Explain the formation of the Australian national identity.

Australia's national identity, as with most nations, has
been shaped by important events in its history.

The
original human inhabitants, the Aborigines, arrived in the area 40,000-60,000 years ago.
Their traditions of survival off the land in a harsh environment and their intimate
knowledge of the plants and animals are reflected in contemporary use of phrases such as
"going outback" or going on "walk about" to indicate going back to
nature.

The first large numbers of European settlers were
prisoners being sent to newly established penal colonies by the British court system.
The impact of this history is still evident in Australian attitudes. Also important is
the concept of "mate", finding its basis in the need for cooperation and being ready to
help each other in order to survive the brutal surroundings of the
desert.

Australia became an independent nation and member
of the British Commonwealth in 1901. Only thirteen years later, World War I gave
Australia its first opportunity to support the Motherland by sending Australian troops
to fight alongside British soldiers. Australian troops fought valiantly and proudly and
sacrificed many lives in battles at Gallipoli, in what is now Turkey. Anzac (Australia
New Zealand Army Corp) Day, April 25, is Australia's Memorial Day. These battles allowed
Australia to demonstrate its presence and develop its identity as a separate nation to
the rest of the world and to itself.