Happy 'Australia Day' 2016

And a song worth celebrating...

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Winner for Oz Day 2016

"Stolen Dreamtime"
Ineka Voigt, Canberra High School, ACT
"If I could travel back in time I would... reunite mother and child. A weeping mother sits in an ochre desert, dreaming of her children and a life that never was... all that remains is red sand, tears and the whispers of her stolen dreamtime."

MY Poem from 2011 Happy Australia Day Tomorrow

My Country
The love of field and pruning
Of green tree shaded lanes
Of pommie woods and gardens
Is the backpackers domain
Putting up with grey-blue distance
Brown streams and that low sky
Is nice to sometimes visit
But we could pass it by

I love a sunburnt country
Across the great western plains
Of bushwalkers mountain ranges
Of droughts and flooding rains
I love our far horizons
I love the Bar Beach sea
The beauty and the terror
The wide brown land for me

A stark white ring-barked forest
The loggers lop in tune
The sapphire misted mountains
The midday sun breaks through
Annoying spikey shrubs
Lantana and pesky weeds
A bunch of 40 dollar natives
A protea is all you need

Core of our soul, our country
The levelling blue sky
One minute cattle are dying
But then the grey clouds gather
And we can dance again
That sound on tin roofs clapping
The steady soaking rain

Core of their soul, their country
Land of the Rainbow snake
For flood and fire and famine
The dreaming stories make
Sand through the hand is poured
Lingiari was his name
The greenness will return
When they the land can claim

An opal hearted country
A willful, lavish land
We celebrate Australia
With coasters and board shorts
The flag we hold in hand
Brawls, beer and Hot 100
Disrupt our reflective or family time
We revel in the ANZAC
And sadly 'turn the boats around'

"My Country" Midnight Oil

"My Country" Midnight Oil written by Rob Hirst
Was it just a dream, were you so confused
Was it just a giant leap of logic
Was it the time of year, that makes a state of fear
Methods were the motives for the action

And did I hear you say
My country right or wrong

Did you save your face
Did you breach your faith
Women, there were children at the shelter
Now who can stop the hail
When human senses fail
There was never any warning, no escape

Did I hear you say
My country right or wrong
My country oh so strong
My country going wrong
My country right or wrong

I hear you say the truth must take a beating
The flag a camouflage for your deceiving
I know, yes I know
It's written on your soul
I know, we all make mistakes

This is not a case of blurred vision
It's a case of black holes, pocket holes, soul holes

And did I hear you say...

A song about misplaced patriotism and hiding behind the flag on the part of any country. In relation to Australia, do we have the maturity to become a republic, to make different choices to the US in the Gulf/Middle East and could we do things like 'recognising' indigenous people in our Constitution and moving on then to a conversation and action about soveriegnty. I won't bother to ask if we could open our borders to refugees and asylum seekers, take kids out of detention and find a new solution... that's just crazy talk!!

Ideas and Resources Creating Worship with Children and Families

Resources
Seasons of the Spirit here
A Joyful Path here
Spill the Beans here
Godly Play here
Holy Moly here
Re:Form here
Sticky Faith here
‘Deep Blue’ website here

Re:Form here 
Proost UK here
Worship House Kids here

Music
Together to Celebrate here
All Together Series here
Fischy Music here
Seasons of the Spirit [available from Mediacom]
Seasons website here
Beth Barnett Resources here
As One Voice here
Carols in the Sun here

Storybooks

Digital Orthodoxy here
The Children’s Book Review here
Australian Book Review here 
The Book Chook here
The Children’s Book Council of Australia here 

"Operation Boomerang"

This is the advert that seems to have a few people uptight... don't they remember the Kekovich originals!!
Lee Lin Chin's dry sense of humour and perfect comedic timing have become a real hit on TV with "Have You Been Paying Attention" [especially her deadpan reactions to Sam Pang] and it seems someone noticed and harnessed that for this quite clever bit of comedy. Funny, playful, cringeworthy Australiana... they're all up for some stick here, not just vegans!! I'd normally say racism of ridicule are judged how the effected see it, but comedy does always blur that line. I guess the facts are this is the big time of year for lamb sales and right from the off the attachment to Australia Day is something the marketers have sought to exploit. Between the cameos and the dry humour I find it clever and funny... comedy makes the rest hard to judge and causes it to sound a little sanctimonious I fear... In other year's I've noticed [Samy, Richie Benaud etc] this year I just might BBQ some lamb. I know some people whose livelihood depends on it!!

"Lazarus" David Bowie

Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Pub Scene) from jorgedart on Vimeo.

