Australia as a Nation

There are a number of factors which contribute towards creating my picture of Australia as a nation. These factors include or values, lifestyle and recreation and culture, how these have emerged and how they have changed as a result of various influences especially multiculturalism. These things may continue to change over the next 50 years because the face of Australia continues to grow and change, and this has been reinforced by my reading and research.

Australia has a number of values, like for example religious values or cultural values, but the one I think is the best and most important is whenever you come to Australia, whoever you are Australian’s are there to welcome you and give you a fair go. Some people most likely frown upon it but there is more people pushing for it, then against it. Even illegal Immigrants get a fair go, they are listened to and taken into care.

Another big value here in Australia is women’s rights. In other countries women are less fortunate, but in Australia women are free and have just as much say as men do.

Australian’s values are basically realising that everyone is a human being and everyone deserves as much as respect as the next person.

The Australian lifestyle is a very laid back, beachy, sporty lifestyle. This comes from about 80% of Australians living in a coastal area and 87% of Australians play sport, with 60% of them playing team sports. Which also comes under another part of Australian lifestyle, mateship. Mateship is a big part of our lives.

Australian’s are also very competitive and considered one of the most competitive nations on Earth. Another part of lifestyle is buying things and ownage with Australian’s having the biggest credit card debts in the world. Shopping centres are packed on weekends, rainy days and on times periods like Christmas. The fashion in Australia is another part of our lifestyle, it is very laid back just like our personality.

Australia’s biggest recreational activity is sport, sport takes up about half of the average Australians’ life. Sport is played in every part of the country and there is an endless list of sports played. Some people play sport to get fit and healthy and some people play for numerous of other reasons. Even people who don’t play sport love to watch it, I would say almost everyone in Australia watches a sport. So the Question is asked.

Why do Australian’s love sport? Australian’s love sport because we have a great love of the outdoors and sport enables us to spend time outside. The beauty of playing sport in our country is that it is not in the least bit limited by our seasons, (summer, autumn, winter, spring). Sportsmen can be outside playing their favourite sport, no matter what the season. It’s never too hot or too cold, snow doesn’t affect sports either the only thing that does is heavy rain or storms.

Australia’s culture is filled with many things such as, art, dance, festivals, film, food and drink, literature, music, aussie slang, religion, beach, sport, friends, fashion, weather, heritage, history, family, freedom and views and beliefs but the main one I think is Multiculturalism and cultural trends.

Therefore it is clear from the information I have analysed with regard to Australian culture, values and lifestyle and recreation that there have been large shifts as well as changes which are much more subtle over the period of time I looked at. Consequently I believe that these things will continue to change the face of Australia now and in the future, and hopefully these shifts will largely be positive ones for us to look forward to.