My long-distance fascination with Australia
February 23rd 2011 03:43
In light of somewhat recent events, I'd like to preface this post with a belated "Happy Australia Day", with special thoughts for the people of Brisbane.
Ever since I was little, I wanted to go to Australia. I was enraptured by its antipodean mystique, brought on partly by the '80s wave of Australia-philia over here in North America. We had Crocodile Dundee, which I was old enough to watch, as well as Coca Cola Kid, which I wasn't. Much later, I would become fond of movies like Picnic at Hanging Rock and Rabbit-Proof Fence. Oh, and almost anything starring Judy Davis.
Also in the '80s, Olivia Newton-John launched her Koala Blue clothing line. One fine day my mom came back from the local mall with a white sweatshirt adorned with a colouful doodle of a koala in a hat. Underneath was the rather mystifying message, "Korner of Australia Los Angeles". If I'd hung on to it, it'd be a cute piece of vintage kitsch today.
On the strength of Australia's invasion in '80s pop culture, and the coincidental assignment of a social studies project in school, I became enamoured with the idea of Australia. Ever the optimist, I procured an Australia travel guide that was so outdated, or poorly fact-checked, that it said "kangaroo" meant "I don't know"--a myth which I half-believed for years until an internet search cleared it up for me).
Yet whenever I told adults that I really, really wanted to go to Australia one day, the response was less than encouraging. "Oh, I've been there," pooh-poohed one. "It's just like Canada, but with the seasons in reverse." Um, seriously? Though I'd no first-hand experience, I knew this obviously couldn't be accurate.
On a more serious, and somewhat sinister, note, I was also warned to avoid the antipodes because Aussies 'don't like Asians'. Oh, please. It's not like Canada didn't have its own version of 'yellow peril'. But today Canada is an ethnically and culturally diverse country that manages to overcome the ghosts of its racist history. From what I've gleaned of its culture in arts and media, I think the same can be said for Australia.
It's been many years since I thought of travelling to Australia. I always have a soft spot for things and people hailing from that country, though. One example is The Wiggles, who rank among some of today's least annoying kids' entertainers*; I also appreciate the fact that most of them had a background in childhood education. My son loved them until he was in school, and we even took him to a live concert. (It was insane. We stood in front of the stage, surrounded on three sides by what can only be described as a toddler mosh pit.) Also, thanks to the Wiggles' cover of "Six Months in a Leaky Boat", my son likes Split Enz.
And last but not least--through my work, I've come to know Atlassian software development. I love this company and its tools. Atlassian, can you please open an office in my hometown? And then I can apply, get a job, and transfer to the home base. A girl can dream, right?
*Except for that blue one, Anthony. Grrr.
Ever since I was little, I wanted to go to Australia. I was enraptured by its antipodean mystique, brought on partly by the '80s wave of Australia-philia over here in North America. We had Crocodile Dundee, which I was old enough to watch, as well as Coca Cola Kid, which I wasn't. Much later, I would become fond of movies like Picnic at Hanging Rock and Rabbit-Proof Fence. Oh, and almost anything starring Judy Davis.
Also in the '80s, Olivia Newton-John launched her Koala Blue clothing line. One fine day my mom came back from the local mall with a white sweatshirt adorned with a colouful doodle of a koala in a hat. Underneath was the rather mystifying message, "Korner of Australia Los Angeles". If I'd hung on to it, it'd be a cute piece of vintage kitsch today.
I must have used a very old reference for the population statistic, because there's no way it was only 12M in the 1980s!
On the strength of Australia's invasion in '80s pop culture, and the coincidental assignment of a social studies project in school, I became enamoured with the idea of Australia. Ever the optimist, I procured an Australia travel guide that was so outdated, or poorly fact-checked, that it said "kangaroo" meant "I don't know"--a myth which I half-believed for years until an internet search cleared it up for me).
Yet whenever I told adults that I really, really wanted to go to Australia one day, the response was less than encouraging. "Oh, I've been there," pooh-poohed one. "It's just like Canada, but with the seasons in reverse." Um, seriously? Though I'd no first-hand experience, I knew this obviously couldn't be accurate.
On a more serious, and somewhat sinister, note, I was also warned to avoid the antipodes because Aussies 'don't like Asians'. Oh, please. It's not like Canada didn't have its own version of 'yellow peril'. But today Canada is an ethnically and culturally diverse country that manages to overcome the ghosts of its racist history. From what I've gleaned of its culture in arts and media, I think the same can be said for Australia.
It's been many years since I thought of travelling to Australia. I always have a soft spot for things and people hailing from that country, though. One example is The Wiggles, who rank among some of today's least annoying kids' entertainers*; I also appreciate the fact that most of them had a background in childhood education. My son loved them until he was in school, and we even took him to a live concert. (It was insane. We stood in front of the stage, surrounded on three sides by what can only be described as a toddler mosh pit.) Also, thanks to the Wiggles' cover of "Six Months in a Leaky Boat", my son likes Split Enz.
And last but not least--through my work, I've come to know Atlassian software development. I love this company and its tools. Atlassian, can you please open an office in my hometown? And then I can apply, get a job, and transfer to the home base. A girl can dream, right?
*Except for that blue one, Anthony. Grrr.
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Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
(trying to be heard from a long distance),
greetings from the land y'all call "down under", or did we call it that? Oh, yes,THAT song, vegemite sandwiches..
