Today was the last day of the first year of "big" school for Miss 6, and it ended with the annual speech day. It was a rather formal affair, and probably precisely because of that, what struck me most was the repeated mention (by various speakers) of issues such as climate change, sustainability and affluenza.
It began with the principal's address, who talked about the concepts of sustainability and stewardship, and how interconectedness is the key to sustainability; both between us and the environment and each other, i.e. the emerging importance of rebuilding our sense of community instead of sitting in our "home theatres" watching our plasma TV's. Lots of nodding heads in the audience, I was heartened to see.
The Bishop then went on to discuss in his address, a passage from social researcher Hugh Mackay's book Advance Australia... Where?, in which Mackay talks about how Australian's are increasingly disatisfied with our wasteful, affluent lifestyles and are returning to simpler, more meaningful ways of being in the world, which, as the Bishop then pointed out, sets the way for a change in dogma from "subduing" the earth and it's creatures, to a more nuturing, stewardship role, all the more important for the increasingly rapid impacts of climate change.
The guest speaker was Hugh Evans, Young Australian of the Year in 2004, a very impressive young man too I have to say! His talk about the work he has facilitated and been involved in with the poor and ill in Africa and India, also linked in with the concept that we, as affluent Westerners, have no right to impose the effects of our selfish wants on these people.
And finally, the parting gift to the school from the Year 12 students were solar panels, to be connected to the electricity grid, to help reduce the carbon footprint of the school.
Whilst the sense of urgency about climate change and the need to act now, won't leave me any time soon, I have to say that I left what could have been a pompous, self-congratulatory affair this morning, feeling that there actually is a growing groundswell of people just like me in my own community, instead of scattered around the country connected via computer. It's a nice feeling.
3 comments:
that's great to hear!!
That's very encouraging! To my mind, the recent election result largely reflects that same feeling in the community.
Hi Ali, it's good isn't it? It makes me think that the school management will be open to suggestions regarding projects like a school kitchen garden perhaps?
Hi David, I agree about the election result, I think it goes to show how many more poeple ar realising that we can't afford to have economic prosperity now, at the expense of our future. It remains to be seen how the new government shapes up in that department I guess.
Cheers, Julie
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