On the Same Wave celebration, A partnership project between the department and Sutherland Shire Council
12 August 2008
Good morning distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
First, I would like to acknowledge the Dharawal People, traditional custodians of this land.
It is a pleasure to be here today to acknowledge and applaud the people and the work behind this project, On the Same Wave.
I find it apt that today is also International Youth Day: a day of practical action to encourage the empowerment and participation of youth in the decisions that affect their lives.
It is apt because this is very much what this project has been about: empowering young people with knowledge and understanding, and assisting them to become contributors to an inclusive, cohesive society.
Overall, Australia is an inclusive and cohesive society, but there have been significant challenges along the way.
In response to the events in Cronulla in December 2005, the Sutherland Shire Council stepped up to one of these challenges: they got involved and took practical action.
Together with the numerous schools and other groups they engaged in the community, many of which are represented here today, they have been consistent and dedicated in working to address these challenging issues over the past two years.
The Sutherland Shire Council enlisted the support of no less than sixteen schools within the shire and beyond to participate in the project.
I’m impressed with the strategy that was employed with these young people.
At one level, it was all about teaching beach and surf safety skills which, in itself, is a valuable thing to do.
At another level, it provided a common focus for kids across Sydney as they were brought together at the beach to put their learning into practice.
By having paired schools participate in beach activities, they gave young people from very different backgrounds the opportunity to, in fact, learn about each other.
We should never underestimate the power of bringing disparate groups of people together to achieve a common goal.
Neither should we underestimate what an eye-opening experience this was for many of these kids: in one school alone, for more than forty of these kids, it was their first ever visit to the beach.
What’s more, it was found that the children involved continued to visit the beach during their school holidays.
I note that Grays Point Public School was partnered with a school from my electorate, Auburn Public School.
Through this contact, these young people have not only learned that ‘the beach is there to share’ but they have also had the opportunity to learn what they share in common as young Australians.
Sutherland Shire Council has also been dedicated to building relationships among various community groups within the shire and establishing connections with the young people involved.
They engaged the Belmore, Bankstown, and Sutherland Police Citizen and Youth Clubs who also took part in the beach activities with the schools.
I am told that the work of On the Same Wave included ninety-three presentations in all: beach programs with sixteen schools, ten programs with Police Citizen and Youth Clubs and a number of programs with community groups based in the shire including the Arabic Community Group and the Gymea Community Group.
I understand that all of the community groups and organisations who were involved demonstrated outstanding commitment to this project. Their work is testament to the community’s dedication as a whole to creating a foundation of inclusion and cohesion.
I see here today representatives of the various schools, community groups and surf clubs who have made such valuable contributions to On the Same Wave. You should feel proud to celebrate the success of this project.
It is also encouraging to know that this good work is going to continue.
Sutherland Shire Council have committed to incorporating the activities performed in the project as part of their core business through their Community Education Program.
A DVD that was developed as part of the partnership is going to be distributed to all schools in the Sutherland Shire and all surf life saving clubs Australia wide.
The distribution of this resource represents great potential to further educate audiences across the nation about beach and surf safety, and reinforce the message that the beach is there to share.
It is important that we also acknowledge the work of the project’s Local Reference Group, Surf Life Saving Australia, and to those who were involved with the project from concept to implementation.
The work and commitment over the past two years through this project underpins what makes Australia one of the most successfully cohesive multicultural societies in the world.
That is, the ability to step up to the challenges that we face as a rapidly evolving, culturally diverse society.
This community did step up and with persistence and courage, in a challenging and difficult time, committed to fostering a strong sense of community, identity and purpose.
There will continue to be challenges that all Australians must face and address as our community continues to evolve.
There are challenges that we currently face with the community response to some of our newest citizens, including refugees from war-torn areas in Africa.
While a tiny minority may seek to divide our society with racism and ignorance, the truth is that we, the Australian community, simply won’t let it happen.
African Australians, like all those migrants and refugees who have made this country what it is, deserve our respect and admiration.
The vast majority of Australians know this, which is evidenced by the extraordinary contributions I see people making in projects like this one, day in, day out, right across the country.
We have come a long way since the events in Cronulla. It is through the hard work of organisations such as Sutherland Shire Council and Surf Life Saving Australia, and through the participation and support of the community as a whole, that ignorance and fear have been replaced with a stronger foundation of awareness and unity.
I would like to express my particular thanks to Brad Whittaker, the Beach Operations Manager of On the Same Wave who convened the Local Reference Group and was instrumental in his support and promotion of the project outcomes within the Council and the community.
Special thanks also go to Mark Simpson, the Project and Education Officer who engaged the schools and community groups and organisations. His ongoing commitment to bridging the gap between surf clubs and culturally diverse community groups is exemplary.
To those who were involved in this project, you have been inspirational in helping us to remember that it is what brings us together as Australians that is ultimately greater than that which sets us apart.
Congratulations.
See:
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au /parlsec/media/speeches/2008/lf080812.htm
Last update: 18 August 2008 at 18:10 AEST