Our Neighbourhood
We’ve been in our little West Preston street for fifteen years. All that time, our next door neighbours have been Wilma and Vern. Two doors up at number 12, are Renie and Stan. These are names that you won’t see on the coat peg labels in any child care centre. Wilma, Vern, Renie and Stan are from another era and having them as our neighbours has been lovely.
Read MoreMighty Marie Farrugia (PM) – Professional Speaker
Marie Farrugia, Mighty Marie has been the star subject of this blog once before. In 2010, she attended the very first Mother & Son night at Marcellin College and has been an influential mentor ever since… hence the tribute back in 2012 – was called A Mighty Mentor.
Read MoreThe Wolf of Bell Street
“Mum, some people are really lonely,” said the Wolf of Bell Street. “This lady I just met, I’m the first person she has spoken to today. You know the great thing about getting your quota early, is you can just chat with the person. I knew she didn’t want to buy solar panels, so I just chatted for fifteen minutes. Some people are really lonely mum.”
Read MoreAsking the Tribe – what you think about adolescents
In putting together a presentation called Surviving the Ride on the Adolescent Rollercoaster, I invited mums and dads who have done a Time & Space program to come along to a preview of the talk. It was Melbourne based and as the programs are offered around Australia (and indeed the world now – with sessions happening in the U.K.), emails started coming back from parents of teenagers saying “I would love to come but obviously it is hard to get there from Perth!”
Read MoreJimmy Stynes – keeps on giving
My Journey, Jimmy Stynes’ autobiography is, as you would expect, an extraordinary read.
A few years ago, it was a privilege to watch Jim Stynes work with groups of kids in two of the schools where I used to teach. His charisma was something to behold. He was gifted. He could establish trust with a group of students so quickly. One time at an all boys’ school, I saw him set the mood in the college theatre… he got the lighting right… fired up some loud music and the students created their own mosh pit for a few minutes. They bashed and crashed into each other with testosterone fuelled abandon. This was chaotic ‘boy’ energy, given permission to be released.
Read MoreRecent Posts
- Jonathan Holloway – Highlights
- Jonathan Holloway – Full Interview
- Notre Dame Yr 7 Girls at Home
- Notre Dame Yr 7 Boys at Home
- Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge
- Mem Fox’s ‘Rather Wonderful’ Idea for ‘This Weird Time’
- A Reverse Birthday Present
- Time & Space at Home
- Notre Dame College Father and Daughter Night (done a little bit differently)
- The Big Treasure in the Car Park
Tags
Asking the Crowd Asking the Tribe Community Connection Conversations Extraordinary in the Ordinary Families Family Fathers and Daughters Generosity Good Parenting Inspirational people John Cortese Kindness Listening Mem Fox Memories Memory Book Mons Bones Hall Mothers and Sons Notre Dame College Notre Dame College Shepparton Parenting Reverse Birthday Reverse Birthday Present Shared Wisdom Sharing Treasures Shepparton Time & Space Treasures What's Important Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge Wisdom Wisdom in the Room