Barbara de Angelis is quoted as saying: “We don’t develop courage by being happy every day. We develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.”
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People have commented on my writing from time to time, saying “I admire your courage in choosing some very adversarial topics”. No. That’s not courage. I choose those topical subjects simply to challenge people to think.
I will tell you what I think courage is. A friend of mine lost two children to cystic fibrosis. They were too young, too beautiful to die, but that dreadful disease takes no prisoners. Penny’s response is to face the world each day with a smile on her face and reach out to meet new challenges.
She raises money for local families who need accommodation in Melbourne while their child has treatment after a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.
Having completed a doctorate from La Trobe University Bendigo, Penny continues her involvement in a number of community organisations.
I recently emailed her on her birthday with the words “I am sure birthday and Christmas bring mixed memories. I'm so glad I actually knew both your beautiful children.” Penny’s response was instant “Thank you for your thoughtful comments about my kidlets. It's this time of year, Christmas, when memories come flooding back and wishes for the impossible seem overwhelming.” That’s courage.
I think of Andrew Barling, a local surgeon whose wife Judy I was fortunate enough to know as a friend. Judy died too young, at 37 years of age, of breast cancer. Andrew knew he had to pick up that baton she dreamed of carrying and build respite units for breast cancer survivors. It was Judy’s vision.
Andrew honoured that dream. He achieved his goal by setting up the Otis Foundation. While the foundation owns two units, there are 26 available at various times during any year, donated by generous owners of extra properties. Over the years, hundreds of women have spent precious time with loved ones in a place of solitude and privacy, free of cost. Raising that money, dealing with the naysayers who said it couldn’t be done, continual fundraising. That’s courage.
Paul Grey, a local builder, built a retreat with a similar purpose in mind to acknowledge and remember his wife Kerry, and raised the necessary money to build a home at Redesdale for survivors of breast cancer He had generous support from a landowner, local tradies and builders. A huge financial and emotional commitment. That’s courage.
The Alannah and Madeleine Foundation was set up in memory of Alannah and Madeline Mikac, 6 and 3, who were tragically killed with their mother and 32 others at Port Arthur, Tasmania in April 1996. The foundation has been operating since 1998 and was established to care for children who have witnessed serious violence, reduce the risk of bullying and advocate for the safety and well being of children. The foundation supports 9000 children in refuges or foster homes across Australia every year. They have reached more than 1.5 million children since the organisation was established. It was Walter Mikac, the children’s father, who set up the foundation. That’s courage.
Australian of the Year in 2015, Rosie Batty gave hundreds of speeches recalling her beautiful son Luke, killed by his father in tragic circumstances. She has worked ceaselessly to raise awareness of the ever-present horror of domestic violence. Her legacy is the much greater understanding of the problem in the community today. That’s courage.
