MOTHERHOODS MATTER

The most famous words of Raden Ajeng Kartini are found in the Indonesian language clause: “Habislah Gelap Terbitlah Terang”. (After the Dark, the Light Rises.)

These words come from her original Dutch language writing: “Door Duisternis tot Licht”.

She wrote those words 123 years ago today, on July 28, 1902, at the age of 23, in this profoundly wise and beautiful letter:

“No cloud lasts for ever; neither is there such a thing as eternal sun-shine.

From the darkest night the most beautiful morning is born and here I console myself.

Human life is a true reflection of the life of nature.

What we must pray for day and night is strength.

But the rain which makes the leaf and bud of one plant burst forth, beats another into the earth, where it rots.”

On this day, in 2025, a very real light in my life, after a horrible period of isolating darkness, is Chris Crewther, a Liberal member of Victoria’s state parliament.

In my dealings with him, Chris has been a perfect embodiment of the Indonesian national ideals, as expressed in the national ideology, Pancasila, of civilised humanity and wise representative government.

There is more than one reason for this astonishing human goodness from Chris, but one key factor IMHO is his healthy rural background:

Geoff Fox, July 28, 2025, Melbourne, Australia