But Bushfires...The Full Aussie Experience

The Scottish group left for Perth and Singapore this morning and it feels very strange without them. We spent the last few days up in the Dampier peninsula meeting social entrepreneurs and community leaders who openly shared with us their hopes for, and the challenges of, sustaining their work in widely dispersed communities. They were universally strong and positive in the outlook for the future but our group reflected that the support role we would expect from the government or enterprise agencies was visibly lacking. Add to that the ongoing impact of colonisation on Australia's indigenous people and a sense of injustice and isolation became acute. The four white Australians travelling with us were quick to point out that it was early days for reconciliation (the government only said sorry to its indigenous people last year) and it was too simple to call this racist. But nor could the folks from Melbourne and Sydney explain why there is no national vehicle like Social Investment Scotland in Australia. As is the case when travelling with a group of Scots, politics was never far away! Wednesday we woke to the smell of wood burning and were instructed by the authorities not to proceed to Broome. Our hosts, Goolari Media Enterprises quickly organised with the local community at Lombadina and we were both accommodated and fed well in no time at all. But bushfires! I guess we can say we really have had the authentic Aussie experience. Last night we were welcomed to Kevin Fongs house in Broome. Pat Dodson thanked our delegation, we shared our collective thoughts and then there was music. Jim recited Robbie Burns and we sang a couple of rapidly rehearsed numbers. The local politicians also interacted with us. I felt proud to be part of our group and humbled to be in the presence of a man like Pat. It is quiet now and I find it hard to find the words to describe what has happened on this trip. But I know we have forged deep friendships and I sense that the interconnectedness will continue. We have far more in common with our indigenous Australian brothers and sisters than we have differences. As the bard himself said...