Right, well, sorry I haven't posted in a while. Actually I've been writing entire posts lately and not actually putting them up. The reasons vary between 'not good enough' and 'someone else said it better anyway' and 'why am I talking about this?' - among other things.
Anyway, last night I attended a Wheeler Centre event that has forced me to break the drought.
Hosted by Crikey's Sophie Black, 'Unaccustomed as I am...' was an hour of wonderful guests reciting famous speeches from history. Julian Burnside, QC, reached lofty heights with the Gettysburg Address, whilst Sam Pang caused raucous laughter with his touching rendition of 'that bit from Notting Hill' - you know the one I mean. Dave Graney has a stage presence that commands attention, but it was Noni Hazlehurst that left a marked impression on the full house.
Noni chose to recite Paul Keating's 1992 Redfern Address. The famous words of Don Watson hold very different meaning two decades later. What was, on its first reading, a speech filled with hope and good intention, is now a reminder of lost opportunities and disappointment. You could have heard a pin drop as Noni read, but it wasn't until the end of the speech, where she said, simply, "isn't that sad?" that the crowd collectively sighed and shook their heads - snapped back into the harsh reality that is the current conditions of Australia's indigenous population.
I actually hadn't realised just how long ago Keating had made that speech. I was thirteen years old and had started high school. So why had I not heard it until I sought it out for myself on the eve of Rudd's 2008 Apology to the Stolen Generation? Why did my Catholic private school not think that message was an important one to share with developing young minds?
That was the point that stuck in my mind last night - and this morning. I thank the Wheeler Centre for holding events such as this, and I thank Noni for choosing that speech. I hope it had the same effect on the other patrons last night and that today Don Watson's words are being shared amongst friends and discussed.
No comments:
Post a Comment