Australia Day_Survival Day 2020
We're all part of the story and we all have an opportunity to LISTEN to our indigenous brothers and sisters while we seek to celebrate how flaming' lucky we are to live in Australia!! To celebrate here I share BAD DREEMS 'Like a Version' cover for Triple J, of The Warumpi Band's legendary "Black Fella/White Fella." This was the 'changeover track between 'the Warumps' and Midnight Oil in there tour of the Top End and the development of the album "Deisel & Dust" into a worldwide hit for the Oils!! Hence PG happy to guest on this track. Another example of indigenous story, generosity, creativity and endeavour inspiring us to better, different and to delve into the rich culture and landscape of our country. Here's where this started... don't miss Neil Murray on guitar...
Robin Williams about to ride off into Central Park
A collection of some of the best scenes ever in film tie together this story that could have used a better edit at some clunky points and meanders a bit with some storylines but has so much to say about adolescent struggles for identity and self esteem when the emotional side of that is so real.
The meta-narrative cops some criticism as American liberal agenda and drivel but maybe those critics don't relate to the personal struggle described...
"Carpe Diem... that's seize the day" Sometimes when I watch it I'm angry at what happens to Neil Perry, sometimes understand that some parental pressure to be lawyer, doctor or Ivy Leaguer must be soul destroying. In my own small way I never took on art beyond Year 7, not wanting to have my work judged or wondering at it's value long term... like much of my story, hindsight asks me "so what use was learning German for four years?" Nowadays, without the techniques to really nail some of my creative ideas I wish my total inability to master the pottery wheel had not held me back...
I could also relate to Todd Anderson and most certainly Knox Overstreet's fumbling and laughable efforts with the woman of his teenage dreams...
No doubt this film showed early indications of just how immensely talented Robin Williams was as an actor, with that fine line between comedy and tragedy or drama... Vale!
It took a little while into the film but soon I was hooked by the dry, laconic, downplayed but enthralling relationship between mob accountant and 'bounty hunter.' Jonathan Mardukas (played by Charles Grodin, who I haven't liked in a few films), a mafia accountant, is on the run, and Jack Walsh (seminal Robert De Niro), a bounty hunter, wants to find him in order to claim a hefty fee. But he has to reach Jonathan before the others do. The alternative bounty hunter in pursuit makes the perfect foil for the main characters and action!
Fitting lyrics and tune approaching 16th January 2020!! (Thanks Malin Forsgren for the video) of a song I could get behind as National Anthem... shared for Survival Day 26th January 2020. The song is about a broader theme but it's advocacy and remedy are the same!!Aboriginal people in this country persevere despite a lack of proper recognition, self determination or resources. Something akin to ATSIC (without the scourge of corruption or mishandling) could create a 'Voice' to the Australian Federal Parliament, set realistic plans for 'Stop the Gap,' work towards 'Recognition' and more...
It's not right to: celebrate dot painted Qantas jets; hold 'Welcome to Country' without due respect in concrete terms; or revering traditional fire practices 'when in trauma'... We need to sort this out to have a genuine crack, so "the great southland can be as great as the one it could have been... "
Crikey even South Africa has a two part National Anthem! Don't wear an indigenous themed jersey in your chosen sport unless you're willing to listen, change and get behind genuine indigenous leaders hopes and plans for the future!! Always was, always will be Awabakal Land!!
It's just about the perfect movie (if you like that sort of thing)!!...
Hugh Grant plays himself, the casting is superb and the dialogue from Richard Curtis, with Mike Newell's as Director... outstanding!!
The premise is we follow Charles and his friends as they track through that time when every Saturday seems to be a Wedding you're running late for... Their frequency, the gift travails and all the ups and downs cause reflection about what love is and how you "know..."
The humour, gritty reality when all is not well and the cameos and jokes are all great... if you like British comedy this is a stellar effort!!
The bonus is the Funeral evokes Good Friday/Easter with Auden's wonderfully evocative words! The interplay offers some great one liners and no 'first wedding' Clergy is safe from unusual names or the 'Father, Son and Holy Goat'!!
