Anyway , it has always been my dream to visit this wonderful country starting with Sydney , which as you all are already aware , is not the capital , Canberra is . However Sydney is one of the most interesting towns culturally speaking as well as an important business pole on the east coast .
For more details have a look at the following sites :
Unfortunately this great nation was founded on much suffering , from that of prisoners to immigrants and the denial of rights for the native Aborigines . This denial has been sung about and filmed several times . Log into You Tube and type in Rabbit Proof Fence , which is a film based on the novel of the same name written by Doris Pilkington . You will find the Tribute Video , Stolen Generations and the Kevin Rudd's apology entitled " Sorry to Aboriginal Stolen Generations " . These three documents will give you some ideas of what the Natives had to endure over many years under an incomprehensive government .
Fortunately , despite or perhaps due to all adversity , the Natives kept their traditions and culture alive . It is well worth taking a look at some of their paintings and other artistic works .
You will find site references in the Useful Links section . Likewise Rover Thomas is an Aboriginal artist whom you should try to find out about .
Another thing which is extremely interesting in the Aborigines culture is their connection with Dreamtime :
Their believes held them together and kept them going through toil and trouble .
You can read about them in Sally Morgan's book , My Place . In 1982 Sally Morgan travelled to her grandmother's birthplace in Western Australia . What started as a tentative search for information about her family turned into an extraordinary emotional and spiritual pilgrimage . Sally and her family were confronted with their own suppressed history of humiliation , and with fundamental questions about their identity .
Today both the Government and the people have had to accept their part in the bad treatment of the natives . A well known Australian group , Midnight Oil , made a song about it a while back . It is on this optimistic note that I will finish the subject . Enjoy ! Watch it down below !
You might like to finish off with this interactive listening activity about Australia:
>Link http://www.elllo.org/main/easy/mike/mikehome.htm
