Mateship

Aussie Mateship

August 30 2004 was the party time for us, one of our roommates, was celebrating his birthday. What makes it special is that he shares the birthday with a bigger and well-known entity; Melbourne.
Yep Mate, Melbourne has turned 150 on that day.

This reminds me few interesting facts about Australia, which I would like to share with all of you.

Over 90% of the population of this country lives in nearly 10% of the land, needless to say on the cities. They include Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and others. All of which are well-known to the cricketing fraternity.

This is the only continent in the world which is encompassed by a single country. Canberra is the political capital; Sydney is the commercial capital and Melbourne is known as the cultural capital.
Melbourne portrays a multi-cultural look. Its motley outlook can be attributed to the fact that this city holds people from 110 nationalities.

You sure feel like a Babel fish, ala not knowing of what the people around you are up to. All the whims of universal brotherhood come to reality here.

This is a place where the global culture is packed with Cosmo outlook, and filled with flair of universal fraternity.

In short, this is what Aussies love calling themselves as 'The Egalitarian Society'.

This well-gelling feel of fraternity is termed as 'Mateship' and is well known all over. Now, do you see the significance of folks here calling one another as Mate? It sure holds the key to evolution of their culture.

Oops, what ghoul has overcome me to make me spill over word ‘culture’? I am certainly bewitched to utter that word.

There is no way back after being 'taken' by a spirit to utter the word called ‘culture’. I need to hold reins of my babbling, or it will certainly cost me. Now I am no holds barred, and believe me when I say that that ghoul who took over me is certainly not Australian. Not sure, you need not wait for long.

The term 'Australian Culture' is an oxy-moron. You have read it right, there is no typo error, or I have not gone mad. 'Australian Culture' is an oxy-moron. (It is a rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence, a mournful optimist, cruel kindness; laborious idleness).

Or, probably the ghoul must be of aboriginal origins, which were bought to near extinction by the English who started colonizing here in this continent.

This was an infamous land to which convicts were deported. And the famous gold-rush in the late 18th century bought immigrants from all over the world for want of gold and fortunes.

Imagine; you along with a few strangers are camping in an alien land. The only common string tying you together is the need for the gold, fortunes. Immigrants and locals were given permits of gold mining by the government. You need to mine through a petrified field of miles, and it is for sure that you cannot do it alone. We need company, so does others. Also, everyone was eying for the gold, so if you strike fortune also you are at the risk of being robbed of gold, not even barring your life.

This certainly is a Catch 22 situation. The only safe way is make alliance with the fellow miners to maintain a cordial relationship and for the much-needed safety and peace for you.

Thus this fellow companion; a partner in all of your travails, sorrows, labour, work and hard life is called a Mate. And this companionship is called Mateship. Most part of the 18th century and the early 19th century they were only labouring either for gold or for cattle.

Here, a person is respected only for being himself, but not by the kind of work he does or the money he earns. He is respected by being himself and by being assertive-a much needed trait for miners to balance both his and the companions need.

Such a person is called a Mate. This practise is so ingrained that when you want to start a conversation with a stranger, you call him ‘mate’.

Uttering the same word can do wonders; it builds instant rapport and puts both of you on a common platform of communication.

But for this Mateship, an Aussie product, all of other forms of lifestyle and living are being influenced by the multifarious religions and communities which dwelled in here. Thus the term ‘Australian Culture’ is an oxy-moron, as it is not truly Australian. It is a motley pack of all the nationalities of the world. Now, it should be understandable as to why they get bowled over by the spices, curries, yoga, saris and esoteric aspects of Indian sub-continent.

Mate, are you with me.

I would like to end with a famous ode from a famous Australian poet called Henry Lawson.

I personally loved it as it reflects the approach of the Aussies and also their evolution.

This must make things clear as why Australian Cricket Team stands apart in the world cricket.
It all owes to their mateship and perseverance.

After reading through till this point, mate I am sure you will not swear at me coz’ “no matter what a mate may do, a mate can do no wrong”.

Cheers Mate!!!
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A Mate Can Do No Wrong
Henry Lawson

We learnt the creed at Hungerford,

We learnt the creed at Bourke;

We learnt it in the good times

And learnt it out of work.

We learnt it by the harbour-side

And on the billabong:

"No matter what a mate may do,A mate can do no wrong!"

He's like a king in this respect (No matter what they do),

And, king-like, shares in storm and shine

The Throne of Life with you.

We learnt it when we were in gaol

And put it in a song:

" No matter what a mate may do,A mate can do no wrong!"

They'll say he said a bitter word when he's away or dead.

We're loyal to his memory,

No matter what he said.

And we should never hesitate,

But strike out good and strong,

And jolt the slanderer on the jaw

-A mate can do no wrong !