A week ago I wrote a post called It's Not About Me. This last week has been momentous - everywhere. While the global pandemic continues, the spotlight this week has been shifted to #BlackLivesMatter. The catalyst has been the death of George Floyd in the US. Here in Australia, we've seen protests as well - … Continue reading It’s About Us
Australia
How to Respond?
A few months ago, Australia was burning. We saw incredible scenes, from dramatic escapes and heroic actions by firefighters and other emergency services personnel to walls of flame moving faster than anyone could ever believe. We also saw incredible generosity - of finances, goods, and more than anything else, of spirit. We banded together as … Continue reading How to Respond?
Australia in Drought, Fire and Flood
In case you missed it, Australia is in drought, and we’ve had severe fires. What’s been very heartening, however, is the connection that people feel due to the marvel that is the internet. I’ve had queries from online friends, making sure we’re all right from a variety of places across the world. I think it’s … Continue reading Australia in Drought, Fire and Flood
Drought
I've written before about the drought we're currently experiencing. Today we drove from our home in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, to Roma in Queensland. As we went west and north, it got even drier. It's dry at home - really dry. When you dig, there's no moisture in the soil at all … Continue reading Drought
Australia Day #changethedate
It's Australia Day. All around the world, Australians are celebrating being Australian. For some, it doesn't get much further than contemplating a barbecue, eating a lamington or two, or maybe having Vegemite on toast for brekkie. For many indigenous Australians, this particular date is problematic. Some other Australians don't get this, however. You see, this … Continue reading Australia Day #changethedate
Sadness. Why don’t they learn?
Several mornings ago I awoke, once again, to the news that there had been yet another gun massacre in the US. I'm Australian. As I've previously written in this blog, we have some strong gun control laws here, enacted after we suffered the worst massacre in history in 1996. In April, I listened to our … Continue reading Sadness. Why don’t they learn?
Thinking too much again.
This afternoon, I attended a performance by the Hunter Singers. They're a choir based in the Newcastle region of the Hunter Valley, and are all young people of high school age. It was truly beautiful. I love choral singing, both to listen to, and to participate in myself. Making music in a group is one … Continue reading Thinking too much again.
What in the World?
There are many things in this world that I don't understand. On my mind very recently has been the issue of gun control. I live in Australia. We have very strong gun laws. Since the Port Arthur Massacre in 1996, our gun laws have become even more strict. During that massacre, 35 people were killed … Continue reading What in the World?
NSW Writers Centre Speculative Fiction Festival
I headed off to the NSW Writers Centre Speculative Fiction Festival yesterday. It was a chilly morning when we left the Upper Hunter at around 5am, but we made good time, and arrived just before the registration time of 9am. It's always a bit of a guessing game travelling to Sydney from here. On a … Continue reading NSW Writers Centre Speculative Fiction Festival
Australia Day
Tomorrow is Australia Day. I always have mixed feelings about Australia Day. It commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet and the official beginning of the European Settlement in Australia. It's our National holiday - the one when we celebrate being Australian, and all things Australian. It's full of beach, prawns, lamb (courtesy of clever … Continue reading Australia Day
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