In a dimly lit old cottage on the outskirts of a big Australian city by the sea, a patheticcelebration was in progress, my parents' golden anniversary.It was only by chance I was present, I'd been working away in the west and decidedto visit the old folk and at the same time have a rest.I just stood by the doorway and watched them and a bitterness clawed at my heart as I thoughthow they'd battled their whole lives and was this the reward for their part.This woman gave birth to eight children and slaved like a man all her life and seldomcomplained of the hardships of poverty, sickness and strife.This man was a soldier in two wars and his sons we all fought in Korea, now the old couple'swork years are over and the future looks empty and drear.Oh is this what the old couple fought for?Is this their reward for their sons and their daughters that they reared for Australia?Oh is this the reward now they're done?Their reward they exist on a pension, cold winters ill nourished poor health.Yes they battled to exist on a pension in this young land renowned for its wealth.Then I suddenly thought about hippies.Some say they've lost their ambition and drive, could they possibly see what I'm seeing?And that's killed their desire to strive.Men of office who govern Australia teach our young to be proud of their land, let themsee old workers and soldiers reap decent rewards for their stand.Prove to them that you're running their country straight and true as it ought to be run.Set examples and prove you're leaders and they'll back you to death with a gun.Give young couples the chance to raise families and build homes within everyone's reach.Show the prize to be won by ambition, oh and practice the things that you preach.Oh we still have a great land to live in, but you surely must see what I see.If our young have no faith in the future, then in what will their children believe?Oh the time's coming near when Australia must fight a grim war all alone, and if our youngmen see nothing to fight for, then we stand to lose all that we own.This is just one of so many warnings, time is precious and running out fast, let ouryoung folks see something to fight for and they'll fight for our land to the last.In the kitchen dimly lighted by an oil lamp, roughly furnished with the bare necessitya frail old couple gently held each other and whispered Happy Anniversary.