Backbencher

In lecture four, Dr. Isern discussed settlement of the convicts and pilgrims of Australia and New Zealand. He then went on to explain mythology, which is made up information regarding the history of countries such as Australia and New Zealand. William McNeil and Austin Fife made up aspects of history of the countries, which were essentially myths. From mythology we learned about the convicts sent from Europe to Australia. Three colonies of convicts were established: New South Wales in 1788, Van Dieman's Land in 1812, and Western Australia in 1829. Some convicts went through hardships such as starvation and survival in the first fleet before more were sent to Sydney Cove. Included among the convicts were political nonconformists such as Irish republicans. Transportation ended between 1850 and 1870. We then went on to talk about colonization of New Zealand where five planned colonies; Port Nicholson, Nelson, Taranaki, Otago, and Canterbury were established all around the country by 1850. Soon, New Zealand struck gold and brought in more immigrants to Otago and Westland producing an unplanned expansion of the population. Many came from Australia, America, and China and were labeled the "undesirables."

I found it interesting that many Australians take pride in knowing that they come from the family of a convict. Most people in our country and culture are embarrassed or ashamed of relatives or ancestors who have committed crimes. My question is what is so appealing about these convicts or for that matter being related to one? Perhaps this illustrates the line between the differences of the Australian culture and other cultures around the world.