We are one, but we are many,
and from all the lands on Earth we come,
we share a dream and sing with one voice –
I am, you are, we are Australian.
This song never fails to move me to tears. Most likely because it is often sung by angel voiced youth choirs. But also because, for me, it really encapsulates so much of the emotion I feel when I reflect on the fact that I get to live in this amazing and beautiful country.
From all the lands across the earth we come
Like many of my fellow Australians I wasn’t born here. I was born in Trinidad in the West Indies – the southernmost island in the Caribbean chain. My parents are both Trinidadian, their parents were Trinidadian, my family on both sides is Trinidadian through and through.
But 27 years ago my parents decided things weren’t as great as they could be in Trinidad for us kids and they didn’t mess around. The next thing we knew we were on a plane to Perth, Western Australia, chasing a dream.
We share a dream
And that was the dream of freedom and opportunity.
In Trinidad we lived behind bars. Over there, communities are gated. Houses are fenced and gated like Alcatraz. Every window and door is burglar proofed. At night, the corridor entrance to all our bedrooms was closed off from the rest of the house by a locked iron gate.
When I left Trinidad I was nine so I remember this stuff but I am pretty sure my younger siblings did not appreciate the comparative freedoms we had once we were in Australia. We could roam our one hectare property at will. We could run back and forth from our house to our neighbours’. We could ride down the street to the park by ourselves.
As an adult I can go for a run through my suburb at 5am in the morning by myself. Anyone can walk right up to my front door and knock on it. And I can answer the door to a complete stranger without fear.
The ability to live without fear is a freedom that is beyond price. And living here in Australia we have that freedom in spades.
Living here in Australia we also have endless opportunities. Any dream or challenge I have ever wanted to chase, I have been able to do so. Ironically, one of the greatest opportunities this beautiful country has afforded me was the ability to represent my birth country at two Commonwealth Games. How cool is that?
And sing in one voice
Today I was down at the beach and I listened as people chatted and laughed in myriad accents. And it caused me to reflect on how much people loved our unintelligible Trinidadian accents when we arrived. And how my friends still love to listen to my parents talk. I love how multicultural Australia is and wish that every new arrival to our country nowadays was welcomed the same way we were all those years ago.
I am, you are, we are Australian
I hear a lot of angst directed at those who come from across the seas to share our boundless plains and who apparently don’t appreciate what they’re getting. But in reality, I think the ones who take this beautiful country for granted the most are (sorry possibly unpopular opinion alert!) those who were born here.
If you were born in Australia you live in a country that has never fought a war on its soil. You live in a country free from hunger, oppression and fear. You live in a country where your gender is no barrier to what you can achieve, where you can practice whatever religion you like and where your sexual preferences will not land you in jail.
You live in a country that is rich beyond belief – not just in natural resources and sporting talent, but also in spirit.
And I believe it’s that spirit that we celebrate on Australia Day.
Were you born in Australia? Or did you come from across the seas? If the latter, do you thank your lucky stars every day like I do?
born and bred here and feel damn lucky/blessed/fortunate/GRATEFUL every day. Thankful that my son gets
to grow up here. I don’t doubt there are plenty who take it for granted tho.
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently blogged: Wild Weather Weekend
There definitely are plenty who take it for granted because I hear their chatter all the time and just want to dong them over their heads!
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: I am, you are, we are Australian
I was born in Straya, but my family history is German, Lithuanian, English and Irish – different generations and different reasons for immigration – being disowned after war was a big one. I think we’re in credibly lucky for all the reasons you’ve articulated, I’ve always thought that but didn’t fully appreciate it until i travelled and saw real hardship in other countries. Countries with no social security, no health system, poor education – real hardship. We agonise and lament over first world problems in Australia, and I think aiming for something better is always a good thing – as long we look at what we have and appreciate that first, then look to the future. Unfortunately, I don’t think enough Strayans do that. Great blog Kelly.
Thanks so much Kel!
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: I am, you are, we are Australian
Quite agree, I was born and brought up in Scotland, another easy, safe country to live in. I get annoyed when Aussies shinge and say we are doing it tough – so not! So not so tough as the people who make our iPods and phones; so not so tough as most of the population of the planet.
I didn’t know you were born in trinidad nor that you competed at the Games, off to check out.
Seana Smith recently blogged: Cremorne Point Walk – Stroller Walks In Sydney
He hee it’s all in the book Seana
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: I am, you are, we are Australian
As a newcomer this post totally resonates. I love it here. It feels like home. Already I can see the benefits for my children of living here. I feel so blessed x
Caroline recently blogged: Coping The Best I Can
There are just so many things to love about this country. I know we’re not perfect because nowhere is … but gee, it’s pretty good here!
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: I am, you are, we are Australian
Every single day I thanks my lucky stars, Love Australia
xx
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: I am, you are, we are Australian
So, today I learned two amazing things: 1. You are from Trinidad, 2. You competed at TWO Commonwealth Games. How did I not know this???? So glad I never went for that run with you…;) But one thing I always knew, you are a wonderful writer. Lovely post Kel. x
Lisa Lintern recently blogged: Imperfect conditions
Hee hee things you find out hey
And thank you Lise, that means a lot.
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: I am, you are, we are Australian
A lovely post Kel and so much rings true. I know for me it definitely took living overseas to truly appreciate the land I was lucky enough to be born in!
Donna @ Nappydaze recently blogged: Patience is a virtue – or so I am told…
I hear that from a LOT of people Don!
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: I am, you are, we are Australian
Hi Kelly, Great post. I was born in Australia and I love my country. At the moment though I am living in England and loving my country of birth from a distance.
Cathy recently blogged: 2013 MAD Blog Awards
So many Aussies spend at least a few years living in England (and specifically London). I always wonder how they cope with the weather!
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: I am, you are, we are Australian
I’m Aussie born but I have to admit that it was not until I travelled extensively and lived in other countries that I learned to truly appreciate what we have right here.
As for that song…it makes my heart and my eyes swell
kirri recently blogged: The highly successful habits of mums
I just keep playing it over and over. I love it!
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: I am, you are, we are Australian
Hey Kel,
In fact, (and this is embarrassing!) every time our choir performs for Australia Day on the South Perth foreshore, and we sing the National Anthem and I Still Call Australia Home, I get a bit choked up! I love this country. And I love that it is my home even though I wasn’t born here and my skin isn’t white and I don’t drink beer or play any sport 
I feel so much like you do
Ha ha M – not embarrassing at all! I would be bawling!!
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: I am, you are, we are Australian
It’s so easy to take it for granted when you’ve pretty much won the geographical lottery (except for maybe the snakes and the spiders and the sharks). Unfortunately you’re right, too many people don’t appreciate that.
Carli recently blogged: Twitter Tips
Ha!! I said almost exactly that last night to my MIL. Sometimes I feel bad that I won the birth lottery being born to educated people with good sober habits! And who were clever enough to bring us to Australia!
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: I am, you are, we are Australian
Kel, you dropped 10 years off our life here
. I think this country is the greatest, and we know how lucky we are to be here!
Oops – fixed it Mom!
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: I am, you are, we are Australian
Thank you for reminding me how lucky I am.
Lynda @HomeleaLass recently blogged: My Instagram Week
Such a pleasure
Although I bet you didn’t need reminding 
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: How to deal with grief the wrong way