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Source 7.89. “Australia’s involvement in World War I extract from Spanning time
(Power et al., 1985, p. 222).
7.18.3 Discourses of ‘coming of age’.
By identifying WWI as a pivotal point in Australian history, discourses of coming of age are
evident through the topic of Australia’s involvement at Gallipoli. This discourse is mediated
through criticism of Britain’s military decisions that impacted Australia’s involvement. In
particular, Crossroads: Asia and Australia in world affairs identifies this as “...Australia
began to acquire the self-concept of a separate nation...the Anzac legend, born from stoical
conduct during the bungled operation at Gallipoli, helped to foster the sense of national
pride” (Cowie, 1980, p. 201). The modern world emerges also discusses Australia’s
participation through a ‘coming of age’ discourse, describing Gallipoli as a “baptism of fire”
(Lawrence, et al., 1986, p. 305). An extract from a section titled The impact of the war reads:
Australia, with its population of only 5 million, had sent 300 000 of its 416 000
enlisted men to fight in places thousands of kilometers away from home. Of these,
60, 000 were killed and 150 000 were wounded. This casualty rate was the highest of
any Allied force in the war. The Australian troops had earned for themselves a heroic
reputation and for the new nation had gained world-wide respect and admiration. It
had been a “baptism of fire”. (Lawrence et al., 1986, p. 305)
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