Editorial: United we have far better future

On Wednesday I was witness to something a tad strange.
Well, perhaps not so much strange as remarkable and a little unusual.
I was among about 100 people who attended the Whanganui Creating Our Future event at Wanganui Racecourse.
Although from vastly different backgrounds and perspectives, we were there for a common purpose: to discuss what was great and wonderful about this city and the wider region, and to develop ideas on what Wanganui would be like at its best and formulate a vision on how we might get there.
Not unsurprisingly, there were differences of opinion on what aspects of the city people most enjoyed or thought were its best attributes.
What, to me, made the forum unique was that, amid that 100 or so people - men and women of different ages, backgrounds and cultures, and with different attachments to Wanganui - there was an over-riding positive energy and a common drive towards making a brighter future. Everyone seemed motivated by a shared desire to do something for the good of Wanganui.
Members of the minority who always seem to object to anything that might be good or be described as progress were notable by their absence.
It's odd but one of the first things I noticed when I moved to Wanganui was that certain people seemed determined to criticise or run down anything that might bring jobs, growth or a better way of living to the community.
Others seemed merely ignorant of all the wonderful attributes Wanganui has.
Whether by accident or design - the event was invite only - those people were not present on Wednesday.
Perhaps they should have been; there was a sense in some respects that there was some preaching to the converted happening. Mind you, it might have helped for them to see the collective will of those present and the power of a united approach.
Congratulations to the Whanganui Community Foundation for seizing the opportunity to host this event.
To those who would suggest this was little more than a talkfest and nothing will come of it, I agree - to a degree.
There was a lot of talking done, but also a lot of listening.
It is true that no single event will emerge nor will an industry suddenly pop up that may solve our economic woes.
There is no magical answer, no silver bullet to solve all our problems and ease our pain.
But what we do have, as became fully apparent on Wednesday, is a desire to work together collectively, to network, recognise and encourage opportunities wherever they may exist.
From that, the benefits will come, maybe not next year but they will come, as long as we don't lose sight of the goal, and one another.
And to the doubters, you are still a part of this community. Join the fight for a better future.
Feedback to: editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz