Life as a sydneysider

Sydney is so multicultural, with a quarter of Sydneysiders born overseas. Before WWII, Sydney was predominantly Anglo-Irish, but large postwar migrations from Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, Lebanon and Turkey enriched the mix. The chinese first arrived during the 1850s gold rush. Asian migration continued with large numbers of vietnamese after the vietnam war. Significant numbers have recently arrived from New Zeland, Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines. Australians cherish their 'outcasts and immigrants' self-image, and despite some racial tensions, Sydneysideers remain generally tolerant of different religions and backgrounds. Actually, it is not rare to find some mosque. For example, Auburn is a suburb with a majority of muslim people. We can find a lot of Hallal butcheries and everything a muslim need to practise its culte. 

A waning majority of Australians are Christians. The Presbyterian Methodist and Congregational Union Churches merged to from the Uniting Church in 1977, although the Anglican Church remains separate. Australia's Irish and Mediterrannean heritage keeps Roman Catholic pews warm. Non-christian minorities abound -Islam is Australia's second-largest religion, jewish numbers are steadyand Buddhusm is increasingly popular. Around 13% of Australians claim agnosticism. 

Aboriginal Society

Although  nonindigenous Australia is at last recognising the complexities of Aboriginal culture, many are still intolerant of urban Aborigines. Aborigines comprise just 0.6% of Sydney's population, but they are marginalized and often cast as social miscreants. Misunderstandings are common, with constructive solutions to indigenous poverty, criminality and health problems placed in the "too hard" basket. Iner-city Redfern has a large Koori (indigenous southeastern Australian) population, but the suburb's dilapidated heritage houses are fast being consumed by developers.  

As far as I am concerned, I think that indigenous people in Australia are totally marginalized, as everyone avoid them, seing those people as non frequentable. They are seen as drunk people, dangerous people. But what makes me out of me, is the way Australian people use them for commerce: everywere we can find Aboriginal art or fake objects representing their "beautiful art". I just cannot understand this parralelism. Nobody seems to care about them, but locals make money on their back ... 

Currently you can see an interesting exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Arts in Sydney. 

The exhibition is on "Lofty" Narbardayal Nadjamerrek, an aboriginal painter. 

Here is a brief biography of "Lofty" Narbardayal Nadjamerrek:

Born around 1926 in the Mann River region of Western Arnhem Land, Bardayal ‘Lofty’ Nadjamerrek AO (deceased), lived at Kabulwarnamyo outstation located on the upper Liverpool River, in the stone country of the Arnhem Land plateau. This exhibition traces the influence and development of the artist’s practice and his legacy. 

Nadjamerrek's position on Western Arnhem Land art was unique. As a prominent elder he resided over clan estates with long links to cave painting sites, which trace some of the oldest forms of human expression. 

Nadjamerrek's earliest rock-art images are located at Karrmadjabdi, a shelter in his Mok clan estate on the Liverpool River, where he painted fish species, yam, rock possum and representations of Namorrodoh spirit beings by shaping bees wax and pressing them into the rock. In 1969, Bardayal began to paint on bark and paper remaining loyal to the natural pigments used for rock art.

This exhibition explores the stories and places depicted in Nadjamerrek's work, providing visitors with a greater understanding and respect for the artist’s unique traditions and origins.

Here are some of its paintings: 

          

                                                       

Etiquette

The Sydney attitude can be aggressive and in-your-face, but locals are usually friendly and open minded. Gay and lesbian are ininhibited in Sydney. Restaurants and sporting arenas are smoked-free. mobile phone etiquette is forgiving. 

Business conduct is straightforward. Much business discussions happens after work at the pub and it often involves more than just a drink.