I’m more concerned about Australian culture now than ever before. I’m not sure if that’s because I’m more aware of what is happening and I’m inclined to do more reflecting now or whether it’s that things are worse today. No matter the reason, my concern is pretty intense, even overwhelming at times. Instances of drug abuse, sexual abuse, gender abuse, child abuse, minority abuse and suicide to end it all. Anger, depression, anxiety, apathy, meaninglessness, self-absorption, feelings of ‘I don’t belong’ and questions of ‘who cares’ dominate the personal landscape to the extent that these characteristics are beginning to define the culture. Add to this a lack of national vision and a Government that has ideologies that lead us further down the path we are already on and you see the reasons for my concern. Our culture needs a whole lot of help and one of those sources of help is leadership that we can aspire to and say ‘yes, that’s what it’s all about!’

And then along came Gazza. Did you see the interview with him on the Footy Show? What about his admirable behaviour at the table during the final round vote count at the Brownlow and then his acceptance speech once he had won it for the second time. I’m talking about Gary Ablett Junior, one of the greatest AFL footballers of all time. No, I don’t barrack for Geelong or Gold Coast but I do barrack for Gary Ablett. For those who missed it, let me briefly recap.

On the Footy Show, Sam Newman asked Ablett about his faith. He had tweeted a picture of himself and two players from Gold Coast, arm in arm in prayer before a game. So, on national TV, Ablett talked of his faith and his regular ‘Life meetings’ where he and other players meet to talk about their struggles, to read the Bible and to pray together. He talked so easily and maturely about God and faith and football that it even brought Sam Newman to confess that he was a ‘believer’ but just not as ‘full on’ as Ablett.

Then came the Brownlow, AFL’s top award for the year’s best and fairest, and the last round counting the votes. Joel Selwood, Geelong captain, former teammate and good friend of Ablett, was sitting on 27 votes and Ablett on 25. If Ablett got two votes in the last round he would tie with Selwood and they would be joint medal winners for the year. The camera is focused on Ablett as the votes for the Geelong last round are read out. Ablett winds up with three further votes, winning the medal by one vote.

In his acceptance speech Ablett apologised to Selwood saying Selwood deserved to be up there as much as he did. “I did want the two, I was actually shattered when I got the three. Joel deserves this as much as I do.” He later thanked God, because “without Him I couldn’t be up here tonight”.  Michael Gleeson of The Age stated that “conversation with Gary Ablett has always been more about others than about him”. In the context of the article, I’m not sure that Gleeson was being all that affirming but from my perspective it speaks volumes. Ablett is a humble champion.

Back to my concern about Australian culture: There are many ways to change a culture and one of them is to acknowledge, affirm and draw attention to the type of leadership we want to see in this country. We have a hard time doing that as Aussies because of this ‘tall poppy syndrome’ that we’re caught in. We don’t want people to be ‘up themselves’ so we pull them down just in case they’re on the way to thinking they’re better than everyone else. We have to get over that one. Pride is a problem but so is knocking everyone who is doing well. In Gary Ablett Junior, I see characteristics of humility, kindness, genuineness, honesty, faithfulness, and gratitude, just to name a few. All this and he is excellent at the job he has been given to do in the sports and cultural settings.

We find much wisdom in the Bible when it comes to leadership and Ablett meets the criteria well.  One example of such teaching is Paul’s writing to Timothy, a young leader in the church of his time.  It is in many ways a leadership manual for the 1^st century and it has many principles that would make a difference to our culture if applied. In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul tells Timothy to lead by example.  This example will be seen in his speech, in the way he lives his life, in love, in faith, and in integrity. A few verses later (4:15) Paul tells Timothy to be diligent in these matters by giving himself wholly to them and everyone will see his progress right before their eyes. I think Gary Ablett Junior is a winner on all of those fronts. Not that he’s perfect or beyond a fall or doesn’t have room for growth. I think Ablett would be the first to admit that and even the Apostle Paul said it of himself (see Phil. 3:12-14).

There are a lot of people out there who fit the bill as well as Ablett does but they are not in the limelight as Ablett is. They too need to be acknowledged, affirmed, encouraged and supported along the way. Imagine if we had a movement of humble and excellent leaders, committed to doing good for others and for the wellbeing of our nation. Imagine if these leaders were embedded in each of the sectors of society right across our land and were determined to do what is right. Imagine the sectors of politics and banks and mining and education and big business being influenced by such leaders.

Food for thought.

David Wilson is the Director of Sophia Think Tank, a Bible Society Australia project.

Image: Used under CC License Some rights reserved by JamesDPhotography