Approximately 1 million of Australia’s 20 million citizens are living overseas at any one time. 50% of this website’s visitors live in countries other than Australia, as can be seen on the world map. It’s a fair bet that a slab of these overseas visitors are Aussie expats. Australians like to roam about.
There are many Australian expatriate organisations, especially country–specific groups. Two of the largest international organisations are the Southern Cross Group and Advance.
Advance – Global Australian Professionals
Specifically for Australian professionals overseas – more business/trade oriented. Based in New York with other chapters elsewhere in the U.S; with a chapter opening in London in 2006 and more planned elsewhere. High–profile functions and good business networking opportunities. Advance encourages the development of Australians abroad as ambassadors.
There are many websites written by individual expats, but the wittiest and most wonderfully readable that I’ve discovered is An(ne) Aussie in America. It’s very practical and interesting, full of anecdotes illustrating the cultural differences between Australians and Americans – with eye–opening explanations for such unexpected pitfalls for the unwary as differing etiquette for handling a knife and fork. Many people think it’s just that we have different accents. However one Australian exporter I know takes an American friend with him as a ‘cultural advisor’ when visiting on business, so he doesn’t make any blunders. This site is a must–read for any Aussies heading to the U.S.
And, of course, you can’t go past the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) for serious information, including current safety warnings of where not to go.
And, I have to mention the song Australians like to sing when at sporting events and similar gatherings because it was written in one of my favourite parts of the country. There are many different versions of the song, the version below is the one we learnt when at primary school in the 1960s.
Well known poet Banjo Paterson wrote ‘Waltzing Matilda’ in January 1895, while staying at Macphersons’ Dagworth Station, north–west of Winton (Queensland). Christina Macpherson was also visiting her brothers at the time. While at the Warrnambool (Victoria) races in April 1894, Christina had heard the band march ‘Craigielee’ and memorised it. Her playing of the melody at Dagworth inspired Banjo to write some verses to it. It is widely believed that the words refer allegorically to actual events in the long and bitter shearer’s strikes of 1891 – 1894, in particular the burning of Dagworth woolshed with 143 lambs inside, and the subsequent suicide of swagman/shearer Samuel Hoffmeister at a billabong near Kynuna.
The Southern Cross Group
An international non–profit group run by 100 volunteers in more than 30 countries. Works to represent and improve the interests of all Australians overseas (Australian diaspora), including those who technically no longer, or do not yet, hold Australian citizenship. The website is a comprehensive source of practical legal and government information for Australians living abroad and those considering doing so.
Waltzing Matilda
Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
under the shade of a Coolibah tree
and he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
“You’ll come a–waltzing matilda with me”.
Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda,
you’ll come a waltzing matilda with me.
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
you’ll come a waltzing matilda with me.
Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong
up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,
and he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tuckerbag
“You’ll come a–waltzing matilda with me”.
Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda,
you’ll come a–waltzing matilda with me.
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tuckerbag
you’ll come a waltzing matilda with me.
Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred
down came the troopers, one, two, three.
“Whose is that jolly jumbuck you’ve got in your tuckerbag?
you’ll come a–waltzing matilda with me.”
Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda,
you’ll come a waltzing matilda with me.
Whose is that jolly jumbuck you’ve got in your tuckerbag?
you’ll come a waltzing matilda with me.
Up jumped the swagman, and sprang into the billabong
“you’ll never catch me alive” said he.
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
you’ll come a–waltzing matilda with me.
Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda,
you’ll come a–waltzing matilda with me.
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
you’ll come a waltzing matilda with me.
Waltzing Matilda Centre. A museum dedicated to Waltzing Matilda. The Outback Regional Gallery has good quality visiting and local exhibitions, and a great caf run by an ex–station cook. My favourite part of the museum is the display out the back of all sorts of artifacts donated by locals, because these extensive collections have a personal and poignant touch that ‘sophisticated’ over–curated and polished museums are sadly lacking. If you want an authentic and very friendly place to stay that gives you a real feel for genuine outback Australia, Winton should be on top of your list.
Roger Clarke’s Waltzing Matilda page. The most comprehensive and interesting source of information on the internet. Nice to see a tribute to Richard Magoffin, who spent his later years devoted to researching and correcting fallacies regarding Waltzing Matilda, while running his unique display at Kynuna (western Queensland).
Another source of Waltzing Matilda information can be found at the National Library of Australia.