PDF (Whole Thesis) - USQ ePrints - University of Southern ...

In the lead up to and in the year of 1988, a wide range of government programs and events
were initiated as a way to create an atmosphere of ‘celebration’ of this historical event. A
government authority, the Australian Bicentennial Authority (ABA) was set up in 1979
(Augoustinos, 1993; MacIntyre & Clark, 2003). Initially established by the Liberal
(conservative) Fraser government, and then continued by the Labor Hawke government, this
demonstrates the bi-partisan support of the 1988 Bicentennial. The ABA had legislative
authority to act under the Australian Bicentennial Authority Act 1980 (date of assent 23 rd
May, 1980). The primary purpose of this Act was to plan and coordinate projects that
connected with Australia’s cultural heritage. It was also to administer funds, provided by the
Federal government. The Bicentennial was promoted to the general public through consistent
advertising campaigns throughout the 1980s, particularly under the Hawke government.
Branding the Bicentennial was also important, and the logo in Source 7.4 was used
extensively in advertising and other promotional material in the lead up to and including
1988.
Source 7.4. Bicentennial logo. (Foundationexpo, n.d.).
As mentioned, a key term that describes the dominant mainstream representations of
Australian nationhood (especially through culture, heritage and history) in the 1980s is
celebration. Bicentennial celebratory events, activities and publications were at the fore front
of the material portrayal of the themes that had entered the national psyche through official
government channels and support. Celebration of a nation was the official government
slogan, and is described by Turner in the following way as a pedagogical event:
...the promotional campaign emanating from the Australian Bicentenary Authority
had an almost pedagogic objective: Australians were being taught their bicentennial
behaviours. ‘Celebration of a Nation’ was not just a method of raising the emotional
temperature of the nation in readiness for 1988. It was also a practical demonstration
of what was expected of Australians celebrating the bicentennial year. It probably
worked. (Turner, 1994, p. 69)
294