Years ago some brave Filipino women simply declared to their warring menfolk and the government of the day, “We are no longer prepared to be bombed.” They bravely held their resolve until peace zones were negotiated, and the women themselves ensured that the 'p zones' were upheld.
Iran is threatening to obliterate Israel. In return Israel is planning to bomb the nuclear facilities in Iran, maybe as early as April. As if either of these actions will make their world a safer place. As the Dalai Lama stated so eloquently in 2011, “The shift in consciousness the world needs will happen when Western women step into their power.”
So when are we Western women going to be as strong as those Filipino women?
All the great wisdom traditions say we have to find peace within first. To be peaceful. Thankfully I have found that peace. So much so that I find that I have had ENOUGH of war, and Indigenous elders tell me the Planet has too. It's time for a change.
So let's focus on peace, think peace, pray peace, be a conduit for peace, send out thoughts of love and gratitude for peace, resonate to forgiveness on a global scale, imagine a ginormous angel of peace descending into the Middle East. Whatever. Just do it. Have some fun with it.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
MRS CAREY'S CONCERT
Yesterday I took myself off to the cinema to see Mrs Carey's Concert www.mrscareysconcert.com
The reviews didn't exaggerate. This Aussie documentary engaged me 110% from the opening moments till the very end, as truly good filmmaking does. And for the second time in recent months I realised just how rich the cinema experience is compared with DVD or TV. Or worse still, downloaded on a computer.
In the dark, with a big screen and surround sound, the guffaws, gasps and groans of other audience members heighten the pleasure. Yesterday, walking out into the bright sunshine and sharing my enjoyment with a complete stranger, a young musician, put the icing on the cake.
Months ago The King's Speech www.thekingsspeech.com affected me the same way. Even though I knew it would be available on DVD in the not too distant future, I chose to see it in the cinema.
To quote Lord David Puttnam's 2010 SPAA Conference address, “The unique cinema experience works on a multiplicity of levels.” www.spaa.org.au for his full transcript.
It was such a joy to sit in a crowded theatre and laugh along at the unexpected humour. And what filmmaking The King's Speech is. It's rare when absolutely everything works - screenplay, casting, directing, acting, music, editing, cinematography...
What made the experience even better was that my sister-in-law, Beth, accompanied me and we could share our enjoyment on the drive home, a rare occurrence in our busy lives.
I love a good story, one that nourishes the soul, and both films certainly do that.
As as aspiring filmmaker I rate both films 10 out of 10. My wish is that Suz and I produce features and docos as good as these through Murubakgira Productions. If that seems a bit cheeky, that's okay. Long ago I learnt a basic principle of Olympic Games target archery. If you aim high, you shoot high. If you aim low, you shoot low. I'm sure Mrs Carey would agree. And, whatever else you do, remember the 10s, the perfect scores.
So do yourself a favour, go to the nearest cinema and enjoy Mrs Carey's Concert before it's too late.
The reviews didn't exaggerate. This Aussie documentary engaged me 110% from the opening moments till the very end, as truly good filmmaking does. And for the second time in recent months I realised just how rich the cinema experience is compared with DVD or TV. Or worse still, downloaded on a computer.
In the dark, with a big screen and surround sound, the guffaws, gasps and groans of other audience members heighten the pleasure. Yesterday, walking out into the bright sunshine and sharing my enjoyment with a complete stranger, a young musician, put the icing on the cake.
Months ago The King's Speech www.thekingsspeech.com affected me the same way. Even though I knew it would be available on DVD in the not too distant future, I chose to see it in the cinema.
To quote Lord David Puttnam's 2010 SPAA Conference address, “The unique cinema experience works on a multiplicity of levels.” www.spaa.org.au for his full transcript.
It was such a joy to sit in a crowded theatre and laugh along at the unexpected humour. And what filmmaking The King's Speech is. It's rare when absolutely everything works - screenplay, casting, directing, acting, music, editing, cinematography...
What made the experience even better was that my sister-in-law, Beth, accompanied me and we could share our enjoyment on the drive home, a rare occurrence in our busy lives.
I love a good story, one that nourishes the soul, and both films certainly do that.
As as aspiring filmmaker I rate both films 10 out of 10. My wish is that Suz and I produce features and docos as good as these through Murubakgira Productions. If that seems a bit cheeky, that's okay. Long ago I learnt a basic principle of Olympic Games target archery. If you aim high, you shoot high. If you aim low, you shoot low. I'm sure Mrs Carey would agree. And, whatever else you do, remember the 10s, the perfect scores.
So do yourself a favour, go to the nearest cinema and enjoy Mrs Carey's Concert before it's too late.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
To car or not to car, that is the question.
Santa brought me a car. And I am very grateful.
Ever since my ageing Suzuki died nine years ago I have, out of necessity, used public transport. I figured it was time to walk my talk and have as light a carbon footprint as possible, but what I hadn't bargained for was that using public transport was sheer hard work. Except in Sydney, where trains leave Kings Cross station every 10 minutes, so I could travel around with ease. On the Sunshine Coast there were no buses to my destination after 7pm, a factor which was extremely limiting to a vibrant social life.
Now I don't have my head in the sand. I do make the connection that there's a 95%+ chance that droughts, floods and extreme weather events like cyclone Yasi are the result of global warming as a result of humanity's lifestyle choices. Clearing tree cover, coal fired electricity, emissions from cars are just some of the causes. Water temperatures in the Coral Sea in 2010/2011 are something like 20 higher than in previous decades. Result. A very wet east Australian east coast. A flood and cyclone ravaged Queensland, my home state.
Now I am contributing to global warming simply by driving my own car. Yikes! Not a comforting thought. But driving makes my life so much easier and I can be more effective. So how am I going to minimise my car carbon footprint?
Firstly, I am committed to following the Permaculture principle that everything I undertake must have three uses. So every journey must have at least three uses. A wee bit of strategic planning is required. I'll simply have to think of it as a game. The footprint game.
Secondly, I need to take responsibility for finding ways to offset my footprint. I know that by simply taking responsibility all my needs will be met, as if by magic. Eat your heart out Harry Potter!
Thirdly, because I am committed to having a super business head, I need to make each dollar go further.
As a treehugger, my initial response was to donate to enable the planting of trees. Just as I was pondering this option I met up with my friend Shivanii Cameron again at Bunya Dreaming. Shivanii, a talented filmmaker, is responsible for a project in India, an orphanage for “untouchable” children, a school educating 300 children and a micro finance project enabling the purchase of organic seeds. The village is poor, but has an amazing headman, Tinku, who has teamed with Shivani to enable sustainable change. And the Hinterland community of Maleny, where Shivani lives, has embraced the cause. For more check out Prabhat Alloi Facebook page
I sensed a huge connection here. Alleviating third world poverty reduces harmful emissions. It's a no brainer. So my $50 donation went to Prabhat Alloi Foundation. This way, as well as offsetting my carbon footprint, the money is enabling Shivanii to pursue her life purpose and benefiting an entire village in a third world country.
Phew! That's the Permaculture three taken care of. For January and February that is.
Ever since my ageing Suzuki died nine years ago I have, out of necessity, used public transport. I figured it was time to walk my talk and have as light a carbon footprint as possible, but what I hadn't bargained for was that using public transport was sheer hard work. Except in Sydney, where trains leave Kings Cross station every 10 minutes, so I could travel around with ease. On the Sunshine Coast there were no buses to my destination after 7pm, a factor which was extremely limiting to a vibrant social life.
Now I don't have my head in the sand. I do make the connection that there's a 95%+ chance that droughts, floods and extreme weather events like cyclone Yasi are the result of global warming as a result of humanity's lifestyle choices. Clearing tree cover, coal fired electricity, emissions from cars are just some of the causes. Water temperatures in the Coral Sea in 2010/2011 are something like 20 higher than in previous decades. Result. A very wet east Australian east coast. A flood and cyclone ravaged Queensland, my home state.
Now I am contributing to global warming simply by driving my own car. Yikes! Not a comforting thought. But driving makes my life so much easier and I can be more effective. So how am I going to minimise my car carbon footprint?
Firstly, I am committed to following the Permaculture principle that everything I undertake must have three uses. So every journey must have at least three uses. A wee bit of strategic planning is required. I'll simply have to think of it as a game. The footprint game.
