Reclaiming Australian Mateship

by Kerry Larkan on April 21, 2010

With ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corp) day approaching (April 25th) I thought I might talk about the Australian concept of mateship. Politicians invoke this idea all the time to support their causes, but in my view, the term is mis-used more often than not.

The Australian Macquarie dictionary describes “mateship” as:

1. A bond between equal partners or close friends
2. Comradeship
3. (Aust.) Comradeship as an ideal

I have no issue with any of these definitions. My problem is with what people think it represents in contemporary society.

Living outside Australia I have gained a totally different perspective on how people in other parts of the world view Australia and Australians–as a country, as a people, and in our behaviour. Australians are frequently portrayed as beer-swilling, sport-loving, sometimes loud, outdoor people. Australian men are often assumed to be generally tough and macho–not afraid of a stoush (a fight) and not prepared to take a step back. Much of this stereotype emanates from sporting culture, but it is also has its roots in the corporate world and male management and leadership styles.

In all my study and reading about the ANZACs (the Australian and New Zealander soldiers of the great war), I could see that they were very clear about their intent and their relationship to each other. They were always prepared to put the other bloke (man or guy) first. When I asked my Kiwi mate (friend) Ngahi Bidois what he thought mateship was to the ANZACs, this was his response:

I am a New Zealand Maori and I was named after a grandfather (Patrick Tanirau) who gave his life as an ANZAC soldier. When it comes to defining mates I could not think of a better definition than being prepared to give all your dreams, aspirations, hopes, intentions, future and indeed life for someone else. My Grandfather was one of many New Zealand, Australian and other soldiers who gave their lives for their mates and for us, that we remember on ANZAC day – lest we forget.

This is a bit different, isn’t it, from the image of some macho fellow too ready for a fight? Being a mate means you care, you listen–really listen, and that you’re there when it’s least expected. You have empathy and can show compassion.

I felt this concept of mateship is beautifully expressed at one point in the new Australian feature movie Beneath Hill 60, which is set in World War I. There is a scene where a group of soldiers, traveling together in a truck on their way to the frontline, two of them simply hold each others’ hands–each man frightened and facing death, but at the same time offering a hand of support for his mate.

To me, that scene is the antithesis of how many Australian men are perceived today, both within and outside Australia. How have we wandered so far from that positive, humanistic view of what mateship can mean?

To learn more of Ngahi Bidois visit his website at Ngahi Bidois