Rethinking Australian Studies Ryan McGhie s3888030

Notes About My Paper

No more separation- My slogan on my sign represents my personal view on the history and nature
of the past in the outlook of government, settlers, pioneers and convicts. From the start there have
always been two divided populations, colonies and cultures. Yes, there are many to blame, perhaps
on both sides of the argument, BUT THIS CAN CHANGE.
This nature is forever changing with time, some wont forgive or forget, some dont feel regret or
compassion and some dont want a say in the matter, but there has to be responsibility from both
parties. Way back when. There could be multiple incidents to bring up where someone or
something went wrong, but were looking to the FUTURE. Idealistically we want to create an event in
the near future, where the people that make this great nation, the government that constitute it,
create a nation as one. One in all in, we serve, fight and belong under one, solely one national flag,
one national anthem, one history and one culture to display this country on the pedestal that it is
supposed to be propped up onto. The country of the Australian Indigenous, the country of one
colour, a colour of integration; this, is what we will strive for.

No more separation- My protest sign contains both the Australian and Indigenous flags, but why
not integrate, make US one, collaborated, Inclusive and respectful? White Australia may have a
Black History, but lets make our future the aim, the objective and the colour instead of living in a
shade of black or white.
No More Separation
Australian Flag + Aboriginal Flag =


The Australian Indigenous Flag








My protest sign depicts the future, reflects on the past, but gives individuals a chance to make up
their own mind and the ability to impact the future, make their own decisions and influence others
through their personal beliefs and responsibilities.

Firstly, I try to emphasise the importance and the common sense of why we arent one, in terms of
government policies and the certain aspects of national anthems, national flags and cultures within
our ONE nation.
If we include strictly Australian elements with the respected colours and representations of our
indigenous and history of settlement, we can truly represent what Australia is about.

My Australian National Flag contains,
-Black: Represents the Aboriginal people of Australia.
-Red: Represents the red earth, the red ochre and a spiritual relation to the land.
-Yellow: Represents the Sun, the giver of life and protector.
-Union Flag modified: Represented in Indigenous colours, my union flag still represents Australias
history as six British colonies and the principles upon which the Australian Federation is based.
-The Commonwealth/Federation Star: Represents the 6 federating colonies, later 7 symbolising the
Territory of Papua and any future territories.
- The Southern Cross: One of the most distinctive constellations visible in the Southern Hemisphere,
has been used to represent Australia since the British settlement.

With all these elements now introduced into the one national flag, I believe both sides of the
argument, both respected settlements, both black and white, both parties, are now one on an
agreed National Icon. This new flag is to represent Australia properly without harming or
disrespecting anyone or anything, this new flag is the colourful Australia, the combined Australia, the
new Australia. No more separation.

Self-Assessment
My mark from 50 should be around 35-40.
Personally Im not one to blow my own tires up, so to speak. Even if Ive done an outstanding job, I
still wouldnt be cocky and say 49 or 50. Although to justify my choice of 35-40 I think Ive been
highly creative in terms of thinking around some common misconceptions?
Thinking around some things that I ask myself, would things be different, if we took this approach,
changed these things, respected these people by doing these things etc.
I guess now my modification seems useless, but the way government and momentum works with
numbers and population anything could happen. Incidents like this happening in the near future will
all add up. Like the saying, from little things, big things grow, I think my protest is a pathway from
a small objection to a transformation of great heights by power in numbers. My contribution is just
another push, another element to diminishing the disconnection and division between two great
kinds of populations, in which we all should congregate and become Australian. I will also like to add
a few marks being put in there for our public presentation at a primary school. It was very
confronting having students and parents walking past, giving us odd looks, but we hung in there and
got our message across.