Look Ever Forward

It was somewhere in Türkiye that Julius Caesar uttered the now-famous words, “Veni, vidi, vici” – “I came, I saw, I conquered” That was 47 BC, a triumphant declaration of his swift victory at the Battle of Zela. As tempting as it is to measure success in parallel with grand historical victories like this, sometimes the greatest triumphs aren’t about immediate victory. And we can also learn this from Ceasar.

Two years earlier, in 49 BC, Caesar had done something far more daring. He stood at the edge of the Rubicon River, knowing that crossing it meant defying Rome, embracing uncertainty, and stepping into the unknown. As he crossed, he declared, “Alea iacta est” – “The die is cast” – there was no turning back. Your recent campaign for the House of Representatives seat for Cowan was such a moment. It wasn’t the end of a story but a powerful beginning.

Moments like these demand resolve. In the aftermath of a battle – whether ancient or modern – it is easy to feel the weight of disappointment. But history reminds us that perseverance can defy the odds. The result in Dickson, Queensland, as bitter as it is in an aspect, offers motivation in another form – that with grit, conviction, and sheer hard work, even the seemingly insurmountable can be overcome. Giants can be conquered, and the giant in your seat is no exception.

Rashida, luck is nothing more than opportunity meeting preparedness, and over the last few months, you have embodied that truth. You stood tall, unwavering in your mission, and you did not stand alone. Volunteers flocked to your side, dedicating hours to letter-boxing and proudly wearing your blue campaign shirts as they rallied behind your vision. These were not passive supporters – they were believers, dreamers who saw in you a leader worth fighting for.

As I look at that snapshot frozen in time, the picture of you stapling a campaign poster onto the fence of a polling station, I see you symbolising months of effort, resilience, and conviction. The wind carried the voices of canvassers around you, and standing at the heart of it all was a loyal committed husband, Gabby, and Senator Delean Miths, their steadfast support unwavering as they urged you forward, reminding you why this fight mattered.

And who could forget the volunteer training sessions? Those moments of shared humanity filled with awkward handshakes and exaggerated role-play scenarios. How comical it was watching volunteers nervously rehearsing – how to introduce themselves, how to win over sceptical voters. The laughter in that room was infectious, but underlying it was a shared determination: they were ready to give their all for you.

So to walk away now, to lower the banner, would not only be a disservice to your own hard work but also to those who believed in you, who sacrificed hours because they saw something truly remarkable in your candidacy. As I drive through Perth, I find inspiration in the motto of one of its great citadels of learning. And I encourage you to do so as well:  Look Ever Forward.

This battle was fought with integrity, passion, and purpose. The outcome does not diminish the effort, nor does it erase the impact. It was simply not the season, not the moment – but seasons change, and moments return. You did what many only dream of but never dare to pursue – you stood, you fought, and you did so for a nation that has given you much and asked for little in return.

This election was not merely a contest – it was a movement, and movements do not simply vanish. You have crossed your own Rubicon, Rashida, and the lessons, the connections, the momentum – these endure. The road ahead remains open, and new opportunities await.

Hold your head high. You came, you saw, and you will conquer. Your story is still being written, and it’s a story of courage, dedication, and the power of a vision that inspires others to believe.

_{The names in the original letter have been replaced for privacy protection purposes, all other texts remain the same}