Grendel wrote on May 3^rd, 2008 at 12:34pm:



I'd say that's pretty much they way it is.

Quote:


That's clutching at straws, Freediver.  I know people who migrated from the UK 50 years ago and you can still hear the Manchester or Liverpool accent and they call themselves Aussies and would never want to go back to rainy old Blighty.   They do say that they have "lost" their accent and would probably sound Aussie back in the UK.  Their kids have an Aussie accent.  

One GREAT thing about Australia is that migrants don't all sound "Aussie" (Hoges) like anybody who lives in America for 5 minutes assumes the Yank accent.  We should be grateful ... we have a very colourful accent in Australia!  

freediver wrote on May 7^th, 2008 at 9:26pm:


Assimilation = BECOME an Aussie.   Forget the Old Country.  Difficult for new Immigrants but it was their choice.

My ancestors arrived here in the 1850's ... Gold Rush ...  I can't think of why they did this.  They were Scottish and (from research) quite well off.  Maybe my GGGrandfather was an "adventurer"?  More likely a young man (25 with wife) who just decided he wanted to go to "Australia" and, once here, never went back through lack of parental funds. The parents did come out to visit for 6 months in the late 1800's.  I found that fascinating as the cost must have been prohibitive for normal people and the trek so long.  Anyway ....

This does not answer WHY other migrants came to Australia to "seek a new life" after WW2.   Those immigrants MADE Australia. We needed more people and they were very welcome.   The Greeks and Italians and others settled very well.  They assimilated.

Moving along to 2008 .......

What's the problem?  Let it all hang out?  

Grendel wrote on May 7^th, 2008 at 10:03pm:


Let's ask one thing Grendel.  When did your ancestors come here?
 IF your respond that they were the Original Owners I will throw up!  Seriously.

Grendel wrote on May 7^th, 2008 at 10:20pm:


Ah, but the Aboriginals were (and are) nomads, before there was a sea between Terra Australis and Asia they walked and walked  and ..... found a good place to camp and hunt.  Oddly, they haven't moved on much. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terra_Australis

So, like I am, you are Indigenous (born in Australia)?

The only reason you don't know your "heritage" is because you haven't asked your parents.   It does NOT matter.

As you and  your parents age, they may feel more inclined to seek out their "roots" as it were.  It doesn't make them less Aussie but we ALL came from somewere to this Great Land and it is History and something you should be proud of.

My ancestors were Scottish, why my GGrandather travelled all this way, leaving his parents back there with no way of going "home" ever again, I have no idea. I'm glad he did though.  

I do wonder, sometimes, why I feel a faint feeling of sympatico for pictures of the Scottish mountains and lochs, but then realise that Australia has them too ..... and I feel happy and at peace.

Greeks and Italians came mainly in the Assimilation policy days.

What was the policy?

Greeks and Italians came mainly in the Assimilation policy days.  Some did.  Some didn't.  Hence we have Greek and Italian clubs and suburbs.  Soccer teams and the associated ethnic violence.

Those clubs, including the German ones, are what makes life in Australia interesting. It's a good thing they set them up. I can't remember the last time I heard of Italian or Greek gangs causing trouble.

Who were Italians barracking for during the last World Cup?  It wasn't the Australians.

Who cares? I wasn't barracking for the Aussies either. I couldn't be bothered watching it.

Even some workplaces populated almost exclusively by migrants.

Who cares? They are contributing to our society.

If people choose to come here we should expect them to become Australian after all this is Australia.

They are Australian. You are the unaustralian one.

Which is mostly irrelevant.  My parents were Australian by birth and they were brought us Australian.  But aware of their heritage.

Grendel didn't you just say they should forget the old country? Isn't that a bit hypocritical?

Hi, I'm new here. This is my first post and it's a topic close to my heart.
My parents came here in 1961 from Italy with a 1yr old (me). I believe we are a good example of successfully assimilated immigrants. We are Australian citizens (since 1965) and have always worked hard, pay taxes, vote, speak English and love our home, Australia......without surrendering the food, language and temperament of 'the old country'. My dad loves watching NRL and AFL, cricket, and drinking a good beer. Mum always took us to the coast and stayed in caravans every summer holidays. We love our BBQ's and get together often with my Aussie in-laws. Success I guess is measured by the outcome. When everyone feels happy, all needs are met and there is mutual respect, that's success. Therefore my family has assimilated into our (their) Aussie culture.
Cheers. B. 

freediver wrote on Aug 18^th, 2008 at 11:00am:


i agree with FD.. hell, we love eyebrows!!!

dont fret. i got em myself, from a jewish ancestor.....

LOL................hello imperial and thanks, not only for your welcome but also for throwing in a generalisation. LOL