Lucy’s Blog

Last night we celebrated my Godson Michael completing Year 12 by attending the Blue, Black and Gold Ball in Bathurst. This was a whole new world for me. I have never attended a Scottish ball, this one came complete with Haggis Party (yes the sheeps stomach carried in on a platter offered to all guests after a ceremonial stabbing - gross), pipe and drum marching bands, dancing displays (fit girls in kilts leaping) musical items etc.

It was a wonderful night - we were all in our very finest and tried hard to remember our manners. How royalty, celebs etc keep up appearances I do not know. Once a year dress ups is enough for me. I wore my most formal dress (the floor length electric blue one which caused much discussion years ago at playgroup regarding in/appropriate undergarments - remember that one Susie). This dress requires the 10cm heels that I only wear once in a blue moon. I was a little concerned but I even managed to dance in them! Michael (17) put up with the formal photos and even danced with me. To make the experience even more unique, we danced to the band playing ACDC ‘Its a long way to the top when you want to rock and roll’ complete with a guy from the school playing bagpipes. I feel a great sense of accomplishment - its the small things really!

Hugh and I had a great time, we came home round 1am. Looking at the stars & the town lights out from the Ovenstone’s driveway brought back memories of good nights out in Bathurst when I was at Uni and used to go to Fran and John’s for holidays. Its so clear and calm out on their property at night (well till the late night party people come home). We even got a sleep in till round 9am when the phone rang - one of Frans neighbours wanting a bale of hay. Fran cooked us brunch at 10am - she is such a good friend!

The other interesting thing that happened was stopping for lunch on Saturday. We had just driven into Cowra and noticed a “Sat $5 special roast” offer at the corner pub. Attracted by the thought of cheap lunch we turned off the highway. There, hitched to a pole outside the pub was a lovely chestnut stockhorse. We went inside and at the bar was one very drunk stockman who asked Hugh if his wife wanted to pat the pony … I didnt know if I should be alarmed or amused! Hugh came back with a witty quip about at least the guy had a designated driver which sent the locals into laughter. “Yep the horse knows its way home” was his comment. I wonder if you can be booked for riding under the influence? Is a horse still considered a vehicle? Returning from Bathurst today we were stopped at the other end of Cowra for a random breath test - perhaps the police were inspired by the stockman, but he was nowhere in sight.

Im humming the song because today was the day Debs finally lit her fire staff. Everyone at our house was excited. Rachael almost asked every 5 minutes from late afternoon if it was time yet. We have all been waiting for it, so after dinner we made use of the green grassy oval across the road from us. We went with fire blanket at hand, camera in the other and severe warnings for Rachael to stay behind_that_line.
Deb has been practising lots and lots of tricky tricks. It looked just fantastic. It sounded amazing. And it smelt, well … of citronella because our girl had been given a bottle of this fuel for free by a nice person at the camping shop (she does that). There are no mozzies on the oval anymore.

So if you want to look at the pics they are going to be on Debs blog http://neokitten.spaces.live.com/ pretty soon..

Last night UC hosted their annual Womens Professional Development Dinner. Figuring on a very female evening, I decided to invite my mum as my date. It was fun to do that and I was actually able to show her my office and the Spiritual Meeting Place where I work.

Geraldine Doogue was asked to reflect on her career and share some of her story. Having known her as a public figure it was quite interesting to have some insights into her career and personal stories.

These are the insights, stories or lessons I noticed most.

On education: Catholic nuns teach young women to give their best all the time. Coping with various sisters in WA has shaped many strong women eg Dr Carmen Lawrence.

Turning points: 1971 entering Journalism. 1992 Changing direction to present on Life Matters on Radio National. Always loving the industry she worked in.

On mentoring: do not expect your mentor to be sympathetic all the time. They should give you honesty and be firm in noting your limits. For example when GD had small children and was offered a different job the advice was “you will not have time to have a cold”. Point was taken, there are some times you need to accept your limits.

I went to my first ever political fundraising dinner on August 10th. I have always avoided these in the past. Perhaps Im starting to realise I am a grown up and can go to an event like the dinner without having to pledge away my vote and become a card carrying member.

The ACT Greens organised the event. Dinner at ANU - University House, they get a thumbs up on the venue. The speakers were Senator Christine Milne (the Australian Greens climate change and energy spokesperson) and Professor Brendan Mackey (an environmental scientist at Australia’s National University, Director of the ANU Wild Country Research and Policy Hub, and is a member of the Earth Charter International Council) discuss climate change, it’s impact on Australia, and the government policy needed to deal with it.

When we arrived (very on time - not fashionable) there were only a few people in the downstairs bar. It was a little intimidating walking into the narrow room where a musician was playing and hardly anyone else there. I had to take a work phone call, when I returned Hugh had (bless him) started chatting with another couple. They were really great people and it turned out interested in similar social justice topics. One of those serendipitous moments where you are just meant to meet. Swapped email addresses to share some resources on the anti consumerism movement.

