MY VISION FOR AUSTRALIA
–
Tehree Gordon, Senior Australian of the Year, 2004
While acknowledging the
contribution made by our ancestors in establishing this wonderful
country, it is imperative to recognise the mistakes made that have
created sorrow and misery for many.
We need to move ahead and work to create a society that removes barriers
based on difference and recognises the abilities of all people and their
individual contributions. More specifically, equal access to our health
system is fundamental. Wellness must not be based on income, but rather
need.
The foundation of this country is built on knowledge and for us to
maintain our status within this world it is imperative that our
education system provides opportunities for all students to achieve
their full potential.
Barriers that do not encourage our senior Australians to be more
involved and share their vast knowledge are not in Australia’s best
interests.
And now an area close to my
heart, the environment, is becoming increasingly important to the way of
life that I want to lead in my country. Our sad record in animal
extinction must be turned around. We must control feral animals, turn
salinity in our productive lands around, stop reducing wildlife habitat
and improve our waterways.
I do not want to live in an Australia that does not have koalas. The
abundance of wildlife that was our inheritance should not become our
history.
Tehree Gordon
26 January 2004
MISSION STATEMENT FOR JIRRAHLINGA
- To provide a safe & environmentally friendly haven for sick and
injured animals.
- To
highlight the plight of our animals to ensure they too have a future.
- To ensure
that Jirrahlinga will always be available for animals, and a place to
visit for
people who do want to make a difference to our future.
- To
encourage people of Australia, especially our youth who are the future
to:
- Reduce
feral animals in the environment.
- Stop
reducing wildlife habitat
- Improve our
wetlands
- Re-green
our lands
- Care for
our environment and native animals in a responsible manner.
