The Australian Day - Essay Example

Introduction Tracing from history, Australian Day marks the anniversary of January 26th when Captain Arthur Phillip and his first fleet managed to raise flag on the Australia’s European settlement. It is for this reason that the event has been celebrated every year. One such place where the event is commemorated is the Darling Harbor. This place is named after Lieutenant-General Ralph Darling who was Governor of New South Wales. It was originally part of the commercial port of Sydney, including the Darling Harbor Railway Goods Yard. During the Great Depression, the eastern part of Darling Harbor became known as The Hungry Mile, a reference to the waterside workers searching for jobs along the wharves. The state government of New South Wales (NSW) declared plans for "Globe Street", a street designed to become Australia's and Asia Pacific's centre for corporate trade (styled on New York's "Wall Street" district). It is because of these reasons that the venue has been an ideal point to host Australian Day. This paper therefore seeks to critically analyse the viewpoints of modernism, postmodernism and traditional aspects of Australian Day held at Darling Harbor. Fundamental argument will be to reflect on how the day affects Australian and the aspect of nationalism attributed to the day. Traditional perspective of celebrations Understanding traditional perspective of celebration demands an understanding of traditional tenets Darling Harbor provides during the day. Darling Harbor is widely known for its traditional aspect of celebrating Australian Day. To begin with, it attempts to provide avenue similar to Regatta Day. Crowd attending the event at Darling Harbor is always gaily attired to symbolise tradition and cultural orientations. David (2002) also describes event marked by people decked out in what he terms as “cultural colours’ (p.16). He adds that the event will always end with attempts to emulate ‘The Sister Colonies’ (p.17) dinner. It has nevertheless been the most inclusive event celebrated at the venue. The meaning of this day to Australian is that its traditional approach currently expresses cultural diversity which the country has regarded as an important aspect and part of the traditional Australia. Though traditional perspective of celebrations has always been oriented towards staunch British culture, Darling Harbor represents a different twist of events embracing multicultural Australia. True reflections of traditional aspect of celebration come where the event is organised in such a way that there is a blend of history and future. The multicultural festival held during the day has been featuring the Pacific Islander Showcase, the very best performance from national to international music, food, dance and creative arts. Such also include the Greek Glendi and the Food and Dance Spectacular. Also held at Darling Harbour is the folk festival that has been drawing people all around Australia and the world. Folk festivals include performance like dances, tunes, songs and verses that have flowed from one generation to the other. Research conducted by National Australia Day Forum (2009) shows that Australian Day has managed to represent traditions and contemporary Australia fairly. For instance, there have been festivities reflecting on the arrival of the first fleet. Modernism perspectives of Australia Day If the ideas of fireworks, celebrations during Australian Day and Darling Harbour as a choice of venue can help link modernism so as an understanding of present life be understood, then definition of modernism should be understood from theoretical and practical perspective. The modern ways of fireworks and celebrations witnessed at Darling Harbour during Australian Day traces it origin from migrants, exhibitions and expatriates which occurred around mid 1910s. It is at this period that definitions for modernism were best understood. For instance, Kant (1944) looks at the matter as a situation where reasoning dominates people’s minds especially when dealing with issues that are of public interest. Modernism in this sense will then mean a process of what is witnessed when the system has undergone complete rationalisation. With regard to Kant’s perspective, new modern ways of celebration or doing fireworks means using reason to regulate all aspects of the Australian Day during celebrations when staged at Darling Harbour. This translates that there has been complete overhaul of the system where the society is forced to embrace ideologies that mold them to become modernists and that means improving them so as to use reason to regulate their life into the best possible outcome. The best way to understand whether celebrations and activities taking part at Darling Harbour embrace modernity has been argued by (Gascoigne 2002). Gascoigne stresses on capabilities of human mind to recognise and appreciate social, political and cultural order when