There's been recent debates over what it means to be Australian and some have even been lead to believe that there's no one unifying culture within the beloved land down under but I think that's a load of horse shit.
Yes you might struggle to see a carefully constructed cork screw wearing hat providing shade to an old bloke with a beer guts hanging out over stubby shorts who endearingly speaking wears a wife beater and thongs down the street in many metropolitan areas but you only have to wait for the 26 th of January for people of all shapes, sizes and colors to proudly wear the Union Jack and southern cross across their shoulders.
While the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Oprah house and the Gold Coast theme parks bring hours of entertain for the brave to climb, slide, and ride around, it's the natural beauty across a vast and beautiful country that mesmerizes even the citizens of this beautiful land.
It's sometimes crazy to think of the diversity within which Australians create a home.
The lifestyles to which one becomes accustomed to and idolizes changes from state to state, region to region and even town to town.
While some Aussies couldn't bare the thought of living too far from the ocean where they spend summer launching their boats in hope of emptying the eskies of beer and replacing them with fresh fish, others couldn't think of anything worse then swimming in the salty sea and rinsing out sand from every crevice in their bodies.
No they'd prefer to watch the beautiful sun sets as they bring relief to a land so dry that the morning dew is often the only natural moisture that gently persuades the living out of hibernation.
Those from the outback go in search for quietly kept hidden gems in the form of waterholes filled to the brim with yabbies, preferring to cool off in the refreshingly calm and silky waters that leave your skin glistening and fresh.
Then there's the river folk who love nothing more then burying their chairs deep into the river banks clutches, as they spend their days being pulled behind a boat with their music blasting underneath the shade and protection of the ever weary weeping willows and Australians old faithful gum trees.
Those living up north in the far right hand corner of the continent couldn't stand the thought of the dry, hot, thirsty Southern sun. They prefer the moisture filed air that brings to life the palm, coconut and mango trees that create one big massive oasis in an otherwise try continent. The beaches are death traps in summer with more bombs aka jelly fish then landmines throughout the whole of Vietnam. Instead locals cool off underneath waterfalls that sprinkle their share of life's precious resource across the rocks that lie in their path.
The residents down in tassie devour the fresh seafood down at the port in Hobart and road trip around the perimeter of their scenic mini continent in search for hidden torquesese waters to bath their warm bodies within. Although right down south they are protected from the hot dry northerlies that inflict their heat on their fellow citizens across the Tasman Sea and the sticky hot air of the North, their air is much more cooler and refreshing, bringing vitality and life to the fauna and flora.
Some Aussies hug the coastline in favor of the fresh salty sea breezes while others prefer the openness of the wide desert plains.
Few reside in quiet country towns opting for the simple pleasures in life and making a living off of the land they love and respect while the masses call the big city lights home preferring the comforting sound of the buzzing traffic and loving life caught in the momentum of change.
Those who live in the cities embrace the diversity of the many different cultures, cuisines, festivals, accessories and stories that are a direct product and gift from others who have seen, experienced, and grown from the knowledge and understanding of other places, beliefs and attitudes.
Country folk are often less exposed to different nationalities and ways of life yet they still maintain an open mind and love to travel around the world to share in the culture of others.
These are the features that I love about Australia; the diversity, respect, toleration and thirst to learn from different cultures and environments, lifestyles and ways of living within one big country.
So being Australian is less about the way you look and more about your attitude and respect, love and admiration for a country so beautiful and diverse that it encompasses all kinds of people from different backgrounds with varying priorities, beliefs and educations.
To try and fit all Australians into one stereotype and identity is only detrimental to the differences that make Australia so unique.
Whether you're black, white, pink or green, it doesn't matter and it certainly doesn't define whether you are Australian or not, it's your love and respect for your country, the land and it's people as well as an understanding of its history and the appreciation and respect for those who have fought to protect our country that makes you Australian.
So whether you cool off in the river, sea or a water hole or no matter if you eat lamb on a bbq, webber, spit or not at all and even if you don't walk around in a bikini or stubbies and prefer to be more modest with a shirt or hijib and reside in the desert, by the sea or in a metrpolois you can still be a proud Australian.
It's not how you look it's how you feel, behave and think about ones country.
What do you think?
Is there one identity?
Look after yourself and those around you,
Kirsty xxx
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