ipl-logo

Bruce Woodley's Iconic Song 'I Am Australian'

750 Words3 Pages

We are one, but we are many These lyrics from Bruce Woodley’s iconic song ‘I am Australian’ encapsulate the essence of the Australian identity: unity, equality and a fair go for all. However, underneath the surface of our seemingly egalitarian society, the statement ‘we are many’ is the only one that remains. We are a nation divided. Divided by the historic mistreatment of the first inhabitants of our land. Divided by the disadvantage, discrimination and dispossession of Indigenous Australians. Divided by the lack of true equality for all Australians. If we lack this basic equality, how can we say with good conscience that we are an egalitarian society? Welcome ladies, gentlemen and esteemed guests. It is an honour to stand before you today …show more content…

However, there is still hope. While the injustices of the Stolen generation, massacres and centuries of mistreatment against Indigenous Australians can never be erased, we can create future in which these atrocities never occur again. These atrocities emerge from ignorance and fear, so working to understand Indigenous culture must surely be the only path to removing the racism that plagues Australia. We have so must to learn from the rich cultural history of Indigenous Australians, particularly in their spiritual relationship with the land they have lived on for thousands of years. If we embrace this incredible knowledge, not only will we eliminate the barriers preventing equality in our society, we will also be stronger as a nation in both environmental and social relations. Ultimately, we have the potential to become an example to the world of the way a nation’s people can overcome their past mistakes and pave a future of cultural sharing for the benefit of all …show more content…

We must be the architects of this new Australia, built again with egalitarianism as its foundation and equality, justice and acceptance as its cornerstones. Envision, if you will, an Australia where all Indigenous cultures, communities and people are respected, recognised and revered. An Australia where Indigenous Australians are finally equal. A truly egalitarian Australia. It is my hope that we can be united in the pursuit of this future. United by the desire for justice and equality for Indigenous Australians. United by the desire to one day proudly proclaim to all our

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of The Katawapiskak River

    994 Words  | 4 Pages

    Throughout this analysis we will take a critical look at the aboriginal identity, the suffering these people go through mentally and physically, and their relationship with the government (Anzovino & Boutilier 2015). The

    Read More

  • Why Did Tony Abbott Win The Federal Election

    1012 Words  | 5 Pages

    "We have to be comfortable with it as a nation: black and white Australians, old and new Australians, Australians from everywhere have to be comfortable with it and they've got to appreciate that this will be, and should be, a unifying moment,'' Mr Abbott told reporters at Australia Day celebrations in Canberra. By recognizing and acknowledging the owners of this land this made him a more favourable person within the indigenous community therefore a more appeal person to run the

    Read More

  • Edward Mabo Case Study

    1001 Words  | 5 Pages

    Intro Edward Mabo is renowned throughout Australian culture as a leader, a leader who fought against the xenophobic system, for his rights as a person and culture, and won. But his journey to fight for his rights had its difficulties. Opposing issues of discrimination, as well as forces who tried there hardest to silence Mabo. It was these issues and set backs that motivated Mabo to achieve his goal. It was the lack of action and care for his ‘people’ that drove Mabo to fight for his and his people’s freedom from cheap labour exploitation, racism and corrupted ownership of land.

    Read More

  • Aboriginal Terms Of Reference Essay

    371 Words  | 2 Pages

    Week ones study was focused on the Aboriginal Acknowledgement of Country and the Indigenous terms of reference. These are two very important topics as they focus on the interaction between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians, fostering a relationship a relationship of trust, respect and understanding. A proper understanding of the Aboriginal Terms of Reference is an integral tool for an aspiring teacher such as myself. They encompass the cultural knowledge, understanding and experiences that are at the center of the Indigenous culture (Oxenham, 1999).

    Read More

  • Persuasive Speech: Should Australia Become A Republic

    889 Words  | 4 Pages

    We can strive for a society where Indigenous voices are heard, where the rights and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are respected, and where we work together to address the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous communities. Furthering the work down with the voice to parliament referendum and not turning a blind eye to the past but moving past it together as one, as your predecessors have done Prime Minister and I am sure you will do through enacting this constitutional

    Read More

  • Australia A Workingman's Paradise Analysis

    704 Words  | 3 Pages

    Australia became known as a workingman’s paradise at the turn of the twentieth century, however, for a large majority of the population Australia was far from a paradise. Due to their rejection of the British class system, and the instalment of the eight hour working day and a basic wage Australians believed themselves to be an egalitarian society with equal opportunities. And this much was true, for the working class, white male. For the rest of the population, the women, children and non-Europeans life was a different story. For them, Australia was not the workingman’s paradise it claimed to be.

    Read More

  • Oodgeroo Noonuccal's An Appeal

    549 Words  | 3 Pages

    Oodgeroo Noonuccal’s non-traditional view of Australia in ‘An Appeal’ shows how stereotypes of Australia are not always correct. The poem shows how camaraderie and mateship are not always expressed in Australian lifestyle. It is evident in the poem that not all Australians help each other to get through tough times and Australia is divided into different groups of people and is not equal. ‘An appeal’ shows how the nation stands up for themselves and fight for what is right against the power of the ‘not really’ authoritative people of Australia. The concept of inequality is a crucial part of Oodgeroo Noonuccal’s poem ‘An Appeal’.

