WE ARE THE ANGELS AND EAGLES
The Prime Minister has said that dealing with the global financial crisis is "taking up truckloads of the government's time."
We know just what he means.
Dealing with Canberra's unfair takeover threats takes up truckloads of our government's time, money and resources.
It happened in 2006.
It will happen again.
It is almost as if they hope that the "failed state" thing will become a self-fulfilling prophecy as our Government directs time and resources into doing what they know is right and just for the people of this island, at the same time trying to maintain attention to the normal day-to-day issues.
We know Canberra is doing it "because they can," They have all the resources of big government and the public service behind them. They can spend big dollars, and they can easily get the attention of the media.
Yes, it is heavily weighted on Canberra's side.
But we have something they do not have. We are very proud to be Norfolkers, and part of a people who have built a thriving, productive and resourceful community out of inauspicious beginnings, on a small remote island.
We have something that we are strong and proud to defend, because we have created it ourselves over the years, and we know it works for us, whatever outsiders may think.
The French explorer La Perouse came across this island and considered it was not worth laying claim to, because its rugged remoteness made it fit only for "angels and eagles".
The British at first thought the pines may be useful for masts, and the flax for linen for sails. When that proved unviable, the island was only fit for providing a hell-hole for convicts who would be "out of sight, out of mind." Even that was abandoned eventually.
But it was good enough for the Pitcairners in 1856. It did not matter that it was remote and rugged. It became their much loved home, where, by the work of their hands and with a firm code of values, they developed a society and an economy that is the envy of many. They have been joined by many others who have espoused their values, and also treasure their island home and unique culture and heritage.
We are the "angels" and the "eagles."
We belong here.
It is our home.
We do not want someone from another place, another culture, another background, another way of seeing and doing things to come and change it. Turn it into something that is more like their own environment than ours.
We have love and pride on our side, and we also have fairness and justice, and we will use these as powerful weapons in the battle for the right to decide for ourselves the future of our island.