Australian culture is founded on stories of battlers, bushrangers and brave soldiers. Of sporting heroes,
working heroes and plucky migrants. It’s all about a fair go, the great outdoors and a healthy helping of irony.
Today Australia also defines itself by its Aboriginal heritage, vibrant mix of cultures, innovative ideas and a
thriving arts scene.
Aboriginal culture: a rich and timeless tradition
The Dreamtime is the sacred ‘time before time’ of the world’s creation. According to Aboriginal belief, totemic
spirit ancestors emerged from the earth and descended from the sky to awaken a dark and silent world. They
created the sun, moon and stars, forged mountains, rivers, trees and waterholes and changed into human and
animal forms. Spirit ancestors connect this ancient past with the present and future through every aspect of
Aboriginal culture. Rock art, craft and bark painting reveal Dreamtime stories, mark territory and record
history, while songs tell of Dreamtime journeys, verbally mapping water sources and other essential landmarks.
Their special lyrics have been passed down virtually unchanged for at least 50,000 years, and are often
accompanied by clapsticks or the deep throb of the didgeridoo. Similarly, traditional dances reveal creation
myths, enact the deeds of Dreamtime heroes and even recent historical events.
Australian English: speaking ‘Strine’
Australians have a unique colloquial language, coined ‘strine’ by linguist Alastair Morrison (imagine saying
Australian with your teeth gritted to keep out the flies) in 1966. This combines many long lost cockney and Irish
sayings of the early convicts with words from Aboriginal languages. We often abbreviate words and then add an
‘o’ or ‘ie’ on the end as in ‘bring your cossie to the barbie this arvo’. We also like reverse nicknames, calling
people with red hair ‘bluey’, saying ‘snowy’ to someone with dark hair, and tagging ‘lofty’ to someone who is
small in stature. We tend to flatten our vowels and end sentences with a slightly upward inflection.
Sporting heroes: the glory of green and gold
It's no secret that Australians are sports mad. With more than 120 national and thousands of local, regional and
state sporting organisations, it's estimated that six-and-a-half million people in Australia are registered sport
participants. Not bad from a population of just over 21 million! The number one watched sport in Australia is
Australian Rules Football (AFL) with its high kicks and balletic leaps, while the brute force and tackling tactics
of National Rugby League (NRL) reign supreme in New South Wales and Queensland. Australia’s national
Rugby Union team, the Wallabies play on the international circuit and in the Bledisloe Cup, part of a Tri
Nations tournament with South Africa. Australia is a nation of swimmers and Olympic medals attest to our
performance in the pool. All summer we watch the Australian cricket team in their whites and in January, we
flick channels to see the tennis Australian Open. Held in Melbourne, this attracts more people to Australia than
any other sporting event. Football is a growth sport, we draw world-class surfers for the Bells Beach Surf
Classic and on Boxing Day crowds gather to watch the boats sail out of Sydney Harbour for the Sydney to
Hobart Yacht Race. On the first Tuesday in November, the nation stops for the famous horse race, the
Melbourne Cup while and in March rev heads converge in Melbourne for the Formula One Grand Prix. The list
of sports we love goes on, and if in doubt about the rules just ask a passionate punter.
An outdoor lifestyle: beach and barbeques
With more than 80 per cent of Australians living within 50 kilometres of the coast, the beach has become an
integral part of our famous laid-back lifestyle. From Saturday morning surf-club training for young ‘nippers’ to
a game of beach cricket after a barbeque, we love life on our sandy shores. We jostle for a spot on packed city
beaches, relax at popular holiday spots and drive to secret, secluded beaches in coastal national parks. We go to
the beach to enjoy the sun and surf or to sail, parasail, fish, snorkel, scuba dive and beach comb. It’s where we
socialise and play sport, relax and enjoy romance. It’s also the site for celebration. On New Year’s Eve,
revellers dance in the sand and watch fireworks at Manly and Bondi beaches in Sydney and Glenelg in
Adelaide. Many beaches host citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day and on Christmas Day up to 40,000
international visitors converge on Bondi Beach wearing Santa hats and swimming costumes. Australia’s most
famous beaches - Bondi and Manly in Sydney, St Kilda in Melbourne, Surfers Paradise on the Queensland Gold
Coast, Cottesloe in Perth and Glenelg in Adelaide – attract locals as well as international tourists.
