Australia Day 2019 "Hopes"

Saretta Fielding's 2014 Ray Ban winning artwork featured on limited edition "Wayferers" to celebrate 'seeing' in physical, spiritual and all ways!! The win allowed Saretta to devote full time attention to her art, online and pop up stores!!

I acknowledge that I live and work on the land with which the Awabakal people share a special relationship. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and being formed for the future! I celebrate their holding and sharing of their culture, history and stories!

*Apologies that the names and images of deceased indigenous people appear in this post as a celebration of life in ways permission was at one time given.

Today I am thinking of: Donna Meehan and her wonderful community work; Stanley Moylan and his crafting and custodianship of the Didge (carrying on from Mick Davison and others); Aunty Zelma Moran and her achievements in Health Administration and Hockey and her energy for NAIDOC, telling her story and much more; the wonderful art of Saretta Fielding and the many other stories shared through ABC Local Radio's "Meet the Mob"!! Read about that project and access the stories here 

Hopes this Australia Day that we:
- Heal the scar on our country's soul by giving voice and power to indigenous people
- Move beyond the short term political cycle and see a vision for the common good
- Celebrate and embrace faith in that which brings abundant life for all
- Value teaching and education beyond crude measurement
- Leave behind irrational fear building wider tables not bigger walls
- Reject the politics of race, fear, exclusion and three word slogans
- #free Hakeem Hakeem Al-Araibi the detained footballer #whereisFIFA
- Find a more compassionate policy for refugees and people seeking asylum
- Build resilient communities
- Remember every person has a story and everyone's story is worth hearing

That'll do for today, perhaps our currently divided news and media commentary along lines of left and right needs moderating voices and xenophobic political views need challenging!!



"Sing About Life" TIDDAS audio



"My Island Home" Warumpi Band