Advocacy, Transitions, and Community

I find myself writing this edition on 26 May, National Sorry Day in Australia, and I’m reflecting on how people can find themselves on the wrong side of history.

Australians can be on the right side of history when we get the chance to vote on the proposed changes to our Constitution through the referendum to recognise the First Peoples of Australia through an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

When you sit with your grandchildren, great-grandchildren - and potentially for those of you who live long enough - your great, great-grandchildren, what will it be like to tell them where you were on the day of the vote, how you voted, and the legacy that you left for them?

I know which side of history I will be on. I know the stories I want to tell to the next generation of children in my family.

As a young social worker, I was complicit by working in a system that removed children from their families. I look back on the trauma caused to Aboriginal families when very often their children were taken into care in circumstances where non-Aboriginal children would have remained with their parents – or would have been returned far sooner.

National Sorry Day is always a deeply reflective time for me, and each year I commit to being sorry and doing whatever I can to empower future generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Earlier in the week I was interviewed on ABC Gippsland about how to make a dignified exit from a role. The conversation was inspired by the examples of Damien Hardwick from the Richmond AFL Football Club, and more profoundly by Stan Grant, Wiradjuri man and renowned ABC journalist, who stepped down from his host role of the current affairs conversation program, Q&A.

What do I say about an elegant exit? If you didn’t catch the interview, get my three tips from Chapter Seven of my 2021 book, Worthy – you can download it here.

Sue West interviewed me too, for her Women (50+) Talk series. I shared my experiences of setting up my business as I was turning 50, and my thoughts on the essential support women need to survive in a late-career transition. The link above will take you to the program and where you can watch or listen.

Last week, I presented three workshops on the transformational power of mentoring at the Australian Local Government Women's Association National Conference. It was a joy to reconnect with former colleagues I hadn’t seen for over a decade, and to meet many new followers.

To close off the month, I'll be away in Melbourne at the Rotary International Convention. I'll be with more than 8,000 of my Rotary family from around the globe, talking about great projects helping to eradicate polio, and malaria, reduce infant mortality rates, help women and children’s economic development, promote peace, save our environment and so much more. Rotary is an awe-inspiring organisation - so if you know a Rotarian, give them a shout-out.

And if you are a volunteer in some other capacity - thank you for your service.

P.S Whenever you're ready here are a few ways I can help you right now:

Subscribe?to Maree's network. We won't spam you!

Grab a copy?of my new book,?Worthy: Stop mauling your mojo; straighten your self-talk and create an intentional life.

Individual leadership coaching and corporate training?-?Email me?to lock in a time to explore how I can help.