Reclaiming Our Aussie Spirit: A Call for Patriotism and Unity

Ray Payne OAM – Frontline

In recent years, it feels as though we’ve started to drift from the true spirit that defines Australia. Our unique character—grounded in resilience, mateship, and an undeniable love for our land—should be at the heart of our daily lives. Yet, somewhere along the way, we seem to have lost touch with some of those core Aussie values. It’s time we put effort into bringing back that sense of national pride, instilling patriotism, and reinvigorating the characteristics that make us proudly Australian.

Australia Day in January is a prime example. This is a day meant to celebrate our history, heritage, and the achievements that have built our nation, yet every year, it becomes a battleground for division. Instead of focusing on what unites us, voices often rise to tear it apart. But this day should be about togetherness, remembrance, and celebration of all we stand for as Australians. It’s a day when we should all be flying our flag high, a flag that represents the unity of our people and the strength of our history.

Our schools should play a leading role in fostering this unity and pride. A daily raising of the flag and singing of the national anthem would go a long way in instilling a shared identity in our younger generations. Our kids should grow up with a strong sense of pride in being Australian, understanding our values, and learning to cherish our heritage.

While recognizing different cultures and histories is valuable, our primary focus should be on unifying elements rather than what separates us. Traditions like “Welcome to Country” are meaningful, but they should not replace our national expressions of unity. We need to remember that we are one nation, and that unity is reflected in our symbols, our flag, and our shared identity.

Australia’s strength lies in our diversity, but we should strive to bring that diversity under one flag and one set of values. When we put being Australian first, we foster a country where everyone, regardless of background, feels connected and proud. To truly be “dinky-di” Aussies, we need to renew our focus on what unites us, instilling pride in our national identity and embracing our heritage with open arms.

Let’s make Australia truly Aussie again by celebrating and passing down our unique character and pride in being Australian.

ED: If you agree with me, please share and maybe we can get some support