Why you are Australian

It's coming to 4 years since I migrated to Australia. But I must say, I'm still not quite sure what is considered 'Australian'. I guess it didn't help that most of the people I hung around with were Koreans. I remember my husband pondering on what it meant to be an Australian couple of years back, when he became an Australian citizen. I didn't think much about it then, but now that I have a child who is Australian by birth, I am starting to get interested in the country I chose to live in.

It's hard to pinpoint what Australian culture is, especially with the vast number of migrants from different countries living here. But some things I remember from 10 years back, when I first landed on this country as an exchange student, is that everything was so laid back. People seemed to have the time to look around, appreciate the things and people around them, actually say hello and thank you, even crack a joke with strangers once in awhile. People seemed friendlier, warmer, at ease.

Gemmel seems to have similar recollections of Australia. In her book 'Why you are Australian', she compares the casual and friendly culture of Australia to the busy and 'proper' culture of London where she lives. Her memories of Australia are one of splashing in beaches in the sunshine, running free in nature, drinking beer in front of the barbie and warm friendly family and friends. She ventured to London in her youth and lived a carefree life engrossed in her writing, but now as a mother of three she was missing home.

I am not sure if I would one day ache for Korea the way Gemmel aches for Australia, but I know I will miss Australia, the place I now call home, if I am away from it for too long.


Find out more about 'Why you are Australian: A Letter to my Children' and how to buy it here.
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