Sunday 22nd July 2007, 23:30Australia is calling At the end of May I had an amazing opportunity to visit Australia at the invitation of a number of organisations who think we may be able to bring some light to the lives of those last in the queue for the jobs and opportunities. I had never visited Australia before and I found a wonderful place with warm people who have open arms and gave me a real welcome. I met Elaine Henry and Paul Henderson from The Smith Family which does wonderful work giving hope to those who have least to loose but most to win in society. I was inspired by their achievements and the openness to develop new innovative solutions.
I was lucky enough to arrive in Sydney on the day there was a march and celebration of National Sorry Day. I was able to join the march and enjoy the music and poetry of the Stolen Generation. The Aborigine community and the people of the Torres Straits share a common trauma which needs healing. They have an entitlement to look forward to a life with security, truth, harmony and acknowledgement. This excluded community is so different to any other I have met on my travels, their claims for land and a need to know where they belong and equality for their families is a raw sore.
I met people of good great vision who know what they want to see in their country, I met Ann Woods a focused individual who is pushing hard to establish a community solution to the wrongs and ills she sees within her place of residence. Ann speaks with a real sense of insight (due to her own journey) and energy as she believes only energy and will - can make right the gaps where she sees good people fall through. I hope we can help Ann achieve her goal and perhaps bring our energies together in her community.
Stephen Laurence has a wonderful vision for how he wants to lift people up and out of poverty and onto a new pathway of equality. I know we share so much in our values and I am excited to develop links and opportunities for collaboration.
My visit to parliament and an opportunity to see their Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition helped me understand the way in which these politicians are sensitive to the needs of these communities and yet the search for solutions is as hard anywhere in the world. But as with everywhere else in the world the haves need to keep looking for new and innovative solutions so that the have not’s get some more of it. It is our responsibility to push, tease, fail, get up and create again till we are triumphant. Our goal is to develop ways of working that set everyone free. It’s hard but we can’t give up because it’s hard or we did that last year and it failed.
I feel great joy because in Australia I found many people who are trying different things and welcomed me on behalf of A4e to work with them to find new programmes and projects to help lift those at the end of the queue.
The next few months are going to be very exciting as we seek to work in new partnerships and establish a groundbreaking programme in Australia – if you want to work with us on these projects please contact me, the answer is Yes!
Thanks
Roy Newey
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