From little things, big things grow.

A little word. Such a huge effect.

What is in the word sorry?

The former Prime Minister John Winston Howard had argued that saying sorry would start a series of litigation and he and his party refused to say sorry. It was one of many issues that cost him and his party government.

Kevin Rudd campaigned that he, if elected in 2007,  would say sorry. Australia elected Mr Rudd. And on the 13th of February, 2008, the then Prime Minister of Australia said sorry and made good of that promise.

Yesterday, the first Indigenous member of the House of Representatives gave his maiden speech in parliament. Kevin Wyatt, resplendent in a kangaroo-skin cloak made a moving tribute in reply to that speech. It might also be noted, that Mr Wyatt is a member of the Coalition who at that time had refused to apologise.

Ken Wyatt delivered his speech wearing a traditional kangaroo-skin cloak (AAP: Alan Porritt)

A portion of Mr Wyatt’s maiden speech (as soon as I can get a hold of the complete speech I will update this blog)

20100929-pm2-wyatt.mp3

(addendum! I got some video of the speech!)

From little things, big things grow. Never let anyone tell you an apology means nothing. There is more to do. Much more. Lets get on with it Australia.

To merge a few slogans that have been bandied about since the 1990’s:

Lets stand up and move forward. As one nation.

The story of Vincent Lingiari: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Lingiari

The story of the song: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_Little_Things_Big_Things_Grow

The story of our nation is just beginning. Lets grow it together.

A. Ghebranious  2010            All Rights Reserved

(song copyrighted Kevin Carmody and Paul Kelly. The sentiment is free)