SUMMER EDITION 2010
DIFFERENT CHILDREN DIFFERENT ABILITIES
In theory, modern etiquette screams: equality, social justice and political correctness. In practice, traits and abilities are still being ticked and crossed against social value. Not-the-case at a catholic primary school in Melbourne’s west, where special needs coordinator, Frances Merckel, works hard to make children with special needs feel important
“I believe every individual has the potential to achieve great things,” she said.
Her position has her working intimately with these children, their families and supporting staff members to help students with different skills recognize their own abilities.
Children with special needs require some additional support in recognizing their strengths and retaining a healthy self esteem in order to achieve success in our education system…Commitment, confidence and persistence allow for success in so many differentways. Sometimes, the smallest thing can be the greatest achievement.
--- Frances Merckel
The programs ‘You can do it!’ and ‘CASEA’ provides coping strategies that support Fran’s work.
These two programs complement the notion of developing social/emotional competencies in children. ‘You can do it!’ Is a program for all students which seeks to develop five key competencies of: confidence, resilience, getting along, organisation and persistence. These competencies provide the child with tools and strategies to achieve personal success at school and in later life.
'CASEA’ is an early intervention program developed by psychologists from the Royal Children’s Hospital, which identifies and supports young children deemed ‘at risk’ of developing further behavioral needs. The program is implemented at three levels – the child with a target group
setting, parents within a support group setting and the student within a class context. Strategies such as ‘stop, think, do’ and measuring
anger on the ‘volcano’ scale support the child both at home and at school with developing problem-solving skills.
--- Frances Merckel
Teaching the whole child envelops Fran’s philosophy that “Every child is unique,” and it addresses all of a child’s requirements during their education.
Educating a child encompasses every aspect of the individual – social emotional, spiritual, physical and intellectual. Development of
each of these domains is vital to the ongoing success and abilitie of each individual to live a full and rewarding life.
---Frances Merckel
Frances Merckel works close and personal with special needs children and their families. She recognizes the qualities and abilities they do have and works hard to promote and develop them. Her job role gives her a vantage point into their lives and a privileged look at the whole child.
“I endeavor to view life from the child’s perspective and to walk with them and their families in their school journey.”
“I believe every individual has the potential to achieve great things,” she said.
Her position has her working intimately with these children, their families and supporting staff members to help students with different skills recognize their own abilities.
Children with special needs require some additional support in recognizing their strengths and retaining a healthy self esteem in order to achieve success in our education system…Commitment, confidence and persistence allow for success in so many differentways. Sometimes, the smallest thing can be the greatest achievement.
--- Frances Merckel
The programs ‘You can do it!’ and ‘CASEA’ provides coping strategies that support Fran’s work.
These two programs complement the notion of developing social/emotional competencies in children. ‘You can do it!’ Is a program for all students which seeks to develop five key competencies of: confidence, resilience, getting along, organisation and persistence. These competencies provide the child with tools and strategies to achieve personal success at school and in later life.
'CASEA’ is an early intervention program developed by psychologists from the Royal Children’s Hospital, which identifies and supports young children deemed ‘at risk’ of developing further behavioral needs. The program is implemented at three levels – the child with a target group
setting, parents within a support group setting and the student within a class context. Strategies such as ‘stop, think, do’ and measuring
anger on the ‘volcano’ scale support the child both at home and at school with developing problem-solving skills.
--- Frances Merckel
Teaching the whole child envelops Fran’s philosophy that “Every child is unique,” and it addresses all of a child’s requirements during their education.
Educating a child encompasses every aspect of the individual – social emotional, spiritual, physical and intellectual. Development of
each of these domains is vital to the ongoing success and abilitie of each individual to live a full and rewarding life.
---Frances Merckel
Frances Merckel works close and personal with special needs children and their families. She recognizes the qualities and abilities they do have and works hard to promote and develop them. Her job role gives her a vantage point into their lives and a privileged look at the whole child.
“I endeavor to view life from the child’s perspective and to walk with them and their families in their school journey.”
SPORT AND SUCCESS: a fictional story
Although everyone was watching, only I saw the hero.
A November scorcher with its humid breeze carried the stench of barely washed hands and backyard play. The smell of perspiration and breakfast stained uniforms danced in the air in a mephitic waltz. Sobs and birds diluted parent’s cheering. Lines formed as each event whistle blew. A tired oval was coming to life with competitive vibrancy, and the cries and complaints of the less resilient.
“It’s sports day, Mrs Clooney,” said David as he passed.
“At last,” I responded, trying to sound enthusiastic.
I have never understood the thrill of crossing the finish line, jumping over bars and kicking balls. My time is better spent learning, building relationships and running practical chores where the benefits are concrete, I thought. Until I arrived at the Seddon University oval where I saw past the flies, heat and the sore losers that I had been dreading, to witness the thrill and the energy that motivates competitors to cause their body such extreme and obvious pain. It wasn’t the collective 700 junior athletes that clarified the meaning of sport for me that day, but one driven and focused runner competing in the 800 meter race. I recognized Shane’s face but I had not met his spirit.
I moved through the maze of black, brown and blonde heads that camouflaged my event; if it wasn’t for Jarred and Sim - the two red heads of the school who became my landmarks – I would have been lost. I dumped my bag - heavy with bottled waters, sunscreen and lunch - beside the 'Event 2' sign and looked at the expectant eyes looking back.
The whistle blew. It was difficult to focus on my competition for Shane's legs, moving like verticle helicopter propellers, and his eyes that carried a dynamic energy where there was usually a vacant stare.
Distracted by the race, I only just heard...
“What’s our score, Mrs Clooney?”
“Eight. You are fantastic,” I said, realizing all-of-a-sudden that Saul Mc Carthy, the sports teacher, must have seen through my attempts at being sport savvy to put her here, as the judge of the grade one hula hoop competition.
“I hope there’s not a scholarship depending on these scores, Saul,” I said, trying to be funny. He didn’t answer.
I tried harder to engage with my event but even my imagination couldn't transform this backyard wannabe activity into the edge-of-your-seat, nail biting sport that the parents were cheering for. The kids looked like a blob of clay on a spinning potter’s wheel to me.
Again, Shane stole my attention. His face had a confidence that looked foreign there. On his last lap, sheer adrenalin dripped off his skin; so pure, it seemed alive as it came off his forehead in translucent balls. I watched the higher achievers, who challenged themselves in the classroom every day, eat Shane's dust. I watched the spelling whiz get defeated by the sun and I watched the mathematically gifted fall in a heap and cry from exhaustion. Then I watched Shane, who can barely spell athlete, run. His unexpected resilience embraced him and touched me. Hiis guts, determination – despite the 38 degree heat, was not struggling at all. I felt my breathing blast through my throat like a gust of wind. My eyes were drowning in their own tears, but then...
