Page 310 - Week 01 - Thursday, 15 December 2016
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My mother was a key influence on my values and introduced me to a strong business ethic. I was able to watch and learn from the level of commitment and dedication she poured into managing her business. This was driven by her passion and love for her family and her community.
Running your own business takes long days and nights. The privilege of working set hours and being able to go home and switch off after the day is not a privilege most business owners experience. I witnessed the long hours it took mum to run her restaurant, starting most days at 10am and working to 10 in the evening. Anyone who has come from a family business knows it is expected they would help out in the business. I can tell you that I have done my fair share of dishes for a lifetime.
At the age of 12 I recall washing dishes in a sink that was the size of a bathtub, so big I needed a wooden crate to stand on. I did this until I got my freedom—or my drivers licence—pretty much. I was taught the values of initiative, perseverance, personal responsibility and reward for hard work. Family is important to me. It is where the values I hold today were born.
Strong values are important to anyone seeking elected office, and I agree with our greatest modern Prime Minister, former PM John Howard, who was always emphasising that navigating a path to political success means sticking to your values. I firmly subscribe to the Liberal Party’s central philosophies, specifically the belief in the individual and support for families.
The family is a primary place for fostering values and it is those values that can influence the path we take in life, whether they are social, political, religious or moral values. As parents we want to provide a loving, supportive, safe and secure family environment which all starts with the family home. I was encouraged to make decisions for myself. Sure, there were times when I made the wrong decision, but I made sure I learned from them.
From a young age I stood my ground on matters I felt passionate about, including the core belief that an individual should be able to freely make decisions about their own lives and to pursue their own goals. It is unfortunate that the importance of values and respect for diverse opinions is today overshadowed by the quest for popularity—the sugar hit of social media and the squeaky-wheel views of unrepresentative minorities.
Looking back at my childhood there is nothing I would change. I was one of the lucky ones. I had a great group of mates and a loving family environment and was brought up with the ability to make choices for myself and to explore my own interests.
Madam Assistant Speaker, unfortunately there is one person missing here today, and that is one person who was a big influence on my life. Just a couple of years ago mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and sadly lost her battle two days after her 65th birthday in February last year. Mum’s passing at such a young age was very sad. She was loved, admired and respected by her family, friends, work colleagues and community. Mum, thank you for all your strength and advice that has helped me become the person I am today.
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