Aussie mateship - where did it go?

Wombat the root of all evil in Australia is social security. Unmarried mothers pensions and unemployment benefits are disgustingly high and they can live like kings and queens and bludge. There is no need any longer for for F&F and you scratch my back, I will scratch yours. Yes we became to politically correct and to Americanised a long time ago.
Australians used to have the greatest spinal material in the world, made from the finest quality BHP steel produced, but now Australia is a nation of gutless spineless do nothing jelly spine cry baby wimps.
Do not worry, the good times will not and cannot last so enjoy while they are here.

gday wombat.
not all mateship has dissapeared as we found out last week.
we went to qld with some great friends of ours that live up there
thanks sikko and mrs sikko.
after having no end of trouble with our car our friends did more than most people would consider doing.
they towed our camper for miles so we had some where to camp drove all over brissy/goldcoast chasing parts 100000 phone calls looked after the kids while we were stuck drove me all over the place chasing couriers for parts and so much more.if 1/4 of the people were even half as nice as they were we would all be so much better off.even after all there help they still wouldnt accept any money they did take $50 but bought us a bottle of bourbon lol
also the receptionest at work was telling me yesterday morning how she just bought a house and after moving in found out 2 rooms were termite ridden she was sitting in a park having a cry.an elderlady walked up to her and gave her some flowers after seeing her upset.hows that for kindness she didnt even know her or what was wrong.
so dont give up hope womby there are still some top people out there mate

Hi Wombat
Interesting post to say the least.

Whilst I do believe that you are correct in some respect about the changing attitudes and Americanism that does certainly seem to be prevading our society.

I think that it is not as rife as yet.
I personally believe that the vast majority of Aussies are still the decent, supportive and fair minded people that we have been renowned for, just look at the general attitude's that are common place on this forum.
Advice and support is offered willingly to others on a daily basis by largely strangers. a pretty Aussie attitude in my book.

Ego's and one-up-manship is certainly a growing facet of our society, maybe this is a result of personal insecurities, Why else do people like William enjoy attacking other individuals and by his prior post various social aspects of our society.
To me he is synonymous with the growing attitude of blaming others for their own personal lack there off.

Also consider that just because we have perceptions about this growing trend it does not mean that the rest of us have to lower ourselves to their level.
We can try to teach our children to be different from this growing attitude.

I could go on but let's see what others have to say.

As I said interesting post, I'm sure it will spark some interesting debate.

Regards
John

Wombat,

Interesting post,

As an Australian who now lives in the USA,( been here for 20 years) and travels home to Oz 2/3 times a year I have to disagree that Australia is becoming Americanised, I would say that Australia is evolving into its own unique society.

In travelling between the two countries I see that Australia is becoming extemely regulated now and this is obvious from the postings on this forum with the regulations needed for any mods you do to your 4WD's.

Both countries have their good and bad points but don't blame the Americans.

Australia is extemely well respected in my neck of the woods from their incredible advances in the medical field, microscopic surgery, coplier implants, gene reseach to huge advances in agriculture and mining. and an Aussie who started flipping burgers at 15 in Bondi was just appointed head of McDonalds.

We now however live in world economy were every action has a reaction whether it be interest rates in the states, trade tarrifs or the war, it all has an effect.

I'm proud to be an Aussie, we have an ANZAC Club in San Diego, fly the Australian flag, eat vegimite and Tim Tams, and drink XXXX and milo.

Bruce

If you travel out from the cities there's plenty of Australia still there- there's no way the bush is becoming 'Americanised'- whatever that means- what is tradition though? many of the 'traditions' don't hold up too well when looked at closely. It's the 21st century now- the times are a changin'. Still not a bad place to be able to say what u think though- just like America.

Society will change, Times change, maybe the current generation has lost the ANZAC spirit but it is coming back, slowly but surely. I'm not an ANZAC merely a reluctant conscript who was dragged off to Vietnam and did my job as best as I could....now I'm TPI and get a fortnightly payment as Hush up money...I have 3 sons who all played Grid iron...I drive a Jackeroo which was made for the American market... not Australian. Yes I think we may be loosing our mateship in the Chips Raferty tradition but take a trip outback even on the bitumen and the comraderrie is amazing..In the city i dont even stop for stranded motorists unless its in an area I know well... had a few nasty experiences with people who think that the freedom we all have in Australia is somehow undermining their religious beliefs..so golden rule is dont stop if in doubt. But for me bring back Trams to Sydney, Blue Hills on the ABC, and get some of our great Aussie Icons back under Aussie ownership... & stop pandering to the Vocal minority. I think after spending some time in NZ they have the right attitude...Look I could go on for hours

Interesting. All this talk about the way Australia, and its inhabitants are avolving. And not one mention of a Republic.
Think about it.

Very interesting post

Mik

"stop pandering to the vocal minority"

that is sooooo true, i am sick of hearing how the government is bending over backwards for minorities, because the government loses if they dont.

i also think our dole system is too generous, but not having a family and nearly being finished a uni degree in accounting probably is not such good qualifications to speak on these matters....

still, i really enjoy my trips away from the city, at least you can say hello to strangers and get a hello back, not like in the city where if you say hello to someone they run as fast as their legs can carry them away from you screaming 'rapist' or 'thief' or something like that [ View Image]

Hi Wombie,

interesting topic, I guess those of us who have great mates treasure them not only for their friendship, but the knowledge that they'll be there when needed most, not just for advice but sometimes and perhaps more importantly to vent some anger, frustration, grief, whatever emotion needs airing - sometimes broadshoulders and comforting arms speak more than well chosen words. I once helped a disabled man find a toilet in East Melbourne when all other passers by ignored him, I didn't do it coz I wanted some sort of pat on the back, I did it coz he needed help and if I was in the same situ I'd hope that someone would help me; as he was being wheeled away into the disabled toilets at the Eye and Ear hospital....he yelled out "thanks lady"...that was the best sort of payment I could have got....

lets hope that the spirit, determination, humility and down right decency of the people you describe above prevails and continues to do so...