celebrating the event. He adds that the reception to modern ways of celebration is a complex idea of spasmodic cultural transformation. It ranges from ensuring that environment is shaped to cultural body images, ideals regarding designs and social aspects of such. According to viewpoints given by Scott and Swain (2003), Gascoigne’s definition of modernity can be witnessed at Darling Harbour and it is for this reason that it has been preferred over other venues. For instance, Scott and Swain believe that Darling Harbour has world best known modernist groupings and movements that include contemporary art societies that embrace cultural diversity—an observation that gives understanding of the choice of this site in relationship to the meaning or aspects of modernism. It is also because of presence of arts and crafts society, poets tracing back from Angry Penguin and Painters such as that of Max Harris, Albert Tucker and Arthur Boyd that Darling Harbour embraces modernity. Mason (2006) accepts that Darling Harbour has been based on modern concepts of expansion. This has been diversion to Australian cultural diversity and identity especially the way fireworks are done. This has embraced discipline as multiple identities are factored in. (White, 2004) adds that the notion of modernity celebrations staged at Darling Harbour negates the idea of realism but instead implies the work of the past through incorporation of recapitulation, reprise and parody in a way that helps us understand ways of celebrating. It is also through Darling Harbour that celebrations and fireworks made reject the lingering certainty of enlightenment ideologies. The process of rationalising celebrations and events during Australian Day at Darling Harbour help in understanding present life in Australian. For instance, Gascoigne talks of “improvement ethics” (p.12). Darling Harbour presents rational sense of architecture, culture and social organisation which portrays greater modernistic social life the current generation experiences. Talking of rationalised thinking as postulated by modernist theoreticians, (Stanley, 2001 as cited by Gascoigne, 2002) fireworks and cultural celebrations should respect rights of people including children if modernity is to be embraced. And such should also be geared towards provision of such services that provides Australian with legal and moral authority to enjoy the day. In a wider sense, understanding modernism in terms of Australian Day, choice of the venue and fireworks embrace elements which accentuate the gains people get when they rationalise cultural, economic and social aspects of the event. Such rationalisation is what has been witnessed in the recent past. For example, in early 1993, the day was rationalised to reflect the country’s bid to host 2000 Olympics. Similarly, during the beginning of 1994, the heartbreaking bushfire in January saw celebration at Darling Harbour honour representatives from all bushfire brigade regions in the country where families in celebration were given opportunity to thank them for firefighting heroes. Post modernism perspectives on Australia Day Scholars have been having divergent view to the meaning of post modernism. However, at least there is a consensus that it is the situation where actions and perspective are not relativism dependent. Cochrane and Goodman (1988) for instance argues that it is the concept that looks into issues with its totality and such negates the concept of what is considered to be modern. On the other hand, (Ruth 1986 as cited by Cochrane and Goodman 1988) describes the process as a “sceptical ethos” (p.24). By “sceptical ethos” she implies that post modernism revolves around reinventions of already existing systems of operations. Therefore based on these ideologies, there are specific ways in which post modernism allows the understanding of Darling Harbour as a chosen site or the concept of celebrating Australian Day. To begin, the most recently debated ideologies that give the implication of postmodernism on Australian Day or reasons to choose Harbour side of Darling Harbour is found in Contingent on context (2003) by Harris et al. In this book, they argue that, we “cannot deny the fact that postmodernism borrows much from modernisms” (p.26), that “sentiment thus stand to believe that even though such seems to be true, postmodernism has a notch higher by virtue of circumstance, looks impressive” (p.28). Because Harris, McDonald and Wintersteen tend to slide so conveniently between national identity, culture and ideas Australia holds, the meaning of postmodernism with regard to Australian Day then also tend to negate culture while leaning more on national identity and ideas held by the nation. Concretising what Ruth believes to be a “sceptical ethos”, in his definition for postmodernism, Melleuish, (1995) explains that if invention is the trend celebrations and choice of venues revolve around, then cultural perspectives