What ever happened to the lucky country?

[TerryO]

I immigrated to Australia in early 1984 and was always blown away by the positiveness of the average person I met. The comment I most often heard from people was how they lived in the lucky country.

Anyway 30 years later and Australia has gone from a long way down the world economic ladder to be near enough to having the highest standard of living in the world and the one thing I have not heard said for a number of years is that once often used comment about Australia being the lucky country.

So what ever happened to that once common attitude of Australia being the lucky country?

Personally I reckon it is still the lucky country, even if many people no longer agree.

[Road Stone]

Great Life style and very low cost of living..........no more.


Now, great life style but the cost of living is up there with the more expensive countries in Europe.


Power water wages have all sky rocketed of the last 8-10 years which has really had an impact on the "Australian Way".


Way of life has also changed, with kids infront of game consols,houses now on 600 square metre blocks with no back yard and the biggest thing a lack of inventiveness as what ever we do, someone or thing is there telling us how it should be done. From Government to Bunnings or BCF.


My thoughts

[bob10]

Having been around the World, once or twice, I still thank my lucky stars for where I live. There has been change, but change is inevitable. No one, or country, stays constant in their life. Look for the positives, don't dwell on the negatives. It's too easy to do the latter, takes a bit of effort for the former. When you feel the negatives are overpowering, take a look at how people overseas are living. Then ask your self if you would swap.disclaimer, [ not directed at any one in particular] spoken by Bob, written by Bob , Bob.


:twobeers:

[Redback]

Great Life style and very low cost of living..........no more.


Now, great life style but the cost of living is up there with the more expensive countries in Europe.


Power water wages have all sky rocketed of the last 8-10 years which has really had an impact on the "Australian Way".


Way of life has also changed, with kids infront of game consols,houses now on 600 square metre blocks with no back yard and the biggest thing a lack of inventiveness as what ever we do, someone or thing is there telling us how it should be done. From Government to Bunnings or BCF.


My thoughts

Only if you let them!!

[DiscoMick]

Its still a great country and we're still very lucky to live here. However, what we think of as luck was often the result of hard work by previous generations. For example, the freedoms we enjoy, the opportunities to climb the ladder, the protections from being exploited all result from the sacrifices of previous generations.
Seems to me over the last decade there has been a push to water down those freedoms and make us more like the USA, which would be a bad step in my opinion. For example, do we really want a minimum wage of as little as $4? Do we really want a large part of the population unable to afford a doctor or hospital? Do we really only want two weeks of holiday a year? Do we really want a tiny percentage of very rich people owning more than the bulk of the population?
I don't want any of those things.
After living overseas I came back and felt this country was rich and complacent compared with other places I had seen. Maybe we need to stop relying on good luck and become smarter and more determined.
Just my musings...

[Sue]

Having been around the World, once or twice, I still thank my lucky stars for where I live. There has been change, but change is inevitable. No one, or country, stays constant in their life. Look for the positives, don't dwell on the negatives. It's too easy to do the latter, takes a bit of effort for the former. When you feel the negatives are overpowering, take a look at how people overseas are living. Then ask your self if you would swap.disclaimer, [ not directed at any one in particular] spoken by Bob, written by Bob , Bob.


:twobeers:

I totally agree. Having spent time living in a Asian country (and washing on a washboard as there was no access to things like washing machines) I have a much better appreciation for the opportunities we have here in Australia.

We still are living in a lucky country, we live in a country where we have a chance at an education (and not in a country where you are expected to work to support the family at 12 years of age), a country where that education and hard work will see you able to raise your standard of living (and not in a country where no matter how hard you work the most you can expect is to maybe not starve).

We live in a country where we have access to medical help - no matter your financial status. We live in a country where there is a welfare system, many countries have no welfare system at all, if you have no job you don't eat.

We have access to housing, food, clean water, electricity, transport. We have a government that will provide assistance to gain employment by subsidising or paying for retraining - instead of a government that 'makes people disappear'.

We have clean air, a sewerage system, clean water (on tap!) and a road network that allows free travel between states. We live in a country that cares about the environment.

The list goes on... and on... and on... We must be a selfish and greedy race really because how anyone could have all of this and still complain about living in Australia is beyond me. :eek:

[stealth]

I have a saying-

'Look around son. It will give you a ton of confidence'

Now tell me where you would prefer to live.

