What is character? What are some examples of good character? How can we demonstrate good character in our day-to-day lives? In a world with an abundance of information at our fingertips and every influencer, artist and politician giving their opinion on the way things should be, it can be tricky to navigate and drown out the noise to understand what truly good character looks like.
Is there anyone you can think of in your life that shows good character? Someone who shows good character may not be the person who you may immediately think of as being heroic, charismatic and likeable. In fact, sometimes, to have good character, we must make decisions that may not be liked by others, or anyone. But having good character doesn’t mean following the crowd, as the majority isn’t always right. On some level, everyone knows what’s right and what’s wrong, and anyone can make a judgement whether an action is moral or immoral, but a person with a good character will act accordingly.
Therefore, to have good character, it means consistently making the right choice, even when it may be the less pleasant one. Of course, people don’t need to be perfect all the time, having flaws and slip-ups make us human, but so does having an awareness of what constitutes as moral behaviour. So, because we all know that we can, let’s choose to make the right choices.
Even when no one is watching. Do it for yourself and for your own peace of mind. Being a good person and having good character is never for the benefit of others, but for yourself so that you can be confident in your own moral capacity – your own ‘goodness’.
The second part our new focus is conscience. It is all well and good to act with the character that Somerset College expects from every one of its students. The challenge, however, is acting with genuine self-awareness rather than performance, and ensuring that your character reflects a true commitment to your growth as a member of our community.
Take, for example, our recent Anzac ceremony. A person with character would remain silent and pay their respects as required and make the right choice, yet a person with conscience would go further, using those moments of silence to reflect upon the sacrifice of our soldiers and the reason why we commemorate such an event. This is especially pertinent for our future leaders, because leadership isn't a mask worn for a day, but a daily commitment to being someone others can genuinely trust and rely on, both within and beyond our College.
So, character and conscience are not two distinct things. They are two co-dependent parts of an image that Somerset College wants us to embody. It is who you are today, in both character and conscience, that determines who you will be as a leader of this College, and leader in the wider Australian or even international community.
As we approach ANZAC Day and reflect on the current global challenges around us, it’s often easy to forget the human side of conflict. My own Grandfather, Charles Ivey served in WW2 around Milne Bay, in Papua New Guinea. In May 1942, he was involved in an attack on the Japanese forces. His commanding officer was wounded and so Charles was given responsibility for the company. His efforts saw him receive a Distinguished Service Order with the following citation.
During an advance against an enemy position, the company commander was wounded during the first few minutes of the attack. Captain Ivey immediately took control and pushed forward with such vigour and determination that he advanced approximately four miles into enemy occupied territory, enabling the remainder of the battalion to follow through and consolidate the objective before nightfall. During the advance, Captain Ivey cleared three definite areas of enemy resistance and gained his objective with a brilliant bayonet charge through most difficult country comprising heavy jungle and swamp, necessitating constant fighting over the whole distance in 12 inches of mud while the company was subjected to sniping from enemy in the trees.
My grandfather was from a small country town south of Hobart. He was an apple farmer, an ordinary man who on this day, like so many others who have and continue to serve, did something extraordinary. It is important to stop, reflect and remember. However, days like this should also prompt us. When we feel like we are also ordinary, to be challenged to not always sit in our comfort zone, but rather when situations arise, to step up and do something extra-ordinary. In this context, something extra-ordinary was for the service and for the good of others. Those who serve and have served their country always sought to step out and look out for those around them. That’s what the ANZAC legend is all about. So, whilst we honour and remember, I wanted to encourage our students to find ways in which they can step out and do something that gives back to others, that supports others, and builds others up.
As a Nation, we talk a lot about the ANZAC spirit, but I think each of us could be encouraged to embody aspects of this in our very safe and secure lives here on the Gold Coast. My hope is we take ANZAC Day not just to reflect on those who serve and have served, but on our own lives and how we, in some small way, can make a positive difference for others in our community.
Lest We Forget.
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