What is the main culture in Australia?

Answer 1

Australia's main culture is essentially westernised, as the country was founded by the British. It is now also richly multicultural, due to large numbers of immigrants, particularly since World War II. Because of this, many people celebrate a variety of cultural experiences from both Europe and and Asian influences. American influences have become stronger since the advent of TV and American television shows.

However, Australia still maintains something of its past, when it was based on pride in the land, on the bushies, stockmen, drovers and swagmen and the men who built their futures on the land, as well as the women who gave up everything to be with their husbands. The Bush and the Outback were concepts unique to Australia alone, so featured strongly in Australian literature, painting, popular music, films and foods - all of which make up the cultural experience. It was also from the bush (and the goldrush era) that bushrangers arose, along with the raising of certain bushrangers to legendary status.

Men such as Henry Lawson and Andrew 'Banjo' Paterson, who wrote about the land and the hardworking bushfolk, had a large part to play in the development of Australia's culture in this regard. They highlighted the courage of the Bush men and women, their endurance and determination, and their ability to overcome the impossible by sheer grit and hard work. These and later writers highlighted the way these people bounced back from tragedy (e.g. unpredictable bushfires and floods). Although the Aborigines were often treated poorly in reality, they, too, featured in Bush and Outback legends, being respected for their incredible stealth and tracking abilities, as well as sheer ingenuity at surviving in such a harsh land.

The Bush also epitomised freedom - freedom from authority (hence Waltzing Matilda and the swagman who escapes the law after stealing a sheep), spending one's days "on the wallaby track" and one's nights under the stars. The ability to live off the land transferred to the learning of survival skills, and this paved the way for the development of the ANZAC legends. Again, the common theme of grit, determination and surviving despite all odds is strong.