Multiculturalism: diverse food, festivals and faith
Since 1945 more than six million people from across the world have come to Australia to live. Today, more
than 20 per cent of Australians are foreign born and more than 40 per cent are of mixed cultural origin. In our
homes we speak 226 languages - after English, the most popular are Italian, Greek, Cantonese and Arabic. Our
rich cultural diversity is reflected in our food, which embraces most of the world’s cuisines and artfully fuses
quite a few of them. You’ll find European flavours, the tantalising spices of Asia, Africa and the Middle East
and bush tucker from our backyard on offer everywhere from street stalls to five star restaurants. Tuck into Thai
takeaway, dine out on perfect Italian pasta, do tapas in our city’s Spanish strips and feast on dumplings in
Chinatown. You can also embrace our melting pot of cultures in the many colourful festivals. See samba and
capoeira at Bondi’s Brazilian South American festival, dance behind the dragon parade during Chinese New
Year or stroll through streets transformed into a lively piazza during the annual Italian celebrations. As a
nation, we embrace a rainbow of religious belief and you’ll find Catholic and Anglican churches, Hindu, Sikh
and Buddhist temples, mosques and synagogues lining our streets.
Australian innovations: from the Hills Hoist to Penicillin
Australia’s unique geography and relative isolation has made it a fertile ground for new ideas. In 1879,
Australians developed a way for ice to be manufactured artificially, allowing us to export meat to Great Britain
on refrigerated ships. In 1906, the surf lifesaving reel was designed so lifesavers could reach distressed
swimmers with a rope attached to their vests. In 1929, Alfred Traeger built a pedal-powered radio as the
communications for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Australians were also responsible for more everyday inventions such as notepads (1902), aspirin (1915), the
pacemaker (1926), penicillin (1940) the Hills Hoist clothesline (1946), the plastic disposable syringe (1949), the
wine cask (1965), the bionic ear (1978), dual-flush toilet flush (1980), anti-counterfeiting technology for
banknotes (1992) and long-wearing contact lenses (1999).
Long before European colonisation, the Aboriginal people were already leading the world. They invented the
aerodynamic boomerang and a type of spear thrower called the woomera. They were also the first society to
use ground edges on stone cutting tools and the first to use stone tools to grind seeds, everyday tools which
were developed only much later by other societies.
Culture cravings: theatre, film, books and visual art
From theatre to literature, Australians have a quiet love affair with the arts. We flock to the movies and our
attendance at galleries and performing arts is almost double that for all football codes. Our cities play host to a
huge array of cutting-edge cultural festivals, and offer music, theatre and dance performances and art
exhibitions every day of the week. See traditional Aboriginal dance performance by the Bangarra Dance
Theatre, throw yourself into the WOMADelaide international music festival in Adelaide and soak up theatre,
ballet, opera and painting in Brisbane’s huge cultural centre on South Bank. In smaller towns you can catch
performances by local musicians and see hand-made art and craft.
Facts and Statistics
Location: Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the
South Pacific Ocean
Capital: Canberra
Climate: generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east;
tropical in north
Population: 19,913,144 (July 2004 est.)
Ethnic Make-up: Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%
Religions: ;Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3%, non-Christian 11%,
other 12.6%
Government: democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as sovereign
Languages in Australia
English is the primary language used in Australia. Yet their colourful vocabulary, accent,
phonetics system and slang ('Strine') can take a lot of getting used to. In 1788, there were
about 250 separate Aboriginal languages spoken in Australia, plus dialects. Today, only two
thirds of these languages survive and only 20 of them (eight per cent of the original 250) are
still strong enough to have chance of surviving well into the next century. In addition to these
there are also the languages of immigrants from Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Australian Society & Culture
Aussie Modesty
Australians are very down to earth and always mindful of
not giving the impression that they think they are better
than anyone else. They value authenticity, sincerity, and
loathe pretentiousness. Australians prefer people who are
modest, humble, self- deprecating and with a sense of
humour. They do not draw attention to their academic or
other achievements and tend to distrust people who do. They
often downplay their own success, which may make them
appear not to be achievement-oriented.
