From Robert Kingham.
Thirty Years On
Isn't it hard to know where to start let alone try to explain how we got to where we are now. One formative experience we all share, in whatever capacity we were involved, is the DDYT.
Occupying my mind now is a monitoring and evaluation technique known as Contribution Analysis. To what extent does any action contribute to the achievement of objectives; can the influence of external factors be dismissed? For example, would the Empire Theatre be as it is now had we not kickstarted its renaissance 30 years ago? To what extent did DDYT encourage others to keep it alive as a theatre? We'll never know for sure, but we can assume that we did make a contribution, and it is a contribution to the community. While we were each of us the main beneficiaries of DDYT, we were certainly not the sole beneficiaries. Have you applied anything you learned during DDYT in the way you live life and interact with others? I certainly have. You, and your influence on me, has enabled me to support others and bring your lessons, your light, to a large number of young Indonesians attending Islamic schools. That is the core field of my work now. My sister jokingly describes me as being at the front line of Australia's war on terror. It's not really so, and I've been working with Islamic schools in Indonesia way before the gulf war. But in terms of contribution analysis, yes, there is always a contribution.
I think the main thing that's happened in the past 30 years is discovering Asia from the inside. I've been very fortunate to work on development activities in Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, China and Vietnam, as well as Indonesia - and further afield in Palestine and Tanzania.
I do not work in the formal 'performing arts' anymore, and have not since 1986, when I came to Indonesia as an Australian Volunteer placed in a rural, residential Islamic school in South Sulawesi. I live in Jakarta now, directing the Learning Assistance Program for Islamic Schools (LAPIS) which is funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). Another part of my work is providing advice to AusAID on Islamic Schooling in Indonesia. I am contracted directly to the Commonwealth Government. I love living in Jakarta, and I love my work. I feel very blessed and constantly amazed at the abundance of this thing called life.
I haven't been as lucky in love as so many of you. Committing to a traveling partner is such an awesome thing to do. While I've sometimes tried to take that step, just doesn't fit with my lifestyle. I am soooo looking forward to catching up with you all. We are so lucky to be able to revisit a part of our pasts, and bring it forward into our present - and the future who knows???
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1 comment:
Hello Robert
how wonderful to hear what great work you have been doing "up there." You have been blessed in being able to assist so directly in making a difference to lives each day. I think teaching is one of the most noble professions, more than ever a healing art in troubled times, so I'm glad I got in and stayed on a parallel track with the profession of story telling, where I still hang out while they continue to pay me!
As to DDYT contributing to Empire refurbishment etc., I think you are right when you say it did have an effect. You will no doubt hear about the rumpus the city kicked up when the far-seeing Ross Miller (then the Mayor) proposed the renovation and opening of the old, run down theatre. He lost the next election but he has been proved right in the long run. To their credit, many of his most strident critics now admit they were wrong. The others just shut up in the face of what was and continues to be a tremendously successful piece of civic action by the TCC. We love our Empire, and so do all who come to work or play there. There are ghosts in the rafters, but they all smile.
Looking forward to catching up with you. There are many waters under lots of bridges. Travely safely.
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