Secondly, I need to take responsibility for finding ways to offset my footprint. I know that by simply taking responsibility all my needs will be met, as if by magic. Eat your heart out Harry Potter!
Thirdly, because I am committed to having a super business head, I need to make each dollar go further.
As a treehugger, my initial response was to donate to enable the planting of trees. Just as I was pondering this option I met up with my friend Shivanii Cameron again at Bunya Dreaming. Shivanii, a talented filmmaker, is responsible for a project in India, an orphanage for “untouchable” children, a school educating 300 children and a micro finance project enabling the purchase of organic seeds. The village is poor, but has an amazing headman, Tinku, who has teamed with Shivani to enable sustainable change. And the Hinterland community of Maleny, where Shivani lives, has embraced the cause. For more check out Prabhat Alloi Facebook page
I sensed a huge connection here. Alleviating third world poverty reduces harmful emissions. It's a no brainer. So my $50 donation went to Prabhat Alloi Foundation. This way, as well as offsetting my carbon footprint, the money is enabling Shivanii to pursue her life purpose and benefiting an entire village in a third world country.
Phew! That's the Permaculture three taken care of. For January and February that is.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Christmas Revisited
Dear Santa
Thank you so much for the car which arrived on New Year's Eve! Wow! Having a hotline to the North Pole is really great. Imagine being given a car! (And no, it's not the car in the photo. that's number one daughter's Smart car which I lust after.)
In January I used my “not very pretty” Laser to visit family and friends, have fantastic “wimmin's space” with some like minded women, attend the doco GasLand with business colleagues intent on developing and marketing clean, green energy, and drive some friends to the Bunya Dreaming to enjoy our local Indigenous culture and be reminded of all things sustainable.
And it was all just so easy. No more tedious hours spent on 2 or 3 buses, to arrive at a destination less than 30 minutes away.
Still to figure out the most effective way to offset my car carbon footprint, but I'm getting there.
So thank you again Santa for my not very pretty car. I know a swan when I see one.
Love and laughter
Barbara
Thank you so much for the car which arrived on New Year's Eve! Wow! Having a hotline to the North Pole is really great. Imagine being given a car! (And no, it's not the car in the photo. that's number one daughter's Smart car which I lust after.)
In January I used my “not very pretty” Laser to visit family and friends, have fantastic “wimmin's space” with some like minded women, attend the doco GasLand with business colleagues intent on developing and marketing clean, green energy, and drive some friends to the Bunya Dreaming to enjoy our local Indigenous culture and be reminded of all things sustainable.
And it was all just so easy. No more tedious hours spent on 2 or 3 buses, to arrive at a destination less than 30 minutes away.
Still to figure out the most effective way to offset my car carbon footprint, but I'm getting there.
So thank you again Santa for my not very pretty car. I know a swan when I see one.
Love and laughter
Barbara
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Not All Muslims Are Terrorists
Last October I awoke to a freezing cold Sat morning. It had snowed on the Blue Mountains the previous night and the gale force winds had closed all but one runway at Sydney airport. Undaunted, I ventured out in the chilly wind to my favourite curio shop in Woolloomooloo, in search of a present for Number One Daughter.
Initially I was disappointed. The terrace house had been sold and Somi, the delightful store owner, was downsizing. Though I couldn't see a potential present among the remaining bric a brac, a pair of pine trestles definitely winked at me. I was seriously in love. I'd wanted a trestle table for years, but an eco chic one, something sustainable, recycled rather than Ikea.
Somi agreed to sell the trestles, as long as he could use them for two more Saturdays for his moving sale. He was highly amused, wondering how on earth I was going to transport them back to Queensland. After all, they weren't exactly carry on luggage, though they would fit behind the surfboard in Sam's apartment until I could find a solution.
Later that morning I asked myself, “What's the easiest and cheapest way to get the trestles back to Queensland?” To my surprise the answer came immediately. “Go on www.gumtree.com.au and find someone who'd appreciate some petrol money when driving to Queensland.”
And so it was that just before Christmas the trestles were delivered by Imran Khan, a young man from Pakistan. To my surprise and absolute delight, he refused my offer of petrol money. “I am Muslim,” he said. I nodded. I'd already figured that much. “My wish is to show Westerners that not all Muslims are terrorists.” His kindness and intention radiated from him. Here was a true Muslim.
I told Imran I had studied philosophy and comparative religion on and off since my teens and been reading about Islam for many years. I was definitely on his wavelength, in absolute awe at the power of intention. His and mine.
After all, in 2010 my favourite book was the inspiring Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Check out www.threecupsoftea.com
Now every time I look at the trestles I grin, thinking of Somi and Imran, two delightful young men who have enriched my journey in different ways, and I am reminded of peace and sustainability, for without these the human race will not survive.
So the elders tell me and I believe them.
Barbara Carseldine
10th January 2011
watertools@gmail.com
Initially I was disappointed. The terrace house had been sold and Somi, the delightful store owner, was downsizing. Though I couldn't see a potential present among the remaining bric a brac, a pair of pine trestles definitely winked at me. I was seriously in love. I'd wanted a trestle table for years, but an eco chic one, something sustainable, recycled rather than Ikea.
Somi agreed to sell the trestles, as long as he could use them for two more Saturdays for his moving sale. He was highly amused, wondering how on earth I was going to transport them back to Queensland. After all, they weren't exactly carry on luggage, though they would fit behind the surfboard in Sam's apartment until I could find a solution.
Later that morning I asked myself, “What's the easiest and cheapest way to get the trestles back to Queensland?” To my surprise the answer came immediately. “Go on www.gumtree.com.au and find someone who'd appreciate some petrol money when driving to Queensland.”
And so it was that just before Christmas the trestles were delivered by Imran Khan, a young man from Pakistan. To my surprise and absolute delight, he refused my offer of petrol money. “I am Muslim,” he said. I nodded. I'd already figured that much. “My wish is to show Westerners that not all Muslims are terrorists.” His kindness and intention radiated from him. Here was a true Muslim.
I told Imran I had studied philosophy and comparative religion on and off since my teens and been reading about Islam for many years. I was definitely on his wavelength, in absolute awe at the power of intention. His and mine.
After all, in 2010 my favourite book was the inspiring Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Check out www.threecupsoftea.com
Now every time I look at the trestles I grin, thinking of Somi and Imran, two delightful young men who have enriched my journey in different ways, and I am reminded of peace and sustainability, for without these the human race will not survive.
So the elders tell me and I believe them.
Barbara Carseldine
10th January 2011
watertools@gmail.com
Monday, December 20, 2010
A CHRISTMAS LETTER
Dear Santa
Save me from your followers. Puleese. That's all I ask.
Peace and joy,
Barbara
PS. On second thoughts, perhaps you could bring me more dragonflies to eat the sandflies which arrived last weekend after the recent rain. Dragonflies are my totem you know, so my Indigenous friends tell me. “Aunty” Kathy Murphy and the beautiful Suzanne Thompson of Gin~Murun~Gari taught me the dragonfly dance when we camped in the bush a few years ago. Don't suppose there are dragonflies at the North Pole, too cold.
Save me from your followers. Puleese. That's all I ask.
Peace and joy,
Barbara
PS. On second thoughts, perhaps you could bring me more dragonflies to eat the sandflies which arrived last weekend after the recent rain. Dragonflies are my totem you know, so my Indigenous friends tell me. “Aunty” Kathy Murphy and the beautiful Suzanne Thompson of Gin~Murun~Gari taught me the dragonfly dance when we camped in the bush a few years ago. Don't suppose there are dragonflies at the North Pole, too cold.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The Power of One
Andrew Forrest is a West Australian mining magnate who grew up in the bush. He was mentored by a Indigenous stockman and values their culture and wisdom. As a result in 2010 the Australian Employment Covenant (AEC) was formed. Www.fiftythousandjobs.com.au is an initiative aimed at securing 50,000 sustainable jobs for Indigenous Australians. It works along side Generation One to end disparity between Indigenous and non Indigenous Australians in one generation. Www.GenerationOne.org.au Andrew Forrest is making a difference.
