CR181 - History 2 - Australia and Asia

I recently discovered the image below on the National Australian Museum web site called Symbols of Australia.

The Kangaroo represented on the stamp is an illustration modified by Europeans. In 1913 this original red 1d (one penny) stamp displaying a kangaroo and a map of Australia had out dated the Commonwealth colony stamps, which had been used by separate states. However, it did not enter the world without controversy. It was mocked at the time for being a weak model of Australian culture and created a great divide within the relatively newly independent Federation of Australia. The argument was that the stamp should displayed the profile of the king, or indeed any other British royal symbol.  

Even though since Captain Cook’s voyage in 1773 he had illustrated the kangaroo as an Australian icon and the animal had quickly become the design for the Australian Continent. See The Hands across the sea painting expressing the significant symbolisation of the Kangaroo to the Europeans.

The white community became divided, and disagreement arose with the kangaroo sign and not the King face on the stamp. It stirred up allegations of political belief against the government. The press demanded, the King's portrait? George V appeared on stamps. This dispute was followed by an amendment of control in 1914 and as a result aroused accusations of republicanism against the government. The kangaroo and map stamp stayed in circulation for the next 38 years, together with the issuing of the King’s portrait stamp for 23 years (National Museum, 2008).

The ACARA History curriculum labels Asia and Australia engagements with Asia education as:   

a priority that will ensure students learn about and recognise the diversity within and between the countries of the Asia region. They will develop knowledge and understanding of Asian societies, cultures, beliefs and environments, and the connections between the peoples of Asia, Australia, and the rest of the world.

Since Federation in 1901, the kangaroo has appeared on currency and stamps, on Royal Australian Air Force planes and as a mascot at sporting events. The kangaroo also appears as a logo for Qantas, Australian Made and Tourism Australia, and in the nicknames given to Australian sporting teams.

It has gone from a controversial and curious symbol to more recently known an official emblem of Australia.

 

                  

References

ACARA, (2012) Australian National Curriculum, Taken on the 24 May, 2013 http://www.acara. edu.au/curriculum.html

Cathcart, J. (1993) History of Australia, McPherson’s printing Group for Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Victoria 3053

Kangaroo Protection coalition (2013) Aboriginals and kangaroos! Taken on the 27 May 2013 http://www.kangaroo-protection-coalition.com/kangaroos-aboriginals.html

National Museum (2008) Symbols of Australia: Kangaroo. Taken on the 27 May 2013. http://www.nma.gov.au/ exhibitions/symbols_of_australia/kangaroo