Ah Friday already….
The brilliant aftermath of the long weekend is the short week following.
This week was busy. I wasn’t expecting it. It was productive busy though and that makes all the difference. Darin’s treacle tart that I had for morning tea each day this week also helped 
.
The memorable moments of this week were many. I felt affirmed seeing photos of my son and receiving reliable reports that he’s healthy and doing well on Hamo. I enjoyed the greeting from Darin’s kids when they arrived tonight. They are so affectionate and excited to be here, it’s such a gift to me. A student who was away sick emailed me the assignment on the due date. I hate to be cynical, but usually if a student is absent on a due date… they are at home doing the assignment! Not that I am a big deadline person. In fact I am probably too flexible as a teacher with due dates for assignments. I have always found inflexibility to be an inhibitor. This student thanked me because they enjoyed the assignment. Not an everyday occurence. I had a student tell me she got her licence and got to relive with her that exquisite feeling of freedom and power that moment in time brings… I’ve never taught her, but have managed to develop a relationship through yard duties and as a co-ordinater. I had a student I taught last year at the junior campus greet me with such enthusiam! that I missed the place, for a minute, even though I am so happy where I am. The power of relationship building! To teach in a community I am familiar with is a gift. I know students parents and grandparents and Aunties and Uncles and brothers and sisters. It adds meaning to our relationships and helps to know and understand all kinds of differences that others can’t discern.
Someone said to me today it’s good my kids got out of here. I agree. I was in a big rush to do that when I was at that age and I was away for a total of 12 years…. off and on. I am so glad to live here now though. I love where I live. I love that I know a reasonable part of my community. I enjoy not having to line up with strangers(at least you can catch up with peoplein the queue at the supermarket). I realised today in a discussion with a new teacher, how much easier it is for me. There is a richness in long term relationships, whatever the nature, that is enriching.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Discovering Kongwak
Darin and I went for a drive this afternoon to Cape Patterson. We were taking off from Warragul and went through the green hills on the windy roads and came across Kongwak between Korumburra and Wonthaggi. We stopped.
It’s a small place, yet it had a really colourful Market. The people there knew the teenage kids by name, as well as one another. I love that tiny community environment. There was a variety of new and secondhand things, inside and outside stalls and a nice vibe. I bought a couple of kids books, Darin purchased some CDs of comedians and he got some of our favourite incense and a sandalwood box. I tried on some clothes but my broad shoulders just didn’t feel relaxed in them, everywhere else fitted great.
We also checked out the Art Gallery and we both fell in love with a sculpture there. We managed to walk away discussing all the things we need to do at home before a peice like that would find a decent place. There were some appealing watercolours there.
The remainder of the day was gentle, Cape Patterson was a bit seaweedy, we drove back through Inverloch. Finding Kongwak was the unexpected pleasure of the day.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Generosity
People are so generous. At our staff meeting tonight, our Principal told us that schools from Adelaide and Canberra had been doing fundraising for our students who have lost their homes. Local suppliers have made generous offers of school uniforms and books and this money we are receiving from other schools will also contribute to this and be distributed to the families if there is a surplus. The teachers at our school have voted to put the money in our school budget for the mid year and end of year functions to covering those families school fees.
Frogdancers post about both her own and her communities generosity is a detailed insight into the things that are happening all over the state I imagine. I rang my handyman last night and he was out at Traralgon South organising a BBQ to raise funds for the people there. Tonight I got an email :
Monash Gippsland Auditorium,
Monash University, Churchill
Saturday 21st February @ 7p.m.
All those involved, including sound technicians and artists from Australia and even one from the U.S.A are donating their time and talents, as are many organizations with fantastic items that will be auctioned throughout the evening.
Much loved Australian country singer, SARA STORER, is foregoing her birthday party in Sydney to fly to Churchill to perform at the benefit. TONI CHILDS who has just arrived in Australia to do a National Tour has also donated her time to perform at the benefit, whilst Australian musicians MIA DYSON & LIZ STRINGER will join forces to perform a unique set of music.
