General News
2 February, 2025
Fixers or breakers? The choice is easy
Put metro ‘educated’ in country town for a year, writes editor Chris Earl THEY’VE been dubbed the loony, leftist, activist or downright ignorant and disrespectful. People with no sense of history and context of Australia’s social and...
Put metro ‘educated’ in country townfor a year, writes editor Chris Earl
THEY’VE been dubbed the loony, leftist, activist or downright ignorant and disrespectful.
People with no sense of history and context of Australia’s social and economic development since European settlement.
The ones who think it is acceptable to engage in law-breaking activities to bring tumbling down monuments to the progress of this nation.
Last weekend, the Australia Day long weekend, there were reports of more incidents in the capital of this state of Victoria - the toppling and bisecting of a monument to the founder of modern Melbourne John Batman and daubing a war memorial in red paint and activist slogans.
How can this happen in 2025 Victoria, indeed Australia, after years of government’s lecturing about tolerance and acceptance?
For the metro ‘educated’ the message has, quite obviously, been left swirling around in the atmosphere and unable to land in their brain.
How lucky we are that country people have far greater respect for history and their community than an element, small and feral as it maybe, that resides in the capital city.
If these weekend miscreants are brought before the courts, one would hope that the magistrate’s gavel has the weight of a sledge hammer and not a lettuce leaf. Perhaps the Government could introduce new laws that empower the courts to not only consider jail, a fine or some lesser “slap on the wrist” option when dishing out penalties? Why not require those who have disrespected public property to complete their community service orders in a real country community where their education could be more rounded and complete. Spend a year in the bush.
Time in the country to learn how things can be achieved in rural areas without the “convenience” of public transport available at their beck and call, or every other free service. Where challenges are overcome with a bit of self-help. Where neighbours not only know neighbours, but talk to each other and help the other.
For the majority of people in Melbourne, they now have no connection or understanding of country people and country life. After all, it’s more than a century and many generations since the big smoke became Victoria’s dominant population centre.
Time in the country would afford a reality check for those who think it’s okay to break the law with acts of destruction and disrespect. The acquired level of enlightenment may even see those that some have compassionately tagged as misguided opt for a change of attitude and lifestyle.
And time in the country would bring them into contact with inspirational people. The like of Ian Bartels, Tim Ferguson, Geoff Thomas, Carmel Alison, John Chandler who were honoured by Loddon Shire in the Australia Day awards. Or young Tyson Blair whose journey is a beacon for young people in the shire.
Whether the Government, or any political party, would have the courage to give courts the power to enforce a “country spell” is doubtful. Heritage vandals may have a hint of “you can’t tell me what to do”. But it would be worth a try for a better future.