Poms in Oz : Like England with sunshine.Anew book by an English born Australian looks into the impact made by generations of English (as opposed to Welsh, Scottish and Norn Irish) on Australian life since the First Fleet (mostly Convicts) sailed into Sydney harbour in the 18th Century.
Australia is apparently the second most English country in the world. New Zealand and Canada took a higher percentage of Scots and the US, Irish. And the percentage of English of UK incomers has grown from 60 percent in the 18th century to 83% now.
As for impact the study is a bit fuzzy. The usual cracks about English cooking are inevitable as the ‘Ten Pound Poms’ those who paid L10 for a passage in the 1950s brought a tradition of ‘working class cuisine’ with them. “happy with mutton on most days’
More interesting is the alleged Aussie admiration for the successful criminal. The early convicts, by definition were not in that in that category,. But more recently the criminal classes of Inner London gave Australians an instinctive sympathy for crooks like Ronnie Biggs and a celebrated Sydney Brother keeper, Tilly Devine, of the 1920s who was born and brought up in South London. Certainly Robin Hood figures like Ned Kelly had (still have) a dreadful fascination for many Aussies-but he was, I am glad to say, of Irish origin. So not guilty on that count at least.
The work concludes with statistics to show that English/British immigration is on the decline; other Europeans are flocking in. Soccer is now the most widely played game by the under 20s with a large number of southern European youngsters participating. Cricket is driven into second place with ‘Aussie Rules’ back down below Rugby League and just above Rugby Union. Lets therefore encourage more of the round ball countries to send their teaming masses to OZ and we can start winning the Ashes again
Scotland put up a good fight against the Wallabies yesterday. Not enough to have the saltires unfurled in the Merse but enough to win some faint praise from the local sports writers. Engerland arrive next week. But after two dismal showings against the All Blacks I fear the worst.
