True Blue? On being Australian by Peter Goldsworthy
Allen and Unwin
(All ages) What an introduction to the range of peoples that make up
Australia today, Goldsworthy has drawn together excerpts from books,
speeches, newspaper articles as well as poems and short stories to show
us what it means to be an Australian. Ranging from David Malouf to
Michael Leunig and John Clarke to High McKay, the pieces included here
will engender some debate. Produced by Allen and Unwin with the support
of the Curriculum Corporation, Australia Day Committee and the
Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training,
the book has the feel of a text for schools, but is enjoyable reading
for a range of interests.
Many of the stories are unforgettable, as people struggle on with their
lives, despite all adversity. One of the most endearing is that of Hieu
Van Le, now the Lieutenant Governor of South Australia. His first sight
of Australia escaping from Vietnam in 1975 is one that will live with
the reader for all time, and is in sharp contrast to the 'welcome'
dealt out decades later to people in a similar plight escaping from the
Middle East. This one is a stand out for me, but all add to the vast
range of people that make up Australia, and give it its broadness.
For students in the classroom, that favourite topic, What it means to
be Australian, will be well served with a class set of this book.
Students will be able to dip in to read authors they have heard of and
many they have not seen before, and argue with their class mates about
what is an Australian, what should have been included or not included,
what best describes us. Some may notice the lack of children's voices
or the dearth of women's voices, some may question the Anglo Saxon
predominance, some may want a greater representation from expatriate
Australians, but all will bring their own views and values to the book,
adding space for discussion and debate. Students will be invited by an
astute teacher to put together their own list of what could be included
in such a book, sending them to a wider reading and selection of
Australian writing, and photos and films will be watched to tease out
other quotes and mythologies.
Fran Knight