And another thing, Peter
Posted September 16th, 2009 by debritz
When he had a go at me on 4BC yesterday, Peter Dick said my argument lacked facts. Well, Peter, here are some facts, courtesy of the Australian Bureau of Statistics*:
Of adult Australians, in the course of one year: 16 per cent attended an AFL game; 9.3 per cent went to a rugby league game; 4.3 per cent went to a rugby union game; and 3.5 per cent went to a soccer game. But 65.2 per cent of us went to the cinema; 34.1 per cent went to a library; 25.2 per cent went to a popular music concert; 22.7 per cent went to an art gallery; and 17.0 per cent went to a theatre performance. When it comes to participation, it's the same story -- we spend much, much more time doing culutral activities than we do on sport. So, there you are, more people went to the theatre than to any one of the football codes, but nobody says we are a "theatre-mad" nation. Yet the sports myth persists, and it gives politicians permission to allow the destruction of old theatres and the trashing of our cultural heritage while channelling endless millions into sporting stadiums. The news media gives a disproportionate amount of time and space to sport (when's the last time you saw a theatre actor or director on the front page of the paper or a story about a theatrical production on the TV news?). And the sight of our Premier parading around in a footy jersey, or our Prime Minister making an "important message" on TV before a football game (which very few of us actually watched), contributes to an international image of Australians being uncultured yobbos when the facts show the opposite is true! I'm not saying that people shouldn't follow sport or that the media shouldn't cover it, I'm just asking for some balance that reflects the reality.
* Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics Perspectives on Sport, May 2009 and Arts and Culture in Australia: A Statistical Overview, 2008 (Second Edition)]
PS: When I had a spot on the 4BC breakfast show about four years ago, the producer (a rugby league referee, as it happens) wouldn't let me talk about theatre or other arts because they weren't "mainstream" enough. The facts show otherwise -- and, when you factor in the 4BC demographic, it's even more relevant than sport. If 4BC management are reading this, I'm available to host an Arts Tonight program.
4BC is a great station I listen to it frequently. I admire its presenters. I would listen more, but I must pay some attention to my community station Beau Fm 101.5 as I am Secretary, and part time Presenter! Go Peter. In fact I don't much like any contact sport, but enjoy hiking and general walking.
Let's issue Peter Dick a challenge, get him to come with me on a prearranged supervised Kokoda trip, this time next year. We will see who's heart is really in it. Together with friends I am to go with Backtrack (Fortitude Valley) to walk the Kokoda track/trail. Better still young Debritz, why don't you come along also! Fellow walkers will have a slight advantage. In the last year I had a double heart bypass and a new valve. That coupled with Insulin dependant diabetes, should provoke some reaction from the man. Sport indeed, I for one will take a couple of books whilst Peter tries to play football in the Jungle!
When Wayne Bennet was a Phys. Ed. instrutor at the Police Academy he abused my woeful handling skills. Huh what does Bennett know!! I do however enthuse at State of Origin series when we have most neighbours up for a meal, and yell with the best of them
I agree Peter, of course many people love sport and there is nothing wrong with being known as a nation which is enthusiastic. However as a balance there are so many other things we are good at including issues like the Arts with its various forms