By the time the rest of our friends arrived it was time to go upstairs. We ate dinner at one of the longest tables I have ever eaten at in my life! Someone near to me remarked it was like the Harry Potter banquet table (will have to take their word for it - still never seen the movies). We did a little place name swapping and everyone was happy. The meal was good. I had a few moments of almost blowing the “grown up” act by getting the giggles. Perhaps it was the formality. Perhaps it was listening to all the serious information about the environment. I was not impressed with current ACT Member of the Legislative Assembly, felt there was a bit of soapbox and self interest happening. The other speakers were engaging most of the time (the whole mix of hard science and political action is hard for me to get excited about).

Christine spoke of a new tactic the Greens are going to try to reach the “Gen Y” age group. Yep they are trying to get into using that whole new area of life - the internet and modern communication. They plan to campaign with interactive email, blogging and sms for the next election. They are looking seriously at how this has been used in the USA. Interesting. Will have to see what they come up with.

We celebrated NAIDOC at UC today, ok we were a little late (NAIDOC is normally held July) but it was held today so that more people could attend. Everything ran a little late but the content was so good. I watched some people getting frustrated that the celebrations didn’t quite fit their lunch time, but every person who took part had significant words to say and I am left still thinking about it this evening. Im reflecting on all the words that were spoken, the down to earth stories, the injustice of education denied and the continuing struggle that my indigenous brothers and sisters face.

We all walked through smoke as part of the celebrations. I keep catching a hint of the smoke from my clothes and that sets my mind thinking, thinking again. The whole smoking ceremony is meant to help cleanse your spirit. Today when I walked through the smoke and took part in the celebrations it made me more determined to continue to work with the community to try and bring some justice into being.

This day was a part of acknowledging and celebrating achievements of indigenous people. It was also a time where I learnt about past injustices and new hopes. The theme of respect was strongly reinforced by each speaker. Have respect for your elders, from those that can teach you something, give respect to all people and they will treat you with the respect you deserve.

Yay, yay Im so happy as you can see I have a new blog!

Finally an easy way to Blog. No remembering HTML and all that. Ive finally got access and life is much better. Good good Hugh. I often thought of writing but got fed up with emacs and stupid HTML which I kept forgetting. Oh and bliss I can even use my mouse while editing. Watch out world, there is more to come…

Its been SO busy. Apologies to my friends who want to know what has been happening. The quick dot point summary is this; Rach is now in her boots with orthotics and working on a physio program, its hard work but going ok, toes still are the habit. Hugh went on a world tour for work for four and a half weeks, Rachael and I visited Brisbane for a week in the school holidays and had some fantastic family time with Uncle Mark and Auntie Andrea (with the bonus of cousin time for me as Rowena and Ben were there too). Term 3 has just started and we are now into week 2 of second semester. Qbyan Council still have not approved our development application, but they have sent out a surveyer and asked us lots of questions..

Tonight we got quite a shock, we were on the way home from R’s check up at the podiatrist (toe walking still happening but all ok) and decided to go to the Palace of Saigon for Vietnamese dinner. Now we have a long association with this restaurant, going back some 11 years to when Hugh and I were first married and lived right next to the Hawker shops. This was our first “local” we ate there fairly often. One night we didnt have enough cash and they just let us come pay them the difference the next day. Then we moved to Lyneham for a few years, we missed the place and would occasionally go there. When we moved to Melba we rang for take away, naming a dish they didnt have on the menu, they made it for us anyway because they remembered us. It got so we could just ring, say Blemings and they could write down our usual dinner. When Rachael was quite little it was the first place we took her to. The Do family were quite ok with a toddler being there. When asked where Rachael wanted to go to dinner she would say the Pink Restaurant. So we all took to calling it the Pink Restaurant. Over the years we have had many a family dinner, celebration, birthday etc. We took friends it was easy to go there. In 2004 it was the last place we went before going on our overseas posting and the first place we ate when we got home. They missed us - we missed them. Now I think about it this place has got quite a history for us.

So tonight we rock up and the first thing I notice was this flashing sign on the window “Open”. Hummm thats a bit tacky. Then I realise there is new signage “Beijing House”. Wierd. Then beacuse we are meeting Debs there we go in, realising that life is about to change. The pink place how has green painted bits and new menus. No no no. Hugh is shocked. Rachael starts to get upset. Debs arrives and joins us. We get menus. We then ask if they use MSG. Yes is the answer. Ok we are sorry but we cant eat here. We leave unsettled.

What to do next. All hungry we actually go to Rocksalt which serves much more expensive but fantastic food. Order. Rachael bursts into tears. Hugh consoles her, they go out for a walk and ask some of the other shop owners if they can get a contact for the Do family, no answers, but we are determined to track them down just to say thanks for everything. Rach then has an upset tummy. After some discussion, Rach and I go home. She sobs all the way. Its just too much this week, getting Dad back home, going back to school and now just when you want some pink chips, spring rolls, penut butter meat and rice you are told its never going to happen again. “I feel very sad mummy, and i loved the pink restaurant”. You know what. I did too. We all did. So this goes out to the Do family, who faithfully cooked the best chicken and sweet corn soup, spring rolls and all the rest. We loved the food, we loved the service, we will find some way of letting you know how much….