My friend Shivanii Cameron is not a magnate, mining or otherwise. A documentary maker and teacher, she operates on a shoestring budget. Yet I consider her one of the richest women I know. About the same time as Andrew Forrest formed AEC, Shivani said “Yes” to starting an orphanage for 7 “Untouchable” children in India. Months later there is an orphanage, a school for 300 and teachers, a microfinance system for farmers wishing to buy seed to grow organic food and a village pump. That was the last time I checked. Like Andrew Forrest, Shivanii saw a weakness and looked for a solution.
Shivanii let her network of friends know she was helping to set up an orphanage and it snowballed from there. The fundraising efforts in and around the Sunshine Coast hinterland community of Maleny have put the fun into fundraising for the Prabhat Alloi Foundation. Check the latest on http://prabhatalloi.blogspot.com
Bicycles for Humanity is another great story of what can be achieved. For poverty stricken AIDS workers in Africa a bicycle can make a huge difference. And there are so many unused bicycles in wealthy countries around the world. Someone somewhere made the connection. Check out www.bicycles-for-humanity.org It is also another example of, “Just begin and the ways will open up.”
And then there is my sister-in-law Beth, who read about a Brisbane grandmother, mother and daughter who were homeless. They found assistance through 139 Club in Fortitude Valley. Beth visited the welfare centre for the homeless and learnt what they needed most were winter slippers and pyjamas for children. She emailed her friends who contributed enough to cover both winter and summer needs for the children catered to by 139 Club.
There are so many good power of one stories out there. I just wanted to share these that are particularly close to my heart right now.
Barbara Carseldine
watertools@gmail.com
www.knowingwater.com
10th November 2010
My friend Shivanii Cameron is not a magnate, mining or otherwise. A documentary maker and teacher, she operates on a shoestring budget. Yet I consider her one of the richest women I know. About the same time as Andrew Forrest formed AEC, Shivani said “Yes” to starting an orphanage for 7 “Untouchable” children in India. Months later there is an orphanage, a school for 300 and teachers, a microfinance system for farmers wishing to buy seed to grow organic food and a village pump. That was the last time I checked. Like Andrew Forrest, Shivanii saw a weakness and looked for a solution.
Shivanii let her network of friends know she was helping to set up an orphanage and it snowballed from there. The fundraising efforts in and around the Sunshine Coast hinterland community of Maleny have put the fun into fundraising for the Prabhat Alloi Foundation. Check the latest on http://prabhatalloi.blogspot.com
Bicycles for Humanity is another great story of what can be achieved. For poverty stricken AIDS workers in Africa a bicycle can make a huge difference. And there are so many unused bicycles in wealthy countries around the world. Someone somewhere made the connection. Check out www.bicycles-for-humanity.org It is also another example of, “Just begin and the ways will open up.”
And then there is my sister-in-law Beth, who read about a Brisbane grandmother, mother and daughter who were homeless. They found assistance through 139 Club in Fortitude Valley. Beth visited the welfare centre for the homeless and learnt what they needed most were winter slippers and pyjamas for children. She emailed her friends who contributed enough to cover both winter and summer needs for the children catered to by 139 Club.
There are so many good power of one stories out there. I just wanted to share these that are particularly close to my heart right now.
Barbara Carseldine
watertools@gmail.com
www.knowingwater.com
10th November 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
It's All In A Name
I have spent the day phoning around to find an adventurous soul to Executive Produce the film. The EP is the one who opens the doors for the money to flow, so they are very important cogs in the risky business of filmmaking. I am constantly amazed and delighted by how accessible and generous film people are.
After a fruitful and exciting day I need to wind down, not that it was particularly stressful as days go. Have you ever seen the Foxtel show Relocation, Relocation? That's the story of my life today. Having psyched myself up to leave the delights of sleepy Golden Beach and relocate down here, I find myself following my intuition and saying yes to moving to Brisbane next week instead, both for family and film reasons. Adapt, adapt, adapt.
So I take myself across the road to the Fountain Cafe. Sam's side of the road is upmarket Elizabeth Bay. The other side is Kings Cross. Instead of my daily walk, I will sit and enjoy the El Alamein Fountain. I'm hooked on all things water, as you may have noticed.
This is daylight saving at its best. I remember to breathe and slowly sip a chilled white wine and watch the passing parade. In the last month I have eaten at least two distinctly trendy cafes buzzing with life and beautiful people. Enough to know the customers here are not the trendy type. Rather they are simply locals enjoying a fine evening outdoors.
As we walked past the fountain recently, Sam reminded me of some family history I'd conveniently forgotten. Miss Four was seriously miffed because we adults did not take any notice when she likened the iconic fountain to a dandylion. And that is exactly what it looks like. A dandylion. A beautiful, watery dandylion.
The fountain was built to commemorate the battle of El Alamein in the Middle East in World War II. Pa, Sam's delightful grandfather, fought at El Alamein, and tonight he unexpectedly feels very close. He would be chuffed with today's decision. My father-in-law and I were great mates. As we worked outdoors on the farm he would tell me stories about the Middle East, before he met and married the beautiful Joan. He confided about war in the Western Desert, both the ugly and the funny, and his love life in occupied Syria. “Don't tell your mother,” he'd conclude. And I never did.
Does it ever strike you as odd that there are few monuments to our equally brave Aboriginees who were massacred by the European boat people? This is a sore point with some of my Indigenous acquaintances, and who can blame them.
Since my last visit I have read the hilarious Aunts Up The Cross by Robyn Dalton. Before her decrepit family home was demolished sometime after WW II, it stood on the very spot where the fountain is today. When my friends heard how much I enjoyed her book, they lent me Angel Puss by Colleen McCulloch, another good read about life here.
As I took a short cut along Kellett Street a couple of weeks ago I witnessed a very well dressed, forty-something man on his mobile phone, “If you don't pay me by tonight you will be in hospital tomorrow, with so many breaks in both your arms and legs you'd wish you were dead.” And he wasn't kidding. Needless to say I tried to make myself instantly invisible. Phew! I don't do Kellett Street any more.
Though it's obvious that the area has all been gentrified since Sam was a four year old, there's still enough local colour to show its underbelly occasionally.
Last Saturday the farmers' market took place beside the fountain in gale force, freezing winds which whipped little bits of “hair” of the huge old trees. The air was full of it. Personal experience has taught me that if you get ones of these little suckers in your throat it causes choking, like a severe asthma attack. Not pleasant. Much to my amusement, an enterprising young man from the local pharmacy was doing a roaring trade selling disposable face masks. So people went about their regular weekend activities adorned with masks. Strangely un-Australian it looked too.
This magnificent evening I enjoy the sense of place and nibble my way through a plate of nachos. The unexpectedly Asian take on the dish tickles my sense of humour. All the staff are of Asian cultural heritage which probably explains the lack of Mexican-ness. I wonder what their pizzas taste like.
But then so many things in Kings Cross are a little on the weird side. This is not good for real estate values it seems. From a real estate point of view it doesn't exist. The apartments for sale are in Potts Point, not Kings Cross, even though my Sydney guide book says Kings Cross and the railway station says Kings Cross.
It's all in a name.
Barbara Carseldine
watertools@gmail.com
www.knowingwater.com
After a fruitful and exciting day I need to wind down, not that it was particularly stressful as days go. Have you ever seen the Foxtel show Relocation, Relocation? That's the story of my life today. Having psyched myself up to leave the delights of sleepy Golden Beach and relocate down here, I find myself following my intuition and saying yes to moving to Brisbane next week instead, both for family and film reasons. Adapt, adapt, adapt.
So I take myself across the road to the Fountain Cafe. Sam's side of the road is upmarket Elizabeth Bay. The other side is Kings Cross. Instead of my daily walk, I will sit and enjoy the El Alamein Fountain. I'm hooked on all things water, as you may have noticed.
This is daylight saving at its best. I remember to breathe and slowly sip a chilled white wine and watch the passing parade. In the last month I have eaten at least two distinctly trendy cafes buzzing with life and beautiful people. Enough to know the customers here are not the trendy type. Rather they are simply locals enjoying a fine evening outdoors.
As we walked past the fountain recently, Sam reminded me of some family history I'd conveniently forgotten. Miss Four was seriously miffed because we adults did not take any notice when she likened the iconic fountain to a dandylion. And that is exactly what it looks like. A dandylion. A beautiful, watery dandylion.
