Job Discussion Forums

[Twisting in the Wind]

Are the Bee Gees considered Aussie or British?

[sojourner]

"Cell Block H" - or whatever. In Australia, itself, the series was called "Prisoner". It was shown on commercial TV around 1979-82. I'm surprised that many people still recall some of the characters.When was the series first shown in the UK and the US ?

Someone mentioned a James Morrison. I'm pretty sure that he's known as a jazz musician (trumpet ?) in Australia - NOT as a member of the "Doors" band !

I'm very surprised that no Aussies, on this thread, have referred to Edward ("Weary") Dunlop, the POW surgeon, who saved so many lives during the construction of the Burma-Thai "death railway", during WW2.

Of course, most of the personalities already mentioned by others are household names - but in Australia only. However, apart fron a handful of entertainers who have "made it" o'seas (Peter Finch, Nicole Kidman, Geoffrey Rush, Russell Crowe, etc), there are other Australians who would also be well known - even to insular Americans ! In fact, probably one of the 10 (say, 20 !) most influential people in the world today is Melbourne-born Rupert Murdoch, the media tycoon. And in the world of feminism, one of the 5 top most influential figures is the Melbourne -born and bred Germaine Greer.

Regarding entertainers, surely everybody has heard of Errol Flynn ! For you Americans, Tasmania is a part of Australia !

In the UK, I'm sure that nearly everybody has heard of Clive James, the TV personality and Geoffrey Robinson (Robertson ?), the eminent civil liberties lawyer - both Sydney-born and bred. On the subject of lawyers, who in the UK can ever forget Leon McKern (sp?) the Australian actor who played the role of "Rumpole", in the TV series of that name ?

For those of you who are interested in art, the name of the NYC-based, but Sydney-born and bred, art historian, Robert Hughes would be most familiar.


Peter

[The G-stringed Avenger]

Let's get away from the actors and so on...

How about Peter Garrett (pre-ALP days), Murrandoo Yanner, Neville Bonner, Gough Whitlam, Charles "Bud" Tingwell (okay, so he's an actor, but a good one), Poppy King (for pushing the boundaries for both women and Australian entrepeneurs), Edward "Weary" Dunlop, Simpson and his donkey, Don Bradman, Mandawuy Yunupingu (for writing one of the most politically and socially insightful songs of last century - "Treaty"), Eddie Mabo, D*ck Smith (Buy Australian!) and yes, Pauline Hanson - hey, she returned some semblance of free speech and verbal directness to Australian politics, even if you don't like her content, and I've got to say, (they're not my fave Aussies but I should point this out) those police officers in Redfern, Sydney, who were just doing their job and although the tragic death of a young boy resulted, those men would have been lambasted either way by our criticise-with-the-benefit-of-hindsight civil libertarians, who have the comfort of judging others from their armchairs. Criticise them for chasing the boy, or criticise them for not chasing the boy and therefore not doing their job. Blame the lack of social programs in that area, not the police. Mini rant over.

So that's just a few of my favourite Aussies. Oh, let's not forget Cathy Freeman, who carried the hopes of 19 million people on her shoulders on that magical night in Sydney, 2000, and came through with flying colours. Go Cathy!

[Paul John]

Sir Robert "Pig-iron Bob" Menzies, Aussie PM back in the 50s and early 60s.

He was Australia's only truly honest pollitician. He promised the people nothing and made damned sure they got it.

[sojourner]

"Paul John" has just mentioned Bob Menzies. In recent years, it has often been considered "smart" in many circles to criticise Menzies, and his era, in general, as representing mediocrity, the "cultural cringe", suburban conformity, etc. As a baby boomer, and a one-time critic of Menzies' politics, I have a few things to say on the matter.

I am not a supporter of Menzies' party, the Liberal Party; although I am very much in agreement with many aspects of liberal-conservative political philosophy, in its broadest - and non-party - sense. Most of my life I have been a person very much of the "left", especially regarding issues relating to political economy. I don't regard a liberal-conservative perspective as necessarily being incompatible with the formation of a critique of modern capitalism. Anyway, enough for that, just for now . . . ! On to the subject of Menzies.

Being a baby boomer, I grew up in the Menzies' era. As a teenage radical, I often joked with my friends regarding Menzies absurd double-breasted suits, his (supposed) kowtowing to the British "Establishment", etc. In particular, I was incensed by his decision to support the US's Vietnam policy. But, in more recent years, I have developed a completely different perspective of the man and his era.

Although I am still critical of his Vietnam and conscription policies, I give credit for his efforts in maintaining full employment and ensuring that at least some of the benefits of high economic growth and high export prices flowed down to the broad community. In particular, his government's measures to provide access to higher education for the children of non-wealthy parents - through Commonwealth Scholarships.

Yes, I agree that he went a bit overboard, at times, especially with his public adoration of the Queen, etc. Yet, he did not see that symbols of our constitutional and cultural history are necessary incompatible with the development of a genuine Australian consciousness. Indeed, I agree with the essence of Menzies' world-view that implied that a mature Australian cultural identity needs to build upon the symbols and values of its (British) past - not to discard them - something that the pro-republic lobby may wish to ponder on.

Also, on the world-stage, Menzies in his meetings with world leaders, as shown on newsreels and TV, always portrayed a dignified and refined image of Australia - so vastly different from that what has often been depicted in more recent years, such as the depiction of "ocker" attitudes in movies, etc, as well as the cultural insensitivities and seemingly belligerent mannerisms occasionally displayed by some of Menzies' successors.

Peter

[ContemporaryDog]

I found Master and Commander a bit boring, but The Truman Show is one of my all-time favourite films. He also directed Mosquito Coast, which was quite good, and Dead Poets Society, which wasn't bad too.

[Cardinal Synn]

Prisoner was also called Prisoner in the UK (Caged Women in Canada - kinky!) but its full title in the UK was Prisoner - cell block H, perhaps to avoid confusion with The Prisoner, a 1960's cult classic. Prisoner - cell block H became popular in the UK in the late 80s early 90s and had a huge cult following for a while. It occupied the very late night slot on Channel 4 and was mainly popular with stoned dole scum. I personally thought it was a bag of old pish but I enjoyed hearing the ridiculous Aussie slang words that they came out with. Like "bingle" for car crash. " Mind your own bizzo". "Bonzer!" and so on.

[sigmoid]

[dajiang]

Crocodile Dundee

[The G-stringed Avenger]

[quote="sojournerIndeed, I agree with the essence of Menzies' world-view that implied that a mature Australian cultural identity needs to build upon the symbols and values of its (British) past - not to discard them - something that the pro-republic lobby may wish to ponder on.

Peter[/quote]


The difference is, 40 years later, Australia does have a much stronger national and cultural identity which, despite the influx of Americana, is unlikely to disappear. The insecurities of the 60s were based more on our place in the world (both geographically and otherwise) and the twin fears of Communism and the "Yellow Peril" - which caused us to cling to Britain and the US. Our identity now is increasingly less reliant on Britain and more centred on multiculturalism under the umbrella of a broader Australian culture. The pro-republic lobby is fighting for a change in our political system, not to discard pieces of our past. We're secure enough now, I think, to change systems without damage to our culture and traditions.