Our history and traditions also come alive through the novels of Patrick White and Peter Carey and through the poetry of Judith Wright and Peter Porter. Yes, we have come far in 100 years. Look at the popularity of festivals, which did not exist at Federation but which are being used, this time around, to commemorate it. We should not only celebrate culture, but the millions who have made, and will always make it possible just by being there. No performance, book or art work can ever be appreciated unless there is someone doing the appreciating.
All culture is about taking risks, which is what makes it so exciting, so provocative.
But Australia's culture is also a reflection of this country's rich and diverse multiculturalism, which has never been afraid to laugh at itself. Witness, Wogs Out of Work or Mark Mitchell's Con the fruiterer. Over the next 100 years, we are certain to be enriched and enlightened by new generations, new cultures, who have new things to say and, perhaps, new places to say them in. It is, though, important, not to ignore the past and what it has brought us. We may sing different tunes from those that were around in 1901, but we still sing them in that same strong, special voice that will never die.