From Gippsland, The Monash Sinfonia and local musician Brodie Young will perform.
And there are still more artists to be announced.
There will also be an auction of a variety of items at the benefit to raise money.
The HAWTHORN football club have donated some signed football jumpers,
Taasha Coates from ‘The Audreys’ was unable to change prior commitments to come to the benefit but is sending over from South Australia some personally signed posters.
There will be CD’s auctioned and special T-Shirts available for purchase. And more….
Ticket prices are $25 and are on sale NOW,
online at www.wgac.org.au
Tickets will also be available to purchase from;
Leading Edge in Traralgon and Sale
Monash University Auditorium.†
Stay tuned to ABC Gippsland Radio or their website (www.abc.net.au/gippsland) for all current information or
The Lyrebird Arts Council website (www.lyrebirdartscouncil.com.au)
ABC Radio will broadcast live from the benefit.
Everywhere I go there are events and people doing all kinds of creative and generous things to ease the burden of people they have felt compassion for. Tonight a lady came to the school gate after bus duty. She was a crossing supervisor and had made a patchwork quilt for one of the girls who crosses her road on her way to school. When I went to the supermarket recently, I asked the cashier why it was always so busy every time I came. He said that so many people are buying trolley loads for the bushfire survivors. Every day, they come in and buy things to donate. All these random acts of kindness, given freely and with love.
Tomorrow I promise I will talk about something else.
Popularity: 7% [?]
This Weekend
I have been an absolute sloth this weekend. I have slept a lot. I just haven’t been able to get motivated. I went to see ‘He’s Just Not That Into You’ on Friday night. I was hoping to get some tips! It was ok, but not that funny really to me.
I did get to see Reuben last night who I was worried about last weekend. He and his family and home are fine. It was great to see him in person. We laughed because lots of people were asking Tom about him and he’d said he’d call us if something went wrong… but how would he? Funny now though.
I notice in the news the fires are still burning at Wilson’s Prom. I didn’t get there this summer. I intended to. I was hoping to take a friend from overseas there, but it just didn’t happen. We cancelled our year 7 camps there this week. There were fires there only 4 years ago.
Last night I was thinking about the last time I drove to Inverloch around New Years Eve. I drove through Mirboo North and remember thinking how beautiful it all was and appreciating all I saw. It was still green at that time. I was thinking about how I’d likely be overseas next summer and was really making a conscious memory of this area that I know so well and love. I’m not sure I want to see it burnt and devastated.
I talked to Andy on the phone on Friday night. We looked at properties at Carrajung a few years ago. They were beautiful places. I have no idea if they are still alright. I hope so. I haven’t been out of town. The news never tells me what I want to know… so I’ve given up on that earlier in the week. Some kids at school mentioned on Friday they had been to look at Jeeralang, but I don’t think I could. They are best left to the people who need to be there I think.
I went to Revver to find some of my old clips of these areas, but I think Revver is on the blink again. I could get to my newer clips, but not the old ones. I hope I have backups! Now I am posting my clips through tubemogul and posting them to a variety of sites, but I have only been doing that in the past year or so, so I may have lost all those old ones. A bit unfortunate! Small things though compared to what many have lost and I feel pathetic mentioning it.
Popularity: 7% [?]
Blue Skies with Clouds… not smoke
Today was a better day. It was Friday of course, which always has an effect. We made frappes in the staff room at lunchtime and had a morning tea provided. Food always helps. I think we are all ready for a weekend. This has been a surreal week. When I was on yard duty at lunch time I realised I couldn’t smell smoke… and I enjoyed that.
Our school delivered a truckload of donated goods to the Red Cross today. The generosity of people is so heartening. My son and all his friends have donated bags of clothes and spent time helping to sort stuff. I think everyone in the state seems to be offering whatever they have. I read Frogdancer‘s generous response to her friend. I’ve heard some amazing stories from people this week of generosity and luck and gratitude.
