Still Thinking – the Gift of Opportunity

Two weeks ago I attended the St Catherine’s School Valedictory Ceremony in my capacity as the board member representing Toorak Uniting Church. It was a bright and inspiring event.  The graduating girls received prizes for their achievements in academic, social and community activities.  The speaker for the night was Tamara Cannon who was an old girl of St Cath’s and had ten years ago established the Lille Fro Foundation* to sponsor Tibetan children and give them the opportunity to go to school. Tamara up to that point had been a corporate lawyer having graduated from St Cath’s in 1991. In promoting Tamara’s visit, the school’s newsletter gave some background:

Up to this point, Tamara’s career had been very successful, but mostly conventional, until she was sent on assignment in Asia. Tamara took a side trip to climb to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, and when travelling through Himalayan, Ladakh India, she met a little girl living in destitute circumstances. Like many children in her village, this child had never been to school. Tamara decided to pay for her education, board and expenses.

On the night of the ceremony, Tamara spoke to the girls and their parents, about her conviction of how important it is to demonstrate care and compassion to those in need and the difference that a relatively small amount of money can make in the lives of these children, their families and the villages they live in.  The foundation sponsors over 100 children and has also built five green houses in remote areas of Tibet, helping to feed whole villages.  As part of our Toorak OP Shop Distribution for 2011, TUC will give $5,000 to Tamara’s Lille Fro Foundation and St John’s Anglican will also give $5,000.

It was Albert Einstein who said, “All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual.”  I don’t think we can ever underestimate the gift of an opportunity and its impact on a person.  In my life I can think of at least six people who didn’t give me money or advice, but gave me an opportunity to learn and even to fail; to lead or share something of myself with others and that made all the difference in my life. 

I don’t think it is true that opportunity only knocks once. What the saying means of course is that we should take advantage of the opportunities that come to us and not be too timid or cowardly about embracing new opportunities.  However, they do keep coming and while we may regret missing a good opportunity, a positive and open outlook on life means we will recognize the next possibility that comes into our lives.

Opportunity Shops are places where people can find a bargain.  They are important places where clothing and other items are recycled and reused and where the price of purchases can be kept low through generous donations and the hard work of volunteers.  TUC makes a strong contribution to our Op Shop in Toorak and can be proud of the fact that the money raised is providing opportunities for people with needs in Melbourne and in the world beyond. 

*http://www.lillefro.com.au/home

Christopher