The changing demographics in Australia over the past 16 years have brought about major shifts in the social fabric of our society. Past images of a white lazy sport mad society have given away to a hard working and culturally diverse community.
We have grown to 23,401,892 Australian residence. That is up 24.4 million. Melbourne is taking over from Sydney as the largest city. Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) is the fastest growing adding 40,000 new residence which is up 11%. Perth population is 1,943,858.
Australia is more culturally diverse now with more people coming not from Europe as before but from China, India and the Philippines. About half of Australian residents were born overseas of have or have one or both parents coming from overseas. 6 million arrived since 2012 that is up 200% Only 72% speak English. Mandarin is the second most common language. They bring with them traditions and colour adding to the experiences Australian can enjoy such as a wider variety of food. People who identify themselves as aboriginal is grown to 2.8% of the population which is higher than 16 years ago. They have come a long way in education and integration than before.
This has had a big impact on the way we see ourselves both socially and morally. 16 years ago most of the population saw themselves as Christian. Now even though 52% still identify themselves as Christian. 29% state they have no religion. Of the other religions 8.2% comprising of Buddhists from Vietnam 26%, Muslims from Pakistan 14%, Muslims from Afigsastine 11%.
As a country, we are getting older. The baby boomers have come of age. The number of people over 65 has grown by 665,000 since 2011. This has put a strain on our universal health system. However, Australians firmly believe in health care for everybody. The average age is 38 years and housing affordability is a challenge for most families. Often the older generation cares for the children while the parents work. The average wage is a $662 per week. Most Australians see themselves as the lucky country with a fairly stable government and freedom to say and do what you want without interference.
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Published by M.Kelly Author
I was born and raised in Western Australia. Before I retired I was an aged care Advocate
I as many people on the age pension, I have trouble paying the bills. There are those who complain about the lack of money, and there are those who try to improve their lot by being creative with their time to produce something that may make enough money to pay the bills.
I am retired but always seek new ways to engage my mind so I decided to write a book. I have spent a lot of time writing academic papers, have several degrees finishing with masters in theology. However, psychology had always been of interest to me as I like to learn what makes people tick. But I have never done any creative writing. I have found this an interesting if not scary experience. Writing a book was one thing getting it published is another. It is a whole world I know little about, but I am learning. Having a book published is a big thing for me because of my background. I have published my books through Xlibris, There already has been a lot of interest in my books.
My early life was shaped by several factors.
I have a very retentive memory and once I have read something I can usually remember it. This was a problem when I was younger as I remembered my reading. Everyone thought I was a good reader where in fact I could not read. I became ill and had to be home schooled. My teacher one day noticed that my eyes were not following the words and realized I could not read them. She tried Dick and Dora books, but I thought that was an insult to my intelligence and would not do it. Frustrated she asked what I would read, and I told her I had a book that my mother had thrown out and wanted to know it. It was the collective works of William Shakespeare thus the first thing I read at 9 years was Macbeth. This started a love of learning both formal and informal that I have kept up all my life.
I am also dyslectic, although I read a lot and have overcome most parts I still don’t like to read out loud as my eyes can miss a line. I believe this means, that for many people who think they can’t, I can prove that it is possible to reach a high standard of education even if there are some barriers. “If you think you can’t-you can’t; but if you think you can then you can.”
I have a strong sense of family, and I love each person in my family and will do all I can to help them. I am basically a sole parent as I am raising my granddaughter and we have many happy hours talking as she talks with her right brain and I listen with my left brain. We have a mad cat called whiskers who seems to think it is ok to bite me for some unknown reason. And fish in a rather big pond in the back yard.
As a counsellor and advocate, I have learned to listen carefully to people say, and I perceive it as one of my skills. My reading covers a wide area of history, realign and politics. I also like to read science fiction from time to time.
I love Facebook as a way of keeping up with friends and family. I also like to do art and when I am not writing I paint.
My first novel ‘Pathways in the mind’ is a psychological thriller. Although it is a novel, it is based on fact. It examines one person's world view after a traumatic event that causes Retro Amnesia. Although the novel is a story, it is based on fact.
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