On Saturday, 12 April 2008, National Walks for Values were conducted in Capital Cities right across the Nation. Walkers carried banners, placards, balloons, brochures and handouts in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Here is the pictorial narrative National Walk for Values in Perth.
The 2008 National Walk for Values in Perth
Between 400 and 500 people assembled at the WA State Library to participate in the National Walk for Values, 2008, through the City of Perth.
Many of these people had been attracted through personal contact via various organisations, radio interviews and community newspaper articles. A front page headline in a local newspaper the prior Wednesday had said "Values on Parade."
A group of 20 professionals from an engineering company walked under a banner and placards they designed. They engaged in a process of selection of the values and sub values, so that company members owned the decision and were involved in the values-based discussions.
After a moving Welcome to Country by Mingli Wanjurri, and a launch by Dr Fiona Wood, the Perth National Walk for Values set off with a carnival and celebratory atmosphere to walk through the heart of Perth city, amongst the Saturday Shoppers. As the National Walk for Values crossed the 'Horseshoe Bridge', there was an amazing sight: Hundreds of people laughing and enjoying each others company, families pushing prams, brilliant banners and balloons carried by people in costume.
Th city came to a stop as the traffic was halted, shoppers and staff came out onto the pavements and lined the route and cameras were popping.
The music and rhythm of the Wasamba group drew the attention of the crowd. They were incredibly colourful and matched the National Walk banners and balloons. They chanted the five values as they drummed and played their instruments. People looked out of windows above as the Walk passed. About fifteen high school students, who had joined the Love value group, had a great time handing out flyers and going out excitedly into the crowd, telling them about the Walk. About 2,000 flyers were handed out before and during the Walk. Many people were reading the print material with interest seeing the colour and brilliance of the parade.
The walk commenced with approximately 500 people walking; Several hundred more people joined in on the way—attracted by the music, colour and banners.
The Walk reached its destination at Forrest Chase was welcomed by the MC and the singing group who were waiting on stage with Young West Australian of the Year, Simone Mc Mahon. The Wasamba group and the Wongai African Drummers played for a few minutes until everyone had taken their places—then the Finale began.
Our guest speakers inspired us with their challenge to think beyond our current capacity and consider how we could be more committed to improving things for others in our community. Each was an example of the values through their commitment to service and our MC, Helen Martino-Bailey, linked in their message to the five Universal Human Values.
Helen Martino-Bailey, MC
Mrs Helen Martino-Bailey welcomed the Walk and the Participants to Forrest Chase. In her welcome, Mrs Martino Bailey said:
Today, communities across Australia walk in support of The Values which are needed in our society today. As we walk together each one of us affirms that, The Values are the essential elements which help us to live, a better life and that create a better world for future generations.
What are The Values? They can best be described as 'qualities' that we consider being worthwhile, desirable; useful and helpful to our lives. The five human values that we acknowledge today - Truth, Right Conduct, Love, Peace and non-violence - are life-changing qualities that improve our everyday interactions with each other.
When we base our lives on The Values, we, as individuals, change. The values heighten our sense of purpose; they give us a sense of social responsibility; they bring out the positive, the best in us. The values encourage us to go beyond our own needs and reach out to the needs of others. Fred Hollows, Sr. Mary Mackillop, Prof. Fiona Stanley, when we reflect upon these great Australian men and women, we can see how strongly the values that we are talking about today have shaped their lives.
One of the aims of this event is for each one of us to personally reflect and determine which of the 5 values we hold to heart. It is hoped, that as a result of today, many of us will make the decision to stretch ourselves that bit further and aspire to live by all of the 5 values. Let's give life and the children of the future the best we can.
The MC then invited the current 2008 Young Australian of the Year to introduce one of the Guest Speakers.
I would like to invite Simone McMahon to come forward and introduce our first speaker. Simone is the current 2008 Young Australian of the year (WA); she also held this title in 2006. Many of you who attended the walk last year will remember Simone - the petite, vibrant, dynamo who is passionate about making a difference to this world. It is wonderful that Simone is once again supporting the Walk for Values and that she has accepted our invitation to introduce our first speaker. Ladies and gentlemen, Simone McMahon.
