An appeal to Indigenous Australians: Stop this public sniping

... Our catchcry should be strength in unity. Sure we can disagree and criticise but let's ensure that the criticism is just and constructive and not based on jealousy ... I sound a warning, that you must not tear down that which you cannot replace merely because you are discontented. Get off your bunthies and get into the ring, join arms and cut out this public sniping ... We have to show the people of Australia that we are not merely boxers, footballers, tennis players, but are also intelligent men and women able to govern our own affairs.

These were the public oratories of a proud man over 30 and 20 years ago respectively and to me are pertinent words for us all today for two reasons:

• We must never forget where we come from in fear of repeating the mistakes of the past; and,
• we must overcome our current abysmal standing in today's society from both a socially and politically disadvantaged position by standing united.

Having experienced life in a so-called "impoverished community" as well as in a moderately comfortable middle-class suburbia I tend to side with the maintenance of the latter position. However many of my people may not have a choice of a safe and secure abode if the Indigenous leadership of tomorrow lose their way like our current elected and appointed leaders have.

I reiterate the strong fighting words of my old role model in an appeal to the Indigenous populace, "Get off your bunthies and get into the ring, join arms and cut out this public sniping".