Like many other Twitter users I jokingly changed one of my Twitter handles to ‘Dame Debbish’ earlier this week. I was going to change another to Sir Schmiet, but it would have required me to log out and back in and that was all a bit too hard. (Who says I don’t give 100% to the cause?!)
In bed that night though I lay there wondering what overseas friends and followers are thinking as many Aussies on Twitter suddenly became Dames and Knights – virtually anointed, suddenly and as if by magic. I worried that peeps on the other side of the world would think we’re dissing the Dames or knocking the Knights and wanted to reassure others that (while I can’t speak for the other Australians on Twitter who’ve had #knightsanddames trending) I’m most certainly not.
Indeed, I’m a huge fan of the likes of Dame Judi Dench, Sir Patrick Stewart and the like. Plus the non-actor/singer types who are elevated to Dame and Knighthoods.
The outcry here in Australia, is because our PM has decided that Knight and Damehoods should again be introduced into the Australian honours system.
We aren’t a republic. Yet. But we’re pretty close. There’s an older generation who adore the Queen and a younger one who can appreciate Wills and Kate and baby George. However, I would suggest that – as a society – we’re now far more influenced by the US than we are the UK. I was overseas years ago with a bunch of military peeps (rule-abiding, non-question-asking types if ever there were any) and yet on Australia Day when the toast was made to the Queen of Australia, a snigger went through the crowd.
Again people weren’t dissing the Queen, but she (along with the concept of Knighthoods) is far removed from everyday Australian life. We’re fairly classless here in Oz – and I mean that in a good way. Sure we have our mega rich, like media or mining moguls. We have models, actors and athletes who we bizarrely revere, but (in true Australian style) we’re equally prone to heap shit on them from time to time. Because someone inherits money, beauty or athletic talent doesn’t necessarily make them ‘better’ human beings than us and I like that most Aussies recognise that.
We’ve come a long way since ships of convicts and their keepers from the ‘motherland’ forced Indigenous Australians from their land (and worse).
Indeed – our progress as a society which promotes equality and democracy – has been something of which we could be proud. But, like many, I fear that’s slipping away.
Increasingly our news headlines reference the fact that we’re going backwards. Our uninspiring and tres conservative government is leading us back into the middle of the previous century – to a world where racism was rampant, technology was eschewed, free speech was limited and people knew their place.
So, my overseas readers… when I joke about titles, it’s not because I don’t respect them… I’m just not sure they belong here. Now.
Are you a fan of the new Australian honours system?
I’m again flogging my blog With Some Grace today.
March 28, 2014
An excellent post, Deb – I concur absolutely. Dames and Knights are anachronistic and have no place in a modern egalitarian and sophisticated country. Under our newish but fast becoming tarnished PM, we’re shaping up to be none of these things (and will be the laughing stock internationally).Love Pope’s cartoon…bwerry funny!
March 28, 2014
I like that we can laugh at ourselves, but we don’t really want others laughing at us. Politics aside it just frustrates me that important issues get pushed to the side and stuff like this takes precedence.
I remember when this new government came in there was talk of a busy legislative agenda and yet repealing the ACT’s gay marriage laws was done as a priority (PS. not exactly sure of correct legal terminology!).
Sometimes it’s a squeaky wheel thing and both sides of politics are guilty of pandering to the masses, but I don’t recall ANYONE rallying support for the reintroduction of these honours!
March 28, 2014
The whole dame and knight thing is such a joke and surely a diversion for everyone to argue about so we don’t pay attention to some other – more serious – issues. But I won’t go all political on my first visit to your site! I do wonder though what Malcolm Turnbull’s response was when he heard. Visiting from #FBYF
March 28, 2014
Hi Carolyn, I did see it reported that the PM hadn’t discussed the issue with his Cabinet colleagues, but can’t believe that’s the case! I noted that Malcolm Turnbull has been very diplomatic – thankfully held his republican stance but not criticised the decision.
March 28, 2014
No. I’m not. It’s a waste of time and money when there are far more pressing issues to deal with. It stinks of distraction as far as I’m concerned. Great post by the way.
March 28, 2014
Thanks!
March 28, 2014
It’s only a distraction if people get distracted by it. A few days later it’s not really a thing anymore.. 24hr news cycle..
Alain De Botton made a simple case for the Dame/Knights. Most celebrities are a product of the media, which doesn’t make for very good celebrities… see:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-26/alain-de-botton3a-need-for-news-updates-has-ushered-in-27a-ne/5346360
March 28, 2014
The worry though is that it comes up every time we need a distraction. Plus… god forbid who’ll be next to be anointed. (I notice there are lots of memes and jokes about the likes of Shane Warne, TV personalities etc…
PS. Am not a news junkie but def find myself addicted to stuff which unfolds via twitter. 😉
March 28, 2014
I totally agree with you! Well said!
March 29, 2014
x
March 29, 2014
I just don’t get how Tony gets to reinstate the dame/knight thing without consulting anyone – not even members of his own party. Smacks of dictatorship if you ask me.
March 29, 2014
I think the public response & subtle comments from his own colleagues indicate that almost everyone agrees. I don’t begrudge Peter Cosgrove etc their honour but (although I met him a very long time ago) I can’t imagine our new GG telling people to call him Sir Peter! Far too wanky!
March 29, 2014
Dames and knights sound very exotic to me – I kind of like the idea that you could become Dame Deb(bish) one day… 🙂
Who knows what Finns will become if “Sir Putin” decides to go Hitler one day? Or maybe Putin crowns himself emperor like Napoleon? Though I don’t think Finland is very likely to be occupied by Russia (We became independent about 100 years ago – we were part of Russia form 1809 to 1917 and before that we were part of Sweden for a few hundred years)
Sorry for the history lecture!
March 29, 2014
Oh Satu, I didn’t know any of that so the ‘lecture’ is very welcome!
March 29, 2014
I not sure what all the fuss is about.
Since King Tony took up residence in the castle we have returned to the Middle Ages. It just seems appropriate that knights and dames should re-appear.
Next there will be jousting and debauchery. Hang on a second… I think we already have it.
It’s called the Federal Parliament
March 29, 2014
🙂 As long as there are no public stonings or burning of witches!
March 29, 2014
Can I just say I can’t be faffed with any of it? I don’t get elitism for the sake of it, but do agree with recognition of great effort. The thing is, who says who can pass judgement on what effort is deemed to be great? And that’s the other reason I don’t agree with an honours system here in Oz. I’m fairly certain that the people and efforts I respect and honour would be somewhat different to those that Sir Budgie thinks are worth donning the ermine for.
March 29, 2014
I remember when I was younger and the Australian of the Year was nearly always a sportsperson. I appreciated it when we finally recognised community advocates and scientists etc. I suspect we’ll have some of the same problems re the knighthoods.
I read something saying that adding the new awards reduces the importance of those (lower) ones previously awarded!
March 30, 2014
I don’t really understand why it’s been introduced now. I love recognizing people who have made a valuable contribution to society and believe they should be honoured but not sure that naming them dames and knights is the right way to go about it. I chuckled at Dame Debbish! Very clever. 😉
March 30, 2014
I know… I was a bit keen to be a Duchess, but Duchess Debbish is a bit of a mouthful!