“I had the red one.”
“No, I did,” squealed little voices.
"It doesn’t matter what colour you get as long as they go round on your waist. Now stop the nonsense or you will both get zero." My voice trembled as I scolded the two girls who were too annoyed with one another to notice my condition.
I looked back, just in time to see Shane cross the finish line first. I let out an enormous, yes! My heart was pounding so loudly that I could barely hear the voice below, though I certainly felt the tugging on my T-shirt.
“Are we champions, Mrs Clooney? Are we champions?” asked Ruby, still hula hooping like mad.
Time seemed to slow down as I attempted to ‘pull myself together’ and control the spinning that was happening in my head.
“Are we champions,” said the voice again.
I looked down to a 'Cheshire' smile. My heart was furiously pounding but I answered...
“We’re all champions, Ruby, in our own way."
Like a favourite dusting cloth my heart felt overused. Emotionally exhausted, my eyes began to well again. My head hurt. Until, I heard that little voice again…
“Why are you a champion, Mrs Clooney? You didn’t do anything.”
A November scorcher with its humid breeze carried the stench of barely washed hands and backyard play. The smell of perspiration and breakfast stained uniforms danced in the air in a mephitic waltz. Sobs and birds diluted parent’s cheering. Lines formed as each event whistle blew. A tired oval was coming to life with competitive vibrancy, and the cries and complaints of the less resilient.
“It’s sports day, Mrs Clooney,” said David as he passed.
“At last,” I responded, trying to sound enthusiastic.
I have never understood the thrill of crossing the finish line, jumping over bars and kicking balls. My time is better spent learning, building relationships and running practical chores where the benefits are concrete, I thought. Until I arrived at the Seddon University oval where I saw past the flies, heat and the sore losers that I had been dreading, to witness the thrill and the energy that motivates competitors to cause their body such extreme and obvious pain. It wasn’t the collective 700 junior athletes that clarified the meaning of sport for me that day, but one driven and focused runner competing in the 800 meter race. I recognized Shane’s face but I had not met his spirit.
I moved through the maze of black, brown and blonde heads that camouflaged my event; if it wasn’t for Jarred and Sim - the two red heads of the school who became my landmarks – I would have been lost. I dumped my bag - heavy with bottled waters, sunscreen and lunch - beside the 'Event 2' sign and looked at the expectant eyes looking back.
The whistle blew. It was difficult to focus on my competition for Shane's legs, moving like verticle helicopter propellers, and his eyes that carried a dynamic energy where there was usually a vacant stare.
Distracted by the race, I only just heard...
“What’s our score, Mrs Clooney?”
“Eight. You are fantastic,” I said, realizing all-of-a-sudden that Saul Mc Carthy, the sports teacher, must have seen through my attempts at being sport savvy to put her here, as the judge of the grade one hula hoop competition.
“I hope there’s not a scholarship depending on these scores, Saul,” I said, trying to be funny. He didn’t answer.
I tried harder to engage with my event but even my imagination couldn't transform this backyard wannabe activity into the edge-of-your-seat, nail biting sport that the parents were cheering for. The kids looked like a blob of clay on a spinning potter’s wheel to me.
Again, Shane stole my attention. His face had a confidence that looked foreign there. On his last lap, sheer adrenalin dripped off his skin; so pure, it seemed alive as it came off his forehead in translucent balls. I watched the higher achievers, who challenged themselves in the classroom every day, eat Shane's dust. I watched the spelling whiz get defeated by the sun and I watched the mathematically gifted fall in a heap and cry from exhaustion. Then I watched Shane, who can barely spell athlete, run. His unexpected resilience embraced him and touched me. Hiis guts, determination – despite the 38 degree heat, was not struggling at all. I felt my breathing blast through my throat like a gust of wind. My eyes were drowning in their own tears, but then...
“I had the red one.”
“No, I did,” squealed little voices.
"It doesn’t matter what colour you get as long as they go round on your waist. Now stop the nonsense or you will both get zero." My voice trembled as I scolded the two girls who were too annoyed with one another to notice my condition.
I looked back, just in time to see Shane cross the finish line first. I let out an enormous, yes! My heart was pounding so loudly that I could barely hear the voice below, though I certainly felt the tugging on my T-shirt.
“Are we champions, Mrs Clooney? Are we champions?” asked Ruby, still hula hooping like mad.
Time seemed to slow down as I attempted to ‘pull myself together’ and control the spinning that was happening in my head.
“Are we champions,” said the voice again.
I looked down to a 'Cheshire' smile. My heart was furiously pounding but I answered...
“We’re all champions, Ruby, in our own way."
Like a favourite dusting cloth my heart felt overused. Emotionally exhausted, my eyes began to well again. My head hurt. Until, I heard that little voice again…
“Why are you a champion, Mrs Clooney? You didn’t do anything.”
WHAT IS ESPERANTO?
“Esperanto is a language designed specifically to welcome beginners from every culture in the world. It is a global lingua franca for a few million people in over one hundred countries who celebrate and share their own culture, whilst also belonging to a global super-culture valuing peace, diversity and social justice…It teaches the features that other languages have, like adjectives and past-tense verbs, with minimum distraction from things that are not essential in all languages, like ‘i before e except after c’…Esperanto uses many Latin and Germanic roots so that there is a lot of transferable linguistic knowledge between English, Esperanto and European languages. However, in its agglutinative nature and relatively free syntax, it also prepares students well for successful learning of Asian languages.” (Vos, 2010)
ESPERANTO, AN APPRENTICESHIP LANGUAGE
Penny Vos became involved in Esperanto as vice principal of an alternative secondary school, ‘The Foothills’ in Perth. Japanese had been the LOTE of choice there for many years however, “no-one had ever actually learnt Japanese as a result,” said Penny. This initiated a school review of its LOTE program and after much research Esperanto was incorporated into their school curriculum.
According to the school’s research, it was the only language that could be learnt in the 300 hours of LOTE classes that could be offered to each student. Primarily, because it had “no unnecessary complications… (and could)…be recycled later,” said Penny. The students “made good progress and soon reached the stage of being able to communicate.
After three years, Penny transferred to a Montessori primary school where she was faced with another insufficient LOTE program. She introduced Esperanto to her class and soon to the whole school. In the 4th year of the program, 20 of the students travelled to Switzerland to visit (a) school…The children in the two schools had no common language but Esperanto, and it served the purpose,” she said.
