Through economic hardship and natural disasters, our culture prides itself on a mate mentality. Being a mate extends from the community to the sports field and the workplace. Our mates matter; perhaps more than any other nation on earth, our mateship is an integral part of our national identity. ‘G’day mate’ is our national saying, after all!
Family enriches us as people and strengthens us as a nation. These days, as the definition of “family” changes from the close-knit unit to something far more inclusive and broad, it continues to be the place we share laughter, tears and everything in between, across the generations.
We say they’re the best in the world and who could argue otherwise? Australia boasts picturesque sandy shores that stretch to meet the bluest of oceans. Whether you surf, swim, snorkel or just stare in awe, these seascapes epitomise the classic local refrain, ‘you beauty!’
Travelling through Australia, you’ll see plush greenery, sparse desert, incredible rock formations, and weird and wonderful flora and fauna. No wonder we love travel and adventure: it’s an opportunity to explore our home-grown wonders. (It helps that we’re pretty good at roughing it and getting close to nature too.)
Many of us enjoy a good standard of living, but we know that it’s not the same for everyone. We like to give back to the community, to help those who are doing it tough. We ride, run, walk or sing to raise funds for any cause that’s close to our hearts. With the national donation average nearly trebling in the last decade1, giving to charity is ingrained in our modern mindset.
A pie at the footy. Beers at the cricket. They’re quintessential past-times Down Under. But more than just eating and watching, we like to play! With a string of professional leagues nationwide, and thousands of local amateur clubs, sport is a central tenet of our culture and celebrated widely. And we start young, with almost two thirds of kids participating in organised sport outside of school2. We love a good game!
The history of immigration has made Australia culturally diverse. It has also given us the most amazing food from all over the world! From traditional backyard BBQs to dinners out enjoying the many cuisines on offer, local life revolves around food in all its colourful iterations. And don’t we love our celebrity chefs too!
Famous for larrikin attitudes and a relaxed way of life, it’s no surprise that, for many of us, a good time is about letting loose and having simple, physical fun. Often, in the company of family, friends and loved ones. And it’s also no surprise that we have a strong sense of wellbeing overall, frequently figuring high on the lists of many ‘happiest nation’ surveys3.
Australia is home to some of the most dangerous wildlife on Earth: from deadly sharks to venomous spiders and snakes. But there’s no denying our love for the more cuddly creatures in our lives – our household pets. More than 83% of us have owned a pet at some point in our lives4. With the average street of 100 households having 27 cats and 45 dogs5, pets are integral members of our family units.
The arts in Australia are increasingly shaping our culture and economy. Just look at the long list of world-class art galleries and theatre companies we support and the numbers of renowned artists we’ve produced. The creative movement is expanding with more than 9 in 10 of us - across all states and territories - receptively engaging with the arts by attending arts events or reading. It’s not all about the sport!
Our love for you, Australia, is big and unconditional. Thanks for making life worth living, you bold, brave beauty.
1 https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2014/07/fewer-aussies-giving-more-to-charity/
2 http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/E27966F76C112054CA257C0D000F910?opendocument
3 http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org
4 http://www.acac.org.au/pdf/PetFactBook_June-6.pdf
5 https://mccrindle.com.au/insights/blogarchive/50-surprising-statistics-about-australia/