Where Australian culture comes from – some of the best bits come from migration

It’s easy to forget where the vibrant, sprawling, complex and diverse culture that represents and fuels modern Australia comes from. Starting with the incredibly rich mix of First Nations cultures and languages springing from every part of this country, topped up with migrants from all over the world, starting with England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and China (and some Italians and probably others, witness the Eureka Stockade), and then further enriched by all the subsequent layers of migration. We are (almost) all immigrants here, only just starting to genuinely come to grips with this country.

That’s why I’ve been shocked by the marches and rallies around the country opposing immigration. Everyone involved says mass immigration, but it’s clear in practice they mean most immigration. Those taking part probably have genuine grievances, but they have picked the wrong target to blame and, in the process, have been steered into becoming in effect neo-Nazi fellow travellers. Why am I surprised, though? As I repeatedly say Australia is not one country, but two – both parts going in opposite directions, one into the past and one into the future.

Bomber aircrew during World War 2 with my uncle Jack (second from right). Another uncle, Jim was a navigator on a Lancaster bomber. He was decorated twice with the Distinguished Flying Cross. He used to joke that the rate of attrition amongst the bomber aircrew was so dire that they gave medals to anyone who survived – but I'm sure they didn't give out medals just for turning up.

Never revisiting that horror and that evil – or refighting that war
I keep reflecting that five of my uncles fought the Nazis in World War II, on torpedo boats, Lancaster bombers and freezing convoys round the top of Norway – luckily they all survived, but many of their friends did not. I don't want us – or our children – to have to refight that war.