The fountain was built to commemorate the battle of El Alamein in the Middle East in World War II. Pa, Sam's delightful grandfather, fought at El Alamein, and tonight he unexpectedly feels very close. He would be chuffed with today's decision. My father-in-law and I were great mates. As we worked outdoors on the farm he would tell me stories about the Middle East, before he met and married the beautiful Joan. He confided about war in the Western Desert, both the ugly and the funny, and his love life in occupied Syria. “Don't tell your mother,” he'd conclude. And I never did.
Does it ever strike you as odd that there are few monuments to our equally brave Aboriginees who were massacred by the European boat people? This is a sore point with some of my Indigenous acquaintances, and who can blame them.
Since my last visit I have read the hilarious Aunts Up The Cross by Robyn Dalton. Before her decrepit family home was demolished sometime after WW II, it stood on the very spot where the fountain is today. When my friends heard how much I enjoyed her book, they lent me Angel Puss by Colleen McCulloch, another good read about life here.
As I took a short cut along Kellett Street a couple of weeks ago I witnessed a very well dressed, forty-something man on his mobile phone, “If you don't pay me by tonight you will be in hospital tomorrow, with so many breaks in both your arms and legs you'd wish you were dead.” And he wasn't kidding. Needless to say I tried to make myself instantly invisible. Phew! I don't do Kellett Street any more.
Though it's obvious that the area has all been gentrified since Sam was a four year old, there's still enough local colour to show its underbelly occasionally.
Last Saturday the farmers' market took place beside the fountain in gale force, freezing winds which whipped little bits of “hair” of the huge old trees. The air was full of it. Personal experience has taught me that if you get ones of these little suckers in your throat it causes choking, like a severe asthma attack. Not pleasant. Much to my amusement, an enterprising young man from the local pharmacy was doing a roaring trade selling disposable face masks. So people went about their regular weekend activities adorned with masks. Strangely un-Australian it looked too.
This magnificent evening I enjoy the sense of place and nibble my way through a plate of nachos. The unexpectedly Asian take on the dish tickles my sense of humour. All the staff are of Asian cultural heritage which probably explains the lack of Mexican-ness. I wonder what their pizzas taste like.
But then so many things in Kings Cross are a little on the weird side. This is not good for real estate values it seems. From a real estate point of view it doesn't exist. The apartments for sale are in Potts Point, not Kings Cross, even though my Sydney guide book says Kings Cross and the railway station says Kings Cross.
It's all in a name.
Barbara Carseldine
watertools@gmail.com
www.knowingwater.com
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FILMMAKER
Sometime after 3am the tenant upstairs arrives home. He is quiet enough. The challenge is that the floorboards in his Art Deco apartment creak, though they are not as noisy as the possums in the roof back home. Sleep evades me for hours it seems. Just when I am blissfully out to it, my mobile beeps a text message from No One daughter in Paris. It is exactly 6 am. Just as well Sam texted, because I'd forgotten to turn on the alarm. Phew! Then we chat for an hour on Skype. Bless technology.
The email I have been waiting for is in the inbox. Great. I train train to North Sydney, meet with Alan Harkness, our script editor and consultant, and train back to the city in search of the simplest piece of the film jigsaw. A suitable presentation folder for the screenplay. You wouldn't believe the variety of folders, but none as good as the one I have been shown. The challenge is that Alan can't recall where he bought it. I explore the stationery shops of Sydney CBD and find a couple of folders almost as good. Success at last. Back at Elizabeth Bay the sun is out at last as I work my way down my To Do list.
I decide to attend an evening art show in nearby Paddington. I daren't take Mr Skittles, Sam's Smart car, because parking here and there is such a challenge. The walk will do me good and has the added benefit of being sustainable.
Just as I arrive at the gallery Alan phones with bad news. He's discovered an error in our scene numbering. Bizarrely, we have two scene thirties. The dodgy, ancient TAFE-invented software beloved of impoverished writers has bitten me on the proverbial. What is adequate for a rainmaker is not for a filmmaker. I will have to delay meetings till I can renumber the scenes manually, a time consuming occupation, and print off the correct version. What a blow. Thank goodness Alan found the error. Wouldn't want to look unprofessional and all that.
I remind myself of my favourite Winston Churchill speech. “Never give up. Never give up. Never give up.” And for some obscure reason I remember the wisdom of Shogun. Patience. The mindset of an Olympic athlete and the organisational ability of a wedding planner are definitely at the top of the list of requirements of film producers.
The art is very intellectual. The subject matter is “Adaptation” from novel to film. I am interested because, like Steven Speilberg, movies were the literature of my youth. Some pieces are witty, many are incomprehensible to me. None move me the way most Indigenous art does. Conversation is impossible because of the decibel level. Judging by the noise, the event is a success. I leave before the official opening.
The highlight of my oh so quiet journey home is finding a lemon myrtle tree near Trumper Oval. Gubbi Gubbi elder, Bev Hand, says that lemon myrtle makes a great tea and also an antiseptic good for sore throats. So my journey is not in vain.
Oh so quiet, that is until I reach Kings Cross. I eye off the pie shop and pizza places, but simply cannot make up my mind. Comfort food is definitely calling. To my joy back at Sam's apartment I find a tin of Heinz baked beans. Baked beans on good rye toast, sprinkled with tasty grated cheese. Sophisticated it ain't. Yum. Food fit for the gods.
I am so grateful that the elders asked me to co-produce Liquid Assets. What a journey!
The email I have been waiting for is in the inbox. Great. I train train to North Sydney, meet with Alan Harkness, our script editor and consultant, and train back to the city in search of the simplest piece of the film jigsaw. A suitable presentation folder for the screenplay. You wouldn't believe the variety of folders, but none as good as the one I have been shown. The challenge is that Alan can't recall where he bought it. I explore the stationery shops of Sydney CBD and find a couple of folders almost as good. Success at last. Back at Elizabeth Bay the sun is out at last as I work my way down my To Do list.
I decide to attend an evening art show in nearby Paddington. I daren't take Mr Skittles, Sam's Smart car, because parking here and there is such a challenge. The walk will do me good and has the added benefit of being sustainable.
Just as I arrive at the gallery Alan phones with bad news. He's discovered an error in our scene numbering. Bizarrely, we have two scene thirties. The dodgy, ancient TAFE-invented software beloved of impoverished writers has bitten me on the proverbial. What is adequate for a rainmaker is not for a filmmaker. I will have to delay meetings till I can renumber the scenes manually, a time consuming occupation, and print off the correct version. What a blow. Thank goodness Alan found the error. Wouldn't want to look unprofessional and all that.
I remind myself of my favourite Winston Churchill speech. “Never give up. Never give up. Never give up.” And for some obscure reason I remember the wisdom of Shogun. Patience. The mindset of an Olympic athlete and the organisational ability of a wedding planner are definitely at the top of the list of requirements of film producers.
The art is very intellectual. The subject matter is “Adaptation” from novel to film. I am interested because, like Steven Speilberg, movies were the literature of my youth. Some pieces are witty, many are incomprehensible to me. None move me the way most Indigenous art does. Conversation is impossible because of the decibel level. Judging by the noise, the event is a success. I leave before the official opening.
The highlight of my oh so quiet journey home is finding a lemon myrtle tree near Trumper Oval. Gubbi Gubbi elder, Bev Hand, says that lemon myrtle makes a great tea and also an antiseptic good for sore throats. So my journey is not in vain.
Oh so quiet, that is until I reach Kings Cross. I eye off the pie shop and pizza places, but simply cannot make up my mind. Comfort food is definitely calling. To my joy back at Sam's apartment I find a tin of Heinz baked beans. Baked beans on good rye toast, sprinkled with tasty grated cheese. Sophisticated it ain't. Yum. Food fit for the gods.
I am so grateful that the elders asked me to co-produce Liquid Assets. What a journey!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
The Healing Power of Indigenous Art
What a long weekend of Indigenous art! While I haven't seen the new Indigenous galleries in Canberra, I did dive wholeheartedly into art + soul at the Art Gallery of New South Wales www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au
One of the joys of living at Elizabeth Bay, albeit temporarily, is being able to walk to the Art Gallery in fifteen minutes and enjoy Sydney Harbour on the way, so I literally celebrated Aboriginal art and culture. There were artists and performers from all over the country and my biggest challenge was deciding which venue to attend. And it was all free.
