Right, so I have this random love for all things Australia.
I’ve never actually been but I’m sort of obsessed with the country, the people, the politics, the culture, the idiosyncratic ways. I’m not saying I’m stalking the Commonwealth or anything but it should probably have some Vegemite handy to keep me at bay. (It’s the only Aussie export I’m not keen on.)
People, often Aussies themselves, ask why I adore their country so much. So I’ve compiled a list of reasons by way of explanation. This, in no particular order, is why I love Australia.
1. Mateship
2. Being “fair dinkum”
3. ANZAC Day at Gallipoli
4. Kangaroos fight in the street
5. Even if their coordination isn’t great
6. The national anthem is awesome
(Though some people should pay more attention to the bit about sharing their boundless plains with those who’ve come across the seas.)
7. And so is the song everyone thinks is their national anthem
8. It’s the only G20 nation that avoided recession during the global financial crisis
9. Eric Bana
10. Budgie smugglers
11. Battlers
12. Culinary adventurousness
13. They love their coffee
14. Like, REALLY love it
15. Profanity
16. “Buckley’s chance”
17. The Australian Legend by Russel Ward
18. Heath Ledger
19. Gough Whitlam
20. The Secret Life of Us
21. Ben Chifley
22. Koalas
23. Waves
24. The fair go
25. Eddie Mabo
26. The apology to the Stolen Generations
27. The ABC
28. Charles Kingsford Smith
29. Schindler’s Ark
30. Michelle Grattan
31. Paul Keating
32. THAT speech
33. 94(a)
34. Kerry O’Brien
35. Hawkie
36. Bronwyn Bishop
37. Redgum
38. John Jarratt
39. Malcolm Turnbull
40. Elections on Saturdays
41. Anne Aly
42. Australian politics in general
43. Ozploitation
44. Rockpool’s wagyu burger (via John McTernan)
45. Caroline Chisholm
46. Nicole Kidman
47. Laurie Oakes
48. The Redfern Park speech
49. Perth, because I have family there
50. Kalgoorlie, because I have family there too
51. Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales
52. Neville Wran
53. Bushies
54. The Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre
55. Hugh Jackman
56. “Going troppo”
57. Aussie soaps
No, not Neighbours or Home and Away. I’m talking proper, big-hair-and-shoulder-pads Eighties fare.
58. John McTernan (basically an Aussie)
59. The Great Barrier Reef
60. The Seekers
61. Barry Humphries
62. John Curtin
63. Clive James
64. Rupert Murdoch (because)
65. The word “larrikin”
66. Liam Hemsworth
67. Dear sweet Jesus, Liam Hemsworth
68. Seriously, I love you Australia
Stephen Daisley 