Vale David Bowie

Youtube Rewind 2015

"It's Not Rocket Science!"

If I write it here it'll happen won't it? I have decided to start my next writing project this year... Title: "It's Not Rocket Science" Subject: Things I've learnt in my vocation that might be of help to others, written in bites or useable sections so you could start anywhere. BUT what I've learnt from my previous publications is... it'll take me a long time; it'll be too expensive not to plan how you're going to publish And don't expect to make any money [that's OK, not the point] I think though I might try crowd funding to make it real. My continuing Ed this year will be learning how to write it well!!

Happy New Year Friends!!

Provisional Draft Thoughts that may even disappear...

What a huge year... I can scarcely believe how crazy busy it has been in work and family life. This is reflected in few places more fully than in the infrequent blog posts or reflections at least. If memory serves I started 2015 asleep [in bed by 11pm probably] and then spent two days at the Test Cricket with Geoff Smith and Co... new MA Noble came up a treat!! Then came some serious catch ups, communication and planning around the fact "The Making of Midnight Oil" exhibition was coming to Newcastle Museum as a result of my email to all and sundry suggesting this before it had opened in Manly!!

I did the Vollies Intro but was worried about my knees and lots of standing so I simply took the Curator's Tour, copped an Invitation to the Opening [amazing!!] and then visited, took friends, sat, ran through and generally enjoyed having my own "Earthquake Relief Concert" t-shirt as part of the exhibit... which I must get back Julie Baird!! It was a wonderful thing to be able to chat to Rob Hirst and Jim Moginie [songwriting engine room] and thank them for the brilliant music, live experiences and how much it meant and means to me on my journey. Little did I know I'd be in Melbourne for a Conference after it opened there also with so little fanfare I had thought it wasn't going to happen!! Many fine memories and twice I had that experience of looking back and not really wanting to leave the room.

"St Vincent" at Sydney's Openair 19th year was outstanding... I continue to use the scene of Oliver's first class at his new school which bears almost no resemblance to the rest of the story and the value of the film but is a snippet worth bottling in my work...

How did I end up at Asian Cup Soccer matches in Newcastle? Stupid game, entertaining spectacle!! Enjoyed the solidarity with Palestine and the skills of Japan. Could have seen the Socceroos had I been more proactive straight after the first match I went to... ironic really!!

I started into some work straight up as the girls embarked on a busy academic and activity year!! This would also be my final [4th of 3?] year as "Hunter Presbytery Youth Ministry Development Worker" due to the limited funding!! The second Weekend OUT remains a strong highlight of what's possible but some missional promptings and work on fostering 'imagination' were important steps. The Upper Hunter and rest of Hunter mix had many challenges, enjoyments, advances and steps treading water... normal really!! FED workshops, Presbytery presentations, work with congregations and mentoring individuals was fun!! Project Reconnect, 'Curate', Ethical Ministry Training, ULN network, didn't get to Songwrite, Presbytery website, Messy Church, worship workshops, 'Dangerous Conversations' happened, Committees etc abound!!

Transport runs included swimming, dance, music, water polo, and then retreat to Wanderers Rugby to volunteer time as "Player Welfare" person where we ramped up some parts of being available to get alongside people and yet didn't get the 'House System' singing this year. I think the expectation on players from team aspect and personal fitness leaves little genuine time for another framework BUT we'll see in 2016 as we do have a way to organise Houses from the outset if we reboot it... If not rosters are the go... People were helped, support was given, advocacy could have gone better with it taken seriously by the Competitions Organisers and it's always going to be limited by time... I will connect closer to team structures again in 2016 early on to get to know more players...

Burgers, windscreen cracks, a dog running in front of the car, tests proclaiming good health without evidence of cancer!! Good friends have a different diagnosis and that is hard, ever present and to be worked at and they are in my thoughts and prayers [no really] Swimming, not enough, walking a bit, finishing my early year work role exhausted but having a bundle of energy to start the new one!! Fiji holidays are quite remarkable for the hospitality, restfulness and memories [trade winds aside it was a wonderful few days with the girls]. We saw "Matilda" as well and "Tay Tay" oh and got to thank another elusive Oils band member as Peter Garrett launched his memoir in Newcastle on a stormy night...

