On Damien Leith and being Australian

How many of us watched the series final of Australian Idol, and jumped to our feet as Damien Leith was announced the winner? Sour grapes aside, the comments about him "not being Australian" are grating more than a little on most. That lament could well apply to all of us who are not descended from the original inhabitants of this land, could it not? Damien in many ways exemplifies what modern multicultural Australia prides itself on being: a land of opportunity which welcomes all those who are willing to embrace the often articulated values of generousity, community, and "a fair go" for all. The decision to leave one's homeland and all that is familiar, marry someone from a different cultural background, and bring a child up among people who are essentially strangers is never lightly made, and it is also this sort of courage that Australians recognise when they embrace others from different cultures.

Furthermore, the process of applying for citizenship takes 2 years, and Damien Leith is due to become an Australian citizen in January next year: he therefore made a decision to embrace Australia as his new permanent home long before he chose to compete on Australian Idol. Many Australians would be shocked to know how many people of overseas origin who have lived here as permanent residents for - in some cases - decades, who never take the step he has taken to become an Australian citizen..would we also consider them to be less "Australian" for not doing so?? Perhaps...but this does not apply in Damien's case.

In the end though, the competition was not about who was the best Australian, it was about who Austalians most wanted to hear. The decision of the majority of the voting public was for Damien Leith, and I was no exception. Like many others I have spoken to (from all ages and backgrounds), I can't wait to hear whether this man can produce something that lives up to the promise shown throughout Australian Idol. There is hope that this will be the case, because he has not so far allowed himself to be dictated to, and has even has his share of subtle and gentle jabs back at the detractors....who could doubt that his song choice of RadioHeads "Creep" was directly aimed in response to comments he had recieved about being "butt ugly"? In his own way, he has had the last laugh.

It was quite clear from his response on the winner being announced that he did not believe he would win. One can only hope that this complete lack of ego continues to be one of his chief and most winning attributes.

Like so many, I wish him all the best... "onya, Mate!"