Backbencher

This lecture started out by comparing the founding mythologies of OZ and NZ. Australia was a convict settlement who prides itself on not being English. New Zealand on the other hand was planned to be a more perfect Britain, and prides itself on not being Australian. Australian legend has a lot to do with mateship. While Australia might be one of the world's most urban nations, they still popularize their bush ideals. Miriam Dixon talks about the role on women in Australia in her book The Real Matilda. Dixon says that the degradation on women goes back all the way to when Australia was settled. The demographics of both countries has changed over time. Contrary to the belief of fatal contact, Maori and Aborigine population have increased over time. Also in Australia there has been many Asian immigrants, while in New Zealand there are a lot of Polynesian immigrants. Australia may have become more urban, but in New Zealand the rural ideal still exists. The number of farms in NZ increased all the way into the 1970s, and even today most citizens want a clean and green country. Sports are very important in both countries with Rugby being the most important.
I liked taking a look at the two different countries from this perspective. Not many history classes take a look into culture, they just focus on facts. By knowing more about OZ and NZ culture I feel that I understand the people a bit better. Learning about sports was also interesting. I found it particularly interesting that Americans focus mainly on national sports while Australians and New Zealanders focus on global sports. The Ashes Series in Cricket was a little different. If I was on the Australian Cricket team I would be mad that I didn't get to take the trophy home with me when I won.