ONE could forgive prominent local Martin Johnson for feeling pessimistic about the prospect of the Governor of South Australia responding to his invitation to Gawler’s autumn MAP event.
After all, Her Excellency had never been to Gawler before in this capacity, but a previous meeting had Mr Johnson’s glass more than half full.
The pair established a bond following a discussion around their mutual love of the arts and its importance in the community when the Honourable Frances Adamson AC presented Mr Johnson with his Order of Australia Medal a few years ago.
The discussion sparked the invitation, which sparked the acceptance, which sparked a lovely Sunday afternoon visit to Gawler for one of the state’s most respected figures.
Arriving in a sleek car adorned with a South Australian flag, Her Excellency was greeted by Mr Johnson and Gawler Mayor Karen Redman, before heading upstairs to meet some of the town’s movers and shakers.
From councillors to the Citizens of the Year, Ms Adamson appeared genuinely eager to meet all involved before settling in for a couple of hours of music, art and poetry, or as Mr Johnson has coined it, MAP.
The afternoon was, among other things, a perfect reminder of why it is always better to ask the question.
It was the first time in who-knows-how long that the Governor of South Australia has visited the town and there was no leveraging at play, no favours to call in.
Mr Johnson simply asked the question, and all of a sudden locals, like youngster Piper who certainly had an afternoon to remember, had the chance to meet one of the state’s most prominent people.
To their credit, Mayor Redman and many of the Gawler Council came out to support Mr Johnson, which helped make for a successful and well attended afternoon.
While it was no doubt one to remember for those in attendance, there are also lessons to be learned.
Mr Johnson showed that if you ask, the worst they can say is “no”, but the best they can say is “see you there”.
What possibilities could open up if more community members, and indeed official bodies like council or our local MPs, reach out to those in the city like Mr Johnson has?