Charles' attempts to break out of his 'oh so British' politeness and inability to express his feelings and "that thing about the Beatles" is great!! The cringeworthy moments are done perfectly!!
Ron Howard is a superb film maker (eclipsing his fame a second time around from child star to Richie Cunningham and now Director of some epic movies). Case in point is the film "Apollo 13"!! You see the tension in the film is how these astronauts survive an onboard explosion, malfunction and aborted Moon landing... where the whole time, we know the outcome.
So the challenge to the Director is to use: footage; dialogue; responses to adversity; and inside knowledge to heighten the tension... you forget they did make it back while you wonder at how, given the 'long shot' and the task for ground crew. This is evidenced in the move to convert the lunar module when the air filters are round and square, creating the scene where a Team are given only what is at hand on the craft (duct tape included) to make a connector. There are manual fuel burns lining up the earth in the window pane and more...
Was it a malfunction? Human error? How does this effect the team dynamic when the astronaut in question was sub for illness?
'Cousin Tom' or 'Hanx' as he signs off on twitter, anchors the story with humour, warmth, authority and plan common sense and hope as needed...
Celebration and Thanksgiving for the life of Terry Butler 5/5.15pm – (6.45pm) + eats/drinks/outside after (out 7.30pm) Janice Reid Pavilion University of Western Sydney (off Victoria Rd, Rydalmere)
Lighting Candle/s
God/Christ Candle (light in the darkness) WHITE –
Cassius & Zeus Button (Grandson)
Terry’s Spirit Candle BLUE –
Judyth Roberts + Carolyn Handley
Permission to be on Country –
Samuela Nabis Barrkha Sadrata (Sam)
AND Response
Thankyou (Sam) for your story shared (and the welcome it offers).
(The Ancient of Days breathed life into this land and Peoples and)
from time beyond our reckoning the Barramadigal people blessed
this place with their care and concern and we (as people of many
cultures and stories) join in paying respect to their Elders past,
present and being formed for the future.
May we be mindful of songlines and stories, as we join our voices
to those already here. May we walk gently and respectfully
on this land.
Welcome and Introduction
Welcome everyone, I’m Rob Hanks... xxx
We are here today to celebrate and give thanks
for the life of Terry Butler…
Words that are simple and clear yet seem inadequate…
People have come from Tasmania, Victoria, Canberra, Newcastle,
Queensland & South Australia, from bushfire regions & beyond…
Family and friends, from football, life and work, the coffee shop,
mainstream and complimentary medical treatment, care and
support, Uniting Church Leaders (President, Deidre Palmer on
behalf of the National Church) colleagues
& friends, velvet rabbits, llamas, online and faith communities and
so many touched by Terry’s spirit, faith, values,
hospitality and friendship…
Messages of love & support have come from
The International Godly Play Foundation, the World Methodist
Council, the World Council of Churches, the Hindu Council of
Australia, the Buddhist Students’ Association of Western Sydney,
the Aboriginal Advisory Council of Western Sydney,
the FB Group – Survivors of Clergy Abuse, and letters, emails
and flowers from friends in 7 different countries.
Today we are mindful of Terry’s immediate family:
Janai (and Chris); Emryn, grandsons Zeus and Cassius
and their mum, Vinodini and siblings Roby (and Peter),
Bob (and Jan)
Terry planned much of this gathering himself and wanted
to ensure children and storytellers, footballers and people
of all cultures and people identifying as LGBTIQ+ would
all be welcome and safe… My words today, lean on creative
others, including Dorothy McRae-McMahon.
There is no casket here
Having already had a Committal at home (sending off Terry’s
physical remains) and an “Ochre Ceremony” leading to
“Calling Home,” Terry’s ashes will be welcomed back onto the
Adnyamathanha country of the Ikara Flinders Ranges by the
First Peoples there…. (a moment of silence)
We come today knowing who we are & how we have lived,
matters & lives on... We come believing Terry’s life joins the
human story stretching into our past and our future and all Terry
means to you surrounds & sustains you…
Here we will… share stories, laughter and tears…
Here we will celebrate the wonder & wisdom held
in different faith expressions
(God’s love & grace are wider & grander
than we’ll ever know)
Here we will commend Terry’s spirit into God’s care…
There is both grief and joy…
Beginning Prayer
And so we pray, God of life, with many feelings,
as well as grief and sadness, Travel with us in this time,
open our hearts to each other, give love and understanding
for family & friends and all those feeling the loss of Terry…
Help us hear comfort in the stories we tell
& in the memories we share,
Enable us to celebrate, even as we grieve.
