Summartive Entry

Located in Circular Quay, a statement held by a plaque says “Australia is still revealing itself to us. We oughtn’t to close off possibilities by declaring too early what we have already become”, by Australian Author David Malouf. Malouf expresses the idea that the land and people of Australia hold a plethora of qualities to offer to the world, and should we rush in defining what we already have, we sacrifice the ultimatum to further advance as a country. A response to Malouf was made by David Hurley, the new Governor General (2019); “Australia is not a finished product” adding emphasis towards the hope of a thriving future in establishing the Australian nation. This reverent concept of national persistence and determination in developing Australia’s identity of tenacity and determination is common subject within Australian literature unit. 

Nineteenth century works were part of the semester course reflecting Australia’s evolution from a British colony to a newly developed nation. From excerpts from Louisa Anne Meredith from ‘Notes and Sketches of New South Wales’ (1844), in which she criticises the city of Sydney’s local customs and manners in consequence of attempting to be a faux Britain at the expense of inefficient use of Australia’s natural resources. Banjo Paterson’s ‘Man from Snowy River’ (1890), an idealistic narrative of young newborn Australian native, exceeding the experienced, idolising the Australian outback with themes of mateship, tenacity and determination. Alternatively, Henry Lawson’s ‘Faces in the streets (1888) attempted to present a more dystopian realist perception involving the disadvantaged and suffering of many bushmen that had attempted to find work. I believe that these works at the time reflect the statement “Australia is not a finished product” as they explore the progressive development of Australia from a British colony to a newfound nation at the time in realising Australia’s identity. 

The study of the twentieth century works also presented themes of Australia’s unfinished status of the majority of the remaining semester unit. Works such as Patrick White’s ‘Miss Slattery and her Demon Lover’ (1964), Michael Dransfield ‘Endsight’  (1972) and Peter Skyzynecki ‘Migrant Hostel Parkes’ (1949-51) were curated in evolving times. Social change occurred at the time involving women’s roles in society, the use of drugs, and multiculturalism at the forefront in topics themes pursued in Australian Literature. Social thought and behaviour had evolved again adding weight towards David Hurley’s statement of Australia’s ever-changing nature in many ways through its topics and themes. Many Australian text’s over the years serves as a forewarning towards Australia’s progression that is yet to unveil. 

David Hurley’s interpretation of David Malouf’s statement, “Australia is still revealing itself to us. We oughtn’t to close off possibilities by declaring too early what we have already become” can be correspondent to Hurley’s take, but also can be interpreted in various ways. Personally, I feel that change is inevitable, and with it, will present new opportunities and possibilities all within Australia’s national tenacity. Conceptions of the local-born underdog, mateship of men, and the role of women in society, as well as spectrum of cultures that play a role in the evolution of Australia are all themes worthy of being Australia’s literature. They also serve as a great piece of evidence that “Australia is not a finished product”.