She even took the language to the last school she taught in – a state school in N.S.W.
Why Change LOTE at all?
During her research, Penny read that “In 1996, The Australian Language and Literacy Council concluded the ‘key findings of council’s investigation is that our education systems are consistently failing to deliver any worthwhile proficiency language… In June 2007 the eight major Australian Universities held a crisis meeting calling ‘creative solutions’ to the failure of LOTE education in Australia. I wondered if what I had been doing for the last decade might be a solution,” said Penny.
Alternative to Traditional LOTE
In response to the information she had compiled, Penny began to research LOTE further.
(She) considerably cut back her paid teaching hours so she could put as much time as possible into researching and writing the definitive study on Australian LOTE…She immediately followed this by gathering together a complete kit of resources that can be used by all primary teachers to teach Esperanto… (and wrote a book) called Talking to the Whole Wide World. It was published by Mondeto in April 2010.
-- Dianne Lukes. Chairperson of the Australian Esperanto Association
What Inspired Penny?
So, my school needed a LOTE that worked, we chose the most likely. We needed a teacher so I learned what was needed and found it worked well for the kids, so I designed the kit that helps others do the same.
(Penny believes) that life is a creative opportunity and that it is a really joyful privilege to play our parts in building what my Christian friends call ‘the kingdom of God’ and my humanist friends call ‘a better world’…I care what humanity does to itself and to our planet and I feel we are under some pressure to do better than we have done…Global population is growing fast…In the past we could fight, get along, or run away. Soon there will be nowhere to run and no room to fight. Getting along is going to be very important.
-- Penny Vos
Finally, Penny Vos is “mostly a teacher.” However, she saw a need in LOTE curriculum and addressed it. “With the support of the Australian Esperanto Association, Penny is now visiting all states of Australia to show academics, teachers, parents and citizens this book (Talking to the Whole Wide World) and explaining how this strategy will work for the good of our children and the betterment of our society,” said Dianne.
I hope you agree that LOTE can be fun. The best way to maximize the fun benefits is to make sure that everyone can play and no-one gets left out. Esperanto uses class teachers, it is new to everyone in the class and it gives as much chance to feel clever and successful as possible, from the children’s point of view, that’s the main thing.
--Penny Vos
For more information about Talking to the Whole Wide World, visit: www.mondeto.com
According to the school’s research, it was the only language that could be learnt in the 300 hours of LOTE classes that could be offered to each student. Primarily, because it had “no unnecessary complications… (and could)…be recycled later,” said Penny. The students “made good progress and soon reached the stage of being able to communicate.
After three years, Penny transferred to a Montessori primary school where she was faced with another insufficient LOTE program. She introduced Esperanto to her class and soon to the whole school. In the 4th year of the program, 20 of the students travelled to Switzerland to visit (a) school…The children in the two schools had no common language but Esperanto, and it served the purpose,” she said.
She even took the language to the last school she taught in – a state school in N.S.W.
Why Change LOTE at all?
During her research, Penny read that “In 1996, The Australian Language and Literacy Council concluded the ‘key findings of council’s investigation is that our education systems are consistently failing to deliver any worthwhile proficiency language… In June 2007 the eight major Australian Universities held a crisis meeting calling ‘creative solutions’ to the failure of LOTE education in Australia. I wondered if what I had been doing for the last decade might be a solution,” said Penny.
Alternative to Traditional LOTE
In response to the information she had compiled, Penny began to research LOTE further.
(She) considerably cut back her paid teaching hours so she could put as much time as possible into researching and writing the definitive study on Australian LOTE…She immediately followed this by gathering together a complete kit of resources that can be used by all primary teachers to teach Esperanto… (and wrote a book) called Talking to the Whole Wide World. It was published by Mondeto in April 2010.
-- Dianne Lukes. Chairperson of the Australian Esperanto Association
What Inspired Penny?
So, my school needed a LOTE that worked, we chose the most likely. We needed a teacher so I learned what was needed and found it worked well for the kids, so I designed the kit that helps others do the same.
(Penny believes) that life is a creative opportunity and that it is a really joyful privilege to play our parts in building what my Christian friends call ‘the kingdom of God’ and my humanist friends call ‘a better world’…I care what humanity does to itself and to our planet and I feel we are under some pressure to do better than we have done…Global population is growing fast…In the past we could fight, get along, or run away. Soon there will be nowhere to run and no room to fight. Getting along is going to be very important.
-- Penny Vos
Finally, Penny Vos is “mostly a teacher.” However, she saw a need in LOTE curriculum and addressed it. “With the support of the Australian Esperanto Association, Penny is now visiting all states of Australia to show academics, teachers, parents and citizens this book (Talking to the Whole Wide World) and explaining how this strategy will work for the good of our children and the betterment of our society,” said Dianne.
I hope you agree that LOTE can be fun. The best way to maximize the fun benefits is to make sure that everyone can play and no-one gets left out. Esperanto uses class teachers, it is new to everyone in the class and it gives as much chance to feel clever and successful as possible, from the children’s point of view, that’s the main thing.
--Penny Vos
For more information about Talking to the Whole Wide World, visit: www.mondeto.com
CIRQUE DU-TERMINATION SOLEIL
A POEM
Unaware of her tongue through her lips,
then her teeth alert her senses.
Intense concentration guides her step forward
as she feels for the rope with her toe.
'Making Progress,' she whispers,
quietly proud of herself-balanced, midair, unprotected.
Adrenalin atones the security she lacks
as she walks the 'tight rope; to tomorrow.
The middle-aged show - a predictable act,
who would blame her for craving stability?
Achievement-sublime, serenades her to soar.
Think circles, think triangles - not squares.
Sequenced bruises, fluorescent bumps, while shiny, can ache.
She wears her heart on her sleeve on occasions.
Mostly though, she wears life like a frock,
trying several on 'till one fits.
The curtains come down for domestic trapeze -
swing kids, clutch moments, make meals.
Her 'second chance' debt induces poverty of time
and a wealth of parental guilt.
While she takes it all in and gives all that she has,
the greatest show of her life is unforlding.
What a buzz it creates to perform everyday, without netting.
Under the alias, a mature-aged student.
then her teeth alert her senses.
Intense concentration guides her step forward
as she feels for the rope with her toe.
'Making Progress,' she whispers,
quietly proud of herself-balanced, midair, unprotected.
Adrenalin atones the security she lacks
as she walks the 'tight rope; to tomorrow.
The middle-aged show - a predictable act,
who would blame her for craving stability?
Achievement-sublime, serenades her to soar.
Think circles, think triangles - not squares.
