Review of Aspects of Australian Cultur, ed. Joost Dalder and Michele Fryar, and Australia, Special Editor L. A. C. Dobrez

Abstract

In a previous review article in ALS (Vol. 10,No. l,May 1981) 'On Our Selection', Adrian Mitchell surveyed a crop of recent special issues of (mainly overseas) journals devoted to Australian literature. This growth continues and is supplemented by conference papers. Aspects of Australian Culture, ed. Joost Dalder and Michele Fryar succeeds well, except for two major weaknesses, in its difficult and worthy aim of giving 'an indication, at least, of variety of culture' in Australia, with the emphasis on the present. The range of contents is admirable, the quality of commentary generally good. Articles include Colin Yallopon 'The Languages of the Australian Aborigines'; Geoffrey Bolton on 'Maritime Archaeology and Australian History' (interesting but rather too specialized for this collection); John McCallum on recent Australian drama (and also a brief look at Aboriginal drama by Adam Shoemaker); Ken Goodwin on Australian poetry 1968-80; Lolo Houbein on 'Ethnic' writers, and Albert Moran on Australian television. There are also pieces, generally less interesting, on Australian art, film, and modern music. Other popular culture, notably sport, is not included, but then this selective collection understandably operates within limits of space. There is also a deserved tribute to editor and poet Grace Perry to celebrate the 75th issue of Poetry Australia. The few poems, the drama extract and short story sit somewhat uneasily in this environment and can scarcely be representative.