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National identity and important Australians
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 04:54 authored by Bruce TranterBruce Tranter, Jed DonoghueJed DonoghueAspects of the national narrative of an advanced industrialised nation are examined in this research. Nationally representative survey data suggest the most important collective figures for Australian identity are the Anzacs, colonial free settlers and post-Second World War immigrants, while sporting heroes have a negligible influence upon what it means to be Australian. Although many Australians have ancestors who were transported, the convict ‘stain’ persists, while indigenous people are also under-represented in Australian identity myths. The most important individual Australians are not the heroes, saints or sages of an earlier ‘golden era’ nor contemporary sporting heroes, but political leaders, medical doctors and scientists who have (had) actual rather than mythical influence upon the everyday lives of Australians.
History
Publication title
Journal of SociologyVolume
51Pagination
236-251ISSN
1440-7833Department/School
School of Social SciencesPublisher
Sage Publications Ltd.Place of publication
United KingdomRights statement
Copyright 2014 Sage PublicationsRepository Status
- Restricted