Have a fabulous night! (Jim Cotter)

Dear friends,

It is with more than a tinge of sadness that I write to say "have a great night" because I really wish that I could be there to see you all and especially to see first hand the extraordinary people that you have become. Sadly I will miss the experience as my beloved Kathryn is in the middle of treatment for breast cancer and much as we had hoped to get there, it has at this late point become all too clear that it is beyond the possible. I had hoped that we three (including 2 year old Miles) could have been able to join you.

Kathryn says that in all the time we have been together the DDYT projects have been the work that I have most often spoken about with pride.I am sure on reflection that this is true and is largely because of what Robert spoke of on the blog as "Contribution Analysis".I prefer to call it "Rupert" 'cause I'm an academic now, (ho ho) desperately trying to fight the gradual erosion of standards in the university system (not so ho ho).What we did back then was not only artistically good and honest,lifechanging for us all and fundamentally one hell of a good time but, as I have been repeatedly told over the years, had a huge influence on how the Australia Council dealt with and funded Youth Activities for the subsequent decades.

I am sure that there are many more streams that will emerge throughout the night that illustrate similar points of influence.Thanks to all who have worked so hard to make this a reality, have a really wonderful night. Raise a glass for us (and other absent friends), pass the baton to a new generation on a regular basis, keep the faith and keep the bastards honest! Much love to each and every one of you.

Jim.