1 Cultivating Landscape Spirits to Create an Identity

Abstract: Although the Australian landscape is rich with the ancient dreaming stories of Indigenous Australians it now also holds modern spirits that are fulfilling the role of uniting a new nation. Several landscapes imbued with spirits by Australians of European descent, are introduced and then discussed to understand the nature and origin of their spiritual meaning. These places tell different stories such as how a symbolic spirit of ‘freedom ’ imposed on a mountain inspired a community of refugees. Spiritual values are fulfilling the incorporeal needs of people and becoming a major focus of national identity in Australia’s pluralist society. Ways of resolving conflicting cultural issues and sustaining spiritual values are considered along with how their integrity, authenticity and strength can be determined