Vale Bill Withers
I was upset to learn on Saturday that the world had lost Bill Withers, the soulful genius.
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As I have done when other great musicians have passed, I spent the day listening to his music and reading all the tributes coming in.
I learnt much more about him than I knew while he was alive, and obtained a newfound gratitude for him and his work.
It got me thinking about that well-known phenomenon of not knowing what you have until it is gone.
A phenomenon that could also neatly be applied to freedom, in the current circumstances.
The difference with freedom though is that, unlike Bill Withers, we will get it back.
It was a helpful thought.
Now my thinking is that, when we get our freedom back, we will have that rare opportunity to once again experience what we have lost.
But this time with the gratitude that we got from losing it.
A lovely day that will be.
Josh McGettigan, Melbourne
National Treaty Plea
I have an image in my head from seeing Kutcha Edwards with his brother and sister on television crying with grief for themselves and for all their indigenous sisters and brothers who were the Stolen Generations victims.
This followed the announcement of the Andrews Victorian government's recent $10 million Redress scheme.
Kevin Rudds apology was over a decade ago, but no Australian parliament took action until now and I quote Daniel Andrews who said it's never too late to do the right thing.
It might only be a token sum but it means plenty.
We second Australians can have no idea of the hurt and damage that was done and it will be forever a national disgrace.
Regarding Truth, Treaty and Voice I also commend the National leadership being given by the Andrews government in being the first to take steps towards Treaties and well done to the retiring Gavin Jennings for his work as Victoria's Aboriginal Affairs minister.
We might all like Bruce Woodley's mighty song I am Australian but the line we are one will never really be true until we have a National Treaty.
Ray Wilson, Kangaroo Flat
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