Australia

1
Australia

• Mr. P. Leighton
• Socio-Cultural Studies
• St. Marys 6th Form

2
Todays Session

• Understand the key aspects of Australia Quiz to
  start
• Sport as a pre-occupation in Australia- why are
  they so much better than us?
• Why is sport so high status in Australia?

3
Quiz

• Q1. When was Australia discovered?
• Q2. How many states are there?
• Q3. How many people live in Australia?
• Q4. What is recognised as the capital of
  Australia?
• Q5. How much did it cost to emigrate after the
  1945 war?

4
Answers

• Q1. 1770 (200 Years of history)
• Q2. 6 States- 2 territories.
• Q3. 300 Million.
• Q4. Canberra.
• Q5. Ten pounds (The ten pound poms)

5
Some facts about Australia then

• Originally populated solely by Indigenous
  Aboriginal People.
• Takes 6 hours to fly from Perth to Sydney- Across
  3 time zones!
• Vast majority of country is uninhabitable.
• 85 of the population live in 3 of the land!

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Colonialism

• The Union Jack is still part of the flag as a
  symbol of initial British Colonialism.
• When Colonists (Not prisoners!) arrived 200yrs
  back they brought customs with them such as
• Government
• Education
• Judicial Systems
• Sports and Games

7
Continued

• Most schools have Sports Afternoons in which they
  participate in inter and intra school
  competitions.
• Australia adopted many British sports as opposed
  to America which Adapted many sports.
• Australia became independent from the empire in
  1901.
• The passionate rivalry began from the country
  originally being an outpost.

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Stages of Australian Immigration

• 1700 Cooks first landing
• 1778-1868 Australia as a penal colony
• 1901 Nationhood proclaimed
• 1945-1965 Immigration and White Australian
  Policy Populate or Perish policy

• 1970 High Indo-Chinese immigration
• 2001 23 of Australian population born overseas-
  UK, NZ, Italy, Vietnam, China and Serbian States.
• 2006 Further influx of immigrants- Asia and
  Oceania.

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Australia and its Society

• Since the Abolition of the White Australia
  policy in the 70s Multiculturalism was promoted.
  
• For the last 40 years this was encouraged and
  supported.
• Now Australia is directed towards a policy of
  reconciliation- ending discrimination against
  Aboriginal people.

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Sport as a National Preoccupation

• It has helped shape the identity of this young
  nation.
• Passion bordering on obsession.
• 90 of Australians participate in sport- 15 of
  TV time is dedicated towards it.
• When England beat Australia in the Ashes 12.5 of
  our population saw it
• When the winner of the Melbourne Cup crossed the
  line 90 of ALL Australians watched!

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Continued

• Sport is FRONT PAGE news in Australia- it makes
  only the back pages of our papers unless it is
  scandal!
• The Olympics in 2000 were an international
  triumph- bringing prestige and acclaim.
• Australia is successful in so many sports- they
  are
• Cricket
• Hockey
• Rugby League
• Rugby Union
• Cycling
• Swimming
• Rowing

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Why is it that sport carries such high status?

• The Manliness, strength and Bush Culture-
  suited rugged, physically demanding sports.
• Favorable Climate- No matter what level you are
  at- weather helps!
• The Outdoor Life- Health conscious society with
  adequate facilities available i.e. the beach.
• Political Support- Governments invest heavily in
  sport, It is seen as a Vote Catcher everyone
  benefits from sporting success.

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Continued

• Tradition of Success- Provides positive role
  models, raises the profile of the country.
  Australia is a progressive 21st Century Nation
  united by the feel good factor of success.
• Sport is Fashionable- However there is a growing
  obesity problem- Why?
• Egalitarian Society- Promoting equality where
  sport is for all Inequalities in Opportunity,
  Provision and Esteem are rife in our society.
• Sport and PE- High status and the media laps this
  up!

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Recent Controversies

• Greg Bird (RL Player) Glassed his girlfriend-
  acquitted and is now back in NRL.
• Aboriginal Relocation Programme put into place
  before the Sydney Olympics.
• Ian Thorpe (Olympic and World champion swimmer)
  accused of Steroid abuse at Sydney Olympics and a
  cover up by the Australian Olympic Association-
  charges dropped.

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Key Words from Today