Lyn

The mateship you talk about is alive and well in Aussie ,
1. I listen to the VKS737 HF radio and all I here is people helping others with no mention of what it would cost them , I am proud to be a member .
2. I am a member of Trackcare WA these people all give up there time and pay there own way to fix up tracks for others to travel on saftey ,I am proud to be a member.
3. I have been helped every time I have asked a question on this forum and have never been sent a bill from anyone ,I am proud to be a member
THIS IS ONLY 3 groups I have personal contact with I know there are 1000s more

I moved here fron NZ 25years ago and love this country because of its people and the way there help others

Is it , Australia is becoming more "Amercianised" . . . or . . . Less Pomiefied . . .

Hi Wombat, this response if from Glenn[Vic] who can't reply at the moment....

Wombat, I couldn't agree with you more. The great Aussie spirit of helping
others without justification or reward is quickly and silently diminishing
within our society. This saddens me greatly.

One thing that has been positive from my ExplorOz experience is that this
attitude is far less prevalent than the general state of being. There has
been one exception to this, but I will not discuss it on this open forum.
The mateships that I have developed with people like yourself and your wonderful
wife and daughter, Mr and Mrs Al and the kids, Mr and Mrs Diamond and the
kids, Alpaca and Elaine, etc etc I really appreciate. It is disappointing
that I can no longer contribute to the EO fraternity via the website, but
I doubt that I will lose touch with you all.

Just remember that the Aussie Spirit WILL overcome all in the long run.

Regards

Glenn (VIC)

Shows what happens when I go to bed early instead of sitting on here. Place goes to pieces. Interesting Post, Wombie. I think we need to start a Philosophical Society. Willem must have been out last night also.

I may not agree with what you say but I will die defending your right to say it (someone famous said that - I forget who)

As long as we don;t forget that one we will be O'K

I think it was Voltaire that said that.

Bilbo

Mateship is still alive and well, yes getting harder to find ,but still out there,,just take this forum as an example, some very good, some so bad and opiniated that that the only mates these people can possibly have are in this cyberspace, no need to name ,O-P-W + the name thief.

Here I am......nice post Wombat.

After a major crash with me computer and to-ing and fro-ing to Orroroo where a very young brain repaired the damage and saved the day, I am online again.

I have read lots but not all of this thread because much of it, is repetitive. I tend to want to look at the little picture. I live in a small country town where mateship is not dead. I have only a few mates and lots of good acquaintances. I can rely on my mates to get up in the middle of the night to rescue me out on the side of the road as they can rely on me. we help one another out. We get involved in the community and do our bit where our individual expertise is needed.

I know that the feeling is that we are being Americanised but I don't see it that way. I stay an individual following as close as I can to my adopted Australian psyche and try not to cry 'Woe is me' at the drop of a hat. I watch very little TV, I don't read the daily newspapers and I only listen to ABC early mornings or when driving the town car(the 4by does not have a radio). Yeah, boring I know :-) As far as I am concerned we are OK here in the country and in the city for that matter. Example...On Monday I was in the Big Smoke and went buy a new HF aerial. The bloke did not have one but ordered ione to be made straight away. I also bought a new aerial spring. When it came time to pay they only had credit card facility. I said that I would be back after lunch with the money and handed the spring(worth $70) back to him...."No, take it with you he said" "You sure?" "Yes!" Very trusting bloke...but he and I speak the same language and that is probably why. Paid cash after lunch and the aeria was to be sent off on Tuesday by courier. It arrived here this morning.

Mateship is also not dead on this forum. I can class the many people I have met personally by way of this forum, as mates. All good people with a common interest. I am sure that the many others with whom I have corresponded may be my mates as well when I get to meet them personally.

And Wombat, even though we have had 'words' on this forum in the past, I know I can call you a mate.

Cheers

goodday all

after reading this post i wonder what country william is in or from as he would realise that if not for the old soldiers we remember on sunday we would all be speaking japanese or maybe digging in rice fields

steve

I think we are Americanized when we post things on this forum with the threat of being sued for slander or something that upsets people. Even the forum hosts would be a little hesitant in an ever increasing litagous society to allow this sort of banter to run freely.

I have read all of the posts, and EVERYONE has a legitimate point. No wonder it's hard trying to please the masses............

I guess most of us are in our 40's & 50's........ and we all remember our parents aying..."back in my day........." The difference now is that we have a different platform to voice it from. At the end of the day, it won't really matter a damn....... the only people getting ulcers are the ones worrying too much about inevitable changes, like ourselves.

I for one own & run a Sheetmetal & Welding business, have a loyal following, etc, etc,....... but at the end of the day all I think about is where am I going for this weekend. Perhaps I'm just getting too old & lazy to chase dollars etc!

I only have to watch the six o'clock news to know that we still live in the best country!!!!!!

Cheers

Ian

Wombat, count your blessings. I've asked myself the same question living in Europe some twenty years ago. Since then it only got even worse. We have become a society of thrill-seekers, "living in the fast lane", and striving to achieve a level of well-being is conceived as dull. Helping someone out may make you feel comfortable, but where is the thrill ?
I'm not sure if social security is to blame, but I am sure, that before social security became what it is today, people just had to rely on each other, they had to help each outer out.
If Australia is going the same way as Europe, I can at least agree with Williams bit of advice, something like "Do not worry, the good times will not last so enjoy while they are still here."