The idea of the beach has been constantly changing since the first European settlers arrived at the Australian shore. Beaches are omnipresent in and an integral part of Australia since the country is an island or as Huntsman puts it: “[…] Australia is a nation contained within a beach.” (5)
The documentary Bra Boys begins with an historical flashback to the arrival of Captain James Cook in 1770 at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Native inhabitants have been using the beach for different purposes as for example fishing and bathing way before the English land claims. The European way of thinking about the beach and how to use it resulted in various changing ideas during the decades. After a long period of “legal prohibitions and policing” (Huntsman 109) regarding how and where to bath, free access to Australian beaches was granted by the middle of the twentieth century due to the “spread of suburban development and public transport” (Huntsman 109). By then the beach had already become “a symbol of Australianess” (Huntsman138). Surfing as part of this beach culture was introduced to Australia around 1956 and as well had to undergo changes as to how society looked at it.
The main characters in the documentary, the Abberton Brothers, grow up in the Sydney suburb Maroubra, which appears as a socially unstable environment of drugs and domestic violence. All four boys passionately surf which helps them to cope with a disfunctional family background. The surf community of the ‘Bra Boys’ functions as a second family which has its ‘home’ at the beach. Koby Abberton says: “The beach was our life. That is all we had.” This quotation shows the strong connection with the beach landscape. Another member of the ‘Bra Boys’ states: “This was our little place.” The beach is perceived as possession. Another example of this is the naming of a breaking wave at ‘Cape Solander’ as “ours”.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to the Beach in Australian History
2. The Abberton Brothers and the Maroubra Environment
3. Tribalism, Identity, and Australian Core Values
4. The Surfer Image: Pushing Boundaries and Nature
5. Surfing as a Liminal Space and Catharsis
6. Commercialisation and the Representation of Australianess
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines how the 2007 documentary "Bra Boys" represents the Australian character and national identity through the lens of landscape and location, specifically focusing on the beach culture associated with the Maroubra surf community.
- The historical evolution of the beach as a symbol of Australian identity.
- The role of the 'Bra Boys' surf community as a surrogate family and social structure.
- The intersection of Australian core values like mateship and antiauthoritarianism with surf culture.
- The construction of the Australian 'surfer' image compared to the historical 'bushman' legend.
- The influence of media and commercialisation on the perception of surfing lifestyles.
Excerpt from the Book
The Abberton Brothers and the Maroubra Environment
The main characters in the documentary, the Abberton Brothers, grow up in the Sydney suburb Maroubra, which appears as a socially unstable environment of drugs and domestic violence. All four boys passionately surf which helps them to cope with a disfunctional family background. The surf community of the ‘Bra Boys’ functions as a second family which has its ‘home’ at the beach. Koby Abberton says: “The beach was our life. That is all we had.” This quotation shows the strong connection with the beach landscape. Another member of the ‘Bra Boys’ states: “This was our little place.” The beach is perceived as possession. Another example of this is the naming of a breaking wave at ‘Cape Solander’ as “ours”.
This brotherhood develops a very strong identification with their local beach which leads to a kind of tribalism expressed through symbols such as a special handshake or tattoos which show the ‘Bra Boys’-logo, the Maroubra postcode (2035), a formation of stars which looks like the southern cross, or the words: “Life’s a beach”. On the one hand this tribe creates a strong feeling of identity and belonging among its members but on the other hand it also excludes anyone who does not fulfil certain criteria such as being a “stand up guy” with a strong character “willing to prove himself”. ‘Bra Boys’ are not female, “earn their spot”, are responsible and guide their mate’s backs. Every man who really wants to be part of the brotherhood and to devote his life to surfing is given a chance. These characteristics remind of the so called Australian core values which are said to be mateship, egalitarianism and fair go. Members show also larrikinism, antiauthoritarianism and an ‘against-the-odds’ attitude.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction to the Beach in Australian History: Provides a historical overview of how the beach transitioned from a regulated space to a central symbol of the Australian national character.
2. The Abberton Brothers and the Maroubra Environment: Explores the personal background of the documentary’s main subjects and their deep, possessive connection to the Maroubra beach landscape.
3. Tribalism, Identity, and Australian Core Values: Analyzes how the 'Bra Boys' manifest traditional Australian cultural values like mateship and egalitarianism through their specific, exclusionary social structure.
4. The Surfer Image: Pushing Boundaries and Nature: Discusses the portrayal of the surfer as an adventurous pioneer and how this archetype relates to the historical Australian 'bushman' legend.
5. Surfing as a Liminal Space and Catharsis: Examines how the act of surfing serves as a transformative experience for the members of the group during personal and legal crises.
6. Commercialisation and the Representation of Australianess: Critically evaluates the documentary's role as a media tool in shaping a specific, subjective, and politically curated image of the Australian spirit.
Keywords
Bra Boys, Australian identity, beach culture, Maroubra, surf culture, Abberton Brothers, mateship, Australian character, landscape, tribalism, media representation, documentary, surfing, commercialisation, national identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this paper?
The paper analyzes the 2007 documentary "Bra Boys" to understand how it depicts Australian identity and character, particularly in relation to the beach environment.
What are the central themes discussed in the text?
The themes include the cultural significance of the beach, the social structure of the 'Bra Boys' brotherhood, the influence of the media, and the alignment of surf culture with traditional Australian values.
What is the core research question addressed by the author?
The study investigates how the documentary represents 'Australia' or the Australian character through the lens of its connection to the beach landscape.
What scientific or analytical method is employed?
The author uses a qualitative cultural analysis, interpreting visual and narrative elements from the documentary in the context of existing academic literature on Australian history and sociology.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers the historical importance of the Australian beach, the lived experience of the Abberton brothers, the formation of identity through symbols and behavior, and the commodification of the surfing lifestyle.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include Australian identity, Bra Boys, beach culture, mateship, social tribalism, and media representation.
How does the documentary characterize the "Bra Boys" in relation to wider society?
The documentary portrays them as a misunderstood tribe, often viewed as outsiders or "scoundrels" locally, while simultaneously projecting a heroic, pioneer-like image to the outside world.
How is the concept of the "beach" portrayed in the documentary?
The beach is depicted as a liminal, sacred space for the subjects—a place that provides identity, catharsis, and a sense of ownership, while also being a space contested by broader societal norms.
What role do the Cronulla riots play in the author's argument?
The author mentions the riots to illustrate that the beach is a fiercely contested cultural space, and notes how the documentary uses the 'Bra Boys' to position them as "peacemakers" to create a more positive public image.
Why does the author consider the documentary's portrayal to be subjective?
Because the director, Sunny Abberton, is a member of the brotherhood, the film acts as a tool to consciously reframe their reputation and the wider perception of their surf culture.
- Quote paper
- Annika Onken (Author), 2009, Nation and Culture: "Bra Boys" (2007), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/137786
