“If you don’t have heart you don’t have nothing.” It seems that in the blink of an eye, we have reached the end of another year! What turbulent times we are living in. In the midst of the threat of economic recession, the joy of a new President Elect in the USA and war in the middle east, Xmas has come and gone and the New Year is well and truly upon us.

This year has confirmed for me that it is indeed true that “if you don’t have heart you don’t have nothing”. This time last year I was at the end of a journey that took me through 5 continents in 7 months. As the photos in the gallery demonstrate the world is indeed an amazing place. In Europe a highlight was the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao which is a grand monument to modernity and the creative spirit of a community that transformed itself from a war torn fishing village into a cosmopolitan megaplex!

In South America Maachu Picchu was amazing but expensive, however, it was the people and culture that was the transformative experience. While poverty, and all kinds of copyright infringement is alive and well, there is much that we in the first world can learn about community and connectedness. For one houses and communities are designed and built around plazas. These are more than just gardens with statues but are neighbourhood centres in which people gather, free from the slavery of TV and computer games, to play sport and as a result people actually know, and speak to, their neghbours!!!

It is important to remember that people are more important than monuments and at this time I would like to remember and give thanks for the life of Carlos Ochoa from Peru who passed away in 2008. I can say that Carlos was a man of integrity whose life was a blessing that brought great joy to the world. He was generous, kind, compassionate and demonstrated courage and great depth of character. Carlos was a truly gifted man who is deeply missed by all the many people who knew and loved him.

As an organization, 2008 has been a year of editing. We have continued our behind the scenes work supporting community based organisations and people who educate, raise consciousness and ask important questions of and about the world we live in. A special mention must be made of Antony McElvaney for his work making documentary films that have highlighted the plight of the Dingo and the need for us as people to tread more gently on this island we live on.

Obviously, Xmas is also political. It´s a time when the simple act of giving a gift can become fraught with dangerous undercurrents. It is important to remember that gifts are symbolic acts of love and it is sad when the process becomes a last minute act of obligation that undermines the seasonal values. How can a present promote faith, hope and relationship when it is purchased as an act of consumerism with out love and thoughtful consideration for and of the giftee? Thankfully, there remain amongst us people, and you know who you are, who get excited and for whom Xmas presents are about love, both given and received.

The enduring legacy of modern Capitalism, and in particular the philosophies of individualism promoted by government’s of the right wing, is that it would appear that our societies are becoming more selfish. This is not just the egocentricity of the sex now generation but rather a more pervasive “I don’t (have to) care about you (IDHTCAY) that is becoming the new “normal”.

The I don’t care generation undertakes community service as a fee paying tax deduction. For example, it´s the I will do something for you only if there is something in it for me. No longer is it the thought that counts but rather the size or the total money spent (on the present) that is the measure of love and affection. Often times the IDHTCAY´s find themselves too busy to actually go out and buy a present themselves, however, many of these individuals are happy to reach for the unreciprocated gift of someone else´s love and affection.

In Capital cities like Melbourne it is now normal for half price paying young people to not stand for the elderly or infirm on public transport. In the past few years contributors to this website have lamented the poor or discriminatory treatment dished out to those with invisible disabilities. Is it true that a shift has occurred in our society whereby it is now normal (for some) not to assist or even get out of the way of people in wheelchairs. ¿Is it true that while non government businesses are required by law to provide wheelchair access, government institutions such as Hospitals do not have to provide wheelchair friendly walkways between their old crumbling buildings?

Sadly more and more we are becoming the I don’t care to listen to more than a 60 second soundbite because to do more requires the use of too many brain cells. Is this why it is becoming normal for governments to announce huge spending on projects due for commencement after the next election?

From a Human Rights perspective, saying "Sorry" was a bold, if overdue, step forward. It is our hope that the Federal Government will now do more than just host gab fests for the rich and famous and "show us the (real) money" by incorporating a charter of human rights as a cornerstone into our Constitution. Regardless of which side of the fence you sit on in the question of the republic, it would be helpful if a new referendum, without the skewed ideological politics that marred the last one, could be held to fairly guage the will of the people, could be held before its Queen Camilla´s English husband who is the Australian head of state!

As we enter the new year, I would encourage you all to remember that it is important not just to keep a list of the things you do for others but to recognize the things that others do for you. The use of words such as Please, Thankyou and excuse me are acts that symbolize civilization consciousness and the attainment of adulthood.

On behalf of Caer-Awen I wish you and yours all the very best for the coming year. May you be blessed with a warm heart and experience kindness and peace.

James Rendell.
CADT Photography,
12 January 2009.