Mates
Australians place a high value on relationships. With a
relatively small population, it is important to get along with
everyone, since you never know when your paths may cross
again. This leads to a win-win negotiating style, since having everyone come away with positive
feelings helps facilitate future business dealings.
A Multi-Cultural Society
The initial population of Australia was made up of Aborigines and people of British and Irish
descent. After World War II there was heavy migration from Europe, especially from Greece,
Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Yugoslavia, Lebanon, and Turkey. This was in response to the
Australian policy of proactively trying to attract immigrants to boost the population and work
force. In the last thirty years, Australia has liberalised its immigration policy and opened its
borders to South East Asia. This has caused a real shift in self-perception as Aussies begin to re-
define themselves as a multi-cultural and multi-faith society rather then the old homogenous,
white, Anglo- Saxon, Protestant nation.
Meeting Etiquette
 Australians are not very formal so greetings are casual and relaxed.
 A handshake and smile suffices.
 While an Australian may say, 'G'day' or 'G'day, mate', this may sound patronizing from a
foreigner. Visitors should simply say, 'Hello' or 'Hello, how are you?'
. Aussies prefer to
use first names, even at the initial meeting
Gift Giving Etiquette
 Small gifts are commonly exchanged with family members, close friends, and neighbours
on birthdays and Christmas.  If invited to someone's home for dinner, it is polite to bring a box of chocolates or flowers
to the hostess. Gifts are opened when received.
Dining Etiquette
 Many invitations to an Aussies home will be for a 'barbie' (BBQ).  Arrive on time if invited to dinner; no more than 15 minutes late if invited to a barbeque
or a large party.  Contact the hostess ahead of time to see if she would like you to bring a dish.  Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served.
"Aussie" is a colloquialism that was used during World War I to refer to Australian-born people of
British or Irish ancestry. Initially used to describe a happy-go-lucky character capable of battling
through hard times, the term was employed after World War II to distinguish those born domestically
from "new" immigrants from western and southern Europe. The term continues to have meaning as a
label for Australians representing their country. Among some sectors of society, "Aussie" is regarded
as Eurocentric and anachronistic in a nation officially committed to ethnic and racial inclusiveness.
LANGUAGES
The dominant language since colonization has been English, with little multi-lingualism among the
majority population. Nevertheless, both the diverse Aboriginal groups and many immigrants continue
to use languages other than English.
Before the European invasion there were around 250 Aboriginal languages, most of which probably
had distinct dialects. Perhaps ninety of these languages are still spoken, with around twenty being
spoken fluently by indigenous children. The decline in the use of Aboriginal languages is due to the
effects of colonization. Among some Aboriginal groups, especially in parts of the north, a number of
distinctive creole dialects mix Aboriginal languages with English.
Apart from indigenous languages, some twelve major community languages are spoken at home by at
least fifty thousand speakers. These are, in order of the number of speakers, Italian, Greek, Chinese,
Serbo-Croatian, Arabic, German, Vietnamese, Spanish, Polish, Macedonian, Filipino languages, and
Maltese. Melbourne is the most multilingual city. Migrant groups want their languages to be
maintained through government policies such as the Languages Other Than English (LOTE) program
in secondary schools.
Australian English probably originated as a combination of British regional dialects used by groups of
convicts and others who came to the colonies. Australian English is different from British and
American English but does not vary much regionally. Various social factors affect accent and style,
including social class, education, gender (women tend to use the cultivated variety more than men
do), and age.
NATIONAL IDENTITY
.
After the invasion in 1788 by British colonists, the indigenous population was dominated by force.
Aboriginal societies across the continent experienced violence and disease. After colonization a
general history of discrimination and racism was mixed with a range of more benevolent policies. Of
lasting effect was the policy of assimilating Aboriginal people into the mainstream culture. The
historical stress on assimilation had its most dramatic impact on the children of mixed Aboriginal–
European descent who, especially in the first half of the twentieth century, were taken from their
Aboriginal parents so that they could be "civilized" and raised in "white" society. These individuals
have become known collectively as the "stolen generations" and public acknowledgment of their
plight is an important part of the process of reconciliation between Aboriginal peoples and other
Australians.
