Australian Icons

As I attended the celebrations for the canonisation of St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop in Melbourne, there was a man shouting for the recognition of Ned Kelly as the real saint of Australia.

Not much of a saint but is he a better hero? Photo: AFP.

Though one could laugh this off, these cries (upon reflection) brought to light a stark contrast - between the narrative of the Catholic Church and the mythology of modern Australia.

Australians continue to venerate Ned Kelly as the exemplar of the Aussie battler whose rebelliousness, courage and egalitarianism supposedly characterise our history and identity.

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  • Baal says:

    09:12am | 21/10/10

    You mean the eureka stockade miners who brutally murdered a camp of chinese miners? Also it is an insult to the well trained and dedicated police of today to compare them to the rascist murderous corrupt thugs that used to protect squatters and politicians in a very lawless Australia. Read more »

  • Ben says:

    04:54am | 21/10/10

    I am not religious at all. But i would rather a religious icon be a “representive of australia” more than a criminal. And if Brer Fox is correct and Tracey Grimshaw has won awards for a current affair, then Australia is indeed losing its place in the world. Read more »

 

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