Let’s get down to business.

posted by Paul Roberton on Thursday, February 25th 2010

We have  a New Members Night coming up but we’re not calling it a New Members Night because it’s for all members.
It’s a great night to get out and catch up over a cuppa.  It’s a night to rub shoulders with a few familiar souls.  Have you ever thought about the impact your presence can have at such an event?
Shortly after I joined the party a little under a year ago, David Collyer invited me out for a coffee. We talked for hours. He then invited me to a New Members Night. When I turned up at Bell’s Hotel last June, the first person I saw was David.
It made such a difference to the way I approached my first party function.
For those of us who aren’t candidates but support the ideals that we embrace, perhaps the single most important thing we can do is to be a friendly face for a new member.
Your presence could make a huge difference. Your encouragement or inspiration might entice a new member to leap out of their comfort zone. Your support for a member might lead to their standing in the forthcoming election or for one of the other many roles that need to be filled this year.
My father was a Natio in the Vietnam war.  He wasn’t a solider though – he was a surgeon.  For every soldier in the jungle there were  ten people behind the scenes,  just like him, supporting each Digger.
While I’d never compare politics to war, the analogy fits. Coming to a New Members Night and showing your commitment to the party is like standing behind a candidate or office bearer and giving them your support.
So stop for a moment.
Imagine a warm room, of old friends and the fragrance of after dinner coffee.
Feel the buzz of conversation.  Feel the firm handshakes, and strain to hear your conversation over the one next to you. Feel the energy.
Imagine the effect that will have on the newly committed Democrats,  nervously finding their way.
See you at 7:00.
Friday March 19th
Bells Hotel
Cnr Coventry and Moray Streets,
South Melbourne.
RSVP
Robin Davis (9752 – 6466) or (rbd<AT>knox.hotkey.net.au) or
Paul Roberton (0421 74 84 55) or paul<AT>paulroberton.com “

Rudd Abbott Wars – Episode XVVVV – Religion And The Education System Strikes Out?

posted by Paul Roberton on Friday, January 1st 2010

I am a teacher and was a practicing Anglican for many years.

I have taught in some very different schools, where a range of religious teachings are followed.
In Victoria, Religious Education is taught sensibly and sensitively. In primary schools it’s usually optional and non denominational.
In secondary schools the two main religious subjects offered to VCE (Year 11 & 12) students are Religion & Society and Text & Traditions.
They lend themselves well to a personal reflection on religion, comparative theology and the impact of religion on society.

There is a wide expanse of territory for study. Within Text and Traditions there are four recommended texts: Ezekial, the Gospels of Luke and John, and the Qu’ran.

Students may choose to study one of the four texts in isolation before comparing with others.
It has never been an issue.

Let’s be clear though, what I’m referring to are electives for senior students. Students, one would hope, who have a grasp of their own beliefs and some functional critical thinking.

We know religious beliefs are  deeply held and highly personal. Most of us let it sit quietly; some choose to evangelize.
Some go to war in it’s name, but it still extends the promise of a healthier, more tolerant community.

I find it ironic Mr Rudd  and Mr Abbott, two Christian politicians, are prepared to dance around each other on an issue that could actually bring them – all of us – together.

They could agree that universal messages of tolerance, compassion and forgiveness in senior classrooms are a good thing, or they could agree to both stay out of the debate.

They could agree diversity of faith makes us stronger and philosophical debate makes us wiser.

Instead, they’re eyeing each other off like feather-weight boxers, twitching and flinching each time the other makes a move.

Prime Minister Rudd used a back bencher, Senator Landy to question the merit of the Bible in the new National Curriculum. Opposition Leader Abbott immediately weighed in.

This threatens to degenerate into a circus.

We must send a clear message: We resent the exploitation of religious belief for political gain. It cheapens politics and demeans our beliefs.

If religion is to become nothing but a lever for politicians to pull,  we may have to pretend we’re all Jedi so they leave the matter alone.

May the Force be with you.

Paul Roberton