This article explores the lingering British fascination with Australia as a land of opportunity and a fresh start, despite the changing realities of migration and the distance between the two countries.
Millions of Britons long for a fresh start and a new life. But they will find it at home, not in Australia. We must turn our backs on this imperial fantasy of neo-Britains with better climates – and find our clean slates here in the UK. At Christmas 2002, the postwar estate was once a place of modernity, civic pride and hope, but it is now run down and decaying. There are rats in the flats. Jimmy, a young security guard, and Joy, a nurse, still live in Park Hill.
They talk constantly about finding a better future and a fresh start for themselves. But where could they go to do that, Joy asks? To Mars? “No,” Jimmy insists: “A proper fresh start. Clean slate. Australia.” Joy is unconvinced. But Jimmy presses on. “Why not? I know a couple of lads who did. You can nurse anywhere. I’d find something. This time next year. Christmas on the beach.” It is not too much of a spoiler, I hope, to reveal that Jimmy and Joy never make it to Australia. But the exchange is resonant because it articulates a dimension of the British mind-map that existed very strongly in the years before 2002, especially during the imperial decades, and while the Today, the White Australia policy is long gone, immigration of all kinds to Australia is much more restricted, and the country has mostly shaken off any remaining deference towards Britain. Yet a certain idea of Australia still lingers strongly at the back of the British mind today, many years later, as a place where one can live a British life, but more prosperously and with better weather. In spite of all the changes, it’s an idea of Australia that gets a boost whenever there’s a suggestion in Britain that Australia is becoming a mecca for British emigrants. “Young Britons flocking to Australia for a better life,”. It’s an idea that rests on assumptions that we don’t often think about or discuss, and which are in many ways now an anachronis
BRITISH MIGRATION AUSTRALIA IMMIGRATION DREAMS SOCIAL ASPIRATIONS
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
From Dhaka to Darwin: How a student's Australian dream led to his deathOmar Faruk's best friend was killed in violent home invasion in Darwin. He's now on a mission to complete his friend's dream of studying in Australia.
Read more »
From Dhaka to Darwin: How a student's Australian dream led to his deathOmar Faruk's best friend was killed in violent home invasion in Darwin. He's now on a mission to complete his friend's dream of studying in Australia.
Read more »
Australian grand slam champion Max Purcell accepts doping ban on eve of Australian Open7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Australian Filmmaker Leigh Whannell Prepares for Hollywood Horror and Australian FestivalLeigh Whannell, a prominent Australian filmmaker, is preparing for the release of a new Hollywood horror film while also participating in the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Festival. The festival, dubbed 'Sundance at Surfers', aims to attract both film professionals and tourists.
Read more »
Hip industrial designer Henry Wilson has a brilliant new storeThe latest Australian Broadcasting Corporation news, articles and analysis from Australian Financial Review
Read more »
This is exactly how much the average Australian worker earns every weekThe Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has revealed the median weekly income for all Australian employees.
Read more »