Sometimes people find themselves living in a world created by other people - in response to the text THE LOT

Spirit of place
Raising from our humid and clammy beds early in the morning, its not long before the house is invaded by excited children. Our house is a bustling haven of Australianism and you can bet your bottom dollar that by midday, dad will be soaking up the sun on the lilo, VB in hand while the rellies and friends lounge on plastic chairs. In 42 degree heat, we swarm around the Webber, discussing our team's performance in the previous years AFL season and yelling streuth as our snags catch re and are burnt to a frazzle. The youngsters bomb into the inflatable swimming pool as the ducks try to get a piece of the action. The children scream and yell playing hide and seek and the older ones down a couple of bevvies before we bring out the flags and get all patriotic; the mash-up of Australias national anthem with a few of Barnes golden oldies lling our hearts with pride as we sing along, drunken and off-key. Could there be a more Australian scene? The traditional celebration we engage in when downing a can or two of VB currently reects how Australians are viewed by outsiders as well as by one another. As we sit in suburban backyards, parks and other rural hamlets across the land, I consider the connection that exists between what we have come to associate on this day and the heritage and values of our culture which we should reveal. It seems tting to reveal our truths of this national day, only possible once we cease to mask this day with our articilaity.We must consider the way in which the traditions we have come to associate with Australia Day fail to reect the authentic elements of our history. Perhaps more respect for the land and the places we inhabit is needed. Surely the red dust of the outback is a more fruitful source of national identity than throwing a couple of shrimps on the barbie? If we truly desire to progress and move forward, we should look at what lies beneath our feet: the peculiar, beautiful ora and fauna. It is in these unique aspects of our nation that one can see the natural spirit of this country- unbridled and untamed but always vibrant and hearty. It is our land that best reects the country we should strive to be; rugged, warm and complex. Potentially we must emulate the compelling natural spirit of this country. It may be that we have been moulded and shaped to have come to associate Australia Day with these symbols, but perhaps, we need to reect on what truly represents us. We need to stop submitting to this articiality but rather take time to consider the values that truly represent us and face a reality which is reective of our views. Learning from those who rst inhabited the grassy plains and red dusty tracks will help us recover our truths without masking it with large skyscrapers and mutli-storey apartment blocks. Rather than assume it is modern Australia that is civilised and cultured, we must consider the true wisdom of this ancient people, who for so long have understood the fact that the spirit and soul of Australia lies in its land. it is our unique indigenous natural heritage which reminds us of the brilliance and beauty of difference, and also the value of protecting and cherishing what is true to this continent. Potentially it is the Indigenous population who remain true to their values and it is time to learn that we must learn from their practices who are so true and natural to this land. What is the truth of the land? Whose truth is this? I cant help but wonder how modern day Australian icons have come to represent what was once illustrated by bush stories and damper around a re. We have been shaped by modernism and one anothers articilaity. Modern Australias perception of our national day of celebration differs from individual to individual. While Australia Day may evoke feelings of national unity and the uniqueness of our shared condition, it could well also provide a moment to contemplate the fact of our precious diversity and the matters we do not hold in common. Some, in fact, see the day as one of mourning and sorrow. As serious clashes of intolerance occur between so-called civilisations and cultures, between neighbours, and within families and clubs and corporation, it is time to reconcile these differences and it is this day that provides us with an opportunity

to reect on who we currently are as a people and as a nation and who we want to be in the future. Currently, we represent the promise of a multi-ethnic nation and if we would like true multiculturalism to thrive we must rst accept all our failures, limitations and bitter disappointments. Doing so will allow us to face the reality of the supercial manner in which we currently connect to our nation and national day. Perhaps what society needs is more introspection to allow us to progress and develop as a more culturally aware, tolerant, multiethnic nation. Reconciliation of differences and a sufcient openness to the diversity of cultures in our country can be found in a shared connection to the land. Our indigenous population have long understood that it is our land that signicantly forms the authenticity of the culture and the people. It is this spirit of place which can provide Australia with all it needs to. (LINK) if we should ever forget the meaning of authenticity and originality then let us turn to our native land and be reminded. It seems time to reassess the way we connect and link to this day as we do not see this day as it should be seen, but rather as a product of what we have become; a supercial people who are not culturally aware. A common affection with this land allows us to grow and develop as a diverse nation as the one thing that different groups hold in common is a relationship with the land. coming to terms with such intolerances is only possible once we develop a peaceful connection with our land. our unique identity, pain, humour, art, philosophy and vitality that arise from such improbable strangers coming into relationship with this land. This allows us to nd a common ground. This Australia Day we would be wise to stop staring out to sea so much and turn and face the facts of our land. It seems that as we stare into [our] cup of tea while gathering in the park with the steam and smoke of sausage sizzles circulating around us, we must look through the smokiness towards a deep/ inner reection on who we truly are. It seems tting, on this day, to take a moment to contemplate what this day means to us and what it means to be Australian. This is our best chance for an intelligent and peaceful future.