Page 56 - Tropic Magazine Issue 19

TROPIC • OPINION

Paul Sjogren
Principal
Trinity Anglican School

Grateful for democracy

As the dust settles after the recent federal election, it is worth
reflecting on the concept of democracy, one of the pillars of
the international Round Square organization, of which Trinity
Anglican School is a member. Regardless of your political
leanings, it was a night of upsets and unpredictability, where
Queensland played a major part on the national landscape. I
read that 270 electoral staff were killed in the recent lead-up to
the Indonesian election, 37 people were killed in riots in Kenya
after the 2017 election, 39 killed in Nigeria earlier this year as
people were waiting for the results of their election, whilst in
Mexico more than 100 politicians were murdered in the lead up
to their 2018 election.
We tend to take our right to democracy for granted in Australia.
As I walked into a local High School to vote on that Saturday
afternoon, I reflected on the violence and intimidation the
people of other countries suffer simply by exercising their right
to vote. Everyone was calm and friendly at my polling booth.
There was some good-natured ribbing going around between
opposing groups of volunteers, but I also watched a One Nation
volunteer bringing back coffees for herself and the ALP volunteer
stationed next to her. There was a sense of seriousness about
our democratic responsibilities, but also a relaxed and friendly Manoora Community Garden
way of going about it such that tempers didn’t fray, tense words
weren’t exchanged, and the only physical interactions were a
couple of kids throwing a football back and forth. It is at this
time we need to remember to be grateful for our country and our Amy Eden
community. We are very lucky to live in Australia and I certainly Community Advocate
feel grateful, each day, to live in a beautiful, clean, friendly, safe
corner of this great country.
MORE: tas.qld.edu.au
Green time

Green dreaming is a treasured term in our house, something
my hubby and I refer to when we need to slow down and get
back to basics, connecting with nature and each other. When
we can, we get a few cold drinks, some snacks, gather the
dogs and kids and go hang out on the lawn. No devices, no
distractions and no Insta-worthy decorations. Just the fun and
chaos that comes with kids and canines.
Sprawled on the lawn, we chat, reminisce and dream about
anything and everything. What we’ll have for dinner, travel
desires, daily woes, the meaning of life, what we’d do if we
won lotto... All the while, the kids are engrossed in detailed
imaginary play around us. Their minds, as well as their bodies,
are getting a good workout.
Green equals serene. For our family, green dreaming gives
us time to connect with each other and the environment. An
increasing volume of research links contact with nature to a
wide range of health and wellbeing benefits. For children, who
are spending 30% of their days plugged in, the need for green
time is critical. So, get outside, get amongst it and go recharge
your green batteries.

MORE: facebook.com/manooracommunitygarden

56 • Tropic • Issue 19