Blog
“I want to see communities in which our interactions consistently demonstrate what I call the ‘other four-letter words’: kind, hope, care, love.”
Important & Urgent
Born or cast into the maelstrom of a metaphorical storm such as Hobart experienced – by accident or the circumstances of birth, genetically or socially – living stormy confusion daily, crashing from chaotic mop-up to chaotic mop-up, ever sandbagging against an uncontrollable flow which they didn’t choose for themselves.
Double Remembrance of Our Need for Kindness
Yesterday, 11th November, was Remembrance Day; an important date in the Australian calendar, and now for me it brings an extra reason to remember. For this date now also marks the anniversary of having been awarded 2017 Tasmanian Australian of the Year. Tomorrow, 13th...
Australian Identity Forum
We cannot be reminded too often of our history and of those whose lands we walk upon; those upon whom our own lives are built, and to whom our lives are connected
Intolerant of Tolerance
Tolerance is a low horizon. It is often held up as a virtue which Australians should display to accommodate the nation’s diversity of human experiences. But it does not lead us toward our richest flourishing, and it is not magnanimous.
Three Steps to Kind Communication – 2017 International Women’s Day address – UTas
There are three steps to kind communication.
Step one: be kind in your next interaction.
Step two: reflect on this.
Step three…
Murray On Your Face
I noticed that he was staring at my mouth with studied fascination - and then he suddenly reached out and took my face in his little hands, pulled me around toward him and exclaimed with loud revelation, "You've got Murray on your face!" What!? Who is on my face?!...
Zenith
This story is about a four letter word. Allow me to create a scene for you. One that has happened many times over the lovely years of privilege of my work. I am sitting on a tiny chair at a little table in my playful speech pathology clinic room with a child and his...
Island Special Collection
Pale Green Pants : Communication and the Genius of Dr Seuss
Drawing back the curtain I declared, mostly to myself, "Ah... look at the pale, morning sunshine. It's so beautiful." I wasn't expounding entirely to myself though; two small people, newcomers to my home, were with me in the room, colouring at the breakfast bar. And...
Cochineal
Without any effort or intention, without willing it to be so, an image of a glass of water appeared in my mind. It thrills me when visual metaphors shimmer into place, for I have learned that they explain me to me in some surprising way. Into the clear water dropped a...