Backbencher

On April 29, we had a guest lecture from Dr. Troy Whitford, who is the Head of the Department of History at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. One of the main points of his discussion were the misinterpretation of Australia's perception of socialist ethos mentality. Australia's history is actually about the rise of the middle class and the ideas that developed into materialism, entreprenuerialism, and self-reliance.

He pointed out some key historical events such as the settlement and the colony as an open goal where cultural and social values were transferred from Britain. He also talked about the Eureka Stockade where there was a rebellion against taxation.

He went on to discuss Australia in the 1920s when the country became concerned with the creation of wealth and the maintenance of petty capitalism among the population.
"Men, money, and markets," was a post-war formula, developed by Prime Minister Stanley Melbourne Bruce, during this era.

After World War II, Australia's mentality was shaking off the government controls and embracing a new era of consumerism. Home-ownership was stressed as this was connected to the idea that the family constitutes a political constituency.

This was a great discussion about the history of Australia and I learned a great deal about how they country is very pro-consumer and there are a lot of stereotypes which are a result of past events such as the Eureka stockade.