Welcome

Dear Reader,

WIN_20171120_13_40_37_ProWelcome to my web portal. I acknowledge with deep respect the traditional owners of the land on which I live and work and the land referenced in may of  my writings. I acknowledged that this land always was and always will be Aboriginal Land. i pay my respects to Elders, past present and emerging. I am grateful to Elders whose names and images feature in my writings.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples are advised that some text and images may include references to deceased persons.

I invite you to explore my life and interests online using the menu on the right. My hope is that you will find material that will engage us in conversation and reflection.

My material appears on a number of social media platforms. This site is designed for the visitor who would like to receive  the occasional summary post of published material. Please use the subscribe box to receive notices of updates to this site. My intention is to post a regular monthly calendar and one summary post at the end of each month.

I welcome your feedback and response to posts. As well as text you can choose from the options at the end of each post.

Tony

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July Retrospective

Welcome to the July retrospective where I look back at highlights from  my posts on social media for the month. This selection acts both as an archive and a reference for those who may have missed some of this material.

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Photography

Because of her, we Can (NAIDOC 2018)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday

NAIDOC Week Brisbane 2018

Boundary to Boundary Walk 2018

Updated Albums

Torres Strait Islander Set

 

Readings

Religion

 

 

Events

38241969_2323571587970235_7888144207213232128_oThanks to Stephen Mam for last month’s invitation to join the staff and students at KGSC celebration of First Nation People and Black History Month with a tour of their Indigenous Garden – Jagum Barrambin.

The students were well prepared to take guests on tours and a couple tested my attention with a great Q&A session at the end of their presentation. Spot me with my hat in a few of the pics of the day!!

As a card carrying senior member of the community I love opportunities like this to engage with young people working for understanding and respect of cross cultural values.

#BlackHistorymonth #tonyrobertson

 

Politics

Laugh of the Month

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Just Dates August

Queensland Multicultural Month

29 July – 5 August Donate Life Week

1-7 World Breastfeeding Week

3-16 Fair Trade Fortnight

4 National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day

6 Hiroshima Day

6 – 12 Homelessness Week

8 Dying to Know Day

9 International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

11 – 19 National Science Week

12 International Youth Day 

14 Feast of Micah the Prophet

18 – 26 Seniors Week

17 – 24  Children’s Book Week

19 World Humanitarian Day / World Photo Day

23 International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

31 International Overdose Awareness Day 

Local Events in and around Brisbane 

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June Retrospective

34066829_10156590908997033_2933120538958102528_nJune in the Southern hemisphere ushers in winter  with extreme variations of weather across the continent.

My  adopted home in Queensland allows me to  enjoy a mellow winter but the words of Michael Leunig

We give thanks for the blessing of winter:
Season to cherish the heart.
To make warmth and quiet for the heart.
To make soups and broths for the heart.
To cook for the heart and read for the heart.
To curl up softly and nestle with the heart.
To sleep deeply and gently at one with the heart.
To dream with the heart.
To spend time with the heart.
A long, long time of peace with the heart.
We give thanks for the blessing of winter:
Season to cherish the heart.
Amen

Michael Leunig Art The Prayer Tree, Collins Dove, 1991.

 June Photography
Religious Highlights
Readings

Causes and Campaigns

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Just Dates July

In Brisbane  this is Black History Month

Celebrate Plastic Free July

1 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday

7 International Day of Co-operatives

8-15  NAIDOC Week

8-14 National Diabetes Week

11 World Population Day

18 International Nelson Mandela Day

24 Stress Down Day

29 National Tree Day

Local events in and around Brisbane

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May Retrospective

 

Politics in May begins with Labour Day holiday and concludes with National Reconciliation Week . This is the month where we focus on the issue of Domestic Violence and acknowledge the value of volunteers in our community. There’s something for everyone during May including World Naked Gardening Day and of course the boost to the flower and card industry on Mother’s Day.

In the middle of May I posted a greeting to my my Muslim friends as they began their practice of Ramadan  i am pleased to feature the AFL image acknowledging the  Muslim community at this time.

Catholics have a busy month with the customs of honouring the Virgin Mary with processions and festivals. This year Aussies were asked to join a national rosary to “circle the country”  There was a bit of religious imperialism added to the prayer: “We are praying for the future of our country and committing our nation to God and to the immaculate Heart of Mary.” Not sure there was a plebiscite about that bit.  I like the idea of inviting people to pray for Australia at a time when the Royal Commission   has recommended sweeping changes to religious and  other institutions, when it demonizes asylum seekers and refugees, when it incarcerates First Nations peoples at an alarming rate and when corporate greed is supported by Government.

On Sunday 13th May I went on a  rosary pilgrimage to reflect on our country, its needs and our mission. I took the words of Bishop David Cremin’s message as a focus.

“I support very much this good apostolate of promoting the Rosary at this time when there is so much poverty (and) bloodshed and refugee problems in our world,”

This pilgrimage began  at 3.00 pm at the Sorry Day Plaque in King George Square and concluded at  5.00pm, at sunset at the entrance to the Botanic Gardens in Alice Street.

 

One of the May celebrations that doesn’t get a mention in Catholic Church bulletins is May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. I had a mention in the promo for my  2018 image of the Storey Bridge lit up in colours of the rainbow.

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Photography

Updated Albums

Special Features

Odd spot of the Month

The back of my head captured during a liturgy at St John’s Cathedral

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Ramadan Reflection

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My best wishes and solidarity to my Muslim friends during this holy time of Ramadan.

May we who are not Muslim fast from prejudice, misinformation and ignorance about our sisters and brothers of Islam.

May we who are not Muslim be generous in our willingness to understand this faith and welcome this community into our neighbourhoods.

May we who are not Muslim take time to reflect, pray and be still with the wonder of faith that calls all people to peace, collaboration, respect and love.

 

Worth reading

Franciscan Message for the Month of Ramadan

Christian-Muslim Relations

Pope to Muslims for end of Ramadan: Promoting Mutual Respect through Education (2013)

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Just Dates: June

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month 

3 Anniversary of Mabo Decision (1992)

4 International Day of Innocent Children  / Tiananmen Square Massacre 1989

5 World Environment Day

8 World Oceans Day

10 Myall Creek Massacre

11-17 Men’s Health Week

12 World Day Against Child Labour

14 World Blood Donor Day

16 International Day of the African Child

17 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

17-23 Refugee Week

20 World Refugee Day

23 United Nations Public Service Day

26 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking / International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

30 Introduction of Unemployment Benefits Australia

Some more Community Celebrations  you might like to mark with me!!

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