A LETTER IN PRAISE OF NORFOLK ISLANDERS

I  have lived on this island for 48 years now, and feel enormous gratitude for privilege. But today I also feel a deep sadness for those people adopted this as their home in 1856, when it was NOT PART OF AUSTRALIA. They are being ignored and overlooked, and face having so much taken away from them. At a time when being an Australian is expected to take precedence over your identity as a Norfolk Islander, when your special relationship with this island seems to count for nothing, I would like to say the following:

*Norfolk Islanders, your forbears arrived here from Pitcairn and grew a beautiful, peaceful and productive island home from a hell hole of a British penal colony.

*From uncertain beginnings, you have shown you are survivors.

*You are a people who have inspired the world with your special story.

*You have carved out a lovely way of life through your resourcefulness, in spite of the challenges and difficulties of your remote isolation and small numbers.

*You have demonstrated the best of both your Polynesian and your British heritage to develop a rich culture, further enhanced by those who have joined you in calling this island home.

*You have always responded with grace and dignity in spite of the many injustices you have experienced at the hands those who had been entrusted with the oversight and protection of your island.

*You have sustained and cared for one another through good times and bad. 

*You have loved and cared for your island that was gifted to you by Queen Victoria.

*You have managed its resources wisely and kept it beautiful.

*Over a long period of time, you have managed to educate your children, care for your sick and elderly, support those who have fallen on hard times, maintain your infrastructure, and protect your history and heritage.

*You have lived modestly, but with contentment, envying no one, comparing yourself to no one, staying true to yourselves and your own special identity and way of life.

*You have welcomed others into your community and have valued their participation and contribution. You have invited them to embrace your special values and welcomed their sense of belonging to this island.

*You have demonstrated a spirit of friendship and co-operation with all your Pacific neighbours, and especially Australia. You have served in her forces, fought in her wars, contributed to her economy, and shown respect and courtesy to her officials and representatives.

*You have been adaptable and tolerant, while remaining true to your unique heritage

*You led the world with female suffrage and free and compulsory education, and have always placed a high value of a free and democratic society.

*Your community pride, your "come-from", your good humour, your resilience and your faith have kept you strong through many times of adversity and change.

YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO SPEAK UP AND FOR YOUR WISHES TO BE HEARD, RESPECTED AND THIS IS YOUR ISLAND, YOUR HOME. DO NOT LET ANYONE MAKE YOU FEEL YOU DO NOT MATTER, OR USURP WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY YOURS. YOUR SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS ISLAND, YOUR HOMELAND, SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND CELEBRATED!

Mary Christian-Bailey