Similarities Between Australia And Migrant Hostel

Mateship. Courageous. Faithful & freedom. These distinctive words are what Australians characterised themselves to be different from the rest of the world. But who is an Australian? Someone that was born in Australia? Arthur Calwell charted the waves of immigration and enriched the nation with a speech that greatly changed the face of Australia, thus why poem Australia and Migrant Hostel should be included in the anthology. He stated the sense of Australian identity that is based on values, not on birth. Australia poem by Ania Walwicz, and Migrant Hostel by Peter Skrzynecki, respectively evoke powerful emotions of indignant against Australians discriminatory behaviour in transit to their new place of residence. The use of poetic elements and

This poem offers a perspective of Australia from a foreigner, foregrounding the elements that are not typically acknowledged. It enables audience to get a better comprehension to a different side of Australia, (which she personifies as ‘you’) and the people. When she migrated to her new country, she was repulsed by the Australian culture and expresses those feelings by utilising simple language, yet strong and negatives words such as ‘big ugly’ and ‘dumb dirty city’, which contradict what Australians believe are positive aspects of our identity. The text mentioned ‘You want everyone to be the same’, ‘You never accept me’ and ‘You don´t have any Interest in another country.’ suggests that the public are cut-off from any diversity or multiculturalism. But the face of Australia has changed dramatically. Today, Australia is often described as one of the ‘classical countries of immigration’. The concept of being a nation based on immigrants is at the centre of Australian

Hopefully with time and initiative, the new social realities of this vast nation will be more accurately represented both abroad and in more cultural and professional spheres within Australia itself. Undoubtedly, Australia is one proud country. Proud of their nation, their achievements and their own independent way of life, but sometimes Aussies forget about the rest of the world and the others that makes them a who they are. Walwicz and Skrzynecki both lived a tough life, facing many adversities along the way, for during this period, they feel no belonging to any geographic place. Amidst massive national and global change, the Aussie spirit is still alive and growing in the 21st Century. What it means to be Australian has morphed to meet the challenges and diversity of our changing times. Australians hold strongly to an identity and “Aussie values” yet these are more sophisticated and mature and represent our place in a world of global