Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?

I was brought up to believe we were blessed to live in Australia, but I suspect we are somewhat extravagant about our birthright.

As a child, teenager, young man, and a person going into my 30s 40s and early 50s, I felt strong patriotism toward our country and the way that it was.

I had faith and confidence in government, institutions and the way we were generally travelling.

My feelings of certainty about our country began to waver as I went through my 50s, my 60s and my septuagenarian years

In a few days, I will be 78.

The country into which I was born, was far more simple and straightforward than the country in which I find myself in old age.

When I was born, Australia’s population was approaching 7 million. Nearing my 80s, our country’s population has gone through 27 million, and that was 30 years before it was predicted to happen.

I used to know what an Australian was – the definition was obvious through daily living.

Now I am not sure if in contemporary terms I understand the Australian personality and characteristics.

This does not come from an expert, but instead from an aging Australian-born and raised citizen, whose next birthday will leave him two years shy of octogenarianship.

Old people see things differently, possibly more reflectively than the young. We have experienced what is yet to unfold for them, albeit in a different world.

I worry about this country and will share some thoughts over the next few days.

Yes, I remain patriotic but to a country that has become a kaleidoscope of confusion.