I got my hair cut tonight and realised as I was discussing the local events with the hair dresser how fortunate I have been to be with kids this week. We did talk a bit about their experiences of fires at school, but mostly they just wanted to get on with normality and that is what we did. Going to school each day has been a break from it all. There are some shattered kids, yet they seem also to want to sit in the classroom and have life appear normal for that little while. Most are being kind and gentle with each other.
One of the things I have noticed is that everyone reacts differently. You can’t weigh up who has suffered the most in terms of what they have lost or seen or experienced. Some of them want to talk a lot about it and some want to not mention it. Some can only stay for part of the day and some haven’t returned yet.
Even teachers respond to the students differently. I don’t have all the answers that’s for sure. I awkwardly approach those students and have little chats with them and check in as regularly as possible. Yesterday I had a conversation with a teacher who was complaining about a student and I gently reminded her that he’d lost his home on the weekend. That didn’t seem to be a consideration for her. I was a little amazed at that. I thought she must have forgotten, but no, she just felt that was his nature and he shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it. I listened to her as well, and had a quiet yet reassuring word to the young person in question. I’m not sure what’s best either.
I think this article is quite accurate, people need to talk. We all have to be there for one another.
Popularity: 6% [?]
Perspective
Today we had a conversation at lunch about perspective. The art teacher was talking about the first exercise she gives year 7 students to do. They draw their hands and she commented about the kinds of details that are drawn. Some students draw what she called fingerless gloves with the fingernails a straight line drawn across. We all remember those drawings of the blue sky a stripe at the top of the page and the green stripe at the bottom and in between there is air. I think it would be facinating to teach art and see perspectives appear before your eyes.
I see perspective in others behaviours. It doesn’t matter what we say, it’s what we do and who we are that demonstrates to the world what our perspective is. The experiences we constantly relive are indicators of what it is we believe to be true.
The events since Saturday have created a shift in our perspective around here. Suddenly a whole pile of things seem petty. When pitted against the loss experienced by people surrounding us, the daily concerns we had last week have become not even worthy of thought. I find myself feeling impatient with some things and having infinate patience with people around me. More than I had last week. I was in the supermarket tonight and the lines were long. No one had that stressed jittery stance that demonstrated to the world they were cranky about waiting. We all just lined up in and waited calmly. We speak softly to one another. The students in my classes have all been very co-operative and engaged. Generosity is pouring forth, when a week ago people were talking financial downturn. It’s quite amazing to watch.
Popularity: 6% [?]
Doing Something
Tonight I had the opportunity to do something to help. At last. Thank goodness. Our school had a couple of teams volunteer for the Red Cross and when I arrived at school this morning I was told that I’d be required after school. I know everyone wants to help. Our school has received emails and offers of help from other schools. They have been offering and offering, blood, money, food, tears, ears and anything they have to make the people around them get through this toughest of times.
I’m still avoiding the news. I just want to be able to listen to the kids stories and to let them tell me what’s happened for them without any graphic sensational images or figures clouding me. A couple of kids returned today. It was still subdued and a sense of dread about what we don’t know lingers. The sky was blue today though and the last spoken news I received at the Relief Centre in Traralgon was that there were no current threats in our area and roads were opening up. I haven’t checked again since then.
Popularity: 7% [?]
In the Dark
This morning it stinks here. Everything smells smokey and is streaked or spattered in black outside. The sky is clearer today though, a white smokey haze. It’s cooler. I can still hear helicopters, but at least no sirens this morning. My personal fears and concerns for those close to me were laid to rest but I am uneasy for the ones I haven’t heard from, not family members but friends I love, kids I teach, colleagues I know live in those areas.
I panicked yesterday. It was black and red outside at 6.00pm. The wind blew grit into my eyes and the smoke stung them. My shoulders were speckled with dropping blackness. There were fire sirens and helicopters. It was still hot. I didn’t know where anyone was. The phone and power was on and off.
