1 May 2002

Our Community was part of a presentation delivered to Australian College of Education on "What does it mean to be an Australian today". The following is an edited version of what was presented on:

Monday 4 March 2002
5.00 pm - 7.00 pm
The Theatre - University of Melbourne (Hawthorn Campus)
442 Auburn Road
Hawthorn

A number of Round - table guests presented their response to the question "What does it mean to be an Australian today"? and participants were provided with an opportunity to raise issues and ask questions of guests. The following extract is a summarised version of the guest presentations/ question response:

Lois Peeler, Aboriginal Tourism Authority

Lois indicated that Aboriginal people, have been in this land for over 40,000 years but they have only recently been recognised as citizens. She also indicated that in Australia, aboriginal communities are today the most disadvantaged when looking at the indicators of well being - health (inadequate diets and high levels of stress), high absenteeism in schools, high rates of employment and non existent housing etc. Indigenous communities face high levels of alcoholism, suicide and depression. Substance abuse in aboriginal youth is frightening. There are currently about 35,000 CEP (working for the dole) recipients with the average adult male only working 2 days per week.

These communities are disadvantaged socially, culturally and economically right across the country.

People may say that the many things that happened to aboriginal people such as the dispossession of land and the Stolen people happened in the past. The problem is the legacy of these continues to day. For example people were moved from one spot to another, which meant that during the process, they lost their language and the cultural traditions. She argues that there is still a strong attachment to land, despite the hardships that have been faced. "The sands of time have not diminished our attachment to the land".

Randa Abdel-Fattah, Australian Arabic Council

Randa related some of her experiences as a young person stating that it was through the stereotypes she experienced, that she was able to work out her identity. For example, she grew up having to face people who thought that she was a terrorist or a repressed woman even though she was born and grew up in Sydney. This made her think about whom she was.

She feels Australian because of the different parts of her identity. She feels that each part of your identity make you who you are. In Australia, there are some common values such as social justice and human rights and these are the universal values that unite us. She asserted that by trying to define identity you are actually concerned with the otherness. She has not been interested in doing that. She doesn't feel there needs to be a definition.

She also asked the question "Why should migrants constantly have to prove they have a right to belong?" Stating "Feeling like I belong is separate to people making me feel that I belong." The chance to make their own contribution is the way to make people feel that they are Australian.

Basil Varghese - Brotherhood of St Lawrence
Email: bvarghese@bsl.org.au

Basil commenced his presentation with the statement "In a way I hope I never have to define what it is to be an Australian". Concepts of nationalism present dangers. The Government has harnessed a residual blinker of the 'fear of the other' rather than appealing to the principles of a just and civil society. Allowing discussions of "What is morality? What are ethics?" need to take place. Morality has a will and integrity of its own.

Basil also asked the question "What it is to be truly human?" He suggested that we take on the notion under a motif on "What is it truly to understand the other?". We can understand this from two perspectives - from a sense of dark or from a sense of optimism.

Basil also suggests that we have gone backwards - there is disillusionment with our institutions such as the Church, Education and political systems. People feel sceptical and are not able to trust and a social institution that is not trusted that espouses an idea can make us turn inwards and become self focused and is a negative force. He argues "What has happened to the Education system that is supposed to inform us?" "How is that we fell for the three card trick?" - we have to take responsibility that society has to be understood not just intellectually but in our hearts so that we can act at a democratic level.

We need to try and understand each other - language, culture etc. It is only then that we can live up to the song "I am, you are, we are Australian".

Erik Lloga - Europe Australian Institute

Erik indicated that he agreed with much that had been previously said. Like Basil, he found the notion of nationalism evil and exclusive. He also spoke over the debates of the 'soul of Australia'. "What are we and what do we want to become?" He purported that Nationalism can be a cover for racism.

He thought that the diversity of Australia is exciting - it is still a new nation and a country of the future despite the turbulent times. Australia was born in modern times and hence has defined itself by its multiplicity. We can be less tied by the past.

Ven Ol Son - Buddhist

Ven Ol Son began by apologising for his preparation but unfortunately, the person who was going to present was unavailable.

He also indicated the willingness of the Buddhist community to participate in the multicultural society that is Australia.

He believes that Australia is a safe country to live and in this society he has not experienced racism.

The theory of Buddhism is to love your next-door neighbour and to understand the next door as part of a peaceful environment.

Maureen Postma - National Council of Churches in Australia
Email: mpostma@vcc.org.au

Maureen reflected on what it means to be an Australian - a person usually seen as someone `giving it a go', working to overcome the odds. Does being Australian also imply residency within the country, contributing to the well-being of all members of our society?

She then talked about the "Australian of the Year" award - a way to acknowledge someone who reflects the characteristics that Australia values. In 2002 Pat Rafter was named as the 'Australian of the Year' - a sportsperson who does 'give it a go', who has worked hard to overcome the odds. But Pat does not live in Australia and he does not pay taxes here - except of course for the GST he pays when he visits the country!

There are, however, other people who fit more of the criteria than Pat Cash does. People who have `given it a go', worked to overcome terrible odds, are living in Australia - and if working, are paying their taxes. But they are not considered `Australian' - in fact, despite being classified as refugees, they are not given refugee Visas that would enable them to resume normal life, they get `temporary protection visas' - a visa that last just 3 years, allows them to get out of the detention centre but not leave the country with a right of return, does not allow them to apply for their families to join them.

So what is happening here? Is it prejudice? Is it ignorance within the wider Australian community that allows our Government to get away with such discriminatory policies?

Where is the justice here - the `fair go' that we as Australians expect of each other and our Government. Church people have realised that in order to give each other a `fair go', to develop opportunities for overcoming prejudice and misunderstandings we have had to sit down and talk together - to make space to learn more about each other.

So lets further the discussion about what it means to be Australian by finding space to talk about the issues more openly, more deliberately - that's the only way to build the sort of Australia that most of us would want to live in.

Michael Cohen - Jewish Community Council of Victoria

Despite issues of real concern, Jews in Australia are offered opportunities not offered in other parts of the world such as the freedom to choose careers, to enjoy society, to be allowed to contribute and benefit from the richness of the culture and community here. He believes that Jews are allowed to stand up for the things that they believe in, to practice their own religion and to take leading roles throughout society.

He believes that here in Australia, Jews can share a common humanity but with the right to be different. In other countries, Jewish people have always been guests, not hosts. Here in Australia it is different.

Michael also suggests that all of us need friends; desire understanding and dialogue can be mutually beneficial.

"Even a journey of 1000 miles must begin with a single step."

Kate Caldecott, Our Community Email: katec@ourcommunity.com.au

Kate indicated that all tonight's speakers have outlined similar themes around the notion of connection, belonging in diversity and the desire to live in a just and civil society. Prejudice and ignorance are something to be discouraged.

But Kate also wanted to introduce a different theme that to be an Australian is to be an active player in communities. It is through effective communities that civil society is built and it is the individual everyday people who want to influence their community that make the difference.

She outlined her recent experiences of meeting a wide variety of people involved at the grass roots of Australian life. They were undertaking many different activities that created the social fabric - culturally, intellectually, physically and emotionally.

By encouraging strong communities, we make Australia the place that we want it to be - that individuals achieve the connection, belonging and acceptance that would otherwise not be achieved.

Strong, vibrant communities are important to strive for and should not be underestimated in the greater scheme.