My fondest memory, not of Canada but America, was when we did the most outrageous thing, we "stole" the America's Cup, off those old white rich bigots in the New York Yacht Club, and, Alan Bond, the man behind the successful challenge, had that song playing everyday as they set off to race.
But, I love Amercia too, and although we hear so very little about Canada, I have always wanted to travel there, especially on the Rocky mountaineer train, sitting up in the glass topped carriages.
Odd that Canada is not closer, considering we are members in the Commonwealth...
But, I do know what you mean, regarding American's views of Oz, we knew lots of Americans, through my father's work as an exploration geologist, and they all were disappointed that we did not have our own kangaroo to go down to the shops for us!
You see, some wag from Oz, must have told someone that the kangaroo is used to pick up shopping because of its pouch!
Anyway, it is fun to see your map of the world, with Oz on it, as when I think of all the American films I've seen, recent ones too, that show a map of the world that excludes Oz.
Anyway, I live in Katoomba, an old tourist town on top of the Blue Mountains, the mountain range is largely classed as a national park now, very picturesque, and only 100ks out of Sydney CBD, it takes about two hours by car or train, the car is slow because of the traffic and the road systems, which need expanding, but, like all governments, they spend the tax dollar on nonsense while ignoring the necessary.
Where are you based?
cheers
justin
Comment by Irene
Grammar Matters
Interrobang
Haha, I remember that song so well. Truly an '80s classic that put "vegemite sandwich" in my consciousness--not that I've ever had one.
Alas, we are pretty Americanised here. We are technically part of the Commonwealth but I doubt that the average Canadian feels much loyalty or allegiance for the British monarchy compared to other Commonwealth nations.
Your kangaroo story makes me think of how many Americans (so it goes) think it's always snowing here, and that many of us live in igloos, etc. I think Americans are basically disinterested when it comes to other nations.
I'm in wintry Toronto, but not in an igloo.
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
here too; most Aussies think the Monarchy is an anachronism. We only retain it because, at the last referendum on the matter, in the choices put to the public, the Liberal government slyly ignored the public's demand to vote for their President, leaving it to Parliament to decided the position.
This was why I did not vote for a republic.
Everyone believes we will become a republic shortly after Queen Elizabeth dies.
Actually, I think it a pity Prince Charles is so ill thought of, as he had progressive views on ecology, particularly organic farming, and, he genuinely likes, and understands Aussies.
I am dissuaded by your glib remark, regarding your climate!
Of course, it is always snowing in Canada!
All we ever see, in Canada's tourist advertisements, are Canadians happily skiing everywhere!
Sadly, America, more particularly its media and government, like to keep the populace ignorant of the world, and keep them scared.
The fact that, the self proclaimed best country in the world, has near third world conditions for the poor, is ironic, and appalling.
However, Canada does have many talented people, who we see on American programmes all the time, but, I always wonder why we do not see Canadian television programmes?
You obviously make TV shows, or are they just American copies, like cops and robbers shows, as we have in Oz?
cheers
fog
Comment by Irene
Grammar Matters
Interrobang
Good lord, really?? Haha, we don't even have decent ski hills or the right kind of snowfall here in Ontario. Connoisseurs says that you have to go to the western provinces for good skiing.
I don't watch much TV, but I admit that when I do, it's either American or British. There are plenty of people who do like Canadian TV, but I'm not one of them. To me, they always seem derivative of American TV, or are just too 'niche' for my liking.
IMO, children's shows and documentaries are the areas where it seems Canadian productions are on equal footing with, or surpass, the American.
Comment by Irene
Grammar Matters
Interrobang
Comment by Mountain Fog
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QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
I prefer real life cop shows that are investigative, more than fictional ones, which tend to be a trifle sanctimonious.
So, what about Canadian shows?
cheers
fog
Comment by Irene
Grammar Matters
Interrobang
I don't know Canadian 'prime time' TV very well. We have imitations of US-style cop shows, like Flashpoint. It's very popular, but it's almost as formulaic as Law & Order. We also have lots of little comedies, such as Little Mosque on the Prairie, which is about a Muslim family living in white-bread central Canada (it's not bad, but I don't 'get' a lot of it). And I tuned in once or twice to Being Erica, in which a woman travels back in time to change bad choices she made. Not impressed.
I bet Aussie TV is so much better.
Comment by Mountain Fog
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QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
HA! That sounds like a hoot, as long as it isn;t anti-Moslem bigotry masquerading as humour, like the 50's and 60s produced. I'd like it if it is about misunderstanding cultural differences, so we can laugh at ourselves as well.
The way a lot of Aussies feel about the ultra Moslem adherents down here, I wouldn't be surprised if that show would become a hit here just on its title alone.
Well, maybe in Cronulla and Bondi Beaches where all the ultra red neck morons come to show their moron red neck tatts.
It isn't as bad as that sounds, it is small scale, but, we did have a "race riot" of sorts at those beaches a few years ago, when locals got sick of Moslem men sneering and spitting at girls in bikinis, telling them they were sluts, and to get dressed, and then it was reported an Imam said 'women who show their flesh are just like meat for slaughter and ask to be raped', or words to that effect...I kid you not...he repeated it on TV!!
Then some Moslem f-wits, a young 'brotherhood' gang, beat up an iconic Bondi Life Saver, and that was the match that exploded the simmering tensions.
Anyway, most Moslems are fine and like to live peacefully, it is the extreme of any religion that we have to watch out for...
I'd love to see Canadian comedies, I watch the International Comedy Festival each year, but rarely do we see Canadians, it is all overseas people.
cheers
fog