I know that I am lucky to have such inspirational men and women to have called my grandparents. They grew up in ‘simpler times’, although in many ways, compared with today, they were not simple at all. They lived through wars and raised huge families (my mum is one of ten children!). My grandparents on both sides were farmers and lived and laboured on the land through droughts, floods, locust plagues (truly!) and bushfires.
My dad took over the family farm and I grew up with him leaving the house before I left for college and often not returning until after dark, weekdays and weekends. He never complained and the time I spent with him out there after college most days and weekends showed me that it was not an easy job. I learnt many great lessons from him including the value of hard, honest work. I learnt how important it is to respect your mum, your wife and your mates. I am lucky to have such legacies to look to as I navigate my own journey through life.
What will the legacy of youth look like to our future generations? Teenagers grow up quickly in our society and are influenced by so many things that our grandparents knew nothing of. Technology, media and pop culture all impact on the way they see themselves and their world to a degree like never before. This ‘selfie culture’ that they are manoeuvring is developing a lack of empathy, grit and worldly perspectives that make the legacy they will leave behind look pretty dire indeed.
I am looking forward to travelling to Cambodia with nine students in October this year for an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. The Cambodia presentation last year included a lot of the word ‘grafting’ ie working hard, which immediately resulted in many students showing no interest in going to a foreign country to dig some holes and build stuff. Little do they realise how powerful and transformational such an experience can be! I hope that for those students who are coming along, the experience will foster a desire to leave a mark on their families, friends and the world that is less snapchat filter, and more courage, grit and honour.
Julie Brownlow says
Well Said Cam! You will be their perfect travel companion on the Cambodia Experience. What an experience it will be.