Australia Day 26th January 2011

On this Australia Day, let’s remember how far our wonderful country has come over the years, something’s that have happen and some people have made us stand together as a country, others have just made their mark in their community or towns, but everything that has happen has, change us as a country and as people for ever.

I can remember the death of Doctor Victor Chang, this man had done so much to save other people’s lives and his was taken from him way to soon.

and

What about the Welcome Home Parades for our Nam Vet’s, took way too long to happen, but when it did we stood together as one, and we gave our hearts to these men, some of who are still paying the price for serving their country to this day.

and

Then there where, those Aussie who lost their lives in the Bali Bombings, eighty eight Aussies where killed, mostly young people, in their twenty and thirties, this touch many families, from all over Australia.

Some of the changes to our country have happen over many years.

One of the big changes in my life time, has been how we, as a country, treat the Aboriginal people of this country and yes this has taken time and yes there are still changes that must happen, but the more we walk this country as one people, the quicker these changes will happen and the better it will be for us all.

Another of those changes that I think has been so good for this country is the people who have come here to live from many walks of life and from many countries around the world, each person, bring something with them, be it music, art or the wonderful food from their country of birth.

In town all round Australia, many people have given of them self for others and for the community, in my town two who come to mind are,

John Luk, who walk the street and beach every day picking up rubbish, that people are too lazy to put in the bin, John come to Aussie as a young man, if you ask him why he does it, he will tell you he giving back what Australia have give to him, and that a “Helping Hand”.

The other person is my Dad, Dad has been a carer full time and now part for a disable man for many years, when Koby and Dad first meet, Koby was sixteen, he now thirty eight, what started out as job become friendship, Dad holds the record in Geraldton as being the longest carer for the one person, three years ago he was to be give an award in Perth at Government House, he told them he could not make it, and when they ask why, he told them “it my day with Koby”, so they come to him at the next Australia Day, breakfast.

These are only few things that have come into my mind, I’m sure each of you can think of more. All I know is every change be it good or bad make us stronger as a country and bring us together as one people, in one country. The more we stand together the strong we get and the better it is for the country.

So when you’re out and about this Australia Day,

Smile at a stranger,

Should you meet one of our Vets, who has just got home from over sea s, shake their hand “welcome them home”,

Go out and play with your kids,

Have a family BBQ,

and most of all,

Be proud to be an Aussie.

“Happy Australia Day to All Aussie”

And to those who are here for a visit

“Welcome”

I hope we see you again one day.

S.M. Mac Arthur ©

Queensland Floods 2011

Pictures not taken by me

Over the last two weeks, we have look on as the beautiful state of Queensland has been flooded. Ross and I when to visit our son Kris last year, he has live in Queensland for the last five years. To see places we had been to like, The Botanic Gardens, and manmade beach, under water was so very sad.

Some like Kris have been so lucky, Kris and his mate live in a house right on the river, there side of the road was saved, and the other side was flooded, the same thing happen to friends of ours over there, the water did cross the road and there house was left dry, but those who live across the road where not so lucky.

On T.V, we have seen so many who have lost everything, their homes and everything in them, just think what it would be like to look around your home and not see pictures of your kids or people you love any more, and to see the home that you have live in all your married life cover in mud, and think of the smell, that would be in the house from not only the mud, but from the rotting food as well.

We have also seen people step forward and put their life at risk to save others, going in to flood water to pull people out not just in boat, but with just ropes tied around them. These people put the life of others before their own.

We have heard story people who where trap in the flood waters, putting other peoples life before them self, like the one of the thirteen year old boy who told rescuers who swam out to get his Mother, brother and him, to take his younger brother first, sadly this young man and his Mother where wash off the car and lost their life.

We have also seen the rescue of many animals, cats, dogs, horse, and yes wild live too, from the very big to the very small.

And at time like this, some of the scum come out in the form of looters ; these people are some of the lowest of the low, for they prey on people when they can’t not do anything to stop them, to take from people who have already lost so much, is just unthinkable, how these people can live with themself, is beyond me.

So many have come to help with the clean up, stranger helping strangers in the time of need, some have given, food, cloths, and things that will be need for people to get back on their feet and so they can get on with life again, other like me are too far away, so we send money. Help has not only come from those who live in this country but from around the world too and that is truly a wonderful thing, that people so far away, have open there heart to us, in our time of need.

We have seen many images of what has been happening, but the one that has stay with me, was of the family of three in the little white car being wash down the river, with all the bites of tree and rubbish all round them, we first saw them in the car, then the three of them on the roof, then just two of them, the Mother and her son were rescued, but the Father was lost.

The world has seen us as a country do many things over the years, in the last two weeks; they have seen what we as Aussie call the “Aussie Spirit” at work and it has made me so very proud to be an Aussie.

S.M. Mac Arthur ©

We wish

How often we wish for another chance

To make a fresh beginning.

A change to blot out our mistakes

And change failure into winning.

It does not take a special time

To make a brand-new start,

It only takes the deep desire

To try with all our heart.

To live a little better,

To always be forgiving.

To add a little sunshine,

In a world for which we’re living.

Never give up in despair

Nor think you are through,

For there’s always a tomorrow,

“A chance to start a new.”

Author Unknown