The third anniversary of the Australian government’s Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is rapidly approaching (13th February). What of substance has occurred since then? A bi-partisan response to the audit presented to federal parliament this week, Closing the Gap, revealed some challenges, unfulfilled intentions and a degree of frustration on all sides.Continue reading “Saying sorry – the continuing journey”
Category Archives: Personal
What Would Jesus Cut?
There will be considerable angst in Australia’s Federal Parliament today as a minority government seeks the support of the cross-benches to pass a flood tax levy. The Opposition prefers that post-flood reconstruction be funded by budget cuts, targeting a range of so-called “soft” options such as our commitment to overseas aid. Our friends across theContinue reading “What Would Jesus Cut?”
Travelling lightly
Over the last few days, Perth lost 72 homes to fires (with significant damage to 30 more). Some evacuees told me of the moment they knew they had to leave at very little notice. What could they grab? They decided to leave everything – it wasn’t important as long as they had each other. AsContinue reading “Travelling lightly”
Vale Ron
One hour to go to conducting one of the largest funerals we’ll see here for a while. Not some great statesman or civic leader – just a simple soul who lived his 86 years well and without complication, enjoying the fullness of each moment and the presence of each person. He taught us much andContinue reading “Vale Ron”
More fires, more floods
Here, in Perth, we have lost up to thirty five homes over 12 hours and the fires are still out of control. AM – Fire devastates homes in Perth’s east 07/02/2011. In the east, flood damage from storm and cyclone directly affecting thousands is still being assessed. I noticed in news reports on the firesContinue reading “More fires, more floods”
Weekly Photo Challenge: Boundaries
WordPress is impressing this challenge upon us bloggers, so I grabbed the camera and prowled the boundaries of my workplace & abode. We often say we live and work in a fish-tank – exposed to all. I was surprised to see how many “boundaries’ were in in evidence. The first was the one set upContinue reading “Weekly Photo Challenge: Boundaries”
Ode to a Day Off
A day off! What does it mean today! * getting Jenny’s car serviced * packing away some chairs and tables * calling on a friend in hospital * some recreational reading * seeing if there’s a movie worth catching * fixing some household stuff that Jenny will no doubt draw my attention to All quiteContinue reading “Ode to a Day Off”
Quizzing the Sermon on the Mount
Jesus looks over the crowd and declares “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world…” How did he know? What did he see in the disparate mob gathered there? Fisherfolk, tax collector, tenant farmer – the curious, the cynic and the desperado. Was he declaring what was already innate orContinue reading “Quizzing the Sermon on the Mount”
Finding a use for parallel universes…
I think parallel universes would come in handy at times. Right now I’m setting up several meetings that involve different people from disparate settings. My usual mode is to send out an email saying “Give me your days and times and I’ll attempt to match them up using the most common denominator.” Invariably the daysContinue reading “Finding a use for parallel universes…”
Back to school – or school at home?
To home school or not? Today’s article in Eureka Street discusses its benefits against a constrained and competitive school system. We are long past our child’s school days, but we had to work hard to ensure his particular needs were met through the public system. The argument seems to be that home-schooling provides a moreContinue reading “Back to school – or school at home?”
