I’m on a roll with the Aussie song references. You’ll have to indulge me because yesterday marked eleven years since I arrived in Australia. I missed the decade mark in 2021 somewhere between post-lockdown freedom and back-to-real-life anxiety. Yesterday though, the date suddenly occurred to me. Eleven years. It’s strange looking back on over a decade of my life away from Ireland. The ‘emigrant dilemma’ is a constant burn, and would require a thesis to dissect, so instead, a few reflections.
Nature
Unsurprisingly aside from the Australian for whom I moved across the world, nature is my next great love. I was instantly spellbound by the incredible wildness of the country when I first arrived. I was amazed at how much wildlife there was in both urban and suburban settings. I remember the delight of seeing the expressive yellow feathered crest move on the head of a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, followed by the characteristic unmerciful screech. The sound of Kookaburras was like being transported into a jungle film set and rainbow lorikeets, tropical multi-coloured parrots, as common as pigeons! As I travelled along the East Coast of Australia over several months, I saw a Diamond Python being attacked by a Possum defending its babies, a shiver of Tiger Sharks from a precipice overlooking the ocean on K’gari., I dodged a Tiger snake in the middle of the road while on a motorbike in Agnes Water and swam alongside Clownfish and Turtles on the Great Barrier Reef. The list goes on and on. Just one fraction of wildlife on a trip during my first year in Australia. Every single day since I have been delighted by nature. From the cacophony of birds, bugs and frogs in the morning and night, to the otherworldly native plants and trees. The sheer volume of intensely beautiful and unique Australian flora and fauna is beyond comprehension and makes this nature-lover a very happy explorer.
Lifestyle
There is a wilful desire to relax in Australia. Perhaps more so outside large cities. I did some of my best relaxing in Far North Queensland in my early twenties. Though that may, admittedly, have been attributed to my age. Leisure time, time outdoors, time with friends and time off work is highly valued. Hustle culture has increased over the years, however, there is still a great appreciation for downtime. My favourite kind of downtime? Well, you guessed it, nature time. Sorry to keep banging on about it, but this place lends itself to relaxing in nature and I'm an expert at that.
Culture
Eurocentrism is alive and well in Australia, as is capitalism. Australia ranks as one of the wealthiest countries in the world. As such, affluenza is a pandemic here as much as it is in other rich nations. Australia is often perceived as a backward colonial outpost, devoid of culture and full of beer-swilling racists. Almost all stereotypes hold some truth. Colonialism has suppressed Indigenous culture and continues to do so, simultaneously undervaluing and under-representing diverse immigrant cultures it sought to use to grow the country. As a migrant with a great deal of privilege, I try to understand the layers of social narratives around immigration in this so-called 'new' country. Myths and untruths prevail. You have to interrogate cultural cliches that are routinely rehashed. There is a duty of care to delve further. The thing is, you don’t have to dig deep or look far to find a wealth of culture unique to this place. Australia is rich with ancient history, modern history and diverse cultures from across the globe. From food, art, language, literature, music and theatre, there is so much to see, do and learn.
Some favourite Aussie things
Food | Summer Mangos
Grown in Tropical North Queensland, you can’t beat a ripe summer mango, chin-dripping, hand-licking juicy goodness.
Swimming | Ocean Pools
They offer all the benefits of sea swimming minus the sharks and stingers.
Architecture | The Opera House
It remains one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen. Equally impressive inside, the bathrooms in particular, are next-level brutalist brilliance.
Song | Great Southern Land
The namesake of this piece...
Creature | Blue Sea Dragon
It’s impossible to choose favourites, there are way too many amazing animals here. I adore blue in wildlife and flora and the Blue Sea Dragon (Glaucus atlanticus) is one of the most incredible blue creatures you’ll see anywhere in the world.
Tree | Sydney Red Gum
Angophora costata - These trees have such a vibrant wise happy quality. They seem to smile from the bush like a warm welcome. Like all trees they play host to a wide range of critters and fungi like this long horned beetle.
Language | Diminutives
Don’t say the whole word if you don’t have to. Shorten everything where possible. Read more here.
Natures notes is proudly written on and inspired by Dharawal Country.
I recognise the Dharawal & Wodi Wodi custodians and ancestors who have an enduring connection to land, water and skies. I give thanks for reciprocity and acknowledge that this Always Was and Always Will be Aboriginal Land.