[QUOTE=Grae;1232308]
Quote Originally Posted by Manxstralian View Post
"Despite federation being proclaimed in Australia in 1901, it is argued that the "national identity" of Australia was largely forged during the violent conflict of World War I,

This is another example of why people should not rely on Wikipedia as a definitive authoritative source.
That's a fairly broad assumption, and a fairly insulting one. My sources would also be my studies of history, my discussions on the nature of the Australian identity with people who have been around far longer than I, and also living here for forty years.

Surely, the Eight-Hour Day (which was established before we were a nation) , and universal suffrage (which was law in SA and WA prior to Federation) were important, but the horrifying realities of the first World War, and the skill and bravery of our troops established us as an independent nation in the eyes of the rest of the world, and ourselves.

Cheers,

Cameron