AustLit

'Russel Ward's "The Australian Legend" showed how nineteenth century pastoral workers, and the Australian authors who wrote about them, forged an image of an ideal national character centred around the European experience of working in the outback. Egalitarianism rather than deference, practicality rather than book learning, and a somewhat contradictory emphasis on both 'mateship' and 'independence' were viewed by many writers as fundamentally Australian traits developed through adaptation to a harsh pastoral climate. I wish to explore a previously neglected aspect of the Legend, which Ward briefly mentioned but did not investigate: that is, the notion among many writers of the late nineteenth century that Queensland was the most 'Australian' colony. I examine how images of Queensland were used in early nationalist literature to accentuate aspects of both the Australian Legend and its near relation, the Pioneer Legend. I show how anti-Imperialist gestures by the Queensland Government in the 1880s were trumpeted as an example of nationalism for the other colonies to follow, and explain why Queensland's potential as a nationalist icon had declined by 1901. Finally, I briefly explore the contested relationship between Australia and Queensland, especially as seen by leading image-makers such as journalists and politicians.'

Source: Article abstract.