Many Australians are passionate about sports, which forms an important part of the country's culture in terms of spectators and participation. The unique character and humor of Australian culture were defined in the caricatures of immigrants Emile Mercier and George Molnar, and in the novel They're a Weird Mob (1995) by John O'Grady, which analyzes Sydney through the eyes of an Italian immigrant. Contemporary Australia is also a culture deeply influenced by global movements of meaning and communication, including advertising culture. Australia's sporting culture has been transmitted from generation to generation, leading the population to dedicate themselves deeply to cricket, rugby, Australian football, tennis and more.
The Australian outback is home to a variety of different landscapes, countless natural wonders, and deep connections to Aboriginal culture and communities. Australians have a particular affinity for surfing lifeguards, and surfing lifeguards have a revered status in Australian culture. You may not be used to the level of informality seen in Australia, especially when it comes to your studies. It's common to call teachers and tutors by their first names.
Despite this adversity, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are still connected to their culture. Of course, food, events, art and history are vital parts of Australian culture, but what really sets an Australian apart is their relaxed outlook on life. The publicly funded Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) has a multicultural approach and broadcasts radio and television programs in a variety of languages, as well as global news programs and documentaries in English. Many of the statistics on Australian public attitudes come from the Cultural Competence Program.
The cultures and worldviews of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are diverse, multifaceted and complex. The Commonwealth of Australia was founded in 1901, after a series of referendums held in the British colonies of Australasia. The younger generation, in particular, is becoming increasingly culturally aware, and many see experiences abroad as a rite of passage to maturity.
