DANIEL FLITTON Diplomatic editor
The Age
Wednesday January 26, 2011
"LIFE is mostly froth and bubble," wrote the early Australian poet Adam Lindsay Gordon. "Two things stand like stone, kindness in another's trouble, courage in your own." Gordon's figure sits cross-legged on Spring St in Melbourne, the statue a reminder that Australians have needed plenty of kindness and courage over recent times.Watching on Boxing Day in 2004 when a sudden horror rose from the Indian Ocean as a tsunami and destroyed thousands of lives, Australians responded with extraordinary generosity. Not only did people look to help the neighbourhood especially Indonesia, the country that Australians have often looked on with suspicion the reaction showed kindness brings its own rewards.When Victoria burnt five years later, Indonesia pledged $1 million to the recovery. And as Queensland suffered the deluge in recent weeks, flooding territory two-thirds the size of France and Germany combined, Jakarta again offered assistance. Courage in time of trouble must be admired but it always helps to have friends.Traits of compassion or bravery are not unique to Australians, and as a nation we are as guilty as any of ascribing the best to ourselves and character faults to others. The "greatest country on earth" is the sort of froth and bubble that politicians everywhere love to employ. The true test of the patriot is never found in flag-waving, but in having the courage to point out a nation's faults, showing faith that as a people we can do better.Where Australians can always strive to improve is the acceptance of cultural diversity as strength. The term "multiculturalism" has fallen from favour in recent times and there is no need to abandon traditions that are the foundation of the modern nation. But Australian society is enriched by immigrants who chose to make the country home. This extends well beyond culinary tastes or religion, but to insights on the world around us.Look at the faces of our politicians, mainstream media or sporting stars and compare this to the people you see on shopping streets of Maribyrnong or Richmond. Australia still has work to do.
© 2011 The Age