The Fragility of Life

In the wake of the tragic terror attack at Bondi Beach, where innocence was shattered amid the waves and sunshine that define our Australian way of life, we are compelled to pause and reflect on the profound truths that such events lay bare.

This senseless act of violence, perpetrated by those who seek to instil fear and division, serves as a stark reminder of life's inherent fragility.

It underscores, in the most heartrending manner, the irreplaceable value of family and loved ones—those anchors that provide meaning amid chaos.

The images from that fateful day—families torn apart, lives extinguished in an instant—evoke a deep sorrow that resonates across our nation.

Amid the sorrow, the frustration, for me and others, is that it was entirely preventable.

The problem is not guns, or Jews or Australia. The problem is that our feckless politicians have imported those holding an ideology that is at war with Western civilisation.

The Islamists want to drag us back to the backward culture of the 7th century, and the fundamentalist view is that anyone not Muslim is evil, with a special loathing held for those of Jewish descent.

The clearest public sign of the fundamentalist mindset is the burqa. It's a grotesque garb with no place in this country, and yet our weak leaders continue to defend it.

The Islamic hate preachers who push their poison online are excused as a 'tiny minority' while media and political types go to extreme lengths, not to mention the world muslim or Islam when covering atrocities inspired by the ideology.

This public weakness by those entrusted with leadership weakens all of us.

It's even more frustrating when former centre-right politicians say all the right things out of office while actively criticising those same views when others expressed them during their time in power.

And yes, that's my firsthand experience with former Prime Ministers and ministers.

In a world increasingly marked by uncertainty, where ideological extremism and moral decay erode the fabric of society, these moments force us to confront our priorities.

In that respect, I should probably welcome the conversion of those who betrayed our country with shocking immigration policies and a head-in-the-sand approach to the risk of importing dangerous ideologues.

But it's all too little, too late.

And it reminds me that the bonds of kinship that all politicians owe to the Australian people should never be political conveniences but essential bulwarks against the internal and external threats to our country.

None of the political posturing this week helps the victims.

They were ordinary Australians going about their daily routines, who could have been any of us: a parent shopping with children, a spouse enjoying a seaside stroll. Their loss illuminates how swiftly the ordinary can turn catastrophic, urging us to cherish every shared meal, every embrace, every quiet conversation that knits our families together.

As we approach the Christmas season, this reflection takes on added poignancy.

The timeless message of Christmas—peace on earth and goodwill toward men—stands as a beacon in these dark times. Originating from the biblical account of Christ's birth, it calls us to extend compassion and understanding, even as we grapple with the horrors inflicted upon us.

The attack at Bondi, much like other acts of terror that have scarred our world, challenges this ideal.

Yet, it is precisely in such trials that the Christmas ethos must prevail.

Goodwill demands that we foster unity within our communities, starting with the family unit, where values of love, respect, and resilience are instilled.

Of course, we must never recant from strong views about the evildoers who perpetrate these crimes. Their actions represent a profound evil, rooted in a supremacist ideology that we should all reject.

Justice demands accountability; society requires protection from those who would sow discord. To ignore this would be naive and dangerous.

However, in our rightful indignation, we must guard against hardening our hearts to the point of losing our own humanity.

Vengeance unchecked leads to a cycle of bitterness that diminishes us all.

Instead, let us channel our resolve into constructive action: changing our immigration program, insisting on the cultural values that have long sustained Australia and zero excuses for those who clearly hate our country and want to do us damage.

In honouring the victims of Bondi, we do so not by descending into hatred but by reaffirming our commitment to our family and our community. A commitment to our Nation.

Let this tragedy propel us to nurture those relationships that matter most, fostering a society where support for our way of life and social mores is not seasonal sentiment but an enduring principle.

In the end, the attack at Bondi Beach, tragic as it is, offers a profound opportunity for renewal. By embracing the importance of our loved ones and upholding the Christmas call to humanity, we can emerge stronger, more united, and ever vigilant against the forces that seek to divide us.

Let us not forget: in the face of evil, our greatest victory lies in preserving the light within.

“Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.”
Janice Maeditere