It’s been a very difficult week as we all try to make sense of the horrific attack on Dr Helen Haines, independent MP for Indi. Helen and Cathy McGowan before her played a huge part in defining what it means to be a community independent and are greatly respected both in Indi and across the country. Helen, her family, friends and the Indi community have been in our thoughts throughout the week.
What can we do in times like these to stay positive and focused on the good around us in Perth?
Last Sunday we were among a huge crowd of people at the Piazzetta Italian Market in Osborne Park, a beautiful celebration of the significant Italian heritage in our community – food, language, culture, nonnas (nonne?) making pasta.
On Monday and Tuesday we attended Global Citizen Now in the Perth CBD, an inspiring thought leadership summit ahead of COP 31, where political leaders from Australia, our Pacific neighbours and further afield joined leaders from the arts, sports, business, philanthropy and more to discuss the way forward to expand reliable, affordable electricity, strengthen energy security, protect nature and accelerate the industries that will power the future across our region.
On Thursday we joined thousands of people in Reconciliation WA’s Walk for Reconciliation, a beautiful walk amongst the wildflowers of Kings Park / Kaarta Koomba and a celebration of Indigenous culture.
These events were all reminders of the rich and inclusive culture of our Perth community. We were heartened to see people coming together with enthusiasm to share different cultures, to listen and to understand different perspectives. We also saw a huge outpouring of love for Helen Haines and those around her. This is the Australia we love: we share our grief, we have compassion for everyone, we listen and show respect, and most of all, we are kind.
Let’s make sure we continue to be kind to each other and to ourselves.
