A game of two halves

I generally write a bit about IT and related topics, but today I am going a little off piste. Bare with me, I'll hopefully tie it all back together in some shape or form.

On Saturday, I was lucky enough to head to a local Big Bash cricket match, as my father had members tickets. The game was fairly disappointing, made even more disappointing by the complete idiot next to me. Over weight, wearing a singlet and thongs and lacking in personal hygiene, he decided it was a great idea to yell obscenities at players and spectators every minute or so. Now, don't get me wrong, one of the things I love about going to the cricket, is the banter between players and spectators, but that can happen without having to swear every second word and abuse children that pass by. Thankfully, after a complaint, the venue staff acted quickly and removed him. But overall a much less enjoyable evening at the cricket, which we lost too!

I decided to walk to the city and then take an Uber home from there, in a bid to avoid the rush at the stadium. The well groomed gentleman that picked me up was very fresh faced, so much so, that I had to probe him for a backstory. Turns out he was 21 and from Pakistan originally. He made his way to Australia, alone, over land, and then by boat, 5 years earlier, when he was just 16. I was already in awe. Turns out he went by boat from Indonesia to Christmas Island, where he was detained by the immigration and border authority for a month. I probed further about Christmas Island, as I wanted to know if it was as bad as the image I had in my head (probably inserted by mainstream media, which has a lot to answer for). Much to my surprise he was very complementary, as his month on Christmas Island and then subsequent month in a detention centre outside Kalgoorlie was fairly positive.

He now works two jobs; driving forklifts during the day and Uber on the weekends. And by the look of his car, is doing OK. He was polite, obviously hard working and appreciative. If he had any IT skills, I probably would have offered him a job right there and then. He seemed to value the opportunity he has been given, but at the same time appeared to be making his own opportunity.

I couldn't help but compare the two individuals.

One a lazy, drunk, foul mouthed 'Australian' and the other a hard working respectful individual, who now calls himself 'Australian'. The Australia I came back to live in is an inclusive place where opportunities abound for those willing to work. I don't want to be a part of the other Australia; and I don't want those not deserving of it to be part of my Australia. So as I look to expand my team, I can't help but hope that I find an IT engineer moonlighting as a forklift driver, who can help take MagenTys to the next level. If you are willing to put in your heart and soul, you will be rewarded.