When we have missed the mark, forgive us
and help us forgive Terry,
things done or said, left or unspoken.
This is a time to lay aside regret
and to resist carrying that into the future…
We reflect on our lives and Terry’s,
the last time he prayed for or encouraged us, spoke,
shared a meal or coffee, a rant, swearing about sport
or leadership, laughter, a message of support, a hug,
accepted help, time given or spent, anything really…
This brief silence is yours xxx.
We gather in hope,
may we build community in spirit and in truth.(Amen)
OR may it be so…
Song Video “Bohemian Rhapsody” Queen (all invited to sing)
Sentences
Today I’m thinking about Jesus generosity (Matthew 5) 3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted…
Nadia Bolz Weber imagines, blessed are those who can offer you nothing Blessed are they who can’t fall apart because they have to keep it together for everyone else
These are not a goal, but where true
(a sign of community living out hope)
Hope, Midnight Oil tells us “only offers when justice is coming” (Terry, challenge accepted and nailed, Nadia Bolz Webber & Midnight Oil, in one coherent phrase, totally relevant to the point)
I’m thinking about Blue, the colour of the sky & the sea,
depth & stability, trust, loyalty, wisdom, faith, truth,
good for mind & body, calming, optimism, kindness, solidarity
& the colour marking so many different things in common
Symbols of Terry’s life + Booklet
Symbol of God – White Candle
(to be lit) REMINDER
Symbol of Terry’s spirit – Blue Candle
Symbol of Thanksgiving – Calligraphy
(long banner hanging in place) THANKS
Symbol of Confession - Radiation mask
(loaned by Julie McCrossin) BARRIERS
Symbol of Comfort – 3 Quilts
(Tony and Shirley Floyd, 2 x Vivianne Butchers)
+ Adding, Sand from Bar Beach, Newcastle
(Tony Floyd to share the story of their quilt)
Spoken Memories
Deb Clarke
Emryn Button
Janai Tabbernor
Amelia
Everyone spoke with heart & warm memories and raw feelings
Part of Amelia's Eulogy and the AV of Photos are here
Reading Micah 6: 6-8 David Hodges 8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? GNB
Reading excerpt “The Velveteen Rabbit” Marg Robinson
Words/Thoughts notes
What does God expect of you? What is real?
(Two Qs I hadn't necessarily thought of together before)
To do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with God…
(8th C, BCE) Micah speaks prophetically, into a time of violence,
exploitation & oppression, into Israel’s broken relationship with God,
offering a way into reconciliation, summarising Scripture,
it resonated in Jesus teaching and life as…
“Love neighbour and love God” “
(who is my neighbour? "Work it out!!”)
Walter Bruggeman wrote ‘walking humbly’
is to pay attention to others
(the opposite of pride, self-righteousness
or dehumanising oppression) P Freire
Jesus call to love our neighbour and God is a verb, an action word,
doing justice as ‘the work of the people,” participating in God’s mission,
reconciling & renewing people, restoring them to community…
these marks in Terry’s life
“The thing about grief is…” sings Claire Bowditch “It knows what I did and It knows what I did not say. It sentenced me to a life of excavating things my little head can not understand. But I patched it all together with string and rubber bands”
Sounds a bit like becoming real, one lyric (no time 4 more)
But none of us knows the whole truth
about what happens beyond death,
We travel with an infinitely gracious God,
revealed in loving relationships.