Introduction Darren Lomman
It is my privilege to introduce to you a man who brings dreams to fruition. As a student of Mechanical Engineering, Darren Lomman made a disabled person's dream, of riding a motorcycle again, come true. His inventive design won him an award in biomedical engineering.
In 2005 Darren started a business called 'Dreamfit' which provides recreation and leisure equipment for people with disabilities. His service to the community has made him the recipient of many awards: The WA Young Person of the Year; the WA Citizen of the year. The WA Business News 40 under 40 winner; National Disability Awards Winner and the 2007 Young Australian of the Year (WA).
I'm sure you will agree that these are significant achievements for someone who is only 23 years old! True to his values, Darren works towards his vision - "To create a world where having a disability isn't disabling."
Read the summary of Darren Lomman's talk.
Introduction to Jim Morrison
Sometimes people ask but how can we live these 5 values? If we take Darren's story as an example, when we have a sense of responsibility to help others, we perform right conduct. When we share our compassion and understanding, we live non-violently... with Love. When we follow our calling to help others, we meet peace in our hearts as we live authentically - truthfully. Our dreams are made and realised when we allow The Values to guide our heart.
Our next speaker also lives the dream of helping others. Jim Morrison is a voice for his people. He helps educate Australians in the understanding of the cultural and historical background to Aboriginal Australia. Jim has worked in a range of government and community organisations with particular emphasis on Aboriginal education and employment. He has been involved in Community health programs that provide health services to Aboriginal communities in WA. Currently, he is a Policy Officer with the Disability Service Commission of Western Australia.
His extensive community work has seen him recognised with a number of awards which include: NAIDOC Aboriginal Citizen of the Year in 1995 and a NAIDOC community Services Award in 2005. Jim is a Noongar man. He is the proud father of two sons; and a grandfather of an increasing number of grandchildren. His famous 'Noongaroke' nights have been a great fund raiser over the years for a number of worthwhile projects.
Read the summary of Jim Morrison's talk.
Unity in diversity; helping all Australians to live as one; these are just some of your dreams Jim and I know that many people here hold those dreams too. Thank you for reminding us that we are all 'citizens of the world.' When we live with appreciation of our own personal heritage and that of others, when we hold in regard the Aussie Value of a “fair go”, we live with non-violence, compassion and love. Reconciliation is synonymous with peace.
Introduction to Dr Fiona Wood
Sometimes one individual helps and inspires many. Our final speaker is one such person. Director of the WA Burns Service through Royal Perth and Princess Margaret hospitals, Doctor and a Clinical Professor, Fiona Wood is a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. In October 2002, Dr Wood led a team of Doctors in the fight to save 28 burns victims from the Bali bombings. Her leadership, skills, and disaster management plan, brought international acclaim. As a result of her efforts, in 2003 she was made a member of the Order of Australia, in 2004 she was the West Australian of the year, and in 2005 she was awarded the esteemed title of Australian of the Year.
As well as her clinical work, Dr Wood is actively involved in research projects, she is Chair of the Govt. working party for Burn Education and she is co-founder and Company Director of the publicly listed company Clinical Cell Culture. In an interview in 2003, Fiona was asked if she felt she had made a difference to people's lives? She responded “Yes”, but quickly qualified this by saying that there's an awful lot more difference to be made out there, there's an awful lot more work to do!
Read the summary of Fiona Wood's talk.
During the Walk finale, there were two beautifully executed musical items, offered by a group of eleven dedicated singers and musicians. With three keyboards, cello, bass guitar, tabla, xylophone and eleven voices, the group sang "Together", a song composed after the impact of 9/11. The whole programme concluded with "Walk a Mile" - the Perth Walk Theme Song - encouraging us to go through life walking a mile in each other's shoes.
The Second National Walk for Values in Perth was a truly memorable day. You may view a web album with photographs from the occasion.
©National Walk for Values. This site last updated 8 April 2009
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