Identifying Australia

If there should be mentioned one thing that identifies Australia I would believe many people would have mentioned the vast life scarce stretches of the Australian outback which makes up most of the interior of Australia. Even though the dessert like nature of the Australian outback can be found other places in the world the outback is viewed as a characteristic trait of Australia.

This might be because these stretches is a big part of the Australian nature and is often depicted in international advertising and TV-shows like Skippy the bush Kangaroo, which I myself remember very well from my childhood although this series already had its prime long before my time, and is a contrast to the big cities and everlasting beaches found at the coastline.

The Australian outback also known as the Bush is a setting used for countless tales of heroic explorers, pioneers and bushmen and makes it an important part of European settler mythology in Australia. The European immigrants who entered the Australian outback found the surroundings harsh and unforgiving and thus were depictured as predominantly man dominated and a focus on the struggle for survival. Many Australian myths and legends in such as the rebellious Ned Kelly originated from the bush and is one of Australia’s greatest folk heroes and is a significant figure in Australian history.

In the late 19^th and early 20^th century the bush was revered as a source of national ideals and become a symbol for national life. Even though the Australian outback might be less prominent in the Australian identity today elements of bush culture can be found in music, clothing and arts today.