 80 per cent of Australians live in the suburbs’
  Part of a series from Radio National, available as a broadcast or in transcript format.
• Tales of Two Hemispheres
  2004 Boyer Lectures. In audio and transcript formats. ‘Peter Conrad his side of the story of being an expatriate Australian writer and intellectual, returning to his birthplace to rediscover and appreciate anew the qualities that make Australia unique and now an object of desire in this increasingly globalised world’. 6 broadcasts.
• The Australian People
  ‘When Australia commemorated a hundred years of nationhood in 2001, the people reflected the fact that Australia’s population is now one of the most ethnically diverse in the world’.
  Part of a series from Radio National, available as a broadcast or in transcript format.
• The Local and the Global in Australian Culture
  ‘There are often two conflicting points of view about Australian culture : one that such a young country can hardly be seen to have a national culture at all, and another more positive view that Australia’s no longer a British outpost nor is it a branch office of the United States and it can build something new and different, Down Under !’
  Part of a series from Radio National, available as a broadcast or in transcript format.

Myths, Beliefs & Stereotypes

Information about beliefs seen as integral to Australian culture. Check the Mateship section above.

• Australian Dream
  ‘The Australian Dream or Great Australian Dream is a belief that in Australia, home ownership can lead to a better life and is an expression of success and security’.History, cultural presentations, references, links. From Wikipedia.
• Australian Folklore
  ‘Based on traditional beliefs, legends and customs of a group, handed down through generations’. Looks at these from many sources. Links to further information. Australia.gov.au.
• Egalitarianism
  Presentation with emphasis on mateship, egalitarianism, a fair go. Looks at responses to these concepts.
• Australian Stereotypes
  Article. Looks at stereotypes and people’s opposing views of them.
• Class in Australia
  Quotes about class in Australia. Several points of view provided.

Tall Poppies

• Flogging the Tall-Poppy Syndrome
  What it is, examples, responses, explanations of the process from several sources.
• Tall Poppy Syndrome
  Article that covers the syndrome in countries including Australia. Examples, references, links. From Wikipedia.

Multiculturalism

General information, award information, illustrators, link listings, more.

• A Timeline History of Multicultural Australia
  Commentaries, speeches, documents, archival material, articles, reports, more. Multiple sections from before Australia became a nation to The Present Generation.
• Making Multicultural Australia
  Assisting young people, parents, teachers and the community to explore Australia’s cultural diversity, tolerance and anti-racism. Research Library [3 000+ pages], audio, video, hotwords, activities & quizzes, history topics, lesson ideas, e-learning topics, documents.
  Exceptional !
• More than 60 Years of Post-war Migration
  Fact Sheet, Department of Immigration & Citizenship.
• Multiculturalism
  Summary, links.
• The Development of Australia’s Multicultural Policies
  How much do you know ? Online quizz. Access other quizzes from this page.
• The Evolution of Australia’s Multicultural Policy
  Information, Department of Immigration & Citizenship.

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S - Z

Social and Cultural Features

These links have been compiled by an online education group and cover the post-war decades. Access may be limited on any visit without a Fee-based registration at the site [cost is quite reasonable]. Registration includes access to audio summaries, images and examinations on the topic.

• American and British Cultural Influence 1950s
  Effect on music, cinema, television, food, sport, national identity, more.
• American and British Cultural Influence 1960s
  Effect on music, cinema, television, food, sport, national identity, more.
• American and British Cultural Influence 1970s
  Effect on music, cinema, television, food, sport, national identity, more.
• American and British Cultural Influence 1980sEffect on music, cinema, television, food, sport, national identity, more.
• American and British Cultural Influence 1990s
  Effect on music, cinema, television, food, sport, national identity, more.
• Social and Cultural Features of the 1950s
  The Decade in Context, music & entertainment, fashion sport, international influences.
• Social and Cultural Features of the 1960s
  The Decade in Context, music & entertainment, fashion sport, international influences.
• Social and Cultural Features of the 1970s
  The Decade in Context, music & entertainment, fashion sport, international influences.
• Social and Cultural Features of the 1980s
  The Decade in Context, music & entertainment, fashion sport, international influences.
• Social and Cultural Features of the 1990s
  The Decade in Context, music & entertainment, fashion sport, international influences.
• The 80’s
  Australian life in the eighties. View the video box, photos, blogs, bibliography, comments, more.

Sport

Sport and its influence has always played a significant role in Australian culture.

• Nick Bryant’s Australia
  Part of a blog from the BBC News in which the reporter looks at Melbourne’s Sport Prowess and how it reflects on Australian love of sport [and competition with Sydney !].
• Sport
  ‘What it reveals about the values of Australian society are explored in the Sport : A National Obsession ? display in the Nation gallery’. National Museum of Australia.
• Sport and Recreation as A Tool for Social Inclusion
  ‘Experiences of refugee and migrant young people’ and the use of sport as a way to inclusion.
• Sport : Touchstone of Australian Life
  Martin Flanagan. From the Alfred Deakin Lectures.
• This Sporting Life
  One person’s response to those who see sport as the most important factor, when he doesn’t. Article in The Age.

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