and ideas of Australian is represented in realities. In a layman language, the concept of postmodernism linked with Australian Day is about making the situation and event more Australian. This is not to suggest that principals that have been guiding venue selections and celebrations have for long lacked invention and therefore reinvented by postmodernism. It is about what Tomison and Stanley (2001) term as “restrictive, narrowly defined investigative approaches” (p.5). Meaning that celebrations and choices of places have started reflecting image of the entire Australia but not the selected few or bourgeoisies as it has been. It is at this juncture that this argument reaches its first objective; that the implication of postmodernism during Australian Day is to look at the aspect from its totality through rationalising the event. According to postmodernists views such as that of Lyotard (2003) Darling Harbour links histories of Australia and current trends of events. He says, “Postmodern knowledge about Darling Harbour is not simply a tool of the authorities; it refines our sensitivity to differences and reinforces our ability to tolerate the incommensurable” (p. 35). Lyotard is trying to bring a definition that can help Australia re-analyse their ways of participating in the events and how such events to conform to improvement from views held by modernism. What can currently be seen as postmodernism in celebration and choice of this venue during Australia Day involve free pictorial exhibition that communicates cultures of the divergent views and regenerations of recent histories. Talking of what postmodernism offers, Darling Harbour has diverse selection of international and Australian cuisine positioned along the waterfront promenades and King Street Wharf and Cockle Bay Wharf. The event held at Darling Harbour represents multifaceted cultures such as vibrant cultural performances from Brazil, Burmese cultural diversities and even Australian Egyptian Council of Sydney which packs histories of the country. Lyotard adds that such cultures represent re-invention of Australia to postmodernism approach---an aspect that makes the choice of this site inevitable. Nationalism among Australian and other people on Australia Day Contrary to the notion that Australian Day is no longer regarded as important day in the country, Wilson (2005) reports that Australian day has been “developing national pride” (p.46). The day has been regarded as a source of inspiration to the multifaceted culture. He adds that the day is always marked by colourful representations that suggest different races and backgrounds. On the same note, Vamplew (2010) explains that market research indicates that there is growing awareness within and outside the country regarding the day (from 75.2 per cent in 1980 to 99.6 per cent in 2007). David (2007) in his article, A Century of Australian Citizenship reports that there has been large number of Australia and other people from other walks of life coming to Australia to commemorate the event. He adds that those who attend the event are always organised and events such as citizenship ceremonies and raising flags witnessed. There has been a sense of nationalism among Australian regarding the day and such stretched back before 1940’s. Citizenship celebration on this day has been attracting large number of Australian and people from other parts of the world since symbolic creation of Australian citizenship under the 1948 legislation even though the country remained British subjects up to 1984. To ensure maximum participation of citizens during the day, National Australia Day Council through labour minister for Immigration Arthur Calwell has ensured that mechanisms to ensure that citizens participate have been put in place. To this regard, the minister feels that every Australia feel passionate about attending the day except for Aboriginal Australians who feel excluded because they view the event as British pioneered settler celebration, with a symbolism of raising what the term as, “Union Jack” (p.17) and the flag which is more of British. Contrary to this view, Mackaness (2005) explains that celebrations during Australian Day make Aborigines enthusiastic and want to be part of it. Though he admits that Aborigines see this day as usurped and against their culture, they also consider it as an opportunity to thank their country for their co-existence with British. Summary of Proceedings, National Australia Day Forum (2008) as cited by Vamplew (2010) explains that the country receives thousands of visitors lined up at various cities to commemorate the event. The article describes Aboriginal dancing coupled with tall ships racing from Darling Harbour to Sydney Harbour as what makes the occasion worth attending. Indigenous ceremonies staged at Royal Botanic Gardens and Darling Harbour has also been main reason behind large attendance during the day. By the end of 2008, Summary of