The 2014 Australia Day Address by Ita Buttrose, AO OBE, delivered at the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music on Tuesday 21 January 2014 is one of the most fantastic, heartfelt speeches I have read. Ita proves again she has her finger on the pulse. The publishing stalwart, TV presenter, public speaker, and Australian living legend spoke about what lies ahead for Australia, on the eve of the announcement of the Australian of the Year for 2014 (which was Adam Goodes).
Here are excerpts from her speech:
"I’m honoured to have been asked to deliver this Australia Day Address.
Of all the events I’ve had the privilege to be part of as Australian of the year, this
occasion is easily the most daunting because I am reflecting on an extraordinary
year – one to which I want to do justice and one I shall never forget as long as I live.
It’s not easy to adequately capture the myriad impressions and thoughts that have
filled my life in the last 12 months and then to be here with you this evening to talk
about our great country and the challenges, and opportunities we face.
As a journalist I like what we call “a good story”, so let me start with people and their
stories. It is to the many Australians who have shared their stories with me during
2013 that I would most like to give my thanks and tell them how much I have
appreciated their openness and courage in sharing what often have been harrowing
experiences.
Without wanting in anyway to romanticise the struggle that many Australians face, it’s
the spirit they display in tackling their everyday lives that will be an enduring memory
for me.
“Hope” is probably the best catchall word I can use to sum up the essence of what
I’ve heard through 2013.
It’s hope that gives us the resilience and drive to achieve the better life we want for
ourselves and for those we love.
If we don’t have hope it’s that much harder – I would suggest impossible – to shape a
vision and then find the motivation to strive for it. So nurturing hope and keeping it
alive in Australia is vital if we want a society of healthy, well-balanced individuals.
A healthy human spirit never gives up and I think that’s how we Australians like to
think of ourselves.
The Australian spirit is also about lending a hand, helping those who need it the most
and ensuring that we all get a fair go."
Ita continues:
Read the rest of this insightful speech here.
Here are excerpts from her speech:
"I’m honoured to have been asked to deliver this Australia Day Address.
Of all the events I’ve had the privilege to be part of as Australian of the year, this
occasion is easily the most daunting because I am reflecting on an extraordinary
year – one to which I want to do justice and one I shall never forget as long as I live.
It’s not easy to adequately capture the myriad impressions and thoughts that have
filled my life in the last 12 months and then to be here with you this evening to talk
about our great country and the challenges, and opportunities we face.
As a journalist I like what we call “a good story”, so let me start with people and their
stories. It is to the many Australians who have shared their stories with me during
2013 that I would most like to give my thanks and tell them how much I have
appreciated their openness and courage in sharing what often have been harrowing
experiences.
Without wanting in anyway to romanticise the struggle that many Australians face, it’s
the spirit they display in tackling their everyday lives that will be an enduring memory
for me.
“Hope” is probably the best catchall word I can use to sum up the essence of what
I’ve heard through 2013.
It’s hope that gives us the resilience and drive to achieve the better life we want for
ourselves and for those we love.
If we don’t have hope it’s that much harder – I would suggest impossible – to shape a
vision and then find the motivation to strive for it. So nurturing hope and keeping it
alive in Australia is vital if we want a society of healthy, well-balanced individuals.
A healthy human spirit never gives up and I think that’s how we Australians like to
think of ourselves.
The Australian spirit is also about lending a hand, helping those who need it the most
and ensuring that we all get a fair go."
Ita continues:
"When I accepted the honour of becoming Australian of the Year I said that I hoped to
contribute a little to achieving a more positive approach to ageing, delivering on the
Alzheimer’s Australia fight dementia campaign and putting the spotlight on the need
for more medical research for dementia.
It has been a privilege to have a platform on which to promote a more positive approach to ageing and to tackling ageist attitudes in our society.
I’ve enjoyed advocating for the new thinking that challenges us all to look after both
our physical and brain health throughout our lives and am encouraged by the
enthusiastic reaction of Australians, both young and old.
I’ve also enjoyed and again, been encouraged by the reaction to my spruiking of
Alzheimer’s Australia’s dementia risk reduction program your brain matters.
It has been said that it takes some 17 years for the evidence from medical research
to get translated into practice."
Further, Ita adds:
"My activism is demonstrated through my fight for the rights of older Australians,
particularly those with dementia, whose wellbeing is progressively dependent on
others.
There has been a fundamental shift in how we are thinking about care and support.
For instance, for the first time consumers are at the centre of aged care and
disabilities. It is an outcome of which Alzheimer’s Australia and other consumer
organisations can be rightly proud.
I believe this sets the tone for this century – people with dementia have been
empowered to speak out for themselves about what life is like with dementia and
what they need to be full members of our society.
Read the rest of this insightful speech here.
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| Photo: Blogtariat |
