a view of an Australian national character which relies exclusively on militarism and heroism, arguing that this obscures a more complex, diverse and inclusive understanding of identity. More broadly, Dr Martin Ball of the University of Melbourne argues that conflating the Anzac spirit with a collective Australian national character exposes an uncritically narrow understanding of Australian history: The Anzac tradition holds many values for us all to celebrate, but the myth also suppresses parts of Australian history that are difficult to deal with. Anzac is a means of forgetting the origins of Australia. The Aboriginal population is conveniently absent. The convict stain is wiped clean. Postwar immigration is yet to broaden the cultural identity of the population. See also Lions led by donkeys Pat Hanna Alec Campbell, the longest surviving Australian from Gallipoli Bull Allen (soldier) Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association Spirit of the Anzacs References Sources Reading list of sources about the ANZAC Spirit from the Australian War Memorial Ball, Martin Re-Reading Bean's Last Paragraph Australian Historical Studies. Vol 34 No 122 October 2003 pp 248–270 Burgmann, Verity. Revolutionary industrial unionism : the industrial workers of the world in Australia. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1995. Chapters 12–14. New Zealand culture Australian folklore ANZAC