A peaceful tune

From the beautiful surrounds of Halls Gap where we nestled around a wood fire, my family and I began our journey to share our message of peace through music. 

In Halls Gap we attended our first open mike night. So many nerves but oh so much fun! Since then we have met up often to jam together. Michael on vocals and guitar, Chris on harp and myself vocals and tambourine. 

Together we made the decision to form a band and The Peace Tree Trio was born. At the moment, we sing covers of some of our favourite bands while we work on lyrics for our own songs. 

Just last Friday, we performed for the first time as The Peace Tree Trio at a lovely school fete fundraiser. Friends of ours lost their home, shop supplies and band equipment in a house fire. This was just one of the ways the community has been showing their support for the beautiful Cooper family. We were more than happy to provide music while children climbed trees, parents sipped delicious chai and quaint little stalls were set up around the school (not to mention gorgeous goats in a nearby field that came close to say hello). 

The Peace Tree Trio aim to spread the message of peace, love and family through our songs. We also hope to raise awareness of social justice issues through the songs we have started to write. Through busking, all funds raised will be donated to a cause we believe in reinforcing what The Peace Tree Trio is all about because together, we believe we can make a difference in our world.

So if you see us playing around Geelong, please come over, say hello and listen awhile. We promise to play a peaceful tune.

Stay true, stay strong.

I have grown up listening to my family saying stay true to yourself, stay strong. Life will always throw challenges and tests at you but hold your head high, be yourself and you can get through anything. The importance of staying honest to yourself is an important lesson. 

For me, my faith plays an important role in who I am. Faith forms the foundations of my life providing the values and lessons that guide me. I am not one to preach or even one to go to church every week. However, I am a practicing Catholic and I practice my faith through the work I carry out each day. Through the way I treat other people, the many causes I am involved in, and my outlook on life. 

Throughout history, people have had to stay true to themselves and their faith. Whether it be significant historical events or debates regarding your church or religion, there will always be something to test who you are. For me, my faith has been tested once again.

The debate of logic versus faith is an ongoing one. One that I believe shall never be won. I am all for logic however you cannot compare faith and logic. Faith is more than logic; it is more than what can be imagined. Faith is just that, faith. 

When religious figureheads are the centre of controversy, it is important to remember that they are people. Those that practice hate, lies and violence are not true to their faith or religion. You can not condemn an entire faith on the actions of one individual. Nor can you point the finger at one church. It is unfair and would not achieve anything. 

I understand where my friends come from with their words and carefully thought out arguments. I respect people who stand up for what they believe in. However, we should not disrespect others for their beliefs or show contempt for those we believe act unjustly. Instead we should educate and lead by example. Let us practice equality, social inclusion and justice for all through our daily actions. Imagine what a world we could create together.

I recognise not all people follow a religion, in fact many of my friends are atheists, but I encourage you to stay true to what makes you who you are. Values of peace, love and compassion for others should be the fundamentals of any being on this earth. Stay true to these and stay strong.  

16,405 words later...

Gosh, I cannot believe how long it has been since my fingers have danced across the keys typing words for the Peace Tree. The past year has been so intense with my final year of university while I have been working on my honours thesis. Now March draws closer and I can close the door on my Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) degree as I hand in my 16,405 word thesis. So many words and what a journey they have taken me on. 

My journey through honours has been an interesting one filled with many challenges, experiences and new found friends. There have been many days where it has been a struggle to keep going and I would like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this time. 

Firstly, I would like to thank my family especially my mum who has helped to keep me calm and always managed to make me smile or laugh. My family have provided endless support, late night conversations, and countless hugs for when words were not enough, thank you. 

Secondly, I would like to thank Dr. Karen Stagnitti. Her knowledge in the field of play and research is amazing and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with her. Thank you Karen for sharing your experiences, advice and knowledge. It has been a new experience for us both as I embarked on a systematic review for an honours project. During the times where I was incredibly stressed, all it took was one step into your office and your understanding and optimism would have me seeing my project in a new light. I cannot put into words how grateful I am for your supervision throughout my honours except to say thank you.

Finally, I would like to thank my university friends. I have been so grateful for your support, feedback and chats throughout my time at university, especially this past year. I am so glad to be a part of the Honours Class of 2012. You are all brilliant individuals. We said we could get through this year “one step at a time” and we have. Thank you and I am glad to call you my friends. 

It has been such an amazing year and I am grateful for the opportunities, friendships and self discovery it has brought. I would like to leave with you the words of my thesis dedication; an acknowledgement of the strong willed, beautiful personalities who have influenced my life. 

 “This thesis is dedicated to the important people in my life. To my grandad, I wish you were here to see what I have achieved, to come to my graduation and to give me one of your hugs. To my Roly, I miss our philosophical conversations on life and your encouraging words. I know in my heart, that the love from my grandad and Roly has never ended and that they have helped me to reach for my dreams. I dedicate this to them.

To all the strong women of my family, I dedicate my honours thesis to them. The women of my family have shown me numerous times that no matter what difficult times or challenges life throws, we have the strength to get through with our head held high. For this I am grateful and as the first female in our family to go through university, I dedicate this to them.”

