By the late nineteenth century, nationalism in Australia was on the rise. The idea of the nation emerged with the means for its realization. By the 1880s native- born Australians had begun to outnumber the immigrants, and the momentum for a full- born Australian nationalism increased. Three-quarters of the population had been born in Australia and the camaraderie and defiance of the diggers on the goldfields became a huge source of national pride, just as …showed first 75 words of 2504 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2504 total…vision is charged with an emotional investment in the idea of Australia. It appears that these images were crucial to the traditional construction of Australia - a construction of place that earlier Australians called home and to which they evidently felt a sense of affection and belonging. In nearly all his poems he offers a view of Australia and Australians which is nationalistic, independent, and which was very popular with those who read the Bulletin.