Australia Day and National Identity

Mark Pearson, University of New England

Article comments

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Letters of the University of New England.

Abstract

This dissertation argues that the scope and substance of the celebration of Australia Day this century can be explained using theories of national identity and invented tradition. It draws upon the columns of capital city newspapers in selected years to gauge how Australians celebrated their national day and what they thought about its significance. The dissertation argues that for most of this century Australia Day failed to make its mark on the national calendar because Australians' perceptions of their nationality were inextricably tied to their feelings of kinship with the British people. Australia Day was identified more with the hedonism its public holiday facilitated than with any widespread feeling of patriotism. However, the dissertation notes a recent shift in the theme of Australia Day to a celebration of migration, arrival and rebirth which indicates that the day may have struck a chord of genuine popular resonance.