Sequenced bruises, fluorescent bumps, while shiny, can ache.
She wears her heart on her sleeve on occasions.
Mostly though, she wears life like a frock,
trying several on 'till one fits.
The curtains come down for domestic trapeze -
swing kids, clutch moments, make meals.
Her 'second chance' debt induces poverty of time
and a wealth of parental guilt.
While she takes it all in and gives all that she has,
the greatest show of her life is unforlding.
What a buzz it creates to perform everyday, without netting.
Under the alias, a mature-aged student.
Cirque Du-Termination Soleil was first published in Platform Magazine in March 2010
BURNS VICTIM NOT BITTER
Imagine being involved in not one fire but two.
Jenny Renn needn’t imagine such tragedy, it’s her reality. She lost her home in Tasmania to fire and then in 2002 was set on fire herself in an accident at her home in Wonthaggi, Victoria.
Despite having to live with third degree burns on more than half of her body, this resilient woman founded ‘Smiles on Faces’ in 2008. The charity raises money for children’s play therapists in the Burns Unit of the Royal Children’s Hospital. Play therapists help young patients cope with the excruciating pain of burns recovery, “Most people have had a small burn from an iron or something like this,” said Jenny, can you fathom being burnt like that all over?
It was during her time in hospital that Jenny realised she had to do something. “The memory I have (of being in the) burns intensive care unit for seven weeks or 1058 hours is unbearable…I suddenly thought, what if this happened to a child…at least I knew what it was to not be burnt for 40 years,” she said. That’s when she knew she would help children, “What kind of person would I be if I didn’t do this for the kids?”
Jenny’s will is also evident in her own recovery. “I spent two months not walking …when I bent (my burns) would tear,” thankfully she remembered something from her nursing past, the motto “Use it or lose it,” which gave her the motivation she needed to try harder. Although Jenny lives with the potentially deadly risk of heat stroke every summer – due to having been left with no sweat glands, and the high risk of infection associated with serious burns, she can indeed walk.
She endures the fate she’s been dealt with admirable courage. She has put aside her own pain to help children. Therefore, Jenny Renn is not a victim but a hero who contributes whole heartedly to her community, and works hard for her cause and ultimately, to put Smiles on Faces.
Jenny Renn was featured in this year's Warragul White Pages
Jenny Renn needn’t imagine such tragedy, it’s her reality. She lost her home in Tasmania to fire and then in 2002 was set on fire herself in an accident at her home in Wonthaggi, Victoria.
Despite having to live with third degree burns on more than half of her body, this resilient woman founded ‘Smiles on Faces’ in 2008. The charity raises money for children’s play therapists in the Burns Unit of the Royal Children’s Hospital. Play therapists help young patients cope with the excruciating pain of burns recovery, “Most people have had a small burn from an iron or something like this,” said Jenny, can you fathom being burnt like that all over?
It was during her time in hospital that Jenny realised she had to do something. “The memory I have (of being in the) burns intensive care unit for seven weeks or 1058 hours is unbearable…I suddenly thought, what if this happened to a child…at least I knew what it was to not be burnt for 40 years,” she said. That’s when she knew she would help children, “What kind of person would I be if I didn’t do this for the kids?”
Jenny’s will is also evident in her own recovery. “I spent two months not walking …when I bent (my burns) would tear,” thankfully she remembered something from her nursing past, the motto “Use it or lose it,” which gave her the motivation she needed to try harder. Although Jenny lives with the potentially deadly risk of heat stroke every summer – due to having been left with no sweat glands, and the high risk of infection associated with serious burns, she can indeed walk.
She endures the fate she’s been dealt with admirable courage. She has put aside her own pain to help children. Therefore, Jenny Renn is not a victim but a hero who contributes whole heartedly to her community, and works hard for her cause and ultimately, to put Smiles on Faces.
Jenny Renn was featured in this year's Warragul White Pages
WORK SAFETY WAKE UP CALL
A work place accident turns electrician’s apprentice to public speaker.
It’s not every day that you wake up on a cold concrete floor not knowing what is going on and why there is smoke everywhere with someone standing over you calling your name over and over again.
I was 21, it was a Tuesday morning in 1994, and I was at work.
I had completed an apprenticeship as an Electrician though could not get a full time job at the time, but secured a short term role as a Tradesman’s Assistant. Everything was great in my life. But then, just before the morning smoko break, a switchboard that I was working on blew up in my face and I was blown backwards across the switchroom.
All I can remember is the deafening noise that came out of the switchboard, and the blinding bright flash of light. Then, there was the heat … As I pushed myself up off the floor of the switchroom the skin tore off my right hand. I had received second degree burns to 13% of my body, and I would spend the next 3 days in intensive care and 4 weeks in the burns unit.
All of my burnt skin had to be forcibly removed, which was painful.
I could not do anything for myself; I needed assistance with everything, right down to my hygiene requirements.
It was a horrible event in my life, and all a result of one bad decision – I chose to use a steel ruler in a switchboard, which was totally the wrong thing to do.
Before the event, I was just a normal 21 year old living life in my home town of Gladstone. I was destined to stay in Gladstone and work as a tradesperson. I was not really motivated to achieve much in life, and was happy to cruise along.
Now, I live life to the full. I strive to be my very best, and to help and inspire others to be their best. My working life is about working with individuals and organisations to help them achieve better results.
I enjoy doing things that most people think are too difficult, like ultra marathon running or triathlons. I get off on what scares other people. Life rocks.
I am very fortunate, as I was not left with any lasting injuries, it could have been so much worse. Still, I am a completely different person now. My life has totally changed.
When I was in the burns unit, I decided that I never wanted to work as an Electrician again. I had become scared of working with electricity. The problem was that I didn’t know how to do anything else; being an Electrician was all that I had been trained in.
My first job after the accident was on a mine site in remote Western Australia – it felt great to actually get back to work. It was a small town and from there, I worked my way into roles that were more challenging – technical support and management – that didn’t involve working in switchboards.
Apart from that first 3 years, I haven’t worked as an Electrician again, instead I have worked my way up to Management roles – this took hard work, I had to study and learn new skills. But today, after 10 years of study, I have completed an Engineering Diploma, a Business Degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Maintenance Management. Although I failed miserably at high school, my post accident course units were completed with at least a distinction average.
One of the things I do now is to have big hairy audacious goals. My life is about goal setting and achievements. All areas of my life are managed this way. For example, for fitness I enjoy doing ultra marathons, running and triathlons – my next event is an Ironman event in Bussleton this December. It is important to keep all aspects of my life in balance, and to manage my family, fitness and finances (in that order).