The intergenerational reproduction of minority ethnic identities has produced a national culture that
is multicultural, polyethnic, and cosmopolitan. Since the 1970s this diversity has been encouraged
through progressive equity legislation that promotes recognition of difference and tolerance of
diversity. Nevertheless, multicultural policy has been dominated by a culturalist philosophy in which
linguistic and lifestyle (food, dress) diversity has been recognized more readily than have the
structural economic difficulties of some immigrant groups. Despite the focus on cultural diversity, the
Anglo-Celtic heritage continues to dominate most institutional aspects of society, including the media,
the legal system, public education, and the system of health care.
CUISINE
Before colonization, Aboriginal peoples were sustained by a diverse range of flora and fauna. The
early settlers primarily consumed meat (at first native animals, later beef and mutton), bread, and
vegetables, particularly potatoes.
Nearly all regularly eaten foods—except seafood—were
introduced after European settlement. However, there have
been considerable changes in food preference patterns. In the
1940s meat consumption began to decline, poultry
consumption increased dramatically after the 1960s, and there
has been a doubling of seafood consumption since the 1930s,
in addition to a steady increase in fruit and vegetable
consumption since the 1950s.
Meat pie, with dozens of
recipe variations, is
considered the Australian
national dish.
Since World War II the diet has become highly diversified.
Each wave of immigrants has had an impact, including
German, Italian, Greek, Lebanese, Jewish, and Southeast
Asian foods and cooking styles. Olive and vegetable oils have
replaced dripping and lard, and items such as garlic and Asian
condiments are used more commonly.
Australian chefs are known worldwide for their "fusion cuisine," a blending of European cooking
traditions with Asian flavors and products. Nevertheless, certain foods are recognized as national
emblems, including Vegemite (a yeast extract spread), Milo (a powdered base for chocolate milk
drinks), Anzac biscuits (oat biscuits sent to soldiers in World War I), and damper (a wheat flour-based
loaf traditionally cooked in the ashes of a fire by settlers).
Australians are among the world leaders in fast-food consumption. Burger and chicken chain stores
are prominent in the suburbs, having displaced the traditional meat pies and fish and chips. While
Australians were long known as tea drinkers, coffee and wine have become increasingly popular.
CLASSES AND CASTES
.
The three main social classes are the working class, the middle class, and the upper class, but the
boundaries between these groups are a matter of debate. The wealthiest 5 to 10 percent are usually
regarded as upper class, with their wealth derived from ownership and control of property and
capital. The growing middle class is defined as individuals with nonmanual occupations.
Nonmanual workers typically earn more than manual workers, although upper-level manual workers
such as tradespeople earn more than those in
sales and personal service positions. The
professions, which include such occupations as
accountants, computing specialists, engineers,
and medical doctors, have been one of the fastest
growing sectors of the economy. Since the 1980s
the number of manual workers has been in
decline.
Manual workers form the nucleus of the working
class; 20 to 40 percent self-identify with this
category. Class consciousness includes the
acknowledgment of class divisions, but there is also a broad commitment to an ethic of egalitarianism.
Australians commonly believe that socioeconomic mobility is possible and exhibit a basic tolerance
and acceptance of inequality associated with social class.
Symbols of Social Stratification. The upper-class can be signified by expensive clothes, motor
vehicles, and homes. In particular, the economic value of housing and other real estate properties
varies greatly across different suburbs in all cities. However, class is not always evident from clothes,
cars, and living circumstances. Middle-class people from economically wealthy backgrounds may
mask their prosperity according to fashion, choice, or participation in particular subcultures. Young
people such as students may dress to mimic imagined styles valued for their symbolic rejection of
wealth, and some working-class families go into debt to purchase expensive cars and other
commodities. Patterns of speech, consumption patterns associated with entertainment and the arts,
and participation in certain sports may be useful indicators of class.