[Chucaro]

I come in 1969 and was blow away by the nice attitude of the Australian people and trust on the new comers.
I arrived to Australia one Sunday morining with my wife and my twins boys only 10 weeks old.
My wide speak English but the one that you learn at the school in an non English speaking country and I was able only to say few worth ( I learned money with in minutes :D)
By thee next day I have a job..
With the proof that I have a job and the international DL I was able on Tuesday to rent a unit and have a loan (given by the shop owner) for the furniture and white goods :eek:
There is not way that you can get that now and IMHO it is not because the Australian people have changed it is because some new comers abused that trust and fair go nature of the Australian people.
When we moved to Childers (Qld)back in 1995 we enjoyed again that type of life that we lost in the big cities, dealing with people was a pleasure and a hand shake agreement was like a contract "set in concrete"

Now, we live OS (Tasmania :D) and IMO the life here is far better that the ones in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.
Australia was and still a great country with wonderful people.

[Greatsouthernland]

I think it's just perception.

A lot of that comes from where you live and who you spend time with. (Probably how much ABC you get too).

Those that go to extraordinary lengths to get here still hold the place in the highest regard.

Your view tends to change as you age too...:angel:

World travel puts it back in perspective (in my experience).

[ramblingboy42]

It's still here.

Here's where to find it.

If you live on the eastern seaboard go west 200 km.

If you live on the southern seaboard go north 200km.

If you live on the Western seaboard go east 200km.

Now before you decide to move , clean the stinkin' city thinkin' out of your head and go out with a fresh head into the fresh air.

.....oh.....and leave your television behind (tv, the drug of a nation)so that you are no longer a sniop

[djam1]

I think we qualify as the lucky country

ISIS ‘genocide’ aims for Christian-free nation (http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/isis-genocide-aims-for-christian-free-nation/?cat_orig=world)

[PAT303]

I walk my two dogs most mornings on the beach,every day without fail I talk to someone,I talk a lot so they have no choice but there's always someone fishing or wants to talk about our dogs,the lady at the bakery gives me a nice greeting each time,my butcher always has a yarn,the lady at the cafe' I have coffee at likes to talk,people stop me everywhere I go in the X-Tech,the Tdi has the Hobie on the roof 90% of the time so it always gets attention,I don't think the people have changed,I think we just want more,travel more so we have to work more.I don't think anyone really cares about paying for medical,roads etc because they know they can drive anywhere in Oz on them,if their child gets sick they know they can walk into any Hospital and get excellent care,I think most of the attitude we have is really just the opposition pollies and the media just carrying on like drama queens trying to make a story,and you don't have to live in a housing estate if you don't want too. Pat

[Greatsouthernland]

..... (tv, the drug of a nation)

... Breeding ignorance and feeding radiation, TV!

...57 channels and there's nothing on...:cool:

[loanrangie]

Still the lucky country but i think we let OS influence us too much, i prefer how it was in the 80's in some respects before the internet gave us a global outlook.

[frantic]

I totally agree. Having spent time living in a Asian country (and washing on a washboard as there was no access to things like washing machines) I have a much better appreciation for the opportunities we have here in Australia. yup

We still are living in a lucky country, we live in a country where we have a chance at an education (and not in a country where you are expected to work to support the family at 12 years of age), a country where that education and hard work will see you able to raise your standard of living (and not in a country where no matter how hard you work the most you can expect is to maybe not starve). the education is getting more expensive thanks to :mad: and now also discriminates against females

We live in a country where we have access to medical help - no matter your financial status. We live in a country where there is a welfare system, many countries have no welfare system at all, if you have no job you don't eat. $7 gp copayment and another higher co payment on any prescription so double whammy. Welfare, only if your over 30 , under and you get nothing for 6 months

We have access to housing, food, clean water, electricity, transport. We have a government that will provide assistance to gain employment by subsidising or paying for retraining - instead of a government that 'makes people disappear'.

We have clean air, a sewerage system, clean water (on tap!) and a road network that allows free travel between states. We live in a country that cares about the environment.

The list goes on... and on... and on... We must be a selfish and greedy race really because how anyone could have all of this and still complain about living in Australia is beyond me. :eek:

No not selfish or greedy, just looking at what our grandparents fought for and gave our parents, who have decided to either give it away , abolish or charge for it.
Penalty rates, they want gone. But they enjoyed them as students
Welfare, cut and slashed, or removed for 6 months. But they used them when unemployed.
University fees to hit over $100,000 and interest to be charged , which will hit most heavily on any female who takes time off for kids. Majority of our pollies went to uni for free or with a tiny hecs payment , lower than a few months wages.
Unemployment, my parents entered the job market with 1.5%( under 2% till 1973) unemployment! I hit the job market with 10% and 25% youth unemployment! Now today it's still between 5-6% and we have over 100,000 visa457 workers entering each year.
These are the issues we look at to see if the luck is there for all, or just some. ;)

[Beckford]

We dig it up or grow it.