What is also important in my life is to inspire others. I try to inspire them to achieve what they think is unachievable. If I can do it, so can they. Ultimately, I am inspired by those people that change the world, and those people are just like you and I – normal people who have an extraordinary ability to achieve great things, like we all do.
One of my life sayings is that: Pain is Temporary. See, when life becomes too difficult, we become disconnected with all of the great things in our life, disconnected with our ‘gratifiers’. We forget to be grateful for all the great things that we have in our life and to reconnect with those things that makes our life great. That’s what I teach, an ‘attitude of gratitude’ – no matter how bad you think it is there is always someone that would love your life.
To put it another way, in ‘The Legend of Bagger Vance’ the golf caddy, Bagger, explains to his young protégé that golf (and life) is all about finding your ‘authentic swing’. It is about finding that one talent that only you have that makes you unique in the world. In my work, I encourage people to find their authentic swing. Find what it is that they are passionate about – live it and love it.
Unfortunately or fortunately, it took my accident to teach me to be my best and change the world – even in the slightest way; to make a difference while I’m here.
And finally, live the dream.
I am an author, motivational speaker and life/business coach. You can contact me on: www.antonguinea.com.au or [email protected]
Living the Dream,
Anton Guinea
It’s not every day that you wake up on a cold concrete floor not knowing what is going on and why there is smoke everywhere with someone standing over you calling your name over and over again.
I was 21, it was a Tuesday morning in 1994, and I was at work.
I had completed an apprenticeship as an Electrician though could not get a full time job at the time, but secured a short term role as a Tradesman’s Assistant. Everything was great in my life. But then, just before the morning smoko break, a switchboard that I was working on blew up in my face and I was blown backwards across the switchroom.
All I can remember is the deafening noise that came out of the switchboard, and the blinding bright flash of light. Then, there was the heat … As I pushed myself up off the floor of the switchroom the skin tore off my right hand. I had received second degree burns to 13% of my body, and I would spend the next 3 days in intensive care and 4 weeks in the burns unit.
All of my burnt skin had to be forcibly removed, which was painful.
I could not do anything for myself; I needed assistance with everything, right down to my hygiene requirements.
It was a horrible event in my life, and all a result of one bad decision – I chose to use a steel ruler in a switchboard, which was totally the wrong thing to do.
Before the event, I was just a normal 21 year old living life in my home town of Gladstone. I was destined to stay in Gladstone and work as a tradesperson. I was not really motivated to achieve much in life, and was happy to cruise along.
Now, I live life to the full. I strive to be my very best, and to help and inspire others to be their best. My working life is about working with individuals and organisations to help them achieve better results.
I enjoy doing things that most people think are too difficult, like ultra marathon running or triathlons. I get off on what scares other people. Life rocks.
I am very fortunate, as I was not left with any lasting injuries, it could have been so much worse. Still, I am a completely different person now. My life has totally changed.
When I was in the burns unit, I decided that I never wanted to work as an Electrician again. I had become scared of working with electricity. The problem was that I didn’t know how to do anything else; being an Electrician was all that I had been trained in.
My first job after the accident was on a mine site in remote Western Australia – it felt great to actually get back to work. It was a small town and from there, I worked my way into roles that were more challenging – technical support and management – that didn’t involve working in switchboards.
Apart from that first 3 years, I haven’t worked as an Electrician again, instead I have worked my way up to Management roles – this took hard work, I had to study and learn new skills. But today, after 10 years of study, I have completed an Engineering Diploma, a Business Degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Maintenance Management. Although I failed miserably at high school, my post accident course units were completed with at least a distinction average.
One of the things I do now is to have big hairy audacious goals. My life is about goal setting and achievements. All areas of my life are managed this way. For example, for fitness I enjoy doing ultra marathons, running and triathlons – my next event is an Ironman event in Bussleton this December. It is important to keep all aspects of my life in balance, and to manage my family, fitness and finances (in that order).
What is also important in my life is to inspire others. I try to inspire them to achieve what they think is unachievable. If I can do it, so can they. Ultimately, I am inspired by those people that change the world, and those people are just like you and I – normal people who have an extraordinary ability to achieve great things, like we all do.
One of my life sayings is that: Pain is Temporary. See, when life becomes too difficult, we become disconnected with all of the great things in our life, disconnected with our ‘gratifiers’. We forget to be grateful for all the great things that we have in our life and to reconnect with those things that makes our life great. That’s what I teach, an ‘attitude of gratitude’ – no matter how bad you think it is there is always someone that would love your life.
To put it another way, in ‘The Legend of Bagger Vance’ the golf caddy, Bagger, explains to his young protégé that golf (and life) is all about finding your ‘authentic swing’. It is about finding that one talent that only you have that makes you unique in the world. In my work, I encourage people to find their authentic swing. Find what it is that they are passionate about – live it and love it.
Unfortunately or fortunately, it took my accident to teach me to be my best and change the world – even in the slightest way; to make a difference while I’m here.
And finally, live the dream.
I am an author, motivational speaker and life/business coach. You can contact me on: www.antonguinea.com.au or [email protected]
Living the Dream,
Anton Guinea
FIRST RANK STATION OFFICER'S CHALLENGING PAST
Though abandoned at 4, fireman Barry Conlin has spent 70 years embracing society, faith, family and sport.
If you’d peeked through the key hole of St Joseph’s children’s home in Sebastopol (near Ballarat) in 1936 you’d have spotted 4 year old Barry Conlin.
As fragile as any toddler, you’d never have predicted his inner strength.
Segregated from his older siblings – also at the home, he spent most of his time upstairs with the other babies.
The Conlin children were placed in the orphanage soon after their parents divorced in the mid 1930’s.
Despite the rubble of his childhood, Barry has risen: as a respected fire officer, founded the firemen’s fun run (still going 40 years on) and has nurtured his own loving family.
Although an unpleasant memory, his orphanage days was not Barry’s most trying times.
At 11, his mother brought him back to live with her and her new husband, but the years apart had damaged their relationship forever and at 13 he left home for good.
“A bond is something you earn; you grow together,” said Barry.
The next 10 years were difficult times. In fact, there were times when he didn't have a home at all.
“I carried a swag and rolled it out under a bridge,” he said.
In order to survive he worked at holiday resorts, cattle properties, cutting cane, electrical plains, even in a circus.
“(It was) dreadful, moved from town to town, slept on trains…three bunks on an old rattler around Victoria,” he said.
And, he worked on a horse ranch.
“Couldn’t ride a rock-n-horse, but I managed. I done everything.”
