Looking at the lists of 'favourite Australians' on the site that are intended to 'inspire' you in your choice, you realise how bizarre this exercise is. Rove McManus sits side by side with Robert Menzies and Nellie Melba, Cate Blanchett next to Geoffrey Blainey and Burke and Wills. Is this an attempt to find a new figure of national identity? To celebrate our history? To further confirm our love-in with celebrity culture?
But - there is hope. Just as the ABC's My Favourite Film poll produced a rather strange list that seemed to have been hijacked by the fans of Amelie and Lord of the Rings (are these really people's favourite films of all time? really?), then so might this poll be overwhelmed by fans of Carl Williams, or Shane Warne and be the subject of much mirth. But who knows? Maybe we can unite behind our favourite historical figure and throw the poll. How about Bon Scott? He's on the list, and I reckon he'd look great in the National Portrait Gallery - plus, he's already been honoured with a memorial sculpture in Fremantle, which surely puts him in a commanding position...
1 comment:
It is true that the selection for this process is more democratic than scholarly. However, I think that this is one of the strengths of the competition. The portrait of the winner will serve as a very interesting text for historians looking back on this period in Australia's history. A celebrity will probably win. However, Australia's obsession with celebrities will undoubtedly be an interesting topic for cultural historians of the future.
What I am deeply disappointed with, however, is some of the names missing from the list. Why is Chris Taylor the representative from the Chaser? Chas and Julian are my favourites! Where is Tony Jones? I watch him just about every night on Lateline!
I know the list is just a bit of fun, but since the winner will become a product of our times I would have liked to have seen a bit more variety. Even though this competition is quite democratic, it still demonstrates how history is skewed by those who have the power to select who or what is important.
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