By Paul Chong      A Chinese by Descent . . . An Australian by Consent

I penned this article in 1990 published in my little book entitled “How to Have Motivation Unlimited. Interestingly, much of what I wrote came true. Here’s the full text:

Australia, the world “down under” has often been referred to as The Lucky Country. In a recent survey conducted by the Travel and Business Newsletter “International Living”, Australia rates number one when it comes to climate & recreation, literacy & personal freedom, & fifth best placed in the world to live after the US, Switzerland, Canada & Sweden, in that order. For climate & recreation, Australia rates a perfect 100, along with France, Italy & the US. In terms of political & civil freedom, Australia is one, out of the perfect 100. Economically however, out of the 167 nations surveyed, Australia is not so healthy & finishes down the list agt number 32 with a 34.21 score.

This economic rating does not stand to reason. Australia was the richest country in the world in 1885 & 1900, but after more than 50 years it was overtaken & replaced by the US & Canada. Since then we have continued our economic slip & further down the ladder.

It is likely that the neighbouring asian countries like Singapore will overtake us within the foreseeable future. As it is, we are third behind Brunei & Japan in per capital wealth, & that is after being the rich man of Aia for so very long. Such economic ills have prompted Mr Paul Keating, the Federal Treasurer, to come out with the term ”Banana Republic”. Paul Keating

Whatever you call Australia, it is undoubtedly a great land with tremendous potential. We are richly endowed with iron, coal, gold, natural gas,
among others, Such endowment is comparatively & more abundantly than any other country globally. But abundant resources alone will notensure the well being of the country. The strength of the nation rests essentially with the make of the people. It takes the right kind of peopleto make the economy work
Evidently, the development of human resources is of paramount importance to the growth & progress of the nation.

Now, more than ever,is rge time for us to re-think & RE-EXAMINE OUR FEELING resulting in our action in relation to our life & future of our nation. WE CANNOT GROW BY THINKING DOWN. Only progressive thinking makes way for growth & progress.The develpoment of human resources must take on the positive aspects of our thinking. Very fundament, revolutionary and large-scale radical reforms must be incorporated into our education system at all levels,from the first day in school to the last day at university. The objective directed towards motivating people to show a personal responsibility and individual initiative in raising the standards in all fields of human endeavour.

Being an Australian must mean the realisation total involvement in the spirit of free enterprise and enjoying facing the challenge of that GREAT TOMORROW more than the complacency of yesterdy. The nation needs to call a different tune and inculcate the nation of survival of the fittest.

Everyone, irrespective of color, class or creed, is important in the task ahead. Whatever future awaits Australia awaits each and everyone of us,the Aborigines and the Asians, and the reverse is also true. The Asians who have come here in search of greener pasture are totally committed to the GREAT AUSTRALIAN DREAM.

We must think,and think right. When the famous doctor, Albert Schweitzer, was once asked: ‘What’s wrong with man today?’ he merely replied seriously: “MAN SIMPLY DON’T THINK.’

This reminds me of a story…

A preacher was once caught with constant interruptions by his little boy who kept coming to him in his study with questions and answers. He was busy preparing his sermon for the next day and could hardly be disturbed. In order to gain time he gave the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle depicting the countries of the world. ‘That should keep him quiet for a while,’ he mused. To his surprise, his little boy soon solved the puzzle. ‘Smart little fellow you are. How did you do that?’ His little boy quite simply replied: ‘The puzzle of the world map is too difficult for me. But on the reverse side is picture of a man, and that’s easy enough for me to piece together. So when I pieced the man together, the world map was fixed.’

By the same token, THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH AUSTRALIA. MUCH THAT HAS GONE WRONG LIES WITH THE PEOPLES: THE POLITICIANS, THE TRADE UNIONISTS AND THE WORKERS UNDER THEIR CHARGE. SET THESE PEOPLES RIGHT THEN THE ECONOMY WILL BE RIGHT AND AUSTRALIA WILL PROSPER!

How easy it is to blame the world at large! How very easy it is to point your finger at others.

REMEMBER THAT EACH TIME YOU POINT ONE FINGER AT OTHERS, THREE OTHER FINGERS ARE POINTING DIRECTLY AT YOUR OWN SELF!

Australia is the latest pioneering outpost and probably the last and greatest frontier in man’s journey away from provincialism. The coming and going of the Bicentennial should spell greater hope, dreams and aspirations for one and all who are totally committed to zeal and enthusiasm, strength and tenacity and courage. We cannot to say ‘SHE’LL BE RIGHT, MATE,’and then take things easy. Malcolm Fraser, a former prime minter, once said: ‘Life wasn’t meant to be easy.’

Australia, for all its past glories,must be judged on the basis of its potential and the way that the people will respond to the tremendous challenge ahead. It takes each and everyone of us to create peace, harmony and prosperity.

Someone coined these beautiful mnemonics for the word

AUSTRALIA

A   A
U  United
S   Society
T   Transmitting
R   Righteousness

A   And
L   Love

I    In
A   Action

Whatever the circumstances, if we pull together :
WE SHALL PREVAIL.
UNITED WE STAND,
ASUNDER WE FALL.

In achieving the GREAT AUSTRALIAN DREAM , this nation needs to appraise, accept and adopt the many different cultures, skills and talents that the Australian immigrants have to offer for the enrichment and advancement of this immigrant nation. Whether white or black, yellow or brown, we deeply need one another if we are really to become a strong nation, and to achieve our identity, our maturity as men and women.

As mentioned, Australia has a great reputation in the world as one of the best places to live. As such, it has a tremendous attraction for immigrants. The world is at our feet and we can afford to be selective and reap just the cream from any country. Apart from qualitative selection, the immigrant program can be stepped up quantitatively without detriment, irrespective of colour or creed.

WE CAN HAVE THE BEST OF WHAT THE WORLD CAN OFFER BOTH QUALITATIVELY AND QUANTITATIVELY.

A unique AUSTRALIAN CULTURE can then evolve through the blending and mixing of the many different cosmopolitan cultures present in our midst. Together we can lead the way and show this troubled world what true peace and harmony is all about. We can make this a better world to live in for all future generations in the year 2000 and beyond. This could be our GREAT AUSTRALIAN DREAM.

Epilogue
Australia could have been an Asian country geographically being largely surrounded by Asian neighbours. With the rise of China as a great economic power with a teeming population of 1.4 billion population, it makes sense for Australia to draw closer to China. By shifting its focus towards China bountiful harvest will be our advantage.

It’s wise to jump off sinking ships & get on board the floating vessels. The greatness of the West is waning while China & other neighbouring Asian countries are economically shining in glory.