End of Year Report Card - Australia 2017 - a personal view.

At this time of the year I review my year and look to what has or hasn't worked. Usually this is a totally personal and private review and I do not apply the same approach to the country I live in but this year I was compelled to do something differently. 

As we come to end of 2017 I would like to comment on some things that I am deeply troubled about. In fact I would go so far as to say, I'm ashamed of...

Here is a few of the items on my Pros and Cons List.

1) what's happening on Manus Island. This situation is so disgustingly bad it silences me at a time when I should be more vocal. It reminds me it is not the actions of others that allows atrocities to be done in the name of the people, but our silent apathy that does. But I am still left with what... What can I do? How can this change?

2) the unwillngness of our current government to start really putting their backs behind alternative clean energy sources (with the exception of SA) and the one eyed backing of the coal industry.

3) the unbelievably high levels of sexual abuse in this country 

4) the high rates of suicide in young people and men in particular 

(In  3 and 4, I am working with individuals to assist healing, so in this area I would consider that I am applying some effort - but again my question is.. is it enough?)

5) Our lower standing on the World Peace Index. Yes we are considered a peaceful country but we are only 14th on the list, we did not even sit in this year's top 10. 

6) Our constitution which still does not recognize nor in most cases acknowledge the contribution of the indigenous custodians of the land of this amazing country.

And there is probably much more than I am woefully unaware of.

On the positive side this year...

1) I am delighted to see marriage available to all Australian citizens regardless of religion, sexual persuasion or race.

2) Of course I appreciate organisations such as the World Peace Index and this year's Nobel Peace Prize winners included an Australian. from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, (ICAN). I am not taking away from the truly herculean efforts of some Australians

3) and I know many Australians would put world peace as one of their top 5 wishes, but clearly wishing is not enough.

So as I contemplate the beginning of another holiday season and the tradition I was brought up in, Christianity and my adopted traditions around peace (which come from many other traditions) I wish to ponder how I can add my support and efforts to making Australia and the world a more peaceful place to live in. 

Deep in my gut, I know that without peace we are not going to find the answers to the complex issues we are facing. 

And without educating every child on this planet equally and giving girls the chance to compete on an even playing field so education is not a gender issue but equal opportunity for all, we cannot move forward globally.

My plea and prayer is this... Australia please do not get complacent or too self interested. You have a history of accepting the downtrodden and the battlers from every corner of the world. 

Let's see if we can do better. 

Wishing everyone a peaceful, prosperous and happy holiday season filled with love and joy.