The 4Rs Banner
The 4Rs banner is a collection of images, each representing an aspect of a life in Australia today. They raise questions that need to be discussed and we believe the 4Rs conference provides a space in which to do so.
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Wrapped in the flag, Australia Day, Coogee, Sydney 2007. A year after the anti-Muslim Cronulla riots, a young woman wraps herself in the Australian flag as a signal of her identity. What are the values of Australia in 2008? What does the Australian flag stand for? What opportunities are provided to the young people of Australia to discuss the type of Australia they would like in the future? Are there unnecessary barriers? Are they given the respect and the responsibilities they deserve? |
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Icons, Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Sydney, 2006 These icons are recognised internationally as symbols of Australia but what is the Australia they represent? Together they speak of culture and industry. Is it because of these symbols that Sydney attracts more immigrants than any other Australian city? Four in ten of Sydney’s residents are migrants and 85% of Australians live in urban areas. How do Sydney's topography and history affect relations between cultural groups? |
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Mother and son, from the Horn of Africa, Brown's Corner, 2006. This picture is from Brown's Corner, a suburb of Brisbane with a large Ethiopian and Eritrean community. How do these African communities relate to the other parts of Australian society? Are they given the encouragement to value the culture of their heritage and the culture of their adopted land? What have we done as a community to welcome them to Australia? What does the future hold for a young Australian of African origin? |
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Fire damaged Islamic book, Kuraby Mosque, Brisbane. Kuraby was the first mosque fire-bombed anywhere in the world after 9/11. Why was an Australian mosque the first to be fire-bombed? Was it the way the event was reported in the media? How did the local Islamic community respond? Is there a deep seated fear of diversity in the Australian community, one of the most diverse in the world? Was the cause race, religion or just a lack of understanding? What part did the political rhetoric play in the attack? This damaged prayer book was photographed in the ruins, (c) Courier Mail, with permission. |
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African women, African youth seminar, Brisbane, 2006. This was an evening organised by a youth project to explore issues of isolation, racism and cultural community-building. How pervasive is racism in Australia? How subtle is the discrimination towards those in our community who are seen as different? What support do less established cultural groups need to adjust to their new life? |
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Buddha, Brisbane Buddhas exhibition, 2006. Brisbane Museum held a very successful exhibition of Buddhas and invited residents to lend a Buddha - the Museum collected hundreds, from personal family heritage pieces to tourist kitsch. Why is the adoption of symbols of this belief system so widespread? Do Australians understand its significance? What are the implications for other belief systems such as Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism? |
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Journalists interviewing then Minister for Immigration, Melbourne, September 2007. Minister Kevin Andrews was under interrogation regarding his comments about Sudanese refugees in Australia whom he said were having problems settling and adjusting to the Australian way of life. Whose responsibility is it to facilitate resettlement? Is giving a refuge a pathway from danger all that needs to be done? What other obligations are there on the Australian community to give refugees a new home? |
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Dragon's mask, Chinatown, Melbourne, 2008. The Chinese New year celebration designed a new Dragon to dance at the 2008 festival. People of Chinese origin have been in Australia since shortly after European settlement. Chinese New Year has become a major cultural festival for Australians of many origins. The dragon is a particular symbol of good luck and aids in the driving out of demons. How will Australian cultural diversity incorporate the many other streams of immigrants and their cultures?
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UTS Tower, Sydney, with Aboriginal flag, 2007 Why did an Australian university (UTS) decide to adopt a reconciliation statement in 2005 when the then national parliament would not? What has the apology in the national parliament in February 2008 done for reconciliation? What are the next steps? What does the apology mean for other cultural groups within Australia?
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Rock musician, Brunswick music festival, 2006. The Annual autumn Sydney Road music festival in Brunswick brings thousands of visitors and a mix of musicians. What role do cultural events, no matter how diverse, play in creating community? Is it important to celebrate being different and also to share in the enjoyment of public events?
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Poster, Australian Multicultural Foundation, 2006. This poster was originally created for the NSW Ethnic Affairs Commission by artist Zig Moskwa. What does multicultural mean in Australia in 2008? Do we need to learn how to respect other cultures? How do we build lasting friendships across potential barriers of difference?
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Page updated 12 May 2008
