Universal literacy was a 20th-century goal. Before then, reading and writing were skills largely confined to a small, highly educated class of professional people. Hugh Mackay More Quotes by Hugh Mackay More Quotes From Hugh Mackay Nothing is perfect. Life is messy. Relationships are complex. Outcomes are uncertain. People are irrational. Hugh Mackay dating perfect relationship One of the most important responsibilities of leaders in any setting - including business organisations - is to tell us our own story; to explain us to ourselves; to help us weave some meaning and purpose into the fabric of our lives; to illuminate our understanding of where we have come from; to paint word pictures of our future onto which we can project our aspirations. Hugh Mackay business responsibility leadership The thing we need most is each other. Hugh Mackay needs A strangely reflective, even melancholy day. Is that because, unlike our cousins in the northern hemisphere, Easter is not associated with the energy and vitality of spring but with the more subdued spirit of autumn. Hugh Mackay cousin easter spring If I were asked about what to do about the level of insecurity and anxiety in contemporary Australian society, I wouldn't start with politics and I wouldn't say too much about terrorism. I'd suggest as a first step, that you invite the neighbours over for a drink this weekend. Today a drink, tomorrow a barbeque, pretty soon, a community. Hugh Mackay anxiety weekend community One reason we resist making deliberate choices is that choice equals change and most of us, feeling the world is unpredictable enough, try to minimise the trauma of change in our personal lives. Hugh Mackay choices feelings trying Actually, I can't imagine anything more tedious than a perfect person, especially if it was someone who also demanded perfection from me. Hugh Mackay imagine persons perfect Obviously, every child should be given the best possible opportunity to acquire literacy skills. Hugh Mackay education opportunity children Some researchers sensibly suggest that rather than worrying too much about which programs our children are watching, we should concentrate on trying to reduce the total amount of time they spend in front of the screen. Hugh Mackay worrying-too-much trying children The yearning for strong leadership is more about strength of purpose - clarity of vision - than about merely 'getting tough'. Hugh Mackay vision strong leadership It is the misfortune of contemporary leaders, across the whole spectrum of Australian life, that the community's demand for strong leadership is growing in direct proportion to our lack of confidence in ourselves. The end of this century is an unusually difficult time to be a leader in Australia. Hugh Mackay australia strong leadership On average, Australians watch more than three hours of television a day, compared with 12 minutes a day spent by the average couple talking to each other. Hugh Mackay couple average talking The copycat effects of media violence, similar to those previously attributed to westerns, radio serials and comic books, are easy to exaggerate. Hugh Mackay media violence book But the rule seems to be that the bigger and more life-changing the decision, the less it will seem like a decision at all. Hugh Mackay life-changing bigger decision Reading is a huge effort for many people, a bore for others, and, believe it or not, many people prefer watching TV. Hugh Mackay reading believe people So, if falling crime rates coincide with the rise of violent video games and increasing violence on TV and at the cinema, should we conclude that media violence is causing the drop in crime rates? Hugh Mackay media games fall I suspect the secret of personal attraction is locked up in our unique imperfections, flaws and frailties. Hugh Mackay imperfection unique secret Polls are no substitute for leadership because, at its very essence, leadership is about giving people what they don't already have - a sense of vision, inspiration, or even an adequate grasp of a particular subject. Hugh Mackay inspiration essence leadership It seems inevitable that the magic of the written word will fade. Hugh Mackay inevitable lovely magic It's Australian to do such things because, however uncivilised they may seem, it's human to do them. Hugh Mackay australia-day wisdom may