Beginning to sound like a sob story yet? Well, here’s the twist
At 74 years young, today you can spot Barry out and about by 5am, helping at the gym, training 40 girls in netball 5 days a week and spending quality time with his beloved family – a devoted wife, 5 children and 13 grandchildren.
“Because I didn’t have a family, I am very family orientated,” he said.
Equipped with a grade 4 education and no family support he went out into the world and left his mark. Apart from earning his way to first rank station officer in his career in the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Barry’s achievements include:
What sets him apart from those who stayed damaged?
Unfortunately, some of the people Barry spent his childhood with have not managed so well.
The competence to think for yourself may seem like an expected coming-of-age ability; however, when you grow up in a place where “you don’t have to think for yourself. They tell you what to do,” making your own decisions may not come so naturally. In fact, some are so disorientated when they are left to fend for themselves that “13 (of Barry’s fellow orphans) killed themselves,” when they got out.
According to Barry, “you have to find your own way through…if you keep getting the olive tree you’re not going to dig deep in your own guts and get out yourself...while you know there is help, you’ll never know the true person that you are...there could be help along the way but initially you must help yourself.”
Barry believes the secret to a happy life is to be your true self.
“I’m an honest guy…I don’t call a pick a spade…if you don’t act as if you’re something your not people will help ya…I met grammar people, they took me under their wing,” but “never sell yourself out. Have a bit of front.”
Barry also believes it’s about helping yourself first, “if ya want to sit in gutters with pigs, people will let you sit in the gutter with pigs... (be) self motivated and self supporting and want to rise…you’re going to find it hard to swing through mud but you got to get out of the mud…don’t sit back and moon about what happened to you.”
Barry is true to his convictions when he responds to his own children. When his daughter called him while crying, after failing a test he said, “Are you going to fall at the first hurdle and stay there. If you want to succeed, you have to get up.”
Also, Barry’s faith has helped him along the way, “God has his hand on my shoulders and directing me through life…often I thank him every night for where I am today.”
In a nut shell, Barry Conlin is an honest, straight talking, pure hearted man. He is tough enough to get through life but generous with his time and affection. He has lived 10 lifetimes and has achieved a great deal. But, it’s the way he has transferred his own abandonment as a child and replaced it with genuine love for his family that impresses me.
“When you come inta ya home, the love ya feel. It’s a terrific feeling to have a close family. There’s nothing better than family.”
If you’d peeked through the key hole of St Joseph’s children’s home in Sebastopol (near Ballarat) in 1936 you’d have spotted 4 year old Barry Conlin.
As fragile as any toddler, you’d never have predicted his inner strength.
Segregated from his older siblings – also at the home, he spent most of his time upstairs with the other babies.
The Conlin children were placed in the orphanage soon after their parents divorced in the mid 1930’s.
Despite the rubble of his childhood, Barry has risen: as a respected fire officer, founded the firemen’s fun run (still going 40 years on) and has nurtured his own loving family.
Although an unpleasant memory, his orphanage days was not Barry’s most trying times.
At 11, his mother brought him back to live with her and her new husband, but the years apart had damaged their relationship forever and at 13 he left home for good.
“A bond is something you earn; you grow together,” said Barry.
The next 10 years were difficult times. In fact, there were times when he didn't have a home at all.
“I carried a swag and rolled it out under a bridge,” he said.
In order to survive he worked at holiday resorts, cattle properties, cutting cane, electrical plains, even in a circus.
“(It was) dreadful, moved from town to town, slept on trains…three bunks on an old rattler around Victoria,” he said.
And, he worked on a horse ranch.
“Couldn’t ride a rock-n-horse, but I managed. I done everything.”
Beginning to sound like a sob story yet? Well, here’s the twist
At 74 years young, today you can spot Barry out and about by 5am, helping at the gym, training 40 girls in netball 5 days a week and spending quality time with his beloved family – a devoted wife, 5 children and 13 grandchildren.
“Because I didn’t have a family, I am very family orientated,” he said.
Equipped with a grade 4 education and no family support he went out into the world and left his mark. Apart from earning his way to first rank station officer in his career in the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Barry’s achievements include:
- Founding the Firemen’s fun run which has raised thousands of dollars for charity since it was established 40 years ago.
- Volunteering as a probation officer where he was given 3 to 4 high risk adolescence at a time to keep an eye on.
- He’s a member of the Strength and Conditioning, “I hold the highest level. I am a number 3 coach.”
- His family.
What sets him apart from those who stayed damaged?
Unfortunately, some of the people Barry spent his childhood with have not managed so well.
The competence to think for yourself may seem like an expected coming-of-age ability; however, when you grow up in a place where “you don’t have to think for yourself. They tell you what to do,” making your own decisions may not come so naturally. In fact, some are so disorientated when they are left to fend for themselves that “13 (of Barry’s fellow orphans) killed themselves,” when they got out.
According to Barry, “you have to find your own way through…if you keep getting the olive tree you’re not going to dig deep in your own guts and get out yourself...while you know there is help, you’ll never know the true person that you are...there could be help along the way but initially you must help yourself.”
Barry believes the secret to a happy life is to be your true self.
“I’m an honest guy…I don’t call a pick a spade…if you don’t act as if you’re something your not people will help ya…I met grammar people, they took me under their wing,” but “never sell yourself out. Have a bit of front.”
Barry also believes it’s about helping yourself first, “if ya want to sit in gutters with pigs, people will let you sit in the gutter with pigs... (be) self motivated and self supporting and want to rise…you’re going to find it hard to swing through mud but you got to get out of the mud…don’t sit back and moon about what happened to you.”
Barry is true to his convictions when he responds to his own children. When his daughter called him while crying, after failing a test he said, “Are you going to fall at the first hurdle and stay there. If you want to succeed, you have to get up.”
Also, Barry’s faith has helped him along the way, “God has his hand on my shoulders and directing me through life…often I thank him every night for where I am today.”
In a nut shell, Barry Conlin is an honest, straight talking, pure hearted man. He is tough enough to get through life but generous with his time and affection. He has lived 10 lifetimes and has achieved a great deal. But, it’s the way he has transferred his own abandonment as a child and replaced it with genuine love for his family that impresses me.
“When you come inta ya home, the love ya feel. It’s a terrific feeling to have a close family. There’s nothing better than family.”
LES TWENTYMAN, NEED I SAY MORE?
In conversation with Les Twentyman
Louise
In your own words, can you tell me your story?
Les
I grew up in Braybrook where the saying goes if you pay your rent on time the cops want to know where you knocked the money off from.
