Speaker by Various Artists

You came back for a special one-off appearance to cheer us all up right?

Geez, now you're making me cry before lunchtime?

because it's so much easier to be happy when we can pretend all of this stuff doesn't exist, right kyle?

it's so difficult to care enough to want to do something, but not care so much that you're paralysed. and to fight off that feeling of helplessness and hopelessness that things will ever change. but che, somewhere, you have made a difference. if not to their lives, then at least to our awareness of it.

because it's so much easier to be happy when we can pretend all of this stuff doesn't exist, right kyle?

You're reading a whole lot into what I said, which I don't think.

Like Emma, I was commenting on the sad nature of the blog, just from a different direction.

Bloody hell, Che.

I am astonished and shocked and moved. What hope for the rest of us writerly schmucks to make a difference if you can't with words and ideas like these?

Thank you.

Wow, dude...

Very moving, Che. Underlining the helplessness we all feel.

:o

You came back for a special one-off appearance to cheer us all up right?

Oops, I laughed at that Kyle comment too.

Underlining the helplessness we all feel.

Why feel helpless? Isn't that an excuse to care and do nothing? Just wondering.

Dude the words always matter.

Therefore the sage goes about doing nothing, teaching no-talking.
The ten thousand things rise and fall without cease,
Creating, yet not.
Working, yet not taking credit.
Work is done, then forgotten.
Therefore it lasts forever.

thx everyone. glad to see i didn't overcook this one.

i'll admit it's been a tough week.

i don't think we need to actually be helpless. but the despair can be pronounced. anyone working in this field must feel like they're digging sand.

the real mission is to bring the lives these people lead into a healing limelight that doesn't patronise or belittle them. which i'm not sure i could ever do without feeling like an exploiter.

Che, wonderful post, thanks.

I went to some mission lands a few years back to look at an Aboriginal housing/training scheme. It was in Armidale, not so far from civilisation, but the contrast between the mission estate and the other suburbs spoke volumes (though I'm sure it was nothing like the stark existence you speak of). The good thing was, and I say this with a degree of professional pride, TAFE NSW was working very effectively with the local people and Land Authorities and had successfully built a dozen or more houses while totally refurbishing another dozen. All the while, the young men and women were being trained in building trades.

There's things we can do and I entirely agree with 81st; talking about it is never a waste.

Beautiful, Che. Whenever we let words go into the world, we never know where they will land, or what difference they will make. But there is nothing surer than that they will always land where they are needed the most.

But you’re breaking my heart, because I know, in the end, it’s futile. Blokes like me never make a difference. We take what we need, the way we always have.

That's the choking bit for me there.Whilst living in Sydney I was constantly reminded of this.My efforts to help Taylor square alchos (small stuff) would always be rebuffed (they don't want your help) and as the years go on one becomes jaded.The constant reminder that people don't care.Ingrained.That is something I can't forget about Australia, the reason I tell others that I won't live there.Excuse me while I go get a hanky.

Your sister here might have been perhaps two or three years old when I first same here to speak with your family, and the people who live round here.

Don't feel too bad Che, you listened to these people, that, in itself, helps their esteem. To be listened to is far better than being ignored and/or used. Through your work others can now listen too.

kia kaha