What are we prepared to do?
1 Help a stranger to gain access or mobility: 88.5%
2 Help at an emergency: 87.5%
3 Help with shopping: 74%
4 Comfort a stranger: 69.5%
5 Help with money: 30%3
Kindness and the Aussie character There is an earthy humility in our self-image. In defining Australia, the most mentioned quality was that this is the land of the “fair go”. For many Australians this is about equality for all and giving everyone a go – 68% define “fair go” as “equality - same rules and benefits for all”. Additionally, almost one in four (23%) Australians believe that this “fair go” quality is about supporting those in need such as refugees.4 Our lives are increasingly busy and complex yet our culture is down-to-earth. As Dan from Victoria mentioned in the research: “Where else in the world can you call a complete stranger ‘mate’?” While mateship is a term traditionally used among men, its definition is now more inclusive – 70% of Australians agree with the statement that mateship is “helping anyone in need regardless of who they are”. The vast majority of males (80%) as well as females (74%) agree with this statement.5
Australia is collaborative rather than individualistic. This teamwork, a mix of mateship and altruism, sets us apart from other cultures. It gives us a sense of belonging to something bigger than the individual, and empowers a “can do” attitude. Ian from Belaire in South Australia states: “Australians are legendary for their generosity and ability to collaborate to get things done.
We also have a great sense of humour and a larrikin nature that endears us to all.”
Whether at a street, city, state or national level, the Australian spirit unites us, not just to celebrate success, but also to battle adversity. Having experienced diverse and sometimes harsh environments and situations, Australians do not shy away from hardship, but bond together to tackle it.
In the survey, Tim from Camberwell, Victoria, said: “What makes Australia great is the way we band together when things get tough.”
The Australian values of mateship and a fair go have often been linked to our convict heritage, the 1850s gold rush, the trenches and battlefields of Gallipoli, our Judeo-Christian roots and, of course, the hardship endured by battlers, shearers and squatters in the harsh Australian bush. As our research shows, even in the 21st century, it’s still the essence of the Australian spirit. While these values are not confined to the Australian community, they are part of our national character and commonly celebrated on national holidays and in Australian literature, poetry and songs.
‘Tis hardship, drought, and homelessness That teach those Bushmen kindness: The mateship born, in barren lands, Of toil and thirst and danger.
“Shearers”, Henry Lawson
The famous Australian writer and poet, Henry Lawson, often called Australia’s “greatest writer”, once described Australia as “the Great Lone Land of magnificent distances and bright heat; the land of self-reliance, and never-give-in, and help-your-mate”. In his stories and poems, Lawson extolled the virtue of the person who, in the midst of adversity, typically drought and fire, stepped in to provide aid. Lawson understood mateship as helping in adversity, as “the instinct that irresistibly impels a thirsty, parched man, out on the burning sands, to pour out the last drop of water down the throat of a dying mate, where none save the sun or moon or stars may see”.6
Down on the ground the stockmen jumped And bared each brawny arm; They tore green branches from the trees And fought for Ross’s farm; And when before the gallant band The beaten flames gave way, Two grimy hands in friendship joined - And it was Christmas Day!
“The Fire at Ross’s Farm”, Henry Lawson
Following the disastrous Black Saturday bushfires in 2009, a book called Black Saturday: Stories of Love, Loss and Courage by John McGourty was released. A “tale about ordinary everyday people who, when fate demanded, became heroes”, Black Saturday celebrated this “natural willingness” of Australians to assist, recounting some of the heroic stories of kindness from strangers to emerge from the tragedy. One story was of Peter Thorneycroft who potentially saved the lives of twenty women and children by hosing down the roof of the local pub they sought refuge in.7
As locals and emergency workers joined to assist bushfire victims, Australians gave generously, clearly touched and devastated by the horrific news. More than $388 million was donated to the Black Saturday Bushfire Appeal fund. Australians also donated 63,000 tonnes of material aid, with an estimated value of $17.5 million.8 The Whittlesea Rotary Club recalls the overwhelming generosity of people at that time, how they “had clothes avalanching off the tables …” with people working fourteen-hour, seven-day weeks to distribute it all.9
The tragic floods that ravaged Queensland in early 2011, affecting three-quarters of the entire state, showcased once again the kindness of fellow Australians - whether neighbours or from afar. It seemed that the overwhelming flood waters were matched only by the stories of strangers helping, giving and rescuing.
Similarly, Australians’ hearts and cash went out to the victims of the 2002 Bali bombings, the 2004 Asian tsunami and the Samoan tsunami in 2009. Australians donated more that $100million to the Asian tsunami victims on top of the $1 billion given by the Australian Government, its largest donation ever made.10 Donations made by the Australian public equated to $5 per Australian, while donations made by the British and American public equated to $3 per Briton and 88 cents per American.11
Tales of great Aussie kindness also emerged following the Bali bombings which claimed the lives of 202 people, including 88 Australians. Two West Australian men, Timothy Britten and Richard Joyes, became the fourth and fifth Australians to be awarded the Cross of Valour, instituted in 1975, for their rescue efforts at the Sari club. They fought intense burning flames to rescue victims and were among 37 people to receive bravery awards.
The Australian’s willingness to help others in times of need is commonly celebrated following times of disaster. Former Australian Chief of the Defence Force and Australian of the Year in 2001, General Peter Cosgrove, summed this up best when he said:
Without doubt the best quality we observe across the entire Australian community is a natural willingness to pitch in and have a go, to help others. We see it of course whenever there is an emergency or a worthy cause. We see it in every community volunteer organisation from the lifesavers to the bushfire brigades through to the thousands of youth and mature-age sporting clubs and those great international service organisations like Rotary and many others. We see it in our professional bodies such as the police, fire and ambulance services, and of course in the defence force. It is a generosity of spirit and a selflessness that is perhaps our most precious heritage to hand on to younger and newer Australians - a nation of people who care for and look out for each other.
The willingness of Australians to help in times of hardship is also demonstrated by the number of them who dedicate their time to volunteer work. Over a third of Australians over fifteen are volunteers. Over 500,000 of these are in the emergency management sector, which includes surf life-savers and fire brigade volunteers, amongst others.12
The astounding statistic that one-third of Australians dedicate their time to volunteer work supports our finding that 79% of Australians would most like to be remembered for their service to others, while slightly fewer (69%), their contribution to society! This is compared with only 31% who would like to be most remembered for their achievements, such as career success.13
One story in particular in this book highlights the generous Australian spirit in times of need - the story of Andrew Fraser MP, Member for Coffs Harbour NSW, who was moved by the thoughtful kindness of a stranger following a fire which claimed more than his family home.