Australia…Australia…

Mr. P. LeightonMr. P. Leighton

Socio-Cultural StudiesSocio-Cultural Studies

St. Mary’s 6St. Mary’s 6thth Form Form

Today’s Session…Today’s Session…

Understand the key aspects of Australia: Understand the key aspects of Australia: Quiz to start…Quiz to start…

Sport as a pre-occupation in Australia- Sport as a pre-occupation in Australia- why are they so much better than us?why are they so much better than us?

Why is sport so high status in Australia?Why is sport so high status in Australia?

Quiz…Quiz…

Q1. When was Australia discovered?Q1. When was Australia discovered? Q2. How many states are there?Q2. How many states are there? Q3. How many people live in Australia?Q3. How many people live in Australia? Q4. What is recognised as the capital of Q4. What is recognised as the capital of

Australia?Australia? Q5. How much did it cost to emigrate Q5. How much did it cost to emigrate

after the 1945 war?after the 1945 war?

Answers…Answers…

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

Some facts about Some facts about Australia then…Australia then…

Originally populated Originally populated solely by solely by Indigenous Indigenous Aboriginal PeopleAboriginal People..

Takes 6 hours to fly from Takes 6 hours to fly from Perth to Sydney- Across Perth to Sydney- Across 3 time zones!3 time zones!

Vast majority of country is Vast majority of country is uninhabitable.uninhabitable.

85% of the population live 85% of the population live in 3% of the land!in 3% of the land!

Colonialism…Colonialism…

The Union Jack is still part of the flag as a The Union Jack is still part of the flag as a symbol of initial British Colonialism.symbol of initial British Colonialism.

When Colonists (Not prisoners!) arrived 200yrs When Colonists (Not prisoners!) arrived 200yrs back they brought customs with them such back they brought customs with them such as…as… GovernmentGovernment EducationEducation Judicial SystemsJudicial Systems Sports and GamesSports and Games

Continued…Continued…

Most schools have Most schools have Sports Afternoons Sports Afternoons in in which they participate in inter and intra school which they participate in inter and intra school competitions.competitions.

Australia adopted many British sports as Australia adopted many British sports as opposed to America which Adapted many opposed to America which Adapted many sports.sports.

Australia became independent from the empire Australia became independent from the empire in 1901.in 1901.

The passionate rivalry began from the country The passionate rivalry began from the country originally being an outpost. originally being an outpost.

Stages of Australian Stages of Australian Immigration…Immigration…

1700: Cooks first 1700: Cooks first landing…landing…

1778-1868: Australia as 1778-1868: Australia as a penal colony…a penal colony…

1901: Nationhood 1901: Nationhood proclaimed…proclaimed…

1945-1965: Immigration 1945-1965: Immigration and “White Australian and “White Australian Policy” “Populate or Policy” “Populate or Perish” policyPerish” policy

1970: High Indo-Chinese 1970: High Indo-Chinese immigrationimmigration

2001: 23% of Australian 2001: 23% of Australian population born population born overseas- UK, NZ, Italy, overseas- UK, NZ, Italy, Vietnam, China and Vietnam, China and Serbian States.Serbian States.

2006: Further influx of 2006: Further influx of immigrants- Asia and immigrants- Asia and Oceania.Oceania.

Australia and its Australia and its Society…Society…

Since the Abolition of the “White Since the Abolition of the “White Australia” policy in the 70’s Australia” policy in the 70’s Multiculturalism was promoted. Multiculturalism was promoted.

For the last 40 years this was For the last 40 years this was encouraged and supported.encouraged and supported.

Now Australia is directed towards a Now Australia is directed towards a policy of reconciliation- ending policy of reconciliation- ending discrimination against Aboriginal people.discrimination against Aboriginal people.

Sport as a National Sport as a National Preoccupation…Preoccupation…

It has helped shape the identity of this young It has helped shape the identity of this young nation.nation.

Passion bordering on obsession.Passion bordering on obsession. 90% of Australians participate in sport- 15% of 90% of Australians participate in sport- 15% of

TV time is dedicated towards it.TV time is dedicated towards it. When England beat Australia in the Ashes When England beat Australia in the Ashes

12.5% of our population saw it…12.5% of our population saw it… When the winner of the Melbourne Cup When the winner of the Melbourne Cup

crossed the line crossed the line 90%90% of ALL Australians of ALL Australians watched!watched!

Continued…Continued… Sport is FRONT PAGE news in Australia- it makes only Sport is FRONT PAGE news in Australia- it makes only

the back pages of our papers unless it is scandal!the back pages of our papers unless it is scandal! The Olympics in 2000 were an international triumph- The Olympics in 2000 were an international triumph-

bringing prestige and acclaim.bringing prestige and acclaim. Australia is successful in so many sports- they are…Australia is successful in so many sports- they are…

CricketCricket HockeyHockey Rugby LeagueRugby League Rugby Union Rugby Union CyclingCycling SwimmingSwimming RowingRowing

Why is it that sport Why is it that sport carries such high status?carries such high status?

The Manliness, strength and “Bush The Manliness, strength and “Bush Culture”-Culture”- suited rugged, physically demanding suited rugged, physically demanding sports.sports.

Favorable Climate-Favorable Climate- No matter what level you No matter what level you are at- weather helps!are at- weather helps!

The Outdoor Life-The Outdoor Life- Health conscious society Health conscious society with adequate facilities available i.e. the beach.with adequate facilities available i.e. the beach.

Political Support-Political Support- Governments invest heavily Governments invest heavily in sport, It is seen as a in sport, It is seen as a Vote Catcher… Vote Catcher… everyone everyone benefits from sporting success.benefits from sporting success.

Continued…Continued… Tradition of SuccessTradition of Success- Provides positive role - Provides positive role

models, raises the profile of the country. models, raises the profile of the country. Australia is a progressive 21Australia is a progressive 21stst Century Nation Century Nation united by the “feel good factor” of success.united by the “feel good factor” of success.

Sport is FashionableSport is Fashionable- However there is a - However there is a growing obesity problem- Why?growing obesity problem- Why?

Egalitarian SocietyEgalitarian Society- Promoting equality where - Promoting equality where sport is for all… Inequalities in Opportunity, sport is for all… Inequalities in Opportunity, Provision and Esteem are rife in our society.Provision and Esteem are rife in our society.

Sport and PE-Sport and PE- High status and the media laps High status and the media laps this up!this up!

Recent Controversies… Recent Controversies…

Greg Bird (RL Player) “Glassed” his Greg Bird (RL Player) “Glassed” his girlfriend- acquitted and is now back in girlfriend- acquitted and is now back in NRL.NRL.

““Aboriginal Relocation Programme” put Aboriginal Relocation Programme” put into place before the Sydney Olympics.into place before the Sydney Olympics.

Ian Thorpe (Olympic and World champion Ian Thorpe (Olympic and World champion swimmer) accused of Steroid abuse at swimmer) accused of Steroid abuse at Sydney Olympics and a “cover up” by the Sydney Olympics and a “cover up” by the Australian Olympic Association- charges Australian Olympic Association- charges dropped.dropped.

Key Words from Today…Key Words from Today…