Hetti Perkins, the curator of Indigenous art, is to be congratulated. What joy, what energy reverberated around the complex. It was also a privilege to attend a preview of ABC's new three part documentary series art + soul which goes to air in Australia on Thursday October 7th at 8.30pm. This was introduced by producer Bridget Ikin of Hibiscus Films and Warwick Thornton of Samson & Delilah fame. He is the director and cinematographer and Hetti Perkins the writer and presenter.
The DVD and book of the series are both on my immediate wish list. Awesome storytelling. Great documentary making. As a filmmaker I am in awe of www.hibiscusfilms.com.au
One of the things I value about Indigenous art is its mystical ability to transport me to country and the magic it has brought into my life. The screenplay Liquid Assets encapsulates this beautifully, if I do say so myself, as does the my co-producer Suzanne Thompton's prize winning art, which will be used in the film.
So I was absolutely delighted to hear Ngathi Gulumbu Yunupingu, an internationally recognised artist and elder, speak so powerfully of the healing power of Indigenous art. “When you look at it you are healed.” Wow!
This is my wish for Liquid Assets. When you look at it you are not only entertained, you are healed. I can feel the film unfolding as I write.
And yes, I did “eat clouds” each day, and miraculously the showers held off just when I wanted to walk over and again when I walked home. An added source of amusement, an added bonus.
One of the joys of living at Elizabeth Bay, albeit temporarily, is being able to walk to the Art Gallery in fifteen minutes and enjoy Sydney Harbour on the way, so I literally celebrated Aboriginal art and culture. There were artists and performers from all over the country and my biggest challenge was deciding which venue to attend. And it was all free.
Hetti Perkins, the curator of Indigenous art, is to be congratulated. What joy, what energy reverberated around the complex. It was also a privilege to attend a preview of ABC's new three part documentary series art + soul which goes to air in Australia on Thursday October 7th at 8.30pm. This was introduced by producer Bridget Ikin of Hibiscus Films and Warwick Thornton of Samson & Delilah fame. He is the director and cinematographer and Hetti Perkins the writer and presenter.
The DVD and book of the series are both on my immediate wish list. Awesome storytelling. Great documentary making. As a filmmaker I am in awe of www.hibiscusfilms.com.au
One of the things I value about Indigenous art is its mystical ability to transport me to country and the magic it has brought into my life. The screenplay Liquid Assets encapsulates this beautifully, if I do say so myself, as does the my co-producer Suzanne Thompton's prize winning art, which will be used in the film.
So I was absolutely delighted to hear Ngathi Gulumbu Yunupingu, an internationally recognised artist and elder, speak so powerfully of the healing power of Indigenous art. “When you look at it you are healed.” Wow!
This is my wish for Liquid Assets. When you look at it you are not only entertained, you are healed. I can feel the film unfolding as I write.
And yes, I did “eat clouds” each day, and miraculously the showers held off just when I wanted to walk over and again when I walked home. An added source of amusement, an added bonus.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Bring On The Ceremonies
Earlier this year our Indigenous people demonstrated great leadership in being proactive re the appalling state of the Murray and Darling River systems. Over allocation of irrigation water, questionable water management practices and prolonged severe drought had combined to threaten entire eco systems along the length and breadth of the two great rivers and their tributaries.
For more information on the plight of the wetlands at the mouth of the Murray River see www.lakesneedwater.org
While farmers went broke, or sold their water licences to foreign investors to pay off the bank, whole communities along the rivers were dying. Everyone waited for politicians of all persuasions, or any persuasion, to demonstrate leadership.
Then up to the plate stepped some Indigenous leaders who called for ceremonies the entire length of the catchments. And boy did they ever hit a home run! The results speak for themselves. Both the Murray and the Darling Rivers have been in flood in recent weeks. The wonderful website www.murrundi.org explains the need for ceremony and is a great source of information.
Do you recall the theme of the New Zealand film Whale Rider? The leaders we are seeking are already among us. Ain't that the truth.
Our Indigenous people have a sixty thousand year wisdom tradition and understand well that good science backs the power of ceremony and sacred song. (See blog Feb 13 2009 for more on the power of Indigenous ceremony.)
So I am very grateful for their leadership which has guaranteed a joyful return to health for these river systems, the lifeblood of this ancient country.
Bring on the ceremonies. Bring on the songs. Bring on the stories. Our beautiful planet and all her peoples needs all the help they can get.
From little things big things grow...
For more information on the plight of the wetlands at the mouth of the Murray River see www.lakesneedwater.org
While farmers went broke, or sold their water licences to foreign investors to pay off the bank, whole communities along the rivers were dying. Everyone waited for politicians of all persuasions, or any persuasion, to demonstrate leadership.
Then up to the plate stepped some Indigenous leaders who called for ceremonies the entire length of the catchments. And boy did they ever hit a home run! The results speak for themselves. Both the Murray and the Darling Rivers have been in flood in recent weeks. The wonderful website www.murrundi.org explains the need for ceremony and is a great source of information.
Do you recall the theme of the New Zealand film Whale Rider? The leaders we are seeking are already among us. Ain't that the truth.
Our Indigenous people have a sixty thousand year wisdom tradition and understand well that good science backs the power of ceremony and sacred song. (See blog Feb 13 2009 for more on the power of Indigenous ceremony.)
So I am very grateful for their leadership which has guaranteed a joyful return to health for these river systems, the lifeblood of this ancient country.
Bring on the ceremonies. Bring on the songs. Bring on the stories. Our beautiful planet and all her peoples needs all the help they can get.
From little things big things grow...
Thursday, September 16, 2010
RAINMAKER MEETS FILMMAKER
On 26th January, in response to my cultural cringe at white Australians driving round in cars with Australian flags stuck on the window, I took myself to the movies to see Bran Nue Dae. It was just the tonic this white chick needed. A couple of weeks later I returned with friends to see it again and enjoyed it just as much the second time around.
The Australian box office reflected this, a credit to the vision of director, Rachel Perkins, the producers, cast and crew. This week I was absolutely delighted to find a fantastic review in the LA Times.
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/Sep/10/entertainment/la-et-bran-nue-dae-20100910
It is great to see an Australian film that travels well. What was even better was that the reviewer understood the context, which is more than could be said for the reviewer on Triple J.
So why is a rainmaker writing about filmmaking? Because currently, when I'm not rainmaking or eating clouds, I am a filmmaker. A powerful young Indigenous lore woman, Suzanne Thompson, and I are forming Murubakgira Productions to make the feature film Liquid Assets.
I began the screenplay some 15 years ago, thinking it was going to be a mainstream comedy about an art con which takes place in drought stricken, outback Australia. Somewhere along the way I realised the characters and the country itself had taken over and that the screenplay was writing me, as it were. Then I met an Indigenous rainmaker and experienced the miracle of rainmaking and so began the series of amazing “coincidences” which has resulted in Liquid Assets. Both the film and Murubakgira Productions have the blessings of the Central Australian elders who have asked me to walk this journey beside the beautiful Suz. They are the ones who called me the rainmaker some years ago.
Next week I am off to Sydney to take the next step along the road to a successful international feature film. What a privilege. What a magical, mystical journey. Thank you Bran Nue Dae for paving the way.
PS. the DVD of Bran Nue Dae is currently available on http://www.donedirtcheap.com.au/
The Australian box office reflected this, a credit to the vision of director, Rachel Perkins, the producers, cast and crew. This week I was absolutely delighted to find a fantastic review in the LA Times.
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/Sep/10/entertainment/la-et-bran-nue-dae-20100910
It is great to see an Australian film that travels well. What was even better was that the reviewer understood the context, which is more than could be said for the reviewer on Triple J.
So why is a rainmaker writing about filmmaking? Because currently, when I'm not rainmaking or eating clouds, I am a filmmaker. A powerful young Indigenous lore woman, Suzanne Thompson, and I are forming Murubakgira Productions to make the feature film Liquid Assets.
