I would like to pay my respects to elders past and present.
To the Italian elders that built our roads, railways and telecommunications infrastructure. To the Italian elders that gave us the best coffee in the world To the Greek and Turkish elders for giving us the tasty kebab shops. To the Greek and Turkish elders that gave us world renowned International food To the Jewish elders that gave us all the Westfield shopping centres and Meriton apartments. To the Chinese elders that gave us all the $2 shops. To the Chinese elders that worked the goldfields To the Irish elders that gave us all the great Irish pubs … To the Irish elders that gave us AFL To the Indian elders who gave us great Curries. To the English elders who gave us Cricket. To the Northern English elders that gave us Rugby League To the Southern English elders that gave us Rugby Union To the Scottish Elders that gave us Bridges, iron making, heavy industry and engineering...and of course whisky (and Jimmy Barnes) To the Irish elders who gave us so much Humour . To the French Elders that gave us cheese and wine To the Dutch elders who gave us the means to undertake international trade To the German Elders who gave us beer To the European Elders that gave us agriculture To the Indian Elders who gave us cab drivers To the Japanese elders who gave great Cars. To the Elders from all over the World who have given so much to Australia, including .....(where not included above) a written language, brick making, music instruments, buildings, irrigation, shipping, sustainable farming, schools, pottery, mathematics, astronomy, glass making, weaving, cotton growing, cooking, ...to name a few Finally to Indigenous elders who have given us ????????????????????? Oh yes the Smoking ceremony????and a the only musical instrument in the world that sounds like a fart......and a curved stick.....oh and taught kindy kids how to paint with their fingers.
