Compiled by Sandi Tighello
Kathryn Sprigg
Photographer, WA
What does being an Australian mean to you?
I feel proud to be part of a multi-cultural community which has impacted the rest of the world on so many levels, even though we are such a small (and young) continent. I also think about being number one in any sporting arena, even though my brother drained the gene pool and left me with no sporting ability whatsoever.
What do you love about Australia?
I love Australia for its wide open spaces, which has provided the unforgettable memories like growing up on a farm – and for its cities like Melbourne, with rich cultural offerings like no other in the world.
Timba Smits
Wooden Toy Quarterly Creative Director, VIC
What does being an Australian mean to you?
Shortening every word possible by at least the last 3-4 letters. Fair Dinkum!
What do you love about Australia?
Being able to walk down to the busiest corner in your home suburb (Richmond) still in your fancy dress clothes as a smacked out car window washer and make enough money actually washing car windows to buy marshmallows for everyone at your party huddled around the hobo fire all the while with people thinking you’re actually serious, and that the 20 bucks you spent on your outfit (tight stubbies, kangas beanie, thongs and black eyes) is actually all you own. God bless Oztralia!
Bianca Dye
Radio & Television Presenter, NSW
What does being an Australian mean to you?
It means having an open heart – it means loving your neighbour no matter where they are from, it mans embracing multiculturalism in way that doesn’t leave anyone out, it means trying your best, it means being a great friend, it means loving the beach, the country, the sand, the surf, the way of life that we have come to take for granted.
What do you love about Australia?
Living in the best country in the world. I live 100 metres from Bondi Beach and every time I go away I cant wait to get back – the easy going people, the fabulous way of life, the gorgeous, fun, open, kind people I hang around with…it’s awesome! We ARE lucky and we MUST start taking care of the AMAZING country we have here.
Rhys Ripper
Academy For Men Creative Director & Editor-In-Chief, VIC
(Photo thanks to Trevor King)
What does being an Australian mean to you?
I’m very proud to be an Australian, I love my country deeply. I was brought up in country Victoria on a farm with great respect for our land and nature. My love of Australia and the people that make this country so great inspired me to launch Academy for Men which is based on Australian male culture.
What do you love about Australia?
I love the people, the landscape, the climate, the huge array of food and am obsessed with Melbourne.
Andi Lew
Author & Television Personality, VIC
What does being an Australian mean to you?
Freedom in a country that is full of opportunity.
What do you love about Australia?
Everything. I’ve travelled all over the world and my husband is from South Africa and Australia is so safe compared to it, clean and the multiculturalism is what makes us so unique.
Sarah Prout
SPROUT Publishing, VIC
What does being an Australian mean to you?
I was born in New Zealand and became an Australian citizen in 2003. To me, being Australian represents the wonderful levels of freedom we have in this country to create anything we want. We have this great ability to embrace diversity and challenges with kindness, community spirit and generosity.
What do you love about Australia?
I spent 7 months in Gothenburg, Sweden and that experience gave me a great appreciation for the reasons why I love Australia.
- The people are really friendly
- The winters are mild and pleasant (unlike European weather)
- I love the cultural diversity
- The beaches are amazing
Ric Allport
Super Trivia Guy, QLD
What does being an Australian mean to you?
It means that I am lucky enough to live in the best country in the world.
What do you love about Australia?
I love the relaxed honesty of Australians and the great Aussie outdoor lifestyle.
Kat Lawrence
Director of Beauty Editor, NSW
What does being an Australian mean to you?
Having a fresh perspective on the world and life in general. I think for the most part, we’re optimistic, light-hearted and laid-back.
What do you love about Australia?
Some people see it as a negative, but I love the fact that we don’t have one strong single identity. Our multicultural society means that we are constantly changing from generation to generation. And you have to love a world where you can choose from so many types of cuisine in one single block.
Luke Feldman
SKAFFS Artist, USA & VIC
What does being an Australian mean to you?
Being able to help put Australia on the map for cutting-edge art and design.
What do you love about Australia?
The people, the outdoors, BBQs and multiculturalism.
Sarah Ayoub
Niche Creative Media Head Honchette, NSW
What does being an Australian mean to you?
Being Australian means being part of the best country in the world! It means being laidback and carefree, being open minded, being a part of a group that is renowned for giving every person a fair go. It means hanging out with your mates, being nice to your neighbours, stopping and helping the old lady carrying the groceries to her car. Being Australian means sport, sun and the beach, long lunches, a variety of cuisines from different cultures, beautiful skies, and the most amazing oceans and a desert that stretches far and wide. Being Australian means opening your door to everything and anything, and taking it all in your stride. Being Australian means being proud of where you come from, and representing it unashamedly where ever you go and no matter who you are with.
What do you love about Australia?
I love Australia because it truly is the land of the fair go. I don’t see judgement here like I see it elsewhere. I love Australia because its inhabitants are the friendliest, most down to earth people I know. I love Australia because we have a government that truly looks out for us, that does not compromise our safety, that we actually elect! I love Australia because its justice system represents us, because its aesthetics are as diverse as we are (city, urbanity, desert, beach, rainforest) because you can find India, China, America, England, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Malaysia and New Zealand right in its midst. I love Australia because I can walk out my front door whenever I want, because I can live my life to the fullest and have every opportunity to do so. I love Australia because it opened up its doors to my migrant family back in the days, and helped them establish and assimilate – and that is a testament to why they chose to come here in the first place. I love Australia because if the countries of the world were to compete in a sporting match, Australia would win best and fairest everytime, and it truly deserves that title.