God ‘one of us’ showing us what God is like…
Inviting us to question whether what we have valued in life
has any eternal value. The God who stands with us in that moment
is the same God prepared to die in love for all humankind,
entering every struggle of our lives,
understanding the choices we have made…
Here we find an image of life, lasting values,
the story that goes on… Inviting us to do justice, and to love kindness & to walk humbly with your God…
Pastoral Prayer Take Home Gifts : Candle, Hanky, Holding Heart, Ice Collar
(Eyes open until you're comfortable you know what we are doing)
God of life,
We hold in our hands, resources for reflection/prayer/
remembering
A Candle, carry Terry’s light forward
In a moment of silence I invite your reflections, hopes, prayer
Can we write a story of hope for Terry’s family and friends xxx
Some days we might need to hold belief and joy and trust and light
Some days are hard,
may you know that you are loved and held in faith
We hold in our hands, a handkerchief,
a less wasteful offer of care & help
Can we write a story of blessing,
can we give thanks and pray
For medical and complimentary care,
for health workers and wellbeing,
For helpers and supporters, for blue folks, online presence,
those mentored and those receiving hospitality and care
in Terry’s own tireless way
God’s spirit, a solid story of life, inspiring thanks every day.
We hold in our hands, a timber holding heart,
giving, love, connection
Can we write a story of justice, sacrifice, inclusion,
of creativity and art
Can we pray for each other, determined,
courageous and real
(we prayed for two families
in their current moment of life & need)
Hold out those symbols in your own way,
take them home,
May the cool wind of the hovering spirit
soothe and replenish you. Amen
Fijian Congregation Singing "The Lords Prayer" + Action Song "Help Me Up" Justin Wellington
by the young people
Blessing for Terry/Commendation
Terry, all these things and more you have given to us,
We respect your journey through life with all its realities
You embraced life and squeezed everything out of it,
Giving it away to others at any opportunity.
Be embraced by love, be yourself as we let go of things and trust
You were and always will be son, dad, grandad, partner, brother,
friend + more
You lived a following of the way, undertaken with panache,
with flair & reckless courage…
(We commend your Spirit to God’s care) added, Amen
Song “Child of Mine”
Sung by Amelia, Mixed Blessings & friends
written by Leigh Newton, Tanya Wittwer and Amelia
for Terry on the cancer journey
Changing the Light – Judyth Roberts and Carolyn Handley
Everyone is invited to stay on, eat, share stories together, look at the photo displays, flick through some photo books and kick a football around (outside) Anyone who would like to can take food outside. We have water on tap
Sending (please stand as you are able)
We have sung, laughed, mourned,
shared and reflected
Even as we grieve this loss,
Let’s commit ourselves
to comfort those who miss Terry most
Now let us go into the world, glad that we have loved
Free to grieve for our loss,
free to hold each other in human frailty
Empowered to live life to the full
and to affirm the hope of human existence
And may God be our company,
Christ walk before us
And the spirit, surround us with grace.
Amen
Recessional Song (invitation to whistle)
“Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” Monty Python
I hope it's Ok to share the details and gives others a glimpse of how we fleshed out Terry's hopes and plans. Thanks particularly to Darren and Aimee for brilliant assistance with the Tech/Sound/Vision/Logistics. Thanks to all contributors and those offering affirmation and afterwards sharing what they appreciated/needed/found. All working well at the beginning we lost Mics and some Volume later that was beyond our capacity to resolve on the spot
"In the morning we will wake up and take to the air Look back at the planet - I'm glued to my chair Southern half is burning as we climb through the sky Sea birds softly falling, smoke way up high..."
As relevant today as when it was written... reflecting on our responsibility for our stewardship of creation!! A recognition of anthropogenic impact through things like fossil fuels and more...
"Earth And Sun And Moon"
In the morning we will wake up and take to the air
Look back at the planet - I'm glued to my chair
Southern half is burning as we climb through the sky
Sea birds softly falling, smoke way up high
There's the contours of the mountains, the deserts and plains
And a hurricane is blowing, and it turns once again
Now there's oil spills in the water where Columbus once sailed
And there's history and mystery and it's rolling away
I wish you could see this great mystery
Earth and sun and moon, human tribe, thin blue line
Earth and sun and moon will survive
Sediment is flowing from river to sea
Now where are the mighty nations, no lines to be seen
An axe upon the broken ground the sigh of the trees
And it's floating in the ether, it brings me to my knees
Too messed up to care
Anyone got a wing and a prayer
In the blink of an eye
Thank you and goodnight
Earth and sun and moon, human tribe, one thin blue line
Earth and sun and moon will survive, will survive, we will survive
I reckon it's almost always true... "good scripts make good films!" It helps get to know characters, brings the imagery alive and creates quotable quotes for everyday life!
