Paynesville RSL Published by Maggie Marriott · August 8 at 10:51 AM ·
LinkedIn -Bernard Salt AM Corporate Advisor | Corporate Speaker | Media Commentator & Columnist | Podcast Presenter | LinkedIn Top Voice 2020, 2018 The greatest adversities the Australian people have faced since federation centred on war, depression and pandemic. Over 31 years between 1914 and 1945 there were two world wars, a pandemic and the Great Depression. How did we cope? Back then we were united by ideals that have since receded namely the concept of empire and the idea of religion. Indeed religion projected the idea that sacrifice in this life is rewarded with salvation in the next life. In the seven or so decades since WWII Australia has enjoyed relative peace and prosperity. But our values have changed. We have loosened our ties with Britain and we're far more inclined to be focussed on the certainty of the here & now rather than on possibility of a hereafter. So, what is it that unites our nation today facing a pandemic likely stretch 2 years (and hopefully not more)? And what if later in the decade we were to be tested further by an adversary determined to put us in our place? How would we respond? Sure we need vaccines and alliances and a capable military, but I think we need more. We need to be united by the belief in our right to exist as a nation, in the integrity of our institutions and way of life, and in our connection to community starting with the family, however defined. Galvanised by these convictions I am sure we can endure whatever the 2020s may have in store. See page 31 The Weekend Australian Magazine $4.50 p/w
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