Then send it overseas to be processed and buy it back at 100 times the price.

:o

[bob10]

No not selfish or greedy, just looking at what our grandparents fought for and gave our parents, who have decided to either give it away , abolish or charge for it.
Penalty rates, they want gone. But they enjoyed them as students
Welfare, cut and slashed, or removed for 6 months. But they used them when unemployed.
University fees to hit over $100,000 and interest to be charged , which will hit most heavily on any female who takes time off for kids. Majority of our pollies went to uni for free or with a tiny hecs payment , lower than a few months wages.
Unemployment, my parents entered the job market with 1.5%( under 2% till 1973) unemployment! I hit the job market with 10% and 25% youth unemployment! Now today it's still between 5-6% and we have over 100,000 visa457 workers entering each year.
These are the issues we look at to see if the luck is there for all, or just some. ;)


Good points, I guess. My parents grew up during the depression [ no, not in a shoe box in middle of road] they were children, but for their fathers, [ remember, woman did not work them, as a rule,] No work, no welfare, when getting the sack meant you were actually given a sack full of tea & sugar & stuff to at least feed you & your family for a while. Damper & dripping was a good meal, Mum & her 5 sisters & one brother went to Sacred Heart School at Sandgate, the Nuns fed the children breakfast because families couldn't afford anything more nourishing than bread & dripping. The public who could, read the better off, supplied the food for the kids. Without complaint.


Ducks were scarce at the Sandgate lagoons, pigeon pie was king, a good fisherman could trade up for milk & meat, [ offal] long drop toilets, or the bush, coppers in the back yard to do the washing. Men went on the wallaby, for months at a time, to try to find work. An interesting offshoot of that is the number of Rosella trees in random parts of the bush. The swaggies would trudge all over the country, with the makings for damper, some treacle, & rosella seeds. If they found a place to work for a while, they would plant the rosella seeds, & damper, treacle & rosella jam, was a luxury. Any one tells me they have it tough now, I quietly think to myself " tough? you've never had it tough, boy" Neither have I , but I never begrudge what I have. And I never forget. Bob

[jimr1]

I first visited this country in 1986 , then came back to live with my wife and two children in 1988 . I have been lucky to have worked and travelled to many country's over the years . At the moment I'm in the UK. Do I have any regrets ? No I wouldn't change a thing . I think we have all seen lots of changes , some good ,and some not so good . I think with all Australia's changes , It's still a good place to live , I would like to see a slow down on making restrictive regulations , plus a slow down in price increases on property , and utility's ...cheers Jim

[rick130]

For perspective have a read of the current National Geographic (US)

Inside is an article titled 'The New Face of Hunger'.

It is claimed 48 million people, yes, 48 million go hungry every day in the US.
More than half the hungry households are white.
Often the only decent meal kids get is the one at school.

Everyone in Australia needs to read this.

[p38arover]

Hell's Bells! I've replied to this twice with long texts and both times have accidentally hit the Tab key on this tiny netbook keyboard and lost what I've written.

Suffice to say that I wouldn't swap living in Oz to live here in the UK. It's a great place to visit but you wouldn't want to live here. Well, I wouldn't.

[sheerluck]

Hell's Bells! I've replied to this twice with long texts and both times have accidentally hit the Tab key on this tiny netbook keyboard and lost what I've written.

Suffice to say that I wouldn't swap living in Oz to live here in the UK. It's a great place to visit but you wouldn't want to live here. Well, I wouldn't.

I did swap living in the UK for living in Oz. And I sure as hell wouldn't swap back.

[Sandgroper]

The best thing that ever happened to myself and my family was has having Queen Victoria expel several of my ancestors who clearly were not good at their chosen profession as they were caught! They were, fortunately for me, sent to this great continent as a "punishment" which every day I thank the nineteenth century British judicial system for. I am certainly lucky to be here in Oz, it's the only place I want to be, it has faults as does any country but it has a lot less than most and I love the place.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

OY! ya big Tezza!
LuckyCountry?

read this;)
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/163685-engine-shot.html

[DiscoMick]

I remember doing Australian history at uni and reading letters from convicts in Australia to their relatives back in England saying what a great place Oz was and how they should get their backsides out here as fast as possible.


Mind you, Oz isn't perfect - there are 100,000 homeless people every night in this country. Some of them are sleeping in the cars Joe Hockey says the poor can't afford.


No way would I swap Oz. for the USA though. Rellies just back from the USA were shocked at the number of poor and homeless people and how so many working people are actually really poor and struggling just to get housing and food. The Republicans 'trickle down' theory seems to have become blocked in transit and never made it down to the poor.