My parents were returning from being away and when I called my mum to see where they were I could hear the fear in her voice. They had been diverted and couldn’t see anything. Lucky my dad knows the roads or they wouldn’t have made it home. There were dust storms and strong winds and they couldn’t see very much and had to drive very slowly home along back roads. The fires they mentioned hadn’t even made it to the news and in light of the bigger problems elsewhere, probably won’t. It worried me more and made me more uncertain.
Tom and his friends had gone to a lookout (against my will) to try and see what was going on. I was beside myself waiting for them to come back. I didn’t know what to do. I felt helpless and wanted to be helpful. I was also scared because I had no information.
Tom’s friends were here last night. Some whose parents were returning home or fighting fires in their home and were just craving news, specific news. The kids kept going out to the car to listen to the ABC radio for the latest updates. We needed to know how specific people were, know where exactly that fire was that was making our world go black. They are all safe now, not sure about homes. One of his close mates was on msn and briefly told me he was staying at his house as “there was no way the old man would leave.” He assured me they were ok and most of the dangers had passed. I haven’t heard from them yet, but thinking no news is good news.
I talked to Rhonda. The pool we swam in yesterday morning is black today. Full of ash and dust. Her kids were heading to the beach when I left there, so I called to make sure they’d been sent home like mine had. They were smarter. They never left.
I keep reading the news. Today there is more information online. This Google Map would have been great yesterday. Twitter has been helpful as well, but not until today, after the event. It’s awful for so many people. It puts life into a starker perspective.
Popularity: 5% [?]
Pretty Much Can’t Leave Town
Tom and his friends wanted to go to the beach this afternoon. I have pleaded with them not to go because I am worried about the fires. It’s ok for me to say that because I’ve spent the morning swimming in my friends pool. He just called me and said “Don’t worry mum, we pretty much can’t leave town.” Apparently every direction to the beach is road blocked. I am relieved they can’t, but it has never been this bad before and that’s a worry.
As much as I love warm weather I can hear helicopters and see close smoke in some directions. It’s a bit extreme and windy. Last time I checked it was 45 in the shade outside. So many of our students live in the areas that are under threat from fires. I hope they are all ok.
I’ve been cranky the last couple of days. I am looking forward to the full moon/eclipse coming and going and hoping it will take my crankiness with it.
Popularity: 5% [?]
The Last Day of Term
Since that bell rang, I haven’t stopped. Might have been easier to have stayed at school that extra hour!
I am attending a Deb ball tomorrow night for the daughter of my friend. I expect (and hope) it will be the last one I attend. I have endured my own, my sisters, and another of my friends daughters, as well as my own two childrens. I am not a fan of the Deb tradition. I know the kids enjoy it, but frankly, most of them have a lot of celebrations and special events, I don’t see the point. That said, every deb I have attended has involved someone I love and I have enjoyed seeing them do their thing!
So tonight after work, I rushed into a shop and bought a little black dress that is really gorgeous. I had offered to do a spot of volunteering from 5-8, random for me I know, so I quickly dashed home to get organised. I was in the dress shop for about 15 minutes I reckon. I tried the dress on again at home and immediately thought – what was I thinking? The dress is gorgeous, but it’s really not me. I feel like it sits funny on me. So I rang the shop and let them know I’d be back in the morning to exchange it. I know the sales woman and she tried to convince me how great it looked, but I’d decided. So tomorrow I will have to go through it all again. I hate trying on clothes!
I then went off to the local coal mine to help the Red Cross ladies feed the firefighters. I didn’t even know the fire was still burning until today when I got an email to say they needed help. My first thought was – good luck, no one will want to do that on the last day of school. Then I realised I felt so energetic today, why not. It was a different start to my holidays and I’m back on Monday night, as happens. Hopefully though, the fire will be out!
Popularity: 7% [?]
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