The Australia We Want for Christmas. December 2016
Time for a little fun and some serious reflections on our future with a CCA Christmas Carol for all Australians.
What happens when you bring more than 60 leaders from across the Australian charities and not-for-profit sector together to talk about their future, the future of their children and the future of their country? Not only do they arrive at an agreed set of values and measures they believe are critical in achieving the kind of Australia they would like to live in (see report: https://www.communitycouncil.com.au/content/australia-we-want-first-report ), they also contribute to the writing and performing of a special Christmas carol!.
In the words of CCA Chair, Rev Tim Costello, “Australians are much more than passengers in an economy. We may be losing faith in our politicians, but that just makes our community, family and workplace connections, and the charities that support them, more important. Christmas is a time of reflection for many of us, so we are offering a set of values and indicators we think are important for all of us in imagining and working towards the kind of Australia we would like to live in.”
David Crosbie, CEO of CCA, said “at the end of a very interesting year where public trust and personal values have assumed even more importance, reflecting on the kind of Australia we want to live in makes sense. I am not so sure about the singing ability of staff within some CCA member organisations, but I would hope the attached Christmas Carol, sung by the digitally massed CCA choir, will provide a bit of fun (we had fun making it), and promote some discussion about how Australia is really doing beyond finances and budget measures.
CCA and our members wish all our communities a peaceful and fulfilling Christmas and New Year.
Sing along with the CCA massed choir singing the Australia we want version of the 12 days of Christmas. The original new words including indicators and values (in brackets) are below.
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, the Australia we would like to see.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, less kids in prison, in the Australia we would … (just)
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, fairer income rates... (fair)
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, safer streets at night … (safe)
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, less suicides … (inclusive)
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, housing for the poor … (equal opportunity)
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, more jobs for women ,,, (equal opportunity)
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, open government … (authentic)
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, increased arts all round … (creative)
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, less greenhouse gasses … (sustainable)
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, new volunteers … (kind)
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, more regular giving … (generous)