Australia today is observing a day of national mourning for the victims of the Bali terrorist attack. Not only Australians but also Indonesians who were killed or injured and the Balinese who will be affected for a long time will be honoured. Indonesians and Australians were the two nationalities mainly affected, as well as nationals of many other countries. Around half of the almost 200 dead in Bali were Australians.

Flags are at half mast around Australia today, and thousands of events from large gatherings in central cities to small gatherings in places of worship including mosques and communities in far flung remote areas.

Interestingly, we have not seen nationalism yet over-riding other sentiments as we saw in America post 9/11 despite Australia's remote location and "tyranny of distance". This physical distance between Australia and the world has meant that less Australians travel overseas regularly, but many have travelled to Bali, and they have learned something of other cultures and neighbours. Many have made freindships in Bali and learned of the warm heart of Indonesians, even from such a crazy place as Kuta Beach.

Like America, Australia has lost their innocence in a most terrible way. There is no place to hide or withdraw from the world, of which we are all citizens. But there is a war to be fought, along with our neighbours in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, New Zealand and Singapore, and nations more far flung.

Many Western governments have issued travel advisories against travel to Indonesia and also to expatriates suggesting those involved in non-essential functions return home. This may be sensible just now. We can only pray that terrorism fails in it's efforts to split our world, but that by international co-operation the great majority can regain the global village.

No man (or country) is an island. Now is the time to call on the synergies of unity through diversity. Despite spin from some Asian neighbours, Australia is one of the most multi cultural on earth - more languages are spoken in Australia than Singapore, Malaysia, and most other countries who are also proud of their multiculturalism. And those who wish to turn Australia back into an Anglo Saxon enclave have been respectfully heard, debated with, and rejected. Now is the time for Australia to prove to the world what being Australian is really about...