My father was a returned soldier (from) World War 2 and set up a green grocers shop in the area. My job on Saturday mornings was to go to houses and pick up their fruit and vegie orders to be delivered later after the shop shut at midday. Around 11.45 am on Saturday the shop would be packed with people (who were) after specials – that was stock that would be no good on Mondays – which gave me my first insight into poverty.
Later on, a boy of my age, Billy, was taken into our house to live, so he would not go into an orphanage.
I left school in the 60s after year 10, working as a clerk in the Victorian Railways until I got a job as a manager at a gymnasium called Brendan Edwards, looking after school (children). The gym closed down and I was approached to be a physical education teacher at St Paul boys school and then Mt St Josephs Girls School, and finally at a Primary School in Collingwood.
One day a year 3 boy was helping me with some sports equipment when I notice he had 3 black spots on his arm which turned out to be cigarette burns compliments of his current mother’s partner. That was when I decided to become a youth worker and still (am) today.
Louise
Tell me about your charity/cause?
Les
The 20th Man fund provides a lot of material aid, food, clothes, school books and accommodation as well as runs a basketball club of 420 kids (for underprivileged kids).
Louise
You’ve had some health problems?
Les
I had only 2 hours to live at one stage last year. I have frozen shoulders due to 2 months in intensive care and have another hernia that can't be touched till I'm in better shape (due to lap band operation complications. Les has also been set on fire and shot).
Louise
What is the pivotal difference between your life before you got sick and your life now?
Les
My life now is that tomorrow is promised to no one and you must give your day to day activities your best shot.
Louise
How are you different within yourself?
Les
I'm not sure, I would have to direct that to those close to me, as I haven’t given it much thought.
Louise
How did you motivate yourself to not only keep going but to channel your hardship to help others?
Les
I set my self goals that had been set before my illness like doing the Variety Charity Bash and various speaking engagements to demonstrate to young people that strength of mind can get you to where you want to go
Louise
What can you say to Essentially Me readers when they feel life becomes too difficult?
Les
Just to say you can reinvent yourself. I remember being barred to play sport against a school many years ago, to be invited back as their keynote speaker at their very last year 12 graduation ceremony therefore don't pigeon hole yourself, things can change.
Louise
When I call you a Purple Hero – achiever amid adversity – what do you think about that?
Les
I don't know about being a hero, but I do know about adversity, but mine is very insignificant to the young people I deal with daily.
Louise
If you could change things would you? Why/Why not?
Les
Get Bureaucrats and Politicians out of the green zone and into the trenches to see the world I work in and advocate for.
Louise
Is there anything my readers can do?
Les
Yes, societies fall down when good people do nothing, so be part of the solution by speaking up about injustices whether in print or on radio, but also looking around in your patch and helping were you can.
Les Twentyman OAM
Youth Affairs - together we can make a difference
mobile: 0408 569 155
www.20thman.com.au
Les Twentyman was featured in this year's Melbourne White Pages
Louise
In your own words, can you tell me your story?
Les
I grew up in Braybrook where the saying goes if you pay your rent on time the cops want to know where you knocked the money off from.
My father was a returned soldier (from) World War 2 and set up a green grocers shop in the area. My job on Saturday mornings was to go to houses and pick up their fruit and vegie orders to be delivered later after the shop shut at midday. Around 11.45 am on Saturday the shop would be packed with people (who were) after specials – that was stock that would be no good on Mondays – which gave me my first insight into poverty.
Later on, a boy of my age, Billy, was taken into our house to live, so he would not go into an orphanage.
I left school in the 60s after year 10, working as a clerk in the Victorian Railways until I got a job as a manager at a gymnasium called Brendan Edwards, looking after school (children). The gym closed down and I was approached to be a physical education teacher at St Paul boys school and then Mt St Josephs Girls School, and finally at a Primary School in Collingwood.
One day a year 3 boy was helping me with some sports equipment when I notice he had 3 black spots on his arm which turned out to be cigarette burns compliments of his current mother’s partner. That was when I decided to become a youth worker and still (am) today.
Louise
Tell me about your charity/cause?
Les
The 20th Man fund provides a lot of material aid, food, clothes, school books and accommodation as well as runs a basketball club of 420 kids (for underprivileged kids).
Louise
You’ve had some health problems?
Les
I had only 2 hours to live at one stage last year. I have frozen shoulders due to 2 months in intensive care and have another hernia that can't be touched till I'm in better shape (due to lap band operation complications. Les has also been set on fire and shot).
Louise
What is the pivotal difference between your life before you got sick and your life now?
Les
My life now is that tomorrow is promised to no one and you must give your day to day activities your best shot.
Louise
How are you different within yourself?
Les
I'm not sure, I would have to direct that to those close to me, as I haven’t given it much thought.
Louise
How did you motivate yourself to not only keep going but to channel your hardship to help others?
Les
I set my self goals that had been set before my illness like doing the Variety Charity Bash and various speaking engagements to demonstrate to young people that strength of mind can get you to where you want to go
Louise
What can you say to Essentially Me readers when they feel life becomes too difficult?
Les
Just to say you can reinvent yourself. I remember being barred to play sport against a school many years ago, to be invited back as their keynote speaker at their very last year 12 graduation ceremony therefore don't pigeon hole yourself, things can change.
Louise
When I call you a Purple Hero – achiever amid adversity – what do you think about that?
Les
I don't know about being a hero, but I do know about adversity, but mine is very insignificant to the young people I deal with daily.
Louise
If you could change things would you? Why/Why not?
Les
Get Bureaucrats and Politicians out of the green zone and into the trenches to see the world I work in and advocate for.
Louise
Is there anything my readers can do?
Les
Yes, societies fall down when good people do nothing, so be part of the solution by speaking up about injustices whether in print or on radio, but also looking around in your patch and helping were you can.
Les Twentyman OAM
Youth Affairs - together we can make a difference
mobile: 0408 569 155
www.20thman.com.au
Les Twentyman was featured in this year's Melbourne White Pages
BALI BOMBING SURVIVOR LOST LEGS BUT FOUND GOLF AND
HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE
On the 12th of October 2002 Ben Tullipan walked into the Sari club to buy a bottle of water and was unable to use his own legs again.
His Balinese furniture business brought Ben to Bali on that fateful day and terrorism sent him home scarred for life.
Before the tragedy, Ben, like many Australians, ‘believed that we were quite safe from such things (terrorism) with considerable distance between Australians and large-scale terrorism.” Unfortunately, he was wrong. That moment that Ben stopped to quench his thirst was “The same time that a suicide terrorist had parked a van containing a one tonne car bomb outside the same club…he proceeded to leave the Sari Club when the car bomb was detonated. Ben was about 5 metres from the van when he saw the explosion come out of the van and he was blown metres away,” wrote his wife Kerrie for a Hallmark story.
