STRANGERS IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY

I can’t think of another country in the world where the majority of the population is as ignorant about its country, as Australians are. 72% of us live in our major cities and many live out their lives without venturing more than 100kms away from them.

Generally (a lot of generalisations here) country people are in tune with the country, but when you look at how ‘Europeans’ have managed the Land of Oz for a bit over 200 years, you have to wonder.

We have the largest extinction rate of our native fauna in that period, than any other country, and much of our precious top-soil has migrated to New Zealand. Caused initially by massive vegetation clearance and then over-stocking with clover-hoofed animals. Plus the introduction of rabbits. You could forgive a lot of these early mistakes, putting it down to ignorance, but you can only blame ignorance for so long.

Early attempts at conservation were largely ridiculed by the main stream. Australian farmers are renowned for their inventiveness, resilience, and perseverance against the odds. A well travelled American tourist once said to me that if he ‘was in the trenches’ and could have a companion, it would be an Australian farmer. But they are often slow learners when it comes to managing the land. It is only in recent years that initiatives like ‘regenerative farming’ are starting to be adopted. The die-hards continue on with the old methods and it will take  generations for many of them to see the light. Australia has only 7% of the land that is considered arable (that can grow crops) and that is reducing with urbanisation and salinity. A scary thought!

But getting back to the subject, the aboriginals have been in this country for around 60,000 years, which is a fair bit of time to get the hang of things, yet Europeans have largely ignored their accumulated knowledge, when it could have been hugely beneficial in many areas. One thing that comes to mind is their mosaic ‘whipstick’ regular burning of the country. The animals that traditionally kept the floors of our forests largely clear of accumulated litter, are mostly gone, increasing hugely the escalating bush-fire threat.

Among the millions of migrants to this country, are many who have embraced it with open arms and are far more “Australian” than many Anglo-Australians.

For years our school kids were taught mostly English history. Fortunately, that has changed, but it still has a long way to go. Most of our students would know very little or nothing about our deserts, for instance.

Decentralisation would help greatly to reverse this ‘ignorance’ but for that to happen, you need local industry to be established. Wait for it… like Industrial Hemp (“here he goes again” many will say!) which with over 2,000 uses, has the potential to revitalise the Regions. Fortunately, after years of suppression, that it beginning to happen. But you can’t help

coming to the conclusion that so often we are governed by ‘fuck-wits’, totally out of tune with the real issues. Many ‘pollies’ have never had a real job, and that is part of the problem.

At least we still live in a ‘free’ country, although a lot of our more discerning population might challenge that statement.  Like the young vibrant group “Reignite Democracy”, they are well aware of the many freedoms being gradually eroded.

We are increasing migration when we have the biggest housing shortage in our history, with escalating interest rates pushing more into poverty and homelessness.

I am optimistic enough to hope that the bulk of our population will earn the right to be called “Australian”, but there is a long way to go yet.

Right now you only have to look at the many ‘powder kegs’ (trouble spots) around the world to appreciate the benefits of this big island of ours. Its population needs to ‘love it’ and ‘know it’ with all its pros and cons and be prepared to fight for it if the need ever comes.

Rex Ellis’s Outback Books are available on line.