Persuasive Speech: Keep The Australian Flag

Australia has been shaped through war since soldiers set to the First World War right up until the now with the war in Afghanistan. Aspects that made it controversial ideas from being a colony of Britain and the politics that came with it, development of treaties with other countries, social groups, and family honour.

Through the use of poetic devices, the author has successfully encouraged the audience to explore their thoughts on Australian identity and to reflect on our nation’s history.

Australian National Identity was forged by multi cultural nationalities. Within our country we now celebrate all and various events as a Nation. Our Australian Laws and language is linked with Britain. World

Stan Grant, ‘The Australian Dream’ has a more effective illustration of the perception of all Indigenous Australians, that Indigenous people should not be segregated from society due to racism. Grant’s version of the reality is that racism is still continuous despite the perception of multiculturalism and therefore places great emphasis on Australia’s racism towards certain groups and questioning the Australian ideal. This is evident in the lines “But every time we are lured into the light, we are mugged by the darkness of this country’s history.” Through the utilisation of metaphor and juxtaposition, Grant is able to make a strong emphasis that, Australia had tried to erase racism, such as through the apologies and reconciliation made by the people, but are then blinded by the past targeting of Aboriginal people who continue to be disadvantaged in the community today. Through this Grant has effectively stated that the nation covers the truth by providing hope to those most vulnerable but in fact the perception of a multicultural country still contains racism. Furthermore, Grant successfully expresses the fact that the nation overs the truth of racism, through the National Anthem in attempt to erase racism. However no matter what strategies are implemented to hide the truth, the country’s history will always be a reminder of the racism as it has shaped the nation as it is today. “It reminds me that my people, were killed on those plains. We were

On the 26th of January 1788, marks the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet. It was when British ships made landfall on Australian soil, which is now celebrated as the National Day of Australia. However Indigenous Australians look back at the colonization as a violent invasion. In Ben Roberts Smiths opinion piece “We are one, but we are many” (Herald Sun, 26th January 2017) enthusiastically proposes that Australia should be a day of unity and a reminder to think about our nation’s past, and to celebrate the present and to look confidently ahead to the future. He emphasizes his opinion by employing clichés, inclusive language, statistics, emotive language and family values.

It could disrespect and dishonour the soldiers who fought for our country and died in, World Wars 1 and 2 and the Vietnam war, underneath the Australian flag with the blue ensign. If we ditch the Union Jack, we could also be forgetting all of the convicts who came to settle in Australia for a better life. If the flag is changed it has nearly 120 years of history behind it, if a new one is created It will take another 120 years for it to be as precious as our current flag which is why the flag is also icon and know by many

The Australian flag should consist of truly Australian elements, to create a unique and original flag. Canada, a former British colony did not originally have a distinct flag which set them apart form other countries, as their flag was derived form Great Britain's flag. To set themselves apart form Great Britain they adopted a flag with a unique Canadian symbol, the maple leaf.

Unfortunately, these circumstances had to happen on the basis of destroying what could have potentially given Australia a unique identity unlike any other, rather than a multiracial one. However this is the foundation on what our Australian National identity was built on and we should embrace it rather than shame it.

I did this by combining Mackellar’s head with Gilbert’s head to show that they are talking about the same thing, Australia, even if their perspectives are completely different. The line in the middle of the fused face represents a fence, and shows that Kevin Gilbert’s opinion has been caged in and hidden from society, unlike Mackellar’s opinion which has been adopted into our nation’s identity. I also implemented quotes above their heads, representing what each of them thought about Australia. As you can see, Mackellar’s side has a green background, which has connotations to life, growth and harmony. This background colour in conjunction with the native flower I drew helps represent Australia’s identity of natural beauty. In addition to that I drew a gold ingot to show that Australia landscape can be compared jewellery has connotation of wealth and being priceless. Moreover, I drew Australia connected to a heart symbolising Mackellar’s love for Australia. On the other hand I decided to go with a red background on Gilbert’s side, symbolising his hatred and anger at what the European settlers have done to Australia. I also drew images of cut down trees in conjunction with factories, to show the environmental destruction caused by European settlers in Australia as mentioned in

I believe there is no such person as a ‘real’ Australian. The 21st century Australian refers to a very broad range of people. In the past six years, recipients included: an equality advocate, a family violence campaigner, an AFL player and community leader, a media icon, an oscar-winning actor, a social entrepreneur and a mental health expert. All people from different backgrounds, of different ages, genders and races. Even though everyone is unique and there may not seem to be a clear Australian image anymore, I believe that there is still certain qualities that all of these people share, such as

"Aboriginal people are a steady beating heart at the centre of our Australian spiritual identity."

Australia is a young, modern country made up of a diverse and multicultural population, therefore, it’s difficult to say that it has a single national identity. This essay will examine what Australia’s identity may look like, specifically, through art.

There are many diverse interpretations of the words “Australian Identity”. The national anthem, as evidenced in Stand Up, is a primarily white interpretation of Australia and the Australian identity, with many of the lines ignoring the Indigenous people of Australia (Perkins et al, 2012). Another form of the “Australian Identity” was one presented by Prime Minister Paul Keating in his Redfern Address in 1992. He proclaimed that “Australia is a first-rate social democracy…truly the land of the fair go and the better chance”. This idea presented represents an egalitarian society, where every single human has an equal opportunity at life. Yet another, shown in the songs Paul Kelly sang, but especially in “this land is mine” is the difference between the identity of Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians (Kelly et al, 2001). Each of these texts addressed a major issue. Stand Up compared the relative value of tradition and the right to freedom of expression. Keating’s speech expressed the need for justice and recognition of both the stolen generation and the injustices done to the Indigenous people as a whole. Kelly’s songs represent the importance of the land to Indigenous people and why the “returning of the land” is so important. Although they each mentioned a major issue, the texts all gave solutions to these issues, from reiterating the importance of the basic human right of freedom of speech in Stand Up, to explaining the role and qualities of the Aboriginal

Australia has always been centered around diversity and change, specifically with the vast multiculturalism and migrant culture throughout the nation. The specifics of Identity hold an important role in shaping our identity as students and as a nation. Australians pride themselves on being a land of the free and full of diverse culture. This is specifically referred to in our national Anthem; “For those who've come across the seas, We've boundless plains to share; With courage let us all combine,”(McCormick, 1984). Displaying Australia’s open attitude towards immigrants and contributes to the diversity present within our society today. Even before this, much of Australia’s Identity was associated with caucasian culture (Originating from British Settlers). Which is the dominant perception of Australia through the media with australian representation being present through the stereotypes of Bogans, which was made popular through shows like Kath and Kim (ABC, 2007). Also, represented through the popular depiction of Australian people - the bushman made popular by movies like Crocodile Dundee (Faiman, 1986) and through famous real life bushman; Steve Irwin. An important aspect of Australian identity which is consistently neglected is the culture and representation of the initial owners of the land; the aboriginal people. Throughout history the constant mistreatment and neglect of the indigenous, has lead to a massive gap in privilege between the aboriginal people and our

An Australian Icon is defined as “an image or symbolic representation, which often holds great significance and importance to the Australian culture.” Every country has icons that represent their culture and values; Nelson Mandela is an example of a South African icon but also an icon of the world, who represented statesmanship, courage, freedom and equality against apartheid. Australia also has many significant icons such as the Sydney Opera House, Uluru, vegemite, Ned Kelly, and the Koala to name a few. These have all played significant parts in Australia’s background, culture and values.