Shadow Minister for Health and Human Services

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28
Nov

Emmanuel Christian School Graduation Address

2008

Principal Geoff, students, staff and parents – thank you for the kind invitation to be with you this evening for the 2008 Graduation Service.

Now, I am unsure of who you have had give your end of year address in the past but to have a member of parliament is indeed interesting!

Being a member of parliament over the last few years has been very challenging – plenty of controversy, accusations flying around all over the place and much talk about codes of conduct.

This got me thinking about the need for all of us to consider our conduct in light of its impact on those around us.

What is a code of conduct? We hear about football clubs with a code and have seen the impact of this on players such as Ben Cousins. Schools have a code, health professional and the Defence Forces have a code – a code is a guiding set of principles that you sign up to if you want to be a part of a particular team or group.

It is designed to reflect the values the team wants to uphold and to give confidence to those they have dealings with.

What about a personal code of conduct ?

We do not hear too much about people developing their own code of conduct as a guiding set of principles and values for life.

That’s what I want to encourage the grade 10 students with this evening and I trust that it may be a useful encouragement to others here tonight also.

What values do you want to embrace as you commence the next stage of your life journey?

Do you desire to be like the rest or to soar above the rest?

Do you desire to be a person known for values that are life-draining or values that are life-giving?

Jesus spoke about “kingdom values” – the values that impact significantly on others and the values that point people in the direction of God. You can read about these values in Matthew under the title of the Sermon on the Mount.

I have no doubt that these values have been taught here at Emmanuel in every grade since you commenced school.

“Kingdom Values” are what are often called upside down values – or in simple language the things that would be on the bottom of most peoples’ list would be on top of God’s list – the things that would be on the top of most peoples’ list would be on the bottom of God’s list.
“Kingdom Values” have a transforming power – they shine a light where darkness prevails and they speak volumes about the love of God.

I believe that we all should have a “code of conduct” that reflects the everyday aspect of life; relationships, vocation, money, integrity .....

So what would a personal “code of conduct” look like for a grade 10 student about to embark on the next stage of life.

I will always seek to be honest and act with integrity.

Be a truthful person – be a worthy employee – no sickie’s - do the things that most will not. If a shop assistant gives you change for $20 when in fact you only gave her $10 then be honest! Don’t talk people down behind their back – do what you say you will.
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the character Polonius was preparing his son to travel abroad – in giving him advice he said “This above all; to thine own self be true.”

I will always attempt to treat people with respect and to try and understand their opinions.


We are all equal in God’s eyes – we cannot always be right – how do you treat older people? – each generation views the world differently. Do you value your parents – do you treat them with respect?

I value the importance of relationships and will always seek to be a positive influence in those relationships I have and will look for the good in people.


The media leads the way in looking for the negatives – our society feeds off bad news – we need to be good news people – we need to value our relationships – family – friends – I need to speak goodness into the lives of others.

I value my sexuality and commit to protecting it from those who do not.


Promiscuity is rife in our society – young people and older people are failing to value their sexuality and have put their purity up for sale. We keep being told that we live in a “anything goes” world and that we should conform. We read of far too many addicted to unhealthy sexual practices. Upside down values direct us otherwise. We live with the consequences of our decisions forever

I commit myself to the sensible, measured and generous use of money.

Living outside our means is a real issue for the Western World – we have serious misalignment issues when it comes to money. Our expectations are way too high and leads to financial pressure. We have a generation of people wanting to start with a home that is where their parents finish. We are too stretched and we let the repayment of debt rule our lives. Get real about what is possible – be patient and leave margin. You only get into trouble when you do not have margin.

I will always try to be aware of the needs of those less fortunate to myself in particular those with disabilities.


Open your eyes to the needs of the marginalised – their needs are great and in the most part they are too often forgotten by the masses – don’t be one of the masses rather be an advocate for those who desperately need a voice.

I commit myself to blessing others by way of random acts of kindness.


One of my favourite movies is “Pay it Forward” with Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt. We need to be attuned to the needs of others. We need to be open to opportunities to bless others like visiting people who are unwell or confined to home - Helping someone with mowing their lawn. We should focus on blessing others instead of continually focussing on self gratification.

I value life-long learning


Learning never ends – we need to commit to a learning posture – willing to consider matters we would not normally consider – attend a community forum on a matter that may not impact you but it may impact a great deal on people around you. Give yourself opportunities to discover new things and new truths. You do that by speaking with people you would not normally talk to and by reading books or articles that make you uncomfortable and stretch your thinking.

Well, there’s 8 examples – but build your own code.

The decisions you make over the next few years will shape your future and the future of your children and their children.

Get in the habit of building character – get in the habit of serving others and get in the habit of being a counter-culture agent.

It is very important that you have a road map – that you do not wander aimlessly from this point. A road map guides you – keeps you from making wrong turns – gets you to your desired destination without wasting precious time.

For me, the teachings of Jesus provide the ultimate road map – does this mean I do not make any incorrect turns – no it does not – I make plenty – but it always provides me with the way forward after I have realised that the path I have taken led me kilometres away from where I needed to go.

The great news about God is that the road map is never shut and that he will always be there to guide us back and to welcome us with open arms.

Students, I urge you to take some time before 2009 to design your own code of conduct and do your best to live by it.

God bless you all as you embark on the next exciting phase of your life.

END

This speech represents the framework of the speech but is not a transcript.