Superhero Diaries

Generation 'Y bother?' and I

I admit I've often despaired for Generation Y. Too many of the stereotypes have, too often, been proven true.

But no longer. I am now proud of them.

There are always exceptions - and indeed I'm close friends with a number of them - but for the most part I've found Gen Y to be kids more interested in social media than actual work. To be even more self-centered than us Gen X kids (and I have to admit we were bad). Gen Y kids are frustrating in that they look for shortcuts or the bare minimum required.

But it's time to look past those day-to-day traits and cut to the core.

The recent Queensland floods devastated the state and in the built-up areas of Brisbane some of the damage to property and lives was heart-breaking. Wonderfully people flocked to help their neighbors and volunteer organizations were turning away thousands of people each day as they had too many offering to help.

But what truly warmed my heart was the younger people who didn't even bother with the organisations. They and their friends simply wandered into the heaviest-hit areas and started helping the first people they saw.

Even more magical the twitterverse became an amazing tool. A message would go up that an elderly couple in the Grange needed help and within 15 minutes dozens of young people were swarming over the place, scrubbing, sweeping, moving... just doing whatever was needed.

Fellow journalism lecturer Susan Hetherington spent her time running fresh water bottles and supplies around to volunteers using twitter as her tool of communication.

My little brother and his mates went into ravished Rosalie and just walked up to the first house and offered their assistance. They worked tirelessly for days without complaint or seeking reward. They simply knew people needed help and that they could provide it.

As I said earlier it's time to forget the daily habits. What's important is that, when required, they stood up selflessly. And that speaks volumes for their character.

I'm proud to be a Queenslander and part of such a wonderful and selfless effort post-floods. But I'm not too proud to admit that I was starting to peg Gen Y all wrong. They all have a clean slate again in my book.

Thank you all so much for both your efforts and my renewed faith in the future.

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