The example of Sir Edmund Hillary

THE GREAT mountaineer, Sir Edmund Hillary, strikes me as a wonderful person to emulate. First, he was humble and honest. He also tread softly as far as the environment was concerned, conducting cleaning operations on waste left by other trekkers on the slopes of Mt. Everest and other mountains. But what strikes one was his unfettered love for the native Nepalese communities from where the famous Sherpas come. He didn't have to, but he kept returning and then formed a foundation which sought to improve the life and lot of those sturdy mountain folk. That is why his quiet way of doing things, never trumpeting his achievements or even his charity work, leaves a wonderful image of the man. Contrast Sir Edmund’s unassuming and quiet ways with those who need to trumpet the least of their achievements. Back then in our civic organization days, we had a name for such people and projects. We called them photo-op projects. After much posing, possibly with high officials of the land in tow, the project would often be left to fend for itself. Sir Edmund's foundation work, on the other hand, was a quiet and continuing effort, which explains why he is lionized by both the Nepalese and his own Kiwi community.