I began the screenplay some 15 years ago, thinking it was going to be a mainstream comedy about an art con which takes place in drought stricken, outback Australia. Somewhere along the way I realised the characters and the country itself had taken over and that the screenplay was writing me, as it were. Then I met an Indigenous rainmaker and experienced the miracle of rainmaking and so began the series of amazing “coincidences” which has resulted in Liquid Assets. Both the film and Murubakgira Productions have the blessings of the Central Australian elders who have asked me to walk this journey beside the beautiful Suz. They are the ones who called me the rainmaker some years ago.
Next week I am off to Sydney to take the next step along the road to a successful international feature film. What a privilege. What a magical, mystical journey. Thank you Bran Nue Dae for paving the way.
PS. the DVD of Bran Nue Dae is currently available on http://www.donedirtcheap.com.au/
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Eating Clouds
Why would anyone want to eat clouds? Well, I am reliably informed that Canadian Native American women "eat clouds" when the weather is wet and they want to dry their washing. It's that simple. That's their motivation and, amazingly, it guarantees them dry clothes.
I was already a rainmaker when I made this discovery. I just hadn't thought too much about the reverse, so I began trying this technique a few years ago during our wet season. I didn't tell anyone what I was doing so that their doubts couldn't impact on my experiment. I simply walked outside, looked at the washing on the clothes line and pretended to eat clouds. I munched 'em. My intention was that I was eating clouds to dry my washing. The results were amazing. Washing dried on my clothes line, even when it was raining at the end of the street. By the time my technique had worked a few dozen times I felt confident enough to share it with others. Like rainmaking it's all about the organisation of cells, quantum physics by any other name.
Recently I received my first newsletter from www.patricenewell.com.au concerning their forthcoming garlic crop. Now I am love great garlic, both for flavour and for its health benefits, and I can guarantee that Patrice's garlic is one of the very best. The only thing threatening this year's garlic November crop is – wait for it – too much rain, or hail storms. Usually it's not enough rain, but this year it's too much. Such are the joys of being a farmer.
So I dashed off an email to Patrice to share the proven technique I'd learnt from an amazing Native American woman. For garlic's sake, or rather for the sake of my garlic order, I hope someone down on the farm gives it a go! It's so easy.
Have some fun with it yourself. After all, if you usually use a clothes dryer in wet weather eating clouds not only saves you money, it's kinder to the planet as well because it is sustainable. There are no carbon emissions from eating clouds.
And, if you are very lucky, I may save some of my garlic to share with you.
Barbara Carseldine
watertools@gmail.com
www.knowingwater.com
Sept 10th 2010
Why would anyone want to eat clouds? Well, I am reliably informed that Canadian Native American women "eat clouds" when the weather is wet and they want to dry their washing. It's that simple. That's their motivation and, amazingly, it guarantees them dry clothes.
I was already a rainmaker when I made this discovery. I just hadn't thought too much about the reverse, so I began trying this technique a few years ago during our wet season. I didn't tell anyone what I was doing so that their doubts couldn't impact on my experiment. I simply walked outside, looked at the washing on the clothes line and pretended to eat clouds. I munched 'em. My intention was that I was eating clouds to dry my washing. The results were amazing. Washing dried on my clothes line, even when it was raining at the end of the street. By the time my technique had worked a few dozen times I felt confident enough to share it with others. Like rainmaking it's all about the organisation of cells, quantum physics by any other name.
Recently I received my first newsletter from www.patricenewell.com.au concerning their forthcoming garlic crop. Now I am love great garlic, both for flavour and for its health benefits, and I can guarantee that Patrice's garlic is one of the very best. The only thing threatening this year's garlic November crop is – wait for it – too much rain, or hail storms. Usually it's not enough rain, but this year it's too much. Such are the joys of being a farmer.
So I dashed off an email to Patrice to share the proven technique I'd learnt from an amazing Native American woman. For garlic's sake, or rather for the sake of my garlic order, I hope someone down on the farm gives it a go! It's so easy.
Have some fun with it yourself. After all, if you usually use a clothes dryer in wet weather eating clouds not only saves you money, it's kinder to the planet as well because it is sustainable. There are no carbon emissions from eating clouds.
And, if you are very lucky, I may save some of my garlic to share with you.
Barbara Carseldine
watertools@gmail.com
www.knowingwater.com
Sept 10th 2010
Friday, February 13, 2009
Climate Change and the Early Adaptor
What a week it has been here in Australia! The devastating floods in North Queensland paled into insignificance in comparison with the horrendous loss of life, homes, infrastructure and biodiversity in the Victorian bushfires. With the benefit of the 20:20 vision of hindsight, what could we do differently?
One thing stands out like the proverbial. True custodians of the land, Australia’s indigenous people were - and still are - masters of the regular, controlled, low intensity burn. This practice controls the build up of fuel. A number of scientific studies have warned of the dangers of the build up of fuel which has occurred both in Australia and the USA because of poor forest management, changes in land use and climate change which increases the likelihood of extreme weather events. These events make it crucial that homeowners adapt to the new conditions. In both countries these warnings have been ignored and wildfires have resulted, even though foresters confirm that an uncontrollable crown fire becomes a manageable ground fire when denied fuel.
Another core issue to be addressed is the current practice of building homes amongst the trees in a known bushfire zone. Like it or not, ultimately the responsibility rests with homeowners who chose to build, or buy, there. In future it may be difficult to insure these homes. Globally insurance companies are reeling from the true cost of extreme weather events and the insurers will be forced to adapt as well. As Darwin discovered, it’s not the strong that survive, it’s the adaptors.
To our indigenous brothers and sisters ceremony also played a vital role in land and water management. “We danced for the rain to come. And when the rains came, we danced again, in gratitude.” There are boxes and boxes of records of indigenous rain making ceremonies in the archives in Canberra. These ceremonies took place all over Australia.
I suppose to a Westerner in the 21st century this seems a bit odd, but it’s not much different from activating a giant prayer network, celebrating Thanksgiving or the harvest in the traditional European way. And it’s good science. We can, after all, alter the molecular structure of water crystals simply by focusing on love, or the icon of our choice, be that Buddha, Krishna, Jesus, Mother Mary or Mohammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him. Before and after photos clearly demonstrate the difference. Similarly there have been plenty of scientific studies on how plants respond to different vibrations. Different types of music impacts on plants differently. Our first Australians understand this well and extend the energy way beyond experimenting with a few plants.
As well as ceremony there is the shamanic nature of indigenous art, the theme of the film Liquid Assets currently in development. While researching the screenplay I learnt that Aboriginees believe the act of creation keeps the culture and the country itself alive. Their rock art is intended to be seen in conjunction with ceremony, song, dance and storytelling. A very powerful combination indeed.
In 1987 I arrived in Los Angeles shortly after a severe earth quake. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Native Americans living in the worst hit area had forewarning of the quake and did ceremony and prayed to quiet Mother Earth. None of them were injured. They also have spiritual practice involving the wind. Last year a Cherokee confirmed that if there is a hurricane coming, he has been taught to greet the wind with love, become one with the wind, love the wind and lead it away from his settlement. This is their wisdom and it works for those in the know.
After all, quantum physics confirms that we live in a field of infinite intelligence because every cell has intelligence. Indigenous ceremony and art alter the infinite field of intelligence through the positive power of intention.
Today is Friday 13, traditionally known as “Black Friday”. Today is also the first anniversary of Australia’s national “Sorry” day, a day of reconciliation for our original peoples and newcomers. In 2007 I attended Gin~Murun~Gari, a retreat for external and internal reconciliation, for black and white women alike. Those present will never forget witnessing “Aunty” Jenny Thompson declaring, “I am very grateful for the past 200 years. It has made me strong. It has made me who I am. Now, let’s draw a line in the sand and move on.” There is so much we can learn from these peoples and others like them.
What would it take to adapt our land management and water management and avert needless tragedy?
Bless all those who listen to the planet. All those who listen to the planet are blessed.