These help a film live beyond the screen!!
Who hasn't called out "Wiiillsson!" at the sight of a volleyball? Perhaps my most flippant yet poignantly true example ever is from "The Wedding Singer." Robbie's bride explains her no show, causing him to respond "information that would have been useful, yesterday!"
So enters my number #05 choice (in no particular order) "Bridge of Spies." It's not the best film ever made (a predictably too long Spielberg 2hrs 22 but I never looked at my watch this time). It cleverly captures the Cold War tensions around the Berlin Wall and through the challenges ahead of two main characters and one US pilot alongside...
James Donovan (Tom Hanks) is called on to represent Soviet spy Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance) so justice might be seen to be done. The CIA also need to facilitate the return of American U2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers, so Hanks' lawyer catches the significance of the opportunity despite the hidden agendas and people pulling the strings.
The tension is held throughout as Rudolf Abel faces his fate with a quiet resolve that makes the relationship with his lawyer, one of mutual respect and support. Things don't look good for Abel and as his lawyer Jim observes (roughly) "You don't seem to be worried?" and the reply "would it help?"
And then there's...
James Donovan: The death sentence is not a foregone conclusion. Don’t worry.
Rudolf Abel: I’m not afraid to die, Mr. Donovan. Although, it wouldn’t be my first choice.
Rudolf Abel: Standing there like that you reminded me of the man that used to come to our house when I was young. My father used to say: “watch this man”, so I did, every time he came. And never once he do anything remarkable.
James Donovan: And I remind you of him?
Rudolf Abel: This one time, I was at the age of your son, our house is overrun by partisan boarder guards. Dozen of them. My father was beaten, my mother was beaten, and this man, my father’s friend, he was beaten. And I watched this man. Every time they hit him, he stood back up again. Soldier hit him harder, still he got back up to his feet. I think because of this they stopped the beating and let him live. “Stoikiy muzhik”. Which sort of means like a “standing man”. Standing man.
These ten won't be the best movies ever But are films I'd watch over and over again. Describing a film as a "coming of age" story doesn't quite do it justice when it coincides with your own growing up and somehow speaks into that from a completely different context. Perhaps it nails how it feels to have your self esteem stretched, crushed, pumped up and levelled again!!
With (was it 5) Academy Award nominations (and the win for Screenplay) I just loved the set up of the young man who idolises the Italian Cycling Team, until they let him down in his dream moments and he crashes back to middle American 'earth' with a thud as his fellow 'Cutters' (short for Stone cutters) try to outgrow, avoid, ignore or hate their reputation as locals in a University town of try hards... Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern do a great job as the young townies and the great dynamic between Dave (Christopher) and his Dad (Paul Dooley) makes the film a standout!!
The limestone quarry is now a waterhole and of course the 'cutters' object when the students tun up. The irony of 'cutters' is the stone was good enough to build the University, but now the working class folk of the town aren't seen as good enough to go there.
It's also my chance to laud a film 101 mins long when 98 to 110 was the average length!! "If you can't tell a story in 98 minutes" was my most quoted comment in the 1980s and 90s...
"Refund! Refund!"
What is this?
It's sauteed zucchini.
It's I-ty food. I don't want no I-ty food.
It's not. I got it at the A&P. It's like... squash.
I know I-ty food when I hear it! It's all them "eenie" foods... zucchini... and linguine... and fettuccine. I want some American food, dammit! I want French Fries!
[to the cat] Oh, get off the table, Fellini!
Hey, that's *my* cat! His name's Jake, not Fellini! I won't have any "eenie" in this house!
[to the cat] Your name's Jake, you understand?
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