Pinned Post

Gday! I’m not writing here anymore, because DV sucks! But hey, I have a column in the Hawkesbury District Independent Magazine, where I write about all kinds of people who live and work here in the Hawkesbury. I do a lot of free oral histories and a bit of teaching for the people in my … Continue reading →

Leave it in the ground.

For subscribers in other countries: Boston residents, let me tell you how envious we are of your “thunder snow” this weekend. We are really enjoying the footage of northern hemisphere residents playing in the snow with their puppers! Why do I say that? Well, aside from the fact that snow puppers are awesome at any … Continue reading →

Give her the chicken.

Sometimes at my places of work/volunteering/learning I have taken entire days of what has been a kind of blissful quietness, observing not only the people we serve but the people who do the serving. There’s something almost sacred about the dynamic between a good support worker and their charge, even if it’s just for that … Continue reading →

“Why not us?”

It did seem to be very fashionable to tweet an air of superiority over NRL fans yesterday, and I think a lot of people miss the point about what drives residents of the Shire in particular. Continue reading →

To the Parents of Autistic Children: Never apologise. Ever.

This morning I was beginning my day with a happy little moment alone, leaning over the railing at work, gazing out over the suburbs and inhaling the fresh spring air. Up the hill came two figures; one familiar and one not so familiar. It was Jeremy*, who I have worked with several times before. He’s … Continue reading →

“In the Helping Professions”.

I spent this morning interviewing a woman who works in a managerial position at a government agency who is involved with providing assistance to people with basic needs that aren’t being met by existing systems. Well, okay. Her name is Kate* and she works with Housing NSW, on the frontline of social workers ensuring that … Continue reading →

Good Work

This is my friend, Dr Bron. She’s been a friend for a little while, from the other side of Australia. She is in Perth and I’m in Sydney. She is a Doctor of Psychology, and I am a student of that there psychology. As of next month, our friendship will adjust to become a lecturer/student … Continue reading →

Why Are Sheeple?

You may remember this ad from not very long ago that basically took the piss out of people who grow their own food and are… you know… connected and aware. Well, I’ve been thinking about stereotypes this week. This past fortnight was big for me in the personal growth stakes with (among other things) my … Continue reading →

Kicking Goals – What even is your “potential”?

I keep reinforcing a message to myself over the past year or so that it’s really important to self-evaluate a lot, and lay off the nitpicking self-criticism I’ve been doing my whole life (which was very much a learned habit from early childhood onwards) to actually look for the things I do well. You can’t … Continue reading →

Work “in Disability”

A conversation with a ridiculously inspiring leader in Australian vocational disability training yesterday really reinforced my own beliefs that the conversation is far from over between the people I work for and the society who still doesn’t understand them. I think, however, that most of that general population really wants to. And I think that … Continue reading →