[Ean Austral]

My understanding is we were called the Lucky country because those who immigrated here were welcomed and given a fair go.
If you worked hard you had the opportunity to buy a house , start a business, raise a family and enjoy life in a safe country that isn't run by dictators or communist parties that ruled with an iron fist.


To those peoples credit they came here and enjoyed life and never bought their radical beliefs with them and tried to change the people here.


I wouldn't live anywhere else , there are still endless opportunities in this country , so yep we are still the lucky country.


I will leave the political statements to others.


Cheers Ean

[Chucaro]

Tasmania it is not a bad overseas location :p

[frantic]

Good points, I guess. My parents grew up during the depression [ no, not in a shoe box in middle of road] they were children, but for their fathers, [ remember, woman did not work them, as a rule,] No work, no welfare, when getting the sack meant you were actually given a sack full of tea & sugar & stuff to at least feed you & your family for a while. Damper & dripping was a good meal, Mum & her 5 sisters & one brother went to Sacred Heart School at Sandgate, the Nuns fed the children breakfast because families couldn't afford anything more nourishing than bread & dripping. The public who could, read the better off, supplied the food for the kids. Without complaint.


Ducks were scarce at the Sandgate lagoons, pigeon pie was king, a good fisherman could trade up for milk & meat, [ offal] long drop toilets, or the bush, coppers in the back yard to do the washing. Men went on the wallaby, for months at a time, to try to find work. An interesting offshoot of that is the number of Rosella trees in random parts of the bush. The swaggies would trudge all over the country, with the makings for damper, some treacle, & rosella seeds. If they found a place to work for a while, they would plant the rosella seeds, & damper, treacle & rosella jam, was a luxury. Any one tells me they have it tough now, I quietly think to myself " tough? you've never had it tough, boy" Neither have I , but I never begrudge what I have. And I never forget. Bob
Yup I don't begrudge what I have, but what has been taken from my children by my parents generation.
Bob try and do any of those things your parents/my grandparents did now.
Shoot ducks anywhere near a burb, off to jail. go bush and shoot em, you need a shooters license and be a club member=$$
Fishing, either need a license=$$ and certain areas are not allowed to fish.
Open fire in your yard, the local environmental rules will kill you. Ditto for a long drop toilet in suburbia.
After WW2 my mums parents only means of transport until they had their 4th daughter was a Harley with a sidecar, while he built up his business. Nowdays they would be locked up, Nan and mums 2 younger sisters in the sidecar with her holding onto Pa on the bike.
My wifes Granduncle/aunt used to change the cars oil on their double block of land and tip it into a hole in the back corner for 60+ years. The family sold it after they passed away and the new owner is screaming after finding all the oil soaked dirt needs to be removed.;)
These people installed a welfare system that meant when you got the "sack", it would provide more than a few loaves of bread. Their kids/grandkids removed that.
How many of us are going to provide food and shelter to those who don't get the dole for 6months as their under 30?
What would you say if they started shooting the ducks at the local pond for a feed?

[bob10]

1. How many of us are going to provide food and shelter to those who don't get the dole for 6months as their under 30?



What would you say if they started shooting the ducks at the local pond for a feed?


1. If I know them, and trust them, Me. Cheap labour for the vegie garden, & chook pen, they can work for food. I have a good tinnie, I would drive them to the ramp, they would be tasked with catching dinner. I would show them how & where to gather bait, for free.


2. People around here are not that dumb. The duck population of the 2nd lagoon is proportional to the number of hungry people passing through. Bread & a net, don't need a gun. Bob

[DiscoMick]

I'd consider moving to Tassie as I wouldn't have a mortgage then, but its a long way from the rellies.

[Pickles2]

Yes, at the moment, this is still, the "lucky", country, but it's a long way from where it used to be, & getting further away, all the time, from where it used to be.
I think, relative to the rest of the world, we're still doing ok, but what does that say, there's some pretty crap areas around, some not very far from us.
So yeah, it's still ok here, but I'm afraid, do-gooders, activist groups, minorities, too many people expecting stuff for nothing,......these people are a LLLOOONNNGGG way from the men & women who originally made this country great, & indeed, the lucky country.
And of course, in terms of some of my previous comments along these lines, I'm ready to be flamed.
Pickles.

[rovercare]

I'd consider moving to Tassie as I wouldn't have a mortgage then, but its a long way from the rellies.

Atleast you could tell yourself you are a green energy user then

Just don't tell anyone about that interconnector cable they hid in the ocean to link tas to brown mud burners ok:p

[rovercare]

Globalisation

It will get much worse

Everybodys desire to buy cheap ****ty goods has a huge effect, I bet you are all guilty of that:D