to Aussies. In Jerusalem we found ourselves at Christmas time with “no room at the inn”. We were offered accommodation with a Haitian American whom we met at the Damascus Gate. He then proceeded to cook us dinner and invited us to stay again when we had finished our travels.
The numerous acts of kindness we experienced as a couple have only expanded since having children. Those small acts that perhaps seem insignificant make the world a beautiful place. The man who helps carry your groceries to the car when you have a baby in one arm and a screaming toddler in the other; the person who lets you in at the checkout because you only have a few items and they can see you are juggling tired children; the person who helps you lift your pram on to the train or who offers you their seat on the bus - these small everyday acts of kindness are significant and impact the way we feel about life in our community. The blessing of kind strangers never ceases to surprise and warm our hearts.
Finally, in 2010 we began to collect stories. We personally invited prominent Australians to submit their accounts of kindness, as well as receiving stories via our online panel AustraliaSpeaks.com. Submissions came in from people from all walks of life, including politicians, authors, radio and TV personalities, professional speakers, mums, students, teachers and business executives. All had amazing stories to tell. Here within you will find stories of kindness by people like Morris Iemma (former Premier of NSW), Professor David de Kretser AC (Governor of Victoria), Tim Fischer (Ambassador to the Holy See), David Richardson (reporter, Today Tonight) and Anton Enus (news presenter, SBS World News).
The stories in this book recall varied acts of kindness - abroad, in misfortune, in emergencies, during the formative years, and those for no particular reason at all (“acts of random kindness”). For one Victorian mother, a stranger’s act of kindness saved her from becoming engulfed by the devastating tsunami that struck Kamala Beach, Phuket, in 2004. In the case of news presenter Natarsha Belling and author Geraldine Brooks, their act of kindness from a stranger inspired the direction of their careers and, ultimately, of their lives. Geraldine writes: “I never met Althea Glasby, but her kindness shaped my childhood.” Miss Glasby’s kindness to a young Geraldine awoke within her a love of reading which led her to become an internationally renowned author and winner of the Pulitzer Prize in fiction in 2006. Natarsha recalls for us the act of kindness that cemented her passion for journalism and which also took her career to great heights. She opens: “I have a very special story to share where I experienced a wonderful random act of kindness that changed my life both personally and professionally.”
For others, their stories were less dramatic but, still, touching and inspiring with a powerful lesson to convey. Author Libby Gleeson colourfully recalls how a group of punks who “… had the lot: spiked-up green hair, loads of metal piercing their faces, huge boots and ripped army clothing” gave more than loose change to an old, homeless man, while others chose to ignore him as he shuffled on by, begging. These stories prove to us that in a seemingly hostile world, kindness can come from anywhere, at any time and, indeed, from anyone - even a bunch of “punks”.
Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Good versus evil
It is easy to become disheartened with humanity when our daily catch-up with the world involves few uplifting stories.
In a recent survey drawn from our national online research panel (AustraliaSpeaks.com), 95% agreed that the media reports more negative than positive news and 93% felt that this gives the impression that there is more evil than good in the world. It comes as no surprise then that only 31% of Australians think there are more acts of kindness performed in the world than acts of terror.
However, the reality is that more good goes on in the world than we are led to believe. In fact, off-screen it is good deeds that, by a large margin, outnumber the bad. Our research shows that for every reported act of road rage, violence or abuse, there are 38 acts of kindness towards strangers. Further, we found that 86% of Australians say they have gone out of their way to help a stranger in need, and 29.5% or 6.7 million Australians help a stranger “regularly”.
Here are more statistics to illustrate this: 49% of Australians say they have been shown “significant” kindness by a stranger, while 29% say they have been the recipient of kindness from a stranger over the past week. Further testifying to the power of good over evil is the statistic that 64% of Australians “definitely agree” with the statement that “good is more powerful than evil” (only 6% disagree).2
What are we prepared to do?
1 Help a stranger to gain access or mobility: 88.5%
2 Help at an emergency: 87.5%
3 Help with shopping: 74%
4 Comfort a stranger: 69.5%
5 Help with money: 30%3
Kindness and the Aussie character There is an earthy humility in our self-image. In defining Australia, the most mentioned quality was that this is the land of the “fair go”. For many Australians this is about equality for all and giving everyone a go – 68% define “fair go” as “equality - same rules and benefits for all”. Additionally, almost one in four (23%) Australians believe that this “fair go” quality is about supporting those in need such as refugees.4 Our lives are increasingly busy and complex yet our culture is down-to-earth. As Dan from Victoria mentioned in the research: “Where else in the world can you call a complete stranger ‘mate’?” While mateship is a term traditionally used among men, its definition is now more inclusive – 70% of Australians agree with the statement that mateship is “helping anyone in need regardless of who they are”. The vast majority of males (80%) as well as females (74%) agree with this statement.5
Australia is collaborative rather than individualistic. This teamwork, a mix of mateship and altruism, sets us apart from other cultures. It gives us a sense of belonging to something bigger than the individual, and empowers a “can do” attitude. Ian from Belaire in South Australia states: “Australians are legendary for their generosity and ability to collaborate to get things done.
We also have a great sense of humour and a larrikin nature that endears us to all.”
Whether at a street, city, state or national level, the Australian spirit unites us, not just to celebrate success, but also to battle adversity. Having experienced diverse and sometimes harsh environments and situations, Australians do not shy away from hardship, but bond together to tackle it.
In the survey, Tim from Camberwell, Victoria, said: “What makes Australia great is the way we band together when things get tough.”
The Australian values of mateship and a fair go have often been linked to our convict heritage, the 1850s gold rush, the trenches and battlefields of Gallipoli, our Judeo-Christian roots and, of course, the hardship endured by battlers, shearers and squatters in the harsh Australian bush. As our research shows, even in the 21st century, it’s still the essence of the Australian spirit. While these values are not confined to the Australian community, they are part of our national character and commonly celebrated on national holidays and in Australian literature, poetry and songs.
‘Tis hardship, drought, and homelessness That teach those Bushmen kindness: The mateship born, in barren lands, Of toil and thirst and danger.
“Shearers”, Henry Lawson
The famous Australian