Barbara
One thing stands out like the proverbial. True custodians of the land, Australia’s indigenous people were - and still are - masters of the regular, controlled, low intensity burn. This practice controls the build up of fuel. A number of scientific studies have warned of the dangers of the build up of fuel which has occurred both in Australia and the USA because of poor forest management, changes in land use and climate change which increases the likelihood of extreme weather events. These events make it crucial that homeowners adapt to the new conditions. In both countries these warnings have been ignored and wildfires have resulted, even though foresters confirm that an uncontrollable crown fire becomes a manageable ground fire when denied fuel.
Another core issue to be addressed is the current practice of building homes amongst the trees in a known bushfire zone. Like it or not, ultimately the responsibility rests with homeowners who chose to build, or buy, there. In future it may be difficult to insure these homes. Globally insurance companies are reeling from the true cost of extreme weather events and the insurers will be forced to adapt as well. As Darwin discovered, it’s not the strong that survive, it’s the adaptors.
To our indigenous brothers and sisters ceremony also played a vital role in land and water management. “We danced for the rain to come. And when the rains came, we danced again, in gratitude.” There are boxes and boxes of records of indigenous rain making ceremonies in the archives in Canberra. These ceremonies took place all over Australia.
I suppose to a Westerner in the 21st century this seems a bit odd, but it’s not much different from activating a giant prayer network, celebrating Thanksgiving or the harvest in the traditional European way. And it’s good science. We can, after all, alter the molecular structure of water crystals simply by focusing on love, or the icon of our choice, be that Buddha, Krishna, Jesus, Mother Mary or Mohammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him. Before and after photos clearly demonstrate the difference. Similarly there have been plenty of scientific studies on how plants respond to different vibrations. Different types of music impacts on plants differently. Our first Australians understand this well and extend the energy way beyond experimenting with a few plants.
As well as ceremony there is the shamanic nature of indigenous art, the theme of the film Liquid Assets currently in development. While researching the screenplay I learnt that Aboriginees believe the act of creation keeps the culture and the country itself alive. Their rock art is intended to be seen in conjunction with ceremony, song, dance and storytelling. A very powerful combination indeed.
In 1987 I arrived in Los Angeles shortly after a severe earth quake. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Native Americans living in the worst hit area had forewarning of the quake and did ceremony and prayed to quiet Mother Earth. None of them were injured. They also have spiritual practice involving the wind. Last year a Cherokee confirmed that if there is a hurricane coming, he has been taught to greet the wind with love, become one with the wind, love the wind and lead it away from his settlement. This is their wisdom and it works for those in the know.
After all, quantum physics confirms that we live in a field of infinite intelligence because every cell has intelligence. Indigenous ceremony and art alter the infinite field of intelligence through the positive power of intention.
Today is Friday 13, traditionally known as “Black Friday”. Today is also the first anniversary of Australia’s national “Sorry” day, a day of reconciliation for our original peoples and newcomers. In 2007 I attended Gin~Murun~Gari, a retreat for external and internal reconciliation, for black and white women alike. Those present will never forget witnessing “Aunty” Jenny Thompson declaring, “I am very grateful for the past 200 years. It has made me strong. It has made me who I am. Now, let’s draw a line in the sand and move on.” There is so much we can learn from these peoples and others like them.
What would it take to adapt our land management and water management and avert needless tragedy?
Bless all those who listen to the planet. All those who listen to the planet are blessed.
Barbara
Monday, January 26, 2009
What does a seaside garden have to do with the film Australia?
Recently, behind the dunes on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, I was shown a new house being built for a young man who intends renting it out. The subject got around to water – as it always seems to around me - and his parents’ belief that he had to landscape wisely, because of budget constraints and also, “Because the tenants won’t water.”
We agreed that a low maintenance, tenant friendly garden was vital. Imagine their surprise when I recommended landscaping for local biodiversity, which is a posh way of saying grow the plants that were growing here before white people came along and bulldozed them to make suburbs. The paths behind the dunes revealed a huge variety of ideal plants which have thrived in the local weather conditions for millenia. His parents were surprisingly unaware of these treasures, even though they had lived in the district all their lives.
Many of these plants are easy to propagate, which is creative, cheaper and fun. His parents live nearby and enjoy propagating, a great solution. A recent foray in my Brisbane suburb yielded a fist full of seeds from a sarsparella vine which had been covered in purple flowers in spring, the very best specimen I have ever seen. I simply tossed the seed pods onto a bare spot in the garden and forgot about them. A few storms later there were a clutch of wee seedlings. It’s that easy.
Of course, no garden is complete without some kitchen herbs. The soil behind the dunes is sandy and won’t retain moisture, so sustainable water management becomes vital. Not to worry, an easy solution is at hand. After a southerly blow there is plenty of pumice on the beach, along the high water line. Ground up into a coarse power, pumice is a wonderful wetting agent, one which has been used along the Nile River in Egypt for thousands of years.
I realized that I was more blessed than his parents, because years ago my awareness was heightened by a walk through this country with Nurden Serico, whose mother was one of the stolen generation from Coolum. Anyone who has seen the film Australia will understand the term “stolen generation”. As we walked, Nurden shared his knowledge of bush tucker, as well as his love for country, and asked, “The earth, She is so beautiful, why would anyone want to harm Her?”
The plants whose names I recall are:
Dianella has tiny blue and yellow flowers followed by vivid blue berries which are great bush tucker.
Midjum is a great bush tucker shrub
Hibertia, or golden guinea flower, flowers all year, is shrubby or will climb.
Carpobrotus, a ground cover, has cerise flowers which contrast beautifully with the hibertia.
Various ornamental grasses, along with the hibertia and dianella, encourage the fairy wrens.
Hovea, a shrub, flowers in late winter and early spring. I collect the seeds in Oct and love to hear them pop on the first really hot dry windy day. They literally explode out of their tiny pods. Good fun, though a bit of a shock the first time it happens.
Swamp lily, or beach lily, has prolific spidery white flowers and is easy to grow from seed.
Iris, 3 different types grow in the region
Leptospermum has white flowers in late winter and early spring
Native violets form a great groundcover in shady spots and the flowers are edible
Mitta vine to attract butterflies
Pandanus palm, or screw palm, to create privacy near the BBQ area, is easy to grow from seed. The big golden seed pods are a delight.
Coastal banksia flowers all year.
Casuarinas and banksias ensure plenty of birdlife, including the yellow tailed black cockatoos.
Wattles
The walk was organized by a community group to celebrate the local wildflowers. Your council will have a list of such groups. Resources on the Sunshine Coast include:
www.Noosanativeplants.com.au or Stephanie Haslam’s book of the same name www.maroochycatchmentcentre.org.au for local species, their nurseries and books
www.fairhill.com.au native plant nursery at Yandina
In the light of climate change and critical water shortages globally, there is so much we can learn from our indigenous people about sustainability. It’s time for us all to be custodians of this beautiful planet. Both my book Creating a culture with a reverence for water and screenplay Liquid Assets, a feature film which goes into production in 2009, attempt to share their wisdom.
Wishing everyone a sustainable and peaceful 2009
Barbara Carseldine
23rd January 2009
We agreed that a low maintenance, tenant friendly garden was vital. Imagine their surprise when I recommended landscaping for local biodiversity, which is a posh way of saying grow the plants that were growing here before white people came along and bulldozed them to make suburbs. The paths behind the dunes revealed a huge variety of ideal plants which have thrived in the local weather conditions for millenia. His parents were surprisingly unaware of these treasures, even though they had lived in the district all their lives.
Many of these plants are easy to propagate, which is creative, cheaper and fun. His parents live nearby and enjoy propagating, a great solution. A recent foray in my Brisbane suburb yielded a fist full of seeds from a sarsparella vine which had been covered in purple flowers in spring, the very best specimen I have ever seen. I simply tossed the seed pods onto a bare spot in the garden and forgot about them. A few storms later there were a clutch of wee seedlings. It’s that easy.
Of course, no garden is complete without some kitchen herbs. The soil behind the dunes is sandy and won’t retain moisture, so sustainable water management becomes vital. Not to worry, an easy solution is at hand. After a southerly blow there is plenty of pumice on the beach, along the high water line. Ground up into a coarse power, pumice is a wonderful wetting agent, one which has been used along the Nile River in Egypt for thousands of years.