    Read More

  • Australian Identity Essay

    732 Words  | 3 Pages

    It seems as though Australians are fearful, but what of? We appear to be nervous of controversy but our evasion of important issues may be our undoing, as we become known as a nation of prejudice and ignorance. A misplaced ignorance considering Australia has an extremely well developed educational system, yet a vast majority of the population seem immensely ill informed. Our educational proficiency proves that contemporary Australia is capable of overcoming the sexism, homophobia and racism present within our society but only if we chose to pay attention.

    Read More

  • Racism Is Destroying The Australian Dream Speech Analysis

    652 Words  | 3 Pages

    This article discusses the speech given by an Indigenous journalist, Stan Grant who participated in a debate where he spoke for the motion “Racism is destroying the Australian Dream’’. Hence, the main points of this article are mostly evidence given by Grant in his debate to support his idea that the Australian Dream is indeed rooted in racism. One of the main points is that the indigenous Australians are often excluded and disregarded as non-Australians simply due to their race and skin colour. Grant pointed out the incident where AFL player Adam Goodes was publicly jeered and told that he did not belong to his country as he was not an Australian despite the fact that Australia indeed is the land of his ancestors.

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of An Australian Republic

    734 Words  | 3 Pages

    An Australian Republic is about us — not the Queen, not Prince Charles or the world economy. We should do it now, without delay. As Nelson Mandela once said, “ For to be free is not merely to cast off one 's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” Until we break our last Constitutional links to the mother country, our nationhood is incomplete. Now after just over 115 years of Federation, Australia must finally join the world of nations as a full equal, unshackled to any other nation.

    Read More

  • Australia Persuasive Speech

    974 Words  | 4 Pages

    This sudden change still has an enormous effect on today’s Indigenous population. How is it fair that the oldest population of people die a decade younger than non-Indigenous Australians? The perpetuation of racism which is manifested in our society has left many Indigenous Australians in a disadvantaged position. Including through, limited access to education with adult literacy rates of just 30 percent and literacy rates of children under 15 more than 48 percent lower than non-Indigenous Australians, consequently means lower educational achievement rates and higher unemployment rates of 17.2 percent compared to 5.5 percent for non-Indigenous Australians (Australian Bureau of Statistics , 2013 ). These facts must be recognised to ensure real equality and a fair-go for Indigenous people.

    Read More

  • The Legacy Of Eddie Mabo, A Milestone Of Hope For Indigenous Australia

    561 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Legacy of Eddie Mabo, a Milestone of Hope for Indigenous Australia Introduction The life and legacy of Eddie Koiki Mabo continues to be one of the most influential and hopeful milestones in the reconciliation of Australia’s indigenous people. Against all odds, Mabo strived and succeeded in claiming back land rights that were taken away by settlers and brought significance to the land claims of indigenous people. However, this was not a case of one man’s right to land, but a case of many cultures’ right to hope. Eddie Mabo’s legal victory against the Australian government provided hope for the future of culture, traditions and custodians of Indigenous Australia.

    Read More

  • Deadly Unna Quotes

    677 Words  | 3 Pages

    Deadly Unna by Phillip Gwynne explores racial issues directed at the Indigenous Australians. Gwynne’s story is based on events that occurred in the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. This book clearly shows that Australia is not the land of the fair go for certain demographics, while other demographics do experience Australia as the land of the fair go. People who have money will experience Australia as the land of the fair go, but the people who do not will not be able to experience Australia as a land of equal opportunity. Indigenous Australians are also included in the demographic of people who cannot experience Australia as the land of the fair go.

    Read More

  • Essay About Australia Day

    731 Words  | 3 Pages

    Australia is regarded as one of the most multi-cultural countries in the world so being a modern Australian means respecting our diverse cultural backgrounds, including indigenous Australians. The values of mateship, courage, selflessness, humour, hard work and persistence have all been present in all Australian stereotypes. This is because they were, and still are the most valued traits for Australians and as a result we are stereotyped as having these traits and idolise those who display these traits for everyone to witness. Australians still hold dear the values and the Australian way of life that we have always shared and are willing to protect it with our lives, as we have demonstrated many

    Read More

  • Why Are Australia Marginalised?

    1861 Words  | 8 Pages

    Australia is known as a country of freedom and fairness, however many groups such as youth, the unemployed, aged, and ethnic groups tend to become marginalised because of their minority status. Certain groups are marginalised because they are perceived as being different or undeserving of equality in society. This is called stereotyping and it leads to prejudice and discrimination. This essay explores three marginalised groups and discusses some of the reasons why they are marginalised and the effects on those within these groups. Exclusion from areas such as employment and other services and opportunities that other Australian 's take for granted, is a result of the marginality of indigenous Australian 's, woman, and those with

    Read More

More about Bruce Woodley's Iconic Song 'I Am Australian'

Open Document