Proceedings, National Australia Day Forum reports that over 7 million participated in the Australia Day. It adds that preceding years have seen broader community engagement that captures national image. The article recognises that though the country has formal ceremonies such as citizenship and flag raising, 26 January is seen as an event that Australian adore as it is seen as an event for average citizens. Reason for the choice of Darling Harbour Melleuish (1995) describes Darling Harbour as a geographical space which reinvents cultural diversities of Australia. He describes the place as “where Australia actually exists” (p.58). This follows cultural events and public holidays that have been successful when hosted there. Following this, Darling Harbour has been chosen as a venue for fireworks and celebrating Australian Day as it offers ample place to soak up the cultural festivities and bustling environment. Melleuish describes that it is a place one can sit or walk around and still enjoy entertainment and barbequed fare. The venue is also suited for children as it always provide what has been commonly referred to as ‘have a go’ sports and other activities. As cited in Australia Day Council of NSW journal, the chairman of the Australian Day Council of NSW, Michael Egan sums up his experience of Darling Harbour during 2010 Australian Day as, “a place that provides culture the way Australia would like to be reminded; sensational entertainment from Aussie legend John Williamson provides opportunity for children and their parents to interact on equal terms.” (p.12). Interesting aspect about Darling Harbour is the Body Science Great Australian Swim. This event has been pulling hundreds of professional and amateur swimmers all over the world. Destination New South Wales sponsoring the event has been in liaison with Darling Harbour to ensure that final series of this particular event captures participation for all abilities and ages. Michael also mentions that awesome forces; the RAAF Defence Aerial Display during fireworks is an impressive feat that is rare and has not been successful in other venues. He says, “Am not sure if there is something better than this. Darling Harbour fireworks rekindle well with Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornet and the Hawks-next time we are there, make sure to look up when you are told about them.” (p.56) Darling Harbour has also been preferred for the activities such as the culturally diverse entertainment as well as the Darling Harbour Australia Day Spectacular—impressive multimedia symphony that includes music and light, ending in a fireworks extravaganza that now take place specifically over Cockle Bay. This is a globally competitive and innovative Harbour that represents reputation of the day as Australia’s global event in such a way that it enables significant tourism outcomes. Finally, choice of Darling Harbour as a center for staging celebrations and fireworks is because it is also focuses on sustainable Sydney 2030. References Lists Cochrane, P. and Goodman, D. (1988). The great Australian journey: Cultural logic and nationalism in the postmodern era, Australian Historical Studies, vol. 23, no. 91. David, D. 2002. One of Us? A Century of Australian Citizenship, Sydney, UNSW Press, (pp. 15– 17). Gascoigne, J. (2002). Introduction to the enlightenment and the origins of European Australia, Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne VIC, (pp.1-16). Harris, J., McDonald, C. and Wintersteen, R. (2003). ‘Contingent on context? Social Work and British Journal of Social Work, vol.33. Kant, I. (1944). An Answer to the Question: What is Enlightenment?' Berlinische Monatsschrift, vol. 4, (pp. 481-494). Lyotard, J.F. (2003). The postmodern condition, in K. Jenkins (ed.), The Postmodern History reader,Routledge, London. Mackaness, George. (2005). Australia Day, Royal Australian Historical Society Journal, vol. 45, Pt 5, Jan. Mason, K. (2006). ‘Law and Religion in Australia’, Forum on Australia’s Christian Heritage, Canberra. Melleuish, G. (1995), Cultural Liberalism in Australia: A Study in Intellectual and Cultural Histary, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. National Australia Day Forum (2009). Morgan Poll Finding, NAA: C4688, box 1; Kwan, (pp. 119–24), No. 3055. Scott, D. and Swain, S. (2003). Confronting Cruelty: Historical Perspectives on Child Protection in Australia, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne. Tomison, A.M., and Stanley, J. (2001). Strategic Directions in Child Protection: Informing Policy and Practice. Unpublished report South Australian Department of Human Services Vamplew, W. 2010. Australians: Historical and Market Statistics, Broadway, NSW, Fairfax, Syme and Weldon Associates. White, L. (2006). The Bicentenary of Australia: Celebration of a Nation, in Linda K Fuller (ed.) Praeger. Wilson, S. (2005). Australian Social Attitudes: the First Report, Sydney, UNSW Press. Read More