I saw a wonderful documentary on the ABC last night. It portrayed an insight into the real lives of both allied and German soldiers as well as that of spies, double agents the mighty leaders in the last days leading up to D Day in the 2nd world war. The outcome was predictable of course – but it still left me fighting back a tear for the Canadian paratrooper and German soldier who didn't come home. Five mins. later I was having the usual anger pains about the useless waste of beautiful young lives war brings. The power of fanatical leaders over the ordinary individual never ceases to amaze me. Of course it's still happening and countries like Australia offer false hope to the refugees of war torn 3rd world countries.

So this brings us to this exhibition. Like the documentary – the point of the show is to remind us about an event in history or an existing situation. The Asylum Seekers still exist in a state of 'limbo' because our Government is too afraid to 'trust'. It is costing the Australian tax payers millions of dollars to keep the refugees in detention centers – why on earth can't they spend this money investigating each case thoroughly? Surely that would determine the genuine refugee from the terrorist? As a child growing up in Brisbane I recall how prejudiced white Australians were against the Italian immigrants – they were labeled DAYGOS. It took nearly half a decade for this prejudice to die down – now we embrace Italian culture (and especially cuisine). We also now bow our heads in shame for the unnecessary cruel injustices towards our indigenous people. The aboriginal culture is now recognized world wide for it's cultural, spiritual and conservational merits.

'Time' seems to be in control of everything – isn't it 'time' to stop war and it's associated aliments like Xenophobia? The queen bee can't survive without the workers. We, ordinary people who hate war can simply say 'no' to it.

JUDY ANTILL
7/6/04