Blog Post 1 – ACU Student Blog

My response to the proposed creative question, “Who is an Australian? Describe your own national and cultural background and explain why it is definitely part of what makes up our Australian nation.”

I believe there is not merely one answer to the foremost question, “Who is an Australian?”.

Firstly, we cannot move forward without acknowledging our traditional owners, the Indigenous Nations of Australia. To define an Australian by being of the First Nations would mean an Australian is an individual of indigenous Australian heritage. One who belongs solely to the land, who was raised on stories of the dream time, taught secret men’s or women’s business, learnt from the elders, was born from the land and will one day return to the land. To answer who is an Australian by defining an “Australian” as one of the Traditional land owners means than being an Australian is much more than being born on this continent, it encompasses having inherited traditional knowledge, which is passed through generations.

However, we cannot disregard the migratory history of Australia. Being of both Italian and Scottish descent, I am both the second generation born in Australia from Italy, through my maternal family line the Messina’s. As well as being many generations born in Australia through my paternal line, the Donaldson’s who were one of the early settlers. I strongly believe my mixed racial decent shapes my personal definition of an “Australian” into one which is founded upon pride for our multicultural identity.

“For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share; “

Our National anthem defines Australia as a place for all, “we’ve boundless planes to share” and therefore includes multiculturalism as a vital part of defining an Australian. It defines Australians as people who are as unique and diverse as the multitude of unique flora and fauna that we share this land with.

I believe there are many different and subjective answers to who is an Australian, however, my culturally diverse family history moulds my idea of an Australian into an individual who is appreciative of the land, and the generations before them who worked hard to settle and start a life here.