Australia Day

Happy Australia Day!

Yesterday I spoke with one of my Aboriginal friends in the Pilbara, and shared “I’ll be thinking of you and the family tomorrow”, to which she replied “why, what’s tomorrow?” “It’s Australia Day” I said, “and I understand this might be a difficult day for you and the family.” “Nah”, she replied. “I don’t have a problem with Australia Day at all. I know a lot of bad things have happened in the past and we need to own them. And we have to move on…that’s not now, and to me we are all Australians, black, white whatever your skin group and it’s about coming together, really coming together here and now.”

“Yes” I exclaimed. “That’s it…and coming together with big open hearts.”

Today I feel pleased that I’m Australian, and that my eyes are open. That I’ve found the courage to reflect, read, listen and learn from my Aboriginal friends and disturbingly honest programs such as the #theaustralianwars which reveal graphic accounts of atrocities and the deep wounds of our past.

And that I have Aboriginal friends, colleagues and family (Irene, Margie and Nanna Biddy below), who are part of our Swagging On Country team, to share my life with, and together co-create joy and success for us all moving forward.

#australia #oceanicwellbeing #reconciliation #comingtogether #leadingfromtheheart #kindness #movingforward #success #love
#appreciation