If there was anything good to come from such pure, raw evil, it was that Ben’s adversity reunited him with past girlfriend Kerrie Lawson. They dated back in 1995 until Ben moved to Queensland with his mum. Kerrie found out about Ben’s circumstance months after it happened and she went to great lengths to get in touch with him – which was not easy due to privacy laws. Eventually, they reunited and are now married with a beautiful daughter together. “Sure, I would love to have my legs back, but if it wasn’t for the bomb, I would not have my wonderful wife and daughter,” said Ben.
Terrorism has taken his legs but not his courage
“We cannot let the terrorists achieve the objective of frightening our nation. Their intention was to frighten us so that we would cower in the face of their threats and not respond, abroad or at home…I have returned to Bali time and again since the bombings. The terrorists have failed to put that fear into me. I even took my daughter to Bali when she was only one year old. If we live with fear then the terrorists win"
-- Ben Tullipan
The survivor is just as courageous about his condition. Not only has he got on with life with prosthetic legs but he encourages others as Vice President of the Queensland Amputee Golf Association (QAGA). "It is important for people who have had an amputation to know there are other people in similar situations that continue to live normal, fulfilling lives. I try to encourage as many amputees as possible, male or female, young or old, to the sport of Golf as a viable form of rehabilitation and recreation,” said Ben.
A big believer in getting on with it, Ben was told by doctors that he would never walk again.
I had to prove them wrong. Life is about living and not wasting time wallowing in self pity…I received more than 63% full thickness burns to my body (therefore have significant scarring to my body), underwent countless skin grafts, am deaf in one ear, my left leg was amputated above the knee and my right leg amputated just below the knee (and) eight years on from the bomb(ing) I still have shrapnel that makes its way out of the old wounds…I have had to fight many individual battles to get back to some normality in my life…It is about re-building your self esteem and sense of worth, developing skills and building new friendships…I am just your average bloke who has done the best he can with the cards he was dealt,” Stay positive. A positive and happy attitude allows you to achieve whatever you set your mind too, even if others tell you it can’t be done.
--Ben Tullipan
“It’s such a wonderful positive thing, to come out of it with such strength, to triumph over adversity.”
www.uniqueliving.com.au
Ben Tullipan was featured in this year's Queensland White Pages.
His Balinese furniture business brought Ben to Bali on that fateful day and terrorism sent him home scarred for life.
Before the tragedy, Ben, like many Australians, ‘believed that we were quite safe from such things (terrorism) with considerable distance between Australians and large-scale terrorism.” Unfortunately, he was wrong. That moment that Ben stopped to quench his thirst was “The same time that a suicide terrorist had parked a van containing a one tonne car bomb outside the same club…he proceeded to leave the Sari Club when the car bomb was detonated. Ben was about 5 metres from the van when he saw the explosion come out of the van and he was blown metres away,” wrote his wife Kerrie for a Hallmark story.
If there was anything good to come from such pure, raw evil, it was that Ben’s adversity reunited him with past girlfriend Kerrie Lawson. They dated back in 1995 until Ben moved to Queensland with his mum. Kerrie found out about Ben’s circumstance months after it happened and she went to great lengths to get in touch with him – which was not easy due to privacy laws. Eventually, they reunited and are now married with a beautiful daughter together. “Sure, I would love to have my legs back, but if it wasn’t for the bomb, I would not have my wonderful wife and daughter,” said Ben.
Terrorism has taken his legs but not his courage
“We cannot let the terrorists achieve the objective of frightening our nation. Their intention was to frighten us so that we would cower in the face of their threats and not respond, abroad or at home…I have returned to Bali time and again since the bombings. The terrorists have failed to put that fear into me. I even took my daughter to Bali when she was only one year old. If we live with fear then the terrorists win"
-- Ben Tullipan
The survivor is just as courageous about his condition. Not only has he got on with life with prosthetic legs but he encourages others as Vice President of the Queensland Amputee Golf Association (QAGA). "It is important for people who have had an amputation to know there are other people in similar situations that continue to live normal, fulfilling lives. I try to encourage as many amputees as possible, male or female, young or old, to the sport of Golf as a viable form of rehabilitation and recreation,” said Ben.
A big believer in getting on with it, Ben was told by doctors that he would never walk again.
I had to prove them wrong. Life is about living and not wasting time wallowing in self pity…I received more than 63% full thickness burns to my body (therefore have significant scarring to my body), underwent countless skin grafts, am deaf in one ear, my left leg was amputated above the knee and my right leg amputated just below the knee (and) eight years on from the bomb(ing) I still have shrapnel that makes its way out of the old wounds…I have had to fight many individual battles to get back to some normality in my life…It is about re-building your self esteem and sense of worth, developing skills and building new friendships…I am just your average bloke who has done the best he can with the cards he was dealt,” Stay positive. A positive and happy attitude allows you to achieve whatever you set your mind too, even if others tell you it can’t be done.
--Ben Tullipan
“It’s such a wonderful positive thing, to come out of it with such strength, to triumph over adversity.”
www.uniqueliving.com.au
Ben Tullipan was featured in this year's Queensland White Pages.
FROM THE EDITOR
Hello there,
Three months have passed since EM's first edition was launched. I've been overwhelmed by the response, an extraordinary 1087 unique visitors, wow!
This edition is sure to make you laugh and cry while our Purple Heroes generously share their stories and take us on their incredible journeys.
EM's intention is to celebrate their unique courage and counterbalance the ugly side of human nature too often seen on mainstream media.
Our subordinate website - Purple Heroes, is an extension of the magazine and includes a page to commemorate the Purple Hero of the season. This site has been a little neglected, so I hope you will take a peek - my baby girl has taken the photo.
Thank you for your readership, I hope you will continue to read and enjoy this magazine and support our Purple Heroes.
Thanks for coming.
Louise Crossley
Three months have passed since EM's first edition was launched. I've been overwhelmed by the response, an extraordinary 1087 unique visitors, wow!
This edition is sure to make you laugh and cry while our Purple Heroes generously share their stories and take us on their incredible journeys.
EM's intention is to celebrate their unique courage and counterbalance the ugly side of human nature too often seen on mainstream media.
Our subordinate website - Purple Heroes, is an extension of the magazine and includes a page to commemorate the Purple Hero of the season. This site has been a little neglected, so I hope you will take a peek - my baby girl has taken the photo.
Thank you for your readership, I hope you will continue to read and enjoy this magazine and support our Purple Heroes.
Thanks for coming.
Louise Crossley