COMMUNITY ASSETS

I am not a lawyer, but I can recognise that what Australia wants to do to Norfolk is unjust.
Similarly, I am not an accountant or an economist, but I can recognise an asset. The ones I recognise may not be the sort that get entered into ledgers and balance sheets. Sadly, they do not get factored in along with the clinical figures and data that are required by the endless inquiries and reports that Norfolk Island gets saddled with.
I consider that I live on an island that is rich in assets, and has the capacity and the will to provide for the wellbeing of its people....in the Norfolk way. I would like to look at three areas of service provision where we have demonstrated an awareness of what people need and a will to provide it.
SOCIAL WELFARE
The Inasmuch principle is still alive and well on this island. It underpins much of our dealings with one another, and our response when someone is going through a hard time. It operates as a support network when someone is doing it tough, and a safety net when a crisis arises. It involves a whole range of things, including many kindnesses and acts of generosity which are never revealed to others. It translates into minding the kids, cooking meals, providing firewood, helping out with the lawns and the animals and the fences. Fish and vegetables are left on the kitchen bench. Individuals, churches, the Sunshine Club and other bodies quietly help out with cash. There is often a Benefit night where a large percentage of community members, including businesses, rally round generously. Opportunities are provided for someone needing extra cash to take on some work. Everyone gets behind community organisations, supports their raffles and fundraising, and takes an interest in what they are doing.
At the same time, everyone in the community is able to feel useful and valued and safe. Help is given in such a way that a person retains their dignity. We are particularly mindful of the rights and needs of our elderly folk and those who have disabilities. It is a fact that you will never be able to 'quantify' this aspect of Norfolk life, or even get people to talk about individual examples. We simply do what needs to be done for one another.

SPORTS , THE ARTS AND CULTURE
These areas are strong and vibrant on the island, and this has been achieved without government-funded facilities or subsidies. Strong sporting clubs have been built up, with many competing in international competitions, as well as hosting competitions and tournaments that attract visitors from overseas. Participation is keen, and club members work hard to raise funds for facilities and travel expenses.
The Arts are also well-served, with an extremely active and enterprising Community Arts Society promoting a huge range of arts and crafts both at workshop, exhibition and performance level. Other groups also promote areas such as music, drama, literature, dance. The island hosts a number of festivals and tournaments, such as Country Music, a Writer's Festival, Line Dancing, Ballroom Dancing, Scrabble and Bridge....and many more. We enjoy an annual Multicultural Festival. An Agricultural and Horticultural Society continues to stage a successful Annual Show, at a time when many local country Shows are struggling with falling participation and financial difficulties . Our museums, both public and private, are inviting, and user-friendly. There are private galleries and Art Studios, and active Craft groups. There is a good measure of local Business sponsorship in many areas. Many visiting artists (from all areas of the Arts) visit the island each year. The level of local participation in all aspects of the Arts is probably quite high for a community of this size, and young people are given every encouragement to take part, perform and develop their talents and interests.
However, almost all of this happens without direct Government subsidy. It is the resourcefulness, sharing spirit and enthusiasm of Norfolkers that makes it happen.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
I cover this area, because the Commonwealth Grants Commission 1997 report found that the provision of Vocational education and training was at a much lower level than average mainland standards, and threatened our economic viability.
Notwithstanding that this area has probably improved since 1997, one should note that there is a time-honoured process of 'education' that still happens here, one which has been lost in larger, urban communities. I refer to the passing on of skills and knowledge by the older generation to the younger. One can identify many Norfolkers who are earning a living, full or part-time, using workskills and lifeskills that have been taught or passed on by parents, relatives or older Norfolkers. In some cases, this has been supplemented by some formal training, but all are doing well for themselves, and many are running their own businesses very successfully. I can think of people in many areas who come into this category:
retail, hospitality, foodservice and catering, fishing, animal husbandry, lighterage, agriculture and market gardening, butchering, grounds maintenance and fencing, building and carpentry, milling, tourism, business management.....and probably many more.
I find this is a place where young people are given every encouragement to have a go at things for themselves. Moreover, the handing-down of skills from generation to generation gives a continuity that assists social cohesion, gives self-esteem and confidence, and places a community on a strong and sound foundation.

Unfortunately, none of these things can be factored in to the balance sheets of the bureaucrats, but we hope that they will take note of these cultural aspects of the 'Norfolk way' before they endanger them by paternalistic over-government. Many Norfolkers fear that placing us in a position of dependence or reliance on welfare, subsidies and hand-outs will weaken those qualities that have enabled us to be self-reliant, and bound us together as a community.