Australia

 

Australia is my home now. It is three things at once – a continent, country and an island the size of 7,692,024 km. That is 24 times bigger than Poland, my home country! It’s inhabited by only 23 million people (so few compared to Poland’s population of 38 million). No wonder we have birds visiting us for breakfast, kangaroos hopping along the road, and huge spiders weaving bedtime stories under our bed.

Australia has one, two or three flags, depending on who you ask. The first is, as the critics say, a colonial relic (vide Kudelka cartoon). Australia is still a constitutional monarchy, accountable to the Queen of England. This dependence has a great advantage – the Queen’s birthday is a work-free public holiday across the nation. Some locals say this is a good enough reason not to become a republic.

The second flag represents the traditional owners of this land, the Australian Aboriginals. This flag was designed in 1971 and approved in 1995, as a national symbol of Australia. The black colour represents the first inhabitants of the continent, red the Australian earth, and the yellow ochre circle in the middle symbolises the sun. The third flag represents the Torres Strait Islander people whose green land is surrounded by the blue sea. The white dhari – the traditional headwear in the middle of the flag represents the peaceful inhabitants. Finally, the white star with five arms represents the five major islands of the Torres Strait.

Out of curiosity, I decided to sit the Australian citizenship test. It turned out that I needed to know the meanings symbolized in the three flags of Australia.

Luckily for me, knowledge of the national anthem wasn't required. I am not the only ignorant one. It seems most Australians only know the first four lines of the hymn. Some prefer to hum the unofficial anthem of “Waltzing Matilda” - a far more colloquial and melodic tune, reflecting the population's penchant for an easy going and carefree lifestyle.

 

I have found my own unique hymn as a result of searching for a more harmonious balance between my Polish nature and the Australian reality that surrounds me. I have adopted one of the best-selling Australian songs of all time, “Eagle Rock” - a retro tune performed by a Melbourne-based band and featuring a white eagle – the national symbol of my home country, Poland.

I am currently living in the capital of Australia. Can you guess where? Scroll to the bottom of this page for the answer... This city was designed down to the minutest detail in accordance with the principles of sacred geometry. It is the realization of a vision of the perfect capital.

Thank you Australia that your capital is so hospitable to us.

Edyta

Canberra - it's location was chosen in 1913 as a compromise to resolve the quarrel between Sydney and Melbourne for the title of the most important city in Australia.