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Editorial: One of the major enjoyments of living in the community Cornerstone covers is the multicultural nature of the district and the high level of tolerance afforded to people from different backgrounds and diverse cultures. However, as we saw recently in Cronulla in NSW this tolerance can be a thin veneer papered over racial issues. There is a redneck element that would return us to the 50's and 60's where we were a mainly anglo saxon nation and the white Australia policy was actively pursued. Our Italian and Greek migrants of the time felt the brunt of this discrimination. Today we enjoy their cultural contribution as we do with the Chinese, the Vietnamese and the melting pot of other nationalities and cultures that has enhanced our community. Without the migrants we would have remained an economic backwater. To meet our future potential and to maintain our Aussie lifestyle we need to embrace more and more migrants to offset our aging population and low birthrate. As a community we need to be constantly vigilant to protect the rights of all individuals . That is why Alison and I participated in the Long Walk to identify with our aboriginal brothers across this land who are continually facing disadvantage and discrimination in their own land. As a community we need to be aware of those who are being disadvantaged and defranchised in our community. It is not only on racial lines. Economic disadvantage that leads to poverty, government policies that make people worse off, have the potential to create an economic underclass that wealthy, middleclass Australia historically has ignored. It is Christmas! A time we remember two migrating parents Mary and Joseph without means and the birth of a baby in a smelly old stable, visited by itinerant shepherds, worshipped by middle eastern dignitaries and forced to flee the wrath of local authorities as refugees to escape death. Simple faith was demonstrated as was political power, power that sought to manipulate and control the destiny of what appeared to be an insignificant family unit. The faithfulness and integrity of Mary and Joseph accompanied by the blessing of God set Jesus on the path to the Cross... It is from this foundation that men and women throughout the intervening ages have sought to develop community life that does not discriminate but endeavours to develop a "fair go" for all no matter your colour, your nationality or your religious or lack of beliefs. Let's look to 2006 to continue to battle to make Australia a place we can all be proud to call home. Pastor Max Walker.CEO
For further details check out the website or contact us as indicated below. * All correspondence to CEO c/o PO Box 358 Dandenong. 3175.
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| Cornerstone operates under the business name Cornerstone Contact Centre Inc. (AOO29459A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
One of the many tables of volunteers who enjoyed a catered lunch at Sherbrooke Lodge. 47 Cornerstone hardworking volunteers for 2005 were
taken by bus from Cornerstone to Sherbrooke Lodge. A mystery sponsor made this possible. The program was organised by Cornerstone Board
member Maree Arthur and during the lunch the Arthur family presented Cornerstone with two industrial fans for the building. A great time
was had by all.