Handmade with love

This week I have been surrounded by wonderful crafts and gorgeous people. I have only recently learnt how to crochet, starting with just basic granny squares, but I adore beanies so early this week I started to play. Playing with wool, playing with colours. Life was good.

I started making a baby’s beanie in an array of bright colours. I love colour. I taught myself how to do a scalloped edge and I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. I then set out making a watermelon hat. I was amazed by how quickly crocheting can create wonderful little items. I think I may be hooked, pun intended. With uni and life getting in the way, it was nice to get back to crafting and to create something.

For me this week has been a truly crafty week, even while working. Everywhere I turn I am surrounded by beautiful things being handmade with love. This just makes me so happy.

At Encompass, a youth service for people with a disability, I am based in the textiles room. It is bliss. We have made quilts, bags, dresses and recently learnt cross stitch but our current project is just so fun. We are making stuffed toys which they are going to donate to the children at Geelong Hospital. With many of the clients having spent a lot of time at hospital themselves, making these toys is such a special project. From spotty dinosaurs, kooky aliens and green horses there are some truly gorgeous, colourful toys being made. I love my job.

Then on Friday I was asked to look after a friend’s delightful little shop. Frank & Dolly's is a sweet little shop where each piece has been lovingly handmade and holds a soulful story. 

I was very happy to sit in amongst the handcrafted, fair-trade pretties while working away on my own craft. What a wonderful day.

Now my fingers are itching to finish off a present for my little nephew. I can safely say my crafty bug is back and I am loving it. 

You don't have to be a hippy

It's true. You don't need to be a hippy to care for our Earth. 
You don't need to be a hippy to be passionate about climate change.
You certainly don't need to be a hippy to create change in this world of ours.

Yet many people have this preconception that if you want to look after the Earth, you must be a hippy. Chris Van Ingen has shown Geelong otherwise. 

Last night, I attended an amazing display of talent and creativity at the Reel Change Film Festival. The night was designed to showcase films created by the youth of Geelong that shared a message of 'Climate change, be the change'. 

I am truly in awe of the amazing talent, passion and dedication that the youth of Geelong have for climate change. From the young people who organised the film festival to the film makers, I am privileged to be a part of such an inspiring movement to create change. 

Chris Van Ingen, my cousin, was one of these film makers. He wrote, directed and produced a brilliant short film entitled 'Just Good Business'. Chris wanted to highlight the fact that you don't need to be a "hippy" to care about our environment. He simply wants to look after the world for his nephew and by growing your own vegetables, having chickens, solar power and catching public transport...it's just good business because in the long run, living with the earth is a more economical way of living. 

Chris wanted people to understand that anyone can be the change and I totally agree with him.

We can be the real change in our world.

Chris received an award for 'Best Actor' at the Reel Change Film Festival

Good evening and welcome to television

Television: Past, Present and Future

A Trivia Night to Remember

The people of Medimime have been working endlessly for months in preparation for this year's trivia night fundraiser. Costumes being made, sponsorship letters written and questions collated.

With two lovely hosts and a series of questions covering trivia from musicals, medieval time and general knowledge the night was well on its way.

Families, friends and work mates all came together to support this great cause, with all money raised going towards the Palliative Care McKellar Centre. 

Music provided by The Gems got people up and dancing and provided an extra touch to the music questions especially with people swaying at their tables. 

All around the room, you could see people laughing and simply having a great time.

Everyone working together to answer questions or for things to run smoothly behind the scenes. 

I was happy to have two delightful little helpers during the night. 

Although, the final numbers haven't been calculated we can definitely say that our trivia night was a success. 

Thank you to all who showed their support for this year's Medimime trivia night, for providing amazing prizes, for dressing up, for gathering friends and family, and for all who worked behind the scenes. 

All of you have made this a trivia night to remember.

Welcome with open arms

It was last year when I had the privilege of meeting the remarkable Jarrod McKenna. Amongst other Oaktree volunteers, I heard him speak of love and activism. A late night conversation made me confident that there are others out there who practice the same faith as me. I still remember hearing him explain that “love is my religion”.

Now, this amazing guy is truly practicing love. Jarrod McKenna and his lovely family have found their first home. The difference is their first home, they wish to be others’ first home too. They are welcoming with open arms refugees, the new Australians, of their Perth community.

With enough bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens for three families, Jarrod McKenna and his family have found the perfect home. There is one issue though. Although their offer has been accepted on the house, the banks are refusing to view it as a residential property and therefore have rejected their home loan application.

Jarrod proposes that “The banks don’t get it. Maybe you do?”

So friends, family and strangers within the community are rallying together so that their dream for a welcoming home can come true.

Jarrod and his wife, Teresa, need to raise $600,000 by Sunday 12 August so that their First Home Project can become more than a dream.

If you would like to support this dream, donations or loans are both gratefully received by Jarrod and Teresa.

By welcoming refugees not just into the community but into your family as well, I am thankful Jarrod.

Continue to practice love in everything you do.