The Australian idea

Robert Fraser commemorates Australia Day 2009, celebrating the 221st anniversary of the birth of the Australian People, by reviewing the life of Arthur Phillip, Australia’s first Governor, and comparing his ideas to those of the Establishment who rule our nation today.

We have come today to take possession of this fifth great continental division of the earth, on behalf of the British people, and have founded here a State which we hope will not only occupy and rule this great country, but also will become a shining light among all the nations of the Southern Hemisphere. How grand is the prospect which lies before this youthful nation.” [1]

These were the words of the first Leader of the Australian People, Captain Arthur Phillip. He earned the title “Leader” by his brave and unselfish actions, his example of putting the good of the community before his own and his dream of a new Nation where character and ability meant more than money and title.

He was a man of humble origins who responded with enthusiasm and vision when faced by adversity and the defeatism expressed by those around him.

The success of the First Fleet’s voyage owed much to Phillip’s care. When with successive transports, wealthy ship owners made huge profits from the suffering and deaths of their human cargo, he fought against it.

In the times of scarcity he exercised great care in distributing the food ration, insisting on complete equality of the portions for all including himself and regardless of their rank or title.

Phillip refused to tolerate any ill-treatment of the Aborigines. He interested himself in their life and customs, even making them presents, whilst he did his utmost to win and keep their friendship.

The Aborigines evinced no desire to drive the newcomers out, in fact they actually showed admiration for Arthur Phillip.

When others saw the new experiment in settlement only as an opportunity to exploit their fellow men for personal gain, Phillip saw Australia as a place to establish a new egalitarian society based on the principles of the Age of Enlightenment.

And so the long struggle began. That between those people representing selfish, vested interests on the one hand and those men like Phillip, representing the good of the community on the other.

Other good men and women followed Phillip’s example, even though they put at risk their own personal health, safety and happiness. Those such as William Bligh and Lachlan Macquarie upheld what had become the Australian idea.

This unique Australian “Outlook upon Life” imbued those who came after. Australians such as Peter Lalor, Andrew Fisher, Jack Lang, John Curtin and Kevin Wheatley to name only a few of the greatest sons of the Australian People. [2]

This struggle still continues today. Alas, our champions are few and the Australian People are tiring; worn out by the day to day grind to provide for themselves and their families, shell-shocked by the overbearing media barrage of anti-Australian propaganda served to us under multifarious labels such as “economic necessity”, “celebrating diversity”, “foreign obligations”, “multiculturalism” etc., etc., ad nauseam.

We have to admit that the selfish they have usurped for themselves the real power over how things are and are to be for Australians. They who have always put the importance of their own happiness and lifestyle ahead of and at the expense of the Australian community.

Whether they be self-serving politicians or media “personalities” who advocate every conceivable selfish base and immoral urge; whether they be the plague of speculators and financial swindlers who live off the backs of we, the hard working Australians; or whether they be multiculturalists who consign millions to oblivion by denying us our identity, our right to exist. They all know that they have come into their paradise, for surely it is not ours, but they should brace themselves.

One day we, the Australian People, will regain our confidence, whilst they get fat at what they think is our funeral, but they should brace themselves.

And the day will come, when like a fresh breeze we feel in our hearts that Australian spirit again, and they should brace themselves.

For when we are joined by the ghosts of Australia’s greatest who, like a thunderhead rising up on the southern horizon, lead the sons and daughters of Australia to their rightful inheritance, they will all be swept away by the storm that will surely come!


[1] Note that Phillip said “on behalf of the British people”; he did not say on behalf of Parliament or the King. By referring to the British People and simply not the English, he was clearly indicating a belief that the Australian future belonged to the Scottish, Welsh, Irish and English (Angles, Saxons, Normans, Danes, therefore other European peoples).

[2] Peter Lalor: Australian Rights activist and leader at the Eureka Stockade.
Andrew Fisher: Coalminer and three times Australian Prime Minister; he established the world’s first ‘Not For Profit’ bank.
Jack Lang: Started out as a junior clerk to help support his widowed mother; he lost his job as NSW Premier because he refused to abandon underprivileged Australians to the greed of international moneylenders.
John Curtin: The only Australian Prime Minister to die in office due to worry and concern for his People; he was the only PM who thumbed a ride to save public money.
Kevin Wheatley: Father and Soldier. He chose certain death rather than abandon a fellow Australian in the face of 100 to 1 odds; posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

Written by Robert Fraser for my mate and for Australia.

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