I realized that I was more blessed than his parents, because years ago my awareness was heightened by a walk through this country with Nurden Serico, whose mother was one of the stolen generation from Coolum. Anyone who has seen the film Australia will understand the term “stolen generation”. As we walked, Nurden shared his knowledge of bush tucker, as well as his love for country, and asked, “The earth, She is so beautiful, why would anyone want to harm Her?”
The plants whose names I recall are:
Dianella has tiny blue and yellow flowers followed by vivid blue berries which are great bush tucker.
Midjum is a great bush tucker shrub
Hibertia, or golden guinea flower, flowers all year, is shrubby or will climb.
Carpobrotus, a ground cover, has cerise flowers which contrast beautifully with the hibertia.
Various ornamental grasses, along with the hibertia and dianella, encourage the fairy wrens.
Hovea, a shrub, flowers in late winter and early spring. I collect the seeds in Oct and love to hear them pop on the first really hot dry windy day. They literally explode out of their tiny pods. Good fun, though a bit of a shock the first time it happens.
Swamp lily, or beach lily, has prolific spidery white flowers and is easy to grow from seed.
Iris, 3 different types grow in the region
Leptospermum has white flowers in late winter and early spring
Native violets form a great groundcover in shady spots and the flowers are edible
Mitta vine to attract butterflies
Pandanus palm, or screw palm, to create privacy near the BBQ area, is easy to grow from seed. The big golden seed pods are a delight.
Coastal banksia flowers all year.
Casuarinas and banksias ensure plenty of birdlife, including the yellow tailed black cockatoos.
Wattles
The walk was organized by a community group to celebrate the local wildflowers. Your council will have a list of such groups. Resources on the Sunshine Coast include:
www.Noosanativeplants.com.au or Stephanie Haslam’s book of the same name www.maroochycatchmentcentre.org.au for local species, their nurseries and books
www.fairhill.com.au native plant nursery at Yandina
In the light of climate change and critical water shortages globally, there is so much we can learn from our indigenous people about sustainability. It’s time for us all to be custodians of this beautiful planet. Both my book Creating a culture with a reverence for water and screenplay Liquid Assets, a feature film which goes into production in 2009, attempt to share their wisdom.
Wishing everyone a sustainable and peaceful 2009
Barbara Carseldine
23rd January 2009
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Climate change, with its devastating droughts and floods, in our faces every day on a global level.
Fortunately each of us can make a difference, as Sandy McBride, an educator in sustainability, reminded me when she sent me the following:
“Earth Hour 2008 is being held on Saturday March 29th from 8pm to 9pm. How did Earth Hour start?
It started with a question: How can we inspire people to take action on climate change?
The answer: Ask the people of Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour.
On 31 March 2007, 2.2 million people and 2100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour - Earth Hour. This massive collective effort reduced Sydney's energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour, which is the equivalent effect of taking 48,000 cars off the road for a year.
With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off, and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global event.
The website asks for a commitment registration and it is interesting to see how many individuals, schools and businesses are registered and how this number is increasing.
The website is http://www.earthhour.org/ Enjoy your candlelit evening or games in the dark.”
Bless you, Sandy, for being such an inspiration. I would, however, take a moment to remind everyone what happened nine months after the New York blackout several years ago. Hmmn.
Sustainably
Barbara
Fortunately each of us can make a difference, as Sandy McBride, an educator in sustainability, reminded me when she sent me the following:
“Earth Hour 2008 is being held on Saturday March 29th from 8pm to 9pm. How did Earth Hour start?
It started with a question: How can we inspire people to take action on climate change?
The answer: Ask the people of Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour.
On 31 March 2007, 2.2 million people and 2100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour - Earth Hour. This massive collective effort reduced Sydney's energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour, which is the equivalent effect of taking 48,000 cars off the road for a year.
With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off, and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global event.
The website asks for a commitment registration and it is interesting to see how many individuals, schools and businesses are registered and how this number is increasing.
The website is http://www.earthhour.org/ Enjoy your candlelit evening or games in the dark.”
Bless you, Sandy, for being such an inspiration. I would, however, take a moment to remind everyone what happened nine months after the New York blackout several years ago. Hmmn.
Sustainably
Barbara
Thursday, December 27, 2007
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
To be as carbon neutral as possible this Christmas, No 1 daughter, Sam-Cate, chose the goodies she sent with my tastes and needs in mind. To my absolute delight everything was recycled and accompanied by a hand made card so beautiful I’m going to have it framed.
In the weeks prior to Christmas a colleague, a wife and working mother, revealed quietly that she was deeply embarrassed by the excesses she observed as she visited the local shopping mall. Her family now has a new strategy for Christmas gift giving.
Sandy and Bob are just back from volunteering at a Thai orphanage. Sandy confided, “I thought we’d just come back and everything would be as it was. Not so.” This traveler looked around with new eyes and found the excesses of Oz gift giving “obscene”.
Sandy and Joseph report that in their large extended family the solution is for each child to draw a name out of a hat and choose a gift for that child. And the adults? They get to make donations to the charity of choice of the name they draw out of the same hat. Sandy’s field is educating for sustainability so she knows it is vital for us all to reduce our footprint.
Check out www.jo-bloggs.blogspot.com for a good laugh on the same subject.
Well done to all these amazing women who are showing such wonderful grassroots leadership while retaining the true spirit of Christmas. Hopi wisdom decrees, “We are the leaders we’ve been waiting for.”
To be as carbon neutral as possible this Christmas, No 1 daughter, Sam-Cate, chose the goodies she sent with my tastes and needs in mind. To my absolute delight everything was recycled and accompanied by a hand made card so beautiful I’m going to have it framed.
In the weeks prior to Christmas a colleague, a wife and working mother, revealed quietly that she was deeply embarrassed by the excesses she observed as she visited the local shopping mall. Her family now has a new strategy for Christmas gift giving.
Sandy and Bob are just back from volunteering at a Thai orphanage. Sandy confided, “I thought we’d just come back and everything would be as it was. Not so.” This traveler looked around with new eyes and found the excesses of Oz gift giving “obscene”.
Sandy and Joseph report that in their large extended family the solution is for each child to draw a name out of a hat and choose a gift for that child. And the adults? They get to make donations to the charity of choice of the name they draw out of the same hat. Sandy’s field is educating for sustainability so she knows it is vital for us all to reduce our footprint.
Check out www.jo-bloggs.blogspot.com for a good laugh on the same subject.
Well done to all these amazing women who are showing such wonderful grassroots leadership while retaining the true spirit of Christmas. Hopi wisdom decrees, “We are the leaders we’ve been waiting for.”
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
Great follow up rain
Had another excited call from Goondiwindi this morning. Tricia reports a further 470 points for theirs and neighbouring properties, with another 67 points yesterday. Tricia and Graham attended the Oct 3 Arid Land Management workshop and have experienced great rain since then.
These farmers care deeply about the future of sustainable agriculture and their beautiful river, the Macintyre, part of the iconic Murray Darling catchment. Congratulations Tricia and Graham!
Also worth mentioning that Andrew's successful rainmaking (see previous entry) included his family property several hundred kilometres away from the Sunshine Coast. Well done Andrew.
These farmers care deeply about the future of sustainable agriculture and their beautiful river, the Macintyre, part of the iconic Murray Darling catchment. Congratulations Tricia and Graham!
Also worth mentioning that Andrew's successful rainmaking (see previous entry) included his family property several hundred kilometres away from the Sunshine Coast. Well done Andrew.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Testimonial
"Barbara is a passionate and inspiring advocate for water. During our one day rainmaking workshop Barbara shared with us much wisdom and knowledge, but most importantly she taught us how simple it can be to make it rain. Barbara teaches in a down-to-earth, practical and light-hearted way that the science of rainmaking is something we can all learn. I had a fantastic day and would recommend it to everyone who needs rain or wants to make a difference in these times of change. Since doing the workshop my personal rainmaking record is 2 out of 2, so I'm now even more convinced that it works!! Thanks Barbara for teaching me rainmaking ... what a gift!!"
Andrew Lytton-Hitchins, 34
BSc (Hons)
P.S. Andrew attended the Sunshine Coast Rainmaking Workshop last month.
Andrew Lytton-Hitchins, 34
BSc (Hons)
P.S. Andrew attended the Sunshine Coast Rainmaking Workshop last month.
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