Introduction

In early 2001, social commentator John Carroll went searching for iconic images of ‘Australian Dreaming’, and found himself at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. During the packed one-day cricket match:

the Mexican wave gets going, circling the ground. As it reaches the Members' segment it stops, giving way to booing, before taking up again, in rhythm, on the far side. The booing is good-natured, even affectionate, a way of saying we know there is some sort of social hierarchy in this country — differences of wealth, position and status — but don't imagine that you are any better. ¹