Suddenly we are here, another year. Already my 2016 diary is marked with special birthdays recorded throughout the year, birthdays of children and grandchildren and old and special friends who matter to us dearly in our lives. Book club meeting dates are marked, as are meetings for various committees, and the weekly reminder of a column to be written.
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Once again the frightening fire season is upon us. We listen to updates during each day, not for ourselves although we are still close to a forested area which could certainly ignite at any time, but rather for our son and his family who have chosen to build in the bush at Macedon. Already houses have been lost along the beautiful Great Ocean Road. One can only imagine the heartbreak and desolation of losing one’s home and all the memories that are held within its walls. How courageous are those ‘firies’.
This is a time of the year when it is always interesting to reflect on the highlights and low points of the year. Perhaps for me the low point was the reminder refugee camps authorised by the Australian government still housed children, apart from desperate adults in these appalling settlements. They are all treated abysmally by authorities who offer them no hope for any future beyond the present brutal situation they find themselves in.
The Middle East continues to cause heartache, particularly refugees fleeing armies in Syria and ISIS, both dehumanising forces for evil. Where does it end? Perhaps the saddest and most heartbreaking symbol of that ever growing stream of refugees was the photo of little Aylan Kurdi, three years old, lying dead on the shores of Turkey.
There were many highlights to lift our spirits. A highlight emerged when Immigration Minister Peter Dutton announced Australia would double its intake of refugees, offering a selection of fleeing refugees permanent residence for those most vulnerable.
Michelle Payne delighted the hearts of Australians everywhere when she became the first woman jockey to win the Melbourne Cup in November. Michelle’s story, along with her brother Steve, a shining beacon for the families of children with Downs Syndrome, delighted Australians everywhere.
The Violence Against Women movement has entered mainstream consciousness and is strongly supported by our police and community. Rosie Batty, 2015 Australian of the Year, has played a pivotal role in that change of attitude.
Australian Human Rights Commissioner Professor Gillian Triggs, who was pilloried by the triumvirate of Abbott, Brandis and Morrisson, courageously stood her ground in dignified silence. She was rewarded by Malcolm Turnbull when he became prime minister. A very public cup of tea poured by the PM made it very clear Professor Triggs was in from the cold, as she should have been.
On the bigger stage Australia woke to the news that we had a new prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull. It has been quite extraordinary to see how the change of prime minister can change the whole persona of a country. A leader who proudly maintains ‘there has never been a better time to be an Australian’ gives a new exciting complexion to our lives. Australians have responded with relief.
Let‘s hope the promising beginning is a curtain raiser for a future embracing innovation, invention and investment....and a recognition of the importance of science in that future....and the release of all refugees held by Australia. That is my New Year wish.
