Opinion Pieces

Have you ever wanted to know what well known Australians from writers, social commentators, media personalities and high achievers thought about our national identity. Check out all the inspiring Opinion Pieces for an insight into their thoughts and make your own comments.

  1. Russell Crowe

    Posted on 04:12 PM, 27 August 2010 1 comments

    It was a couple of years ago now, but this is how I remember the story. I went to Bill and Toni's restaurant one day. Ordered a latte and vegemite and tomato on Turkish bread. When I went outside the tables were all full. An elderly man at a table of aged gentlemen gestured to the empty chair… written by Russell Crowe

  2. Max Cullen

    Posted on 03:30 PM, 27 August 2010 Be the first to comment

    My Grandfather “Narromine Ned” was a drover. He worked with Aboriginal stockmen all his life and learned a lot from them: Where to find water in the desert; how to predict the weather; but most of all...… written by Max Cullen

  3. Erin McNaught

    Posted on 03:22 PM, 27 August 2010 Be the first to comment

    Looking back, it’s probably a good thing that I always flew by the seat of my pants. Although It was less than four years ago, I was naive enough to be able to barge through life like a steam train, always looking ahead, always willing to jump straight from...… written by Erin McNaught

  4. Akira Isogawa

    Posted on 01:56 PM, 27 August 2010 Be the first to comment

    Not long after I first arrived in Australia, I came across this great deal, a 30-day bus-pass to the outback. I bought a ticket and was soon heading towards Alice Springs. My guide-map suggested I get off at the Uluru sign-post and that’s just what I did, thinking the Big Red Rock must be...… written by Akira Isogawa

  5. Dr Fiona Wood

    Posted on 03:33 PM, 27 August 2010 Be the first to comment

    I came to Australia 21 years ago because I married a West Australian I met in London. Some of the decisions we make in life stand out as special, who to marry is a big one! For me it also opened the door to...… written by Dr Fiona Wood

  6. Gai Waterhouse

    Posted on 11:58 AM, 27 August 2010 Be the first to comment

    The mind boggles at what the aboriginal chief, Bennelong and his curious, indigenous colleagues, thought of the extraordinary events on that historic day –January 26, 1788 -- when 1030 white skinned humans disembarked from the ships moored in Sydney Cove, Port Jackson...… written by Gai Waterhouse

  7. Indria Naidoo

    Posted on 04:12 PM, 27 August 2010 Be the first to comment

    My childhood was spent as a serial immigrant. As a family we moved from South Africa to Zambia to England then Zimbabwe before finally settling in Australia in the 1970s. Even if my family had never come here I know I would have instinctively made my way to this Great Southern Land… written by Indria Naidoo

  8. Margaret Fulton

    Posted on 04:12 PM, 27 August 2010 Be the first to comment

    I was the youngest of Alexander and Isabella Fulton’s six children, a wee three year old when we left Scotland to settle in a small country town on the other side of the world. It was 1928 and the town with a Scottish name, was Glen Innes. People say the young don’t remember things, but the shocked… written by Margaret Fulton

  9. Annalise Braakensiek

    Posted on 03:18 PM, 27 August 2010 Be the first to comment

    Australia is such a magical, culturally and geographically diverse country. I am singularly blessed to be able to call Australia home...… written by Annalise Braakensiek

  10. Peter Alexander

    Posted on 03:24 PM, 27 August 2010 Be the first to comment

    ‘Australia’ and ‘fashion’ perhaps not 2 words that are synonymous but like a lot of ‘cultural activity’ we as Aussies have a unique sense of style, that we should embrace rather then try and imitate other countries. Leave the couture to Paris and let’s celebrate our Australian youthfulness...… written by Peter Alexander

  11. Mem Fox

    Posted on 03:31 PM, 27 August 2010 Be the first to comment

    Coming home is always good. I’ve been known to weep at the sound of an Australian accent in Los Angeles airport before I’m even on the plane, let alone the accent of a Qantas pilot welcoming everyone on board. What is it about coming home, about us?… written by Mem Fox

  12. Michelle Bridges

    Posted on 03:35 PM, 27 August 2010 Be the first to comment

    While most people think I'm a Sydney girl (I was actually born in Newcastle) a lot of people don’t know that I lived in Alice Springs for just over four years in the early to mid nineties. It was a very interesting time in my life as… written by Michelle Bridges

  13. Melissa Doyle

    Posted on 03:41 PM, 27 August 2010 Be the first to comment

    Our national pride is not as razzmatazz as some nations, nor is it haughty, assumed or arrogant. We are just us. Free of pretence. We have nothing to prove to anyone. No high ideals of having to be the most cultural, fashionable, historic or religious. We can just be… written by Melissa Doyle

  14. John Marsden

    Posted on 03:45 PM, 27 August 2010 Be the first to comment

    I got very confused in Grade 5 at Devonport Primary School when our teacher, Mrs Hilliard, told us the story of Edith Cavell, the World War 1 nurse who was shot dead by the Germans for helping Allied soldiers.… written by John Marsden

  15. Neil Perry

    Posted on 03:47 PM, 27 August 2010 Be the first to comment

    I love being Australian as, quite frankly, I couldn’t be who I am if I was born in any other country My food, my cooking style and the way I think is born from the wonderful multiculturism that has engulfed this country in my time on earth… written by Neil Perry

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