By Mackenzie Lofts
What constitutes national spirit? I believe Australians have set the perfect example during this Coronavirus pandemic. After the initial panic-fuelled frenzy, we have demonstrated mateship, good humour, and ingenuity in a time of great social upheaval. This is illustrated by the development of online communities which have gained international recognition, and extensive support for small business. However, these ANZAC values are appropriately epitomised by a recent grassroots movement to celebrate ANZAC day in isolation. This impressive, bipartisan effort to show our love and support for servicemen and women, past and present, is reflective of a deep-rooted respect for our country and appreciation for tradition.
The reaction to this pandemic was at first quite frightening, and as Prime Minister Scott Morrison remarked, “one of the most disappointing things I have seen in Australian behaviour in response to this crisis.” Abuse of supermarket workers and other shoppers, as well as unwarranted panic buying, was a stain on the reputation and psyche of Australians. This seems to have been mitigated with time and the realisation the world is not going to end, and as a country, we have started to make up for this reaction.
Firstly, Aussie humour has brightened the lives of many, both at home and overseas. Aussies are well known for their offbeat and self-deprecating humour, and are living up to this reputation when it matters most. Facebook group ‘Bin Isolation Outing’ has gained traction all over the world, with participants from the U.K. and U.S. marvelling at the genius of our isolation antics. After all, does anyone really have anything better to do than dress up in ridiculous costumes to take the rubbish out? Another group, ‘Tration in Isolation’, has seen the drag queen community move their performances online. It is now 3.9k members strong and growing, producing laughs and ensuring the survival of a demographic that people have come to know and love. Australians’ ability to put a smile on people’s faces has never been so important and so appreciated.
As well as this, Australians have never been so supportive of small business. Coronavirus has obviously had a devastating impact on businesses across the world, with Australia being no exception. Despite numerous efforts from the government to help, there is not much they can do to prevent the closing of small businesses everywhere. However, we are making every effort to prevent this. Businesses are adapting, with many moving online for the first time. Australians are adapting, choosing to shop at local boutique stores and cafes rather than relying on the big supermarkets for all their needs. Movements like ‘#BuyFromTheBush’ are becoming more popular as people choose to support regional businesses not only affected by COVID-19 but also by the bushfires and drought. This adaptation by Aussies and our businesses is a testament to our endurance as a nation and should be commended.
One of the most distressing effects of Coronavirus is the cancelling of a number of national celebrations, with the most recent being ANZAC Day. This is the first year it has been cancelled since 1942. This did not sit well with a number of patriotic Australians, proud of their heritage, wanting to pay their respects to those who’ve made sacrifices for our country and for us. Hence, the ‘#AnzacDayAtHome’ movement began. People Australia-wide managed to drag themselves out of bed for their own dawn services, lighting up their driveways and streets with candles. They watched the sunrise, the Last Post echoing in the quiet streets. As the day progressed, social media lit up with ANZAC tributes. Despite not being able to gather to pay our respects, we found a way to connect with each other to celebrate our values, instilled in our culture by our veterans. This tribute exemplifies the Australian Spirit and shows our tenacity in times of crises, something we pride ourselves on.
Australians have put politics and biases aside to support each other during these difficult times. The generosity shown by our population is nothing short of astounding, and reveals that even 100 years later, the ANZAC legend and values are still an extremely important and prevalent part of our culture. Australia’s national spirit is ingrained in our everyday mannerisms, gestures, and beliefs, and makes itself visible in times of need.
Photo credit: RSL Queensland