How could I have forgotten the demise of Prime Minister Tony Abbott in my first draft, a skilful negative Opposition Leader, a terrible Prime Minister... it's not his conservatism I minded, just it's outworking as three word slogans, lack of vision, denial, exclusion, pig headedness and poorly articulated direction. Malcolm Turnbull is by comparison light years from this... People sensed genuine wit and intelligence, cut through and reltability that belie his wealth and the verbosity is just part of the mix. I do think he needs to work out the reading glasses thing as Labor has even already picked up on it... don't know what I mean? Watch Mal's next expansive media conference where he has anything to read as well as speak. Still bound by stupid policy he will need a win and power to really prosper a different agenda... while my politics have shifted way left in the last 30 years you have to say this is better than 'less than one term Tony' in so many ways beyond ideology [because that's where he was stuck]!! It's great to have a Leader who can speak 'off the cuff' and make unscripted remarks that matter, who genuinely likes catching the bus [not just the actual bus, but the connection with people it symbolises so it's not an empty gesture]. Beyond that, yes our refugee policies are cruel and will one day be to our genuine shame having made it a political issue not a humanitarian one...

In the midst of all that I had to try to discern with others, what role might be next and Morisset held a special place in my restlessness [for most of the year funnily]. To my surprise in so many ways [and delight overall] the opportunity has come my way to help a group of people pick themselves up and go again. There's a scope for community connection, new ideas, mission and just doing the simple things as well as possible and it's been outstanding as an opportunity so far just six weeks in... we face some big challenges but will 'have a crack'. In the end it will be God's work to do something with our efforts, our job to respond to call, to listen and discern and act accordingly "it's not rocket science." I think I will start that book this year... self publishing sucks though!! I have enjoyed the welcome, the willingness to go along and see, the rejuvenation and look forward. I made a full of energy start just trying to do simple things well and I think I have achieved that... a full year awaits with a mix of hard work, opportunities and juggling of time!!

As I end the year there are maybe three things giving me the mix of happiness, concern, disappointment and the gentle reminder I haven't gotten everything right!! Focus, determination and communication required... and of course they are the only reason I'm writing this reflection. I'm overjoyed about some things from 2015 but disappointed in myself in equal measure all at the same time.

This against a background of rarely finding much that matters to me about New Year's, other than agreeable temperatures, my fav. seasonal time of year and a chance to watch some cricket. The rest I could happily consign to memory as I trawl through all those years of less than stellar NYE celebrations that fizz out and make me wish I was at home asleep [with a few notable exceptions that nonetheless don't shift my averages much] and to this end tomorrow will be another day requiring one step after the other. There is light but it still feels a little like a damn tunnel. Anyhow, time to get on with it...

I don't make NY resolutions, I set goals often and so that process is continual. I don't write my most important stuff in detail I guess, I think about them all the time. I guess this is part of the story... My trait of being able to hold many complex things, ideas, relationships and happenings together will get some recharge I'm sure... in the meantime, the mix continues.

So 2016, hard work and hopefully the joy of goals met, goals appropriately changed and some good news on all fronts!! I place myself at the ready, slightly crumpled and bent yet hopeful when not beating up on myself for stupidity. Panel beating is required, I hope it goes OK!!

Morisset Uniting "Church in the Trees" Flashmob

How cool are the folks from my congregation [and a few music group and neighbouring 'Trono' friends] "flashmobbing" Morisset Square Shopping Centre the 19th December around 11am... listen for the descants around 3mins!! Who knows where they'll turn up next or what they'll get up to... here

Revised and Updated Films of 2015 for Me

On 10th October I predicted I was going off early with my films list for 2015... my main observation would be I have seen half my normal number of movies and I know it was a hugely busy year in many ways so should not be surprised. The thing is there are very few movies I was sorry I missed, maybe Papertown [and I am yet to see Spectre, The Dressmaker and a few others]!!

Movies I saw:

1. Selma
2. St Vincent at Openair
3. The Martian
4. Bridge of Spies
5. Mad Max Fury Road
6. Star Wars Force Awakens
7. Inside Out
8. The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
9. The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
10. The Hunger Games Mockingjay Pt2

Avengers Age of Ultron
Mission Impossible Rogue Nation
Terminator Genisys
Ant Man
Pitch Perfect 2
Spy
Boychoir
Divergent Insurgent
Shaun the Sheep
While We’re Young

Without having seen Spectre... and I can't believe there's another Hot Tub Time Machine movie and a Kung Fu Panda 3 in 2016
Seeing Sicario at Openair but also need to catch up on The Dressmaker, Carol, and 3 or so other movies

Mary and Elizabeth Source Unknown

Great conversation this morning at Morisset 'Church in the Trees' Uniting around wit the artist was depicting and how it drew us to the current context and questions...

Kye Smith latest project hits the Internet!!

