Famous Australian Bush Ballad 'Waltzing Matilda'

How effectively do the prescribed poems use language forms and feature to convey images of the Australian landscape?

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 writing of the poem In Just by E.E Cummings was clearly a vibrant piece with a wide variety of elements of poetry. Cummings does an excellent job at drawing the reader in and keeping them entranced throughout the whole poem. The poem has many elements, and there are many theories about the poem, but two stand out in research; one, negative and one, positive.

Bruce Dawe was one of Australia’s most influential poet. He was born on 28th February 1930 to a family with agricultural background of Scottish and English descent. Bruce Dawe was the only one in his family to have gone to secondary school, however he stopped attending school when he was 16 years old. He obtained many odd jobs that ordinary Australians would have had before going to university. After less than a year he also stopped attending university. Bruce Dawe became a teacher after he returned from serving in the RAAF. He was inspired to write poetry by his mother who read Scottish poems to him from a young age. Bruce Dawe illustrates that ordinary things in life are a good subject to write about as he often wrote freeform poems about ordinary subjects that ordinary people were able to relate to. Poems such as “Doctor to Patient”, “The Cornflake” and “Homo Suburbiensis” are good examples of Bruce Dawe’s illustration of events or things ordinary people will experience in the form of poetry.

‘Sometimes Gladness’, a collection of poems by Bruce Dawe mention a variety of references to Australian culture; although often looked over by the reader. Without the use of stereotypical behaviours or even language known universally, the naming of certain places known to Australia in ‘Drifters’ and ‘Revire of a swimmer’ gets muddled with the overall message of the poems. Moreover, even when Australian slang is incorporated into the poem, a larger audience can relate to what is being said; as Dawe relies on universally issues to form the backbone of his poetry, especially in ‘Homecoming’ and ‘Life-Cycle’. Lastly, a distinct Australian poem would only be expected to explore issues relating to the countries individual culture or issues, though

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?

Student Joshua Hosking has a knack for the study of war and poetry and has in the past had a one on one interview with a veteran from the Vietnam War (1954 - 1975).

Marche Diabolique is composed by Brian Balmages. Brian Balmages is an award winning composer and has bachelor’s degree in music from James Madison University. He has composed pieces that have been performed worldwide. He has also won awards like the Albert Austin Harding award from the American School Band Directors Association.

Mateship. Courageous. Faithful & freedom. These distinctive words are what Australians characterised themselves to be different from the rest of the world. But who is an Australian? Someone that was born in Australia? Arthur Calwell charted the waves of immigration and enriched the nation with a speech that greatly changed the face of Australia, thus why poem Australia and Migrant Hostel should be included in the anthology. He stated the sense of Australian identity that is based on values, not on birth. Australia poem by Ania Walwicz, and Migrant Hostel by Peter Skrzynecki, respectively evoke powerful emotions of indignant against Australians discriminatory behaviour in transit to their new place of residence. The use of poetic elements and

Australian music has been developed throughout time and often portrays the natural environmental factors of Australia. The songs, Tie Me Down Kangaroo Down Sport by Rolf Harris and My Island Home by Christine Anu were both written and performed by Australian artists. However, by evaluating both of these songs, it is evident that Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport composed by Rolf Harris is more typically Australian compared to Anu 's composition of My Island Home. These ideas are supported throughout the music and the musical elements that were used throughout the songs.

An opposing piece to this, entitled ‘Advance Australia, fair!’ by Tristan Fairchild was published. In his piece, Fairchild uses his experience as a cultural liaison supervisor to persuade his audience that changing the date of Australia day can only be a good thing. Fairchild employed a authoritative and passionate tone to reason that celebrating a day that is viewed as an invasion is un-Australian and that we should rather be celebrating a rich and extensive culture. Joined to this article was a picture of an Aboriginal flag being raised, rather than the British flag, at Botany Bay by James Cook.

Coming from America to Australia I think it was easy for me to notice how Americanized it is here. Australian popular culture has been significantly affected by America in areas including food, sport, film, clothing, and music. Despite the many differences between Australia and the United States, there is a connection between the people of these two nations. Since I started researching this topic I saw a lot of articles saying how Australia is Americas little brother, I definitely would have to second that.

To me, Australian poetry does reveal what it means to be Australian, primarily with historical poems. Historical Australian poetry illustrates what life was like, especially in the colonial era when a variety of poetry was written about personal experiences in the new country. 'Clancy of the Overflow' by Andrew Paterson and 'My Country' by Dorothea Mackellar are two significant poems to Australian history, they originated from two different types of perceptions of Australia. Mackellar and Paterson both romanticized the country but they were both longing for an opposite exposure. Each poem or ballad has an individual impact on the way you view Australia. Some texts depict Australia as perfect and flawless while others are written about the horrors

This poem delves into not only the meaning of the Ghost Dance and why it was used, but also the aftermath and reflection of it in the later stanzas. To fully understand this poem, the reader must have some historical context of what the Ghost Dance was and

We’ve all heard the Australian stereotypes. But where do the stereotypes come from? Australia’s identity encompasses many widespread stereotypes, some of which are used advantageously to promote Australia on a global scale. Globally, Australia’s main stream identity is that of a baron outback. Adding to the collective stereotype; bogans and yobbos have played a developmental role in the Australians characteristic identity. Australia has developed an alcoholic culture that has been celebrated and generalized by many others.