U2 Live on return to Paris

I'm still a bit amazed that as an afterthought this morning I remembered the time difference would mean if U2 were anywhere in the internet I may have been able to see a downloaded video clip of their postponed Paris concert. So I find 'meerkat' with a live stream from the other side of the world, standing on the floor watching the concert and live streaming from their mobile phone. Then a 'Facebook friend' from the UK reminds me of Periscope app on my mobile and as I am at home on wifi I find the global live broadcast map and tap on Paris to discover a high quality [and therefore almost certainly official] live broadcast up close of the band on stage for the final few songs of their 'Innocence and Experience" Concert. It will be on again tomorrow morning our time and will be live on HBO. This may mean it's not on periscope.
The upshot is I live in a way in which someone standing in a live rock concert in France allows me to watch the concert live through their mobile device... amazing!! The big screen will be worth the tix prices if U2 ever announce an Asian Australasian leg of the Tour [second half of 2016 or early 2017]!!

Just Pray

Watch out for this subversive Christian propaganda at your local cinema in the UK [oh wait, that's OK, it's been banned]. Fascinating story to see how it unfolds...

"Sometimes" Midnight Oil

One more for your Saturday morning!!

"The Golden Age" a theme song

Here's one track for Jacaranda season in Oz!!

"Golden Age"

All the screens are filled with heroes and losers
but the sky's still filled with stars
this junky palace might be on fire
til the winners lose desire
let it go let it go.

So tell me what you see
tell me what you hear
if it's the same as me it's the golden age.

Big brother tries to stitch and bend
but channel surfers find new friends
see freedom's silhouette increase
its time to claim that sweet release
let it go let it go.

I can see a purple patch of jacaranda
framed in eucalypt from this wooden floored verandah
heading past the watermark
heading for the hills
heading for the edge of time
heading for the thrills of the golden age.

Now tell me what you see
and tell me what you hear
if it's the same as me it's the golden age.

Now everybody's talking about the golden age.

Video Highlight from Gruen last night on Oz ABC TV

I saw this on Foxtel a few weeks back I think but it was the outstanding story on Gruen last night...

There's more unpacking and decorating to do But it's a start, the gear is in the room!!

Brilliant afternoon at Adamstown UCA yesterday for the launch of this clever and 'bang on' project of writing accessible Australian Carols for Christmas!! There are only some settings where using "Who's Gonna Make the Gravy" and "White Wine in the Sun" find a place and Paul Kelly's "It Must Be Christmas Tonight" now has some wonderful companion tunes and lyrics, especially for ALL ages...
The Launch was great and the resources include Kids Craft templates and ideas!! It was fantastic to be at an event where the early activity was designed so adults had to wait for kids to enjoy their participation first!! You can request a CD and Songbook and also download the whole resource here amongst Heather's other great music!!
Well done Alison Davies and Heather Price and collaborators!!

All Blacks RWC 2015 Winners

Well done All Blacks!!
Too good at the contests when it mattered...
So proud of the Wallabies efforts and threat but they just couldn't maintain the ball when they got back into the game...

I see people carrying on about the Carter field goal but that was a symbol of the Wallabies not conceding the 3 points through a penalty or not bending in that set of phases to concede a try...

Dropped balls late when the Wallabies were searching for that line break were credit to the All Blacks but the missed All Black knock on then forward pass did change the shape of the game allowing the All Blacks to set the tempo and play their field position style...

Deserved winners, but a disappointed fan!!
It's taken a long time for the ABs to correct the record from the years of trying to dismiss the World Cup as 'not all that'...

New Zealand Coach Steve Hansen's as ever measured common sense

Rugby World Cup Final v The All Blacks

Nothing to worry about!!

"In Conversation with Peter Garrett"

Thursday night's 'Newcastle Writers Festival' event at City Hall...

"Hello" Adele

From her new upcoming album due approx both November... great Welsh depth and tone, emotions and evocative images... I think she said it was her 'make up' album this time...

Storybooks

Here are the first 'spoils' from a generous leaving gift from the Upper Hunter UCAs!!
More to follow and a couple of other resources too...

Poetic as I know many wondered 'why' these stories... simple really though, they are thematically related, draw in little who won't get the central story anyhow, are not for every week and take seriously that they are stories, not just kids stories!! That's where I come from anyhow!!

Take these examples:
Rules of Summer'how things are and work' and whether the rules hold or what happens if you live them upside down
'Noah Dreary' about being happy, relationships, hopes and stuff that happens in life, like many characters we read
'Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley'about friendship, authenticity and difference
'To This Day' Shane Koyczan translating his performance poem into a book for older youth about bullying
...'Zacchaeus' anyone?

Gruen Gold on the ABC Tonight

Peter Garrett on Sunday

Hovis Bread " Don't Get Stuck Inside