What I'm grateful for today...

December 31st:
1. Earplugs: I’ve become reliant on earplugs to have a decent night’s sleep. And never have they come in more handy than when I needed to block out the lapping and licking sounds of a dog the size of a horse outside my door. They also help in blocking out the snoring sounds of someone in the next room who shall remain nameless. For the ultimate cacoon experience I wear my mint green and pale pink eye-mask.
2. Beach walks: Ledge Point is simply stunning. There is no other way to describe it. The beach was fairly bare this morning except for some dogs and off-road vehicles – which I’ve always found a contradiction. Cars are for roads, not for the beach. Buckets and spades, beach balls and surfboards are for the beach. But I can’t say too much, I was in one of the vehicles. Once out the walk on the extraordinarily soft sand that is found in WA, was heavenly.
3. Animated friends: VJ is animated, to say the least. And I love that. When she sees her dogs barking with fits of excitement on the beach she demonstrates to me that are saying ‘We’re at the beach! We’re at the beach!’ At this point you need to visualise that she is saying this while doing jumping sidesteps along the shore-line. Of course, when I see / hear the dogs, I simply see two dogs barking. It is agreed that it is not a good idea for me to get a dog, or pet of any description.
4. Grated cheese: I love that the work is already done and you can buy it in bags in the supermarket. Not that I mind grating cheese myself of course, but she who does not cook is always looking for some quick fixes in the kitchen. I was surprised tonight to find my host actually grating cheese – expensive vintage cheese if you don’t mind – onto the freshly prepared food for the dogs! I stood there thinking Wow, can’t wait to see what I’m getting for dinner if this is how the pets eat!
5. A host that leaves Berocca by the bedside: I really am being taken care of at Ledge Point. I’m coming back to this restaurant / hotel!

What I am grateful for today:

December 30
1. Men in lycra: Frane and I walked the trail at Point Walter Reserve and puffed when the running group ran past. Let’s face it, it’s exhausting watching other people upping their heart rate. It was rare – but good – to see some male runners in those lycra body suits. I think every man should have one in his wardrobe!
2. Little Creatures – it’s a brewery and dining experience in Fremantle. It’s fun and we met a German tourist who enjoyed some of our Cajun squid. It was the pay it forward thing. Hoping someone will share their food with me when I go out tomorrow! I’m also grateful for Ian our waiter. A very cool dude, although he was not wearing lycra!
3. Pork chops and apple sauce: does anyone remember the Brady Bunch episode with this favourite line? I do. Peter said it. And I said it when VJ made us pork jobs (no apple sauce) for dinner. I am grateful for anything that is cooked for me. Seriously, you make me toast and I am grateful. Love goes into cooking. Oops, does that mean if I don’t cook I don’t love? Does microwaved baked beans count as cooking cos I can dress up baked beans like no other.
4. My ability to remain calm when someone is rude: not too much to say, other than someone was incredibly rude and inconsiderate and he should’ve been punched by both Frane and myself – and no Mark, I am not talking about you.
5. My mentors: Frane is my prankster mentor, and Verity my bbq mentor – see pic of the gorgeous women who keep me on my toes... literally... I feel like an old ballerina!

December 29:
1. Sleeping in: Frane didn’t text me at 5am for once so I got to sleep in. I was in the middle of a dream when she finally woke me at 8am. I was in the middle of a conversation with Tom Cruise and we talked about me jumping on the couch when I finally go on Oprah. He didn’t seem impressed. Tom – we were on first name basis – had been invited to speak at Sydney University’s Orientation Week, so not sure what he was doing in Fremantle, perhaps he needed Google maps also. Then I woke up. A tad disappointed but not sure why.
2. The gym: yes, before you ask I did pay today, even though Frane wanted me to sneak in again. I’m building up my biceps and I kinda like them.
3. My photographic skills being appreciated: I am the perpetual tourist. I have a camera with me at all times (no it’s not tied around my neck) to record memories everyday and to use the images when writing my novels. I was honoured and grateful when Frane Lessac and Wendy Binks contracted me to be their official photographer when picking up their cows today for the Margaret River Cow Parade http://www.margaretriver.com/pages/cowparade-2010/ You’ve heard of Calamity Jane – now meet Calamity Frane! (see pic)
4. Cosmopolitans: They are a nice shade of pink, my favourite colour. Of course it depends how much cranberry you put in them. I have one in front of me right now. :)
5. Kerry Reed-Gilbert – strong, black and deadly... If you haven’t heard of her, you should have!!

What I'm grateful for...

December 28:
1. Friends who offer their beds to guests: I am grateful, always, to my friends who offer their own beds to sleep in when I visit. It’s something I gave up long ago. You can have the sofa bed or the floor, or a borrowed folding bed, but you can’t have my bed, sorry. So I was grateful to wake up in my friend's king size bed with presents sitting on the end of it this morning. I am a lucky, lucky gal with very generous, kind friends. I’m not quite sure what I have ever done to deserve such kindness. Perhaps I have too much knowledge about them in ‘the vault’ for them to treat me any other way... But such kindness shouldn’t be questioned, just appreciated... oh, and enjoyed.
2. Air-conditioning: really, it is a necessity here in WA. It’s really hot. So I was glad that although I had to ride backwards on the train from Perth to Fremantle that at least I could do it in air-conditioned comfort.
3. Somerville @ UWA: it’s like Moonlight Cinema in Centennial Park, but smaller, naturally, because everything is bigger and better in Sydney as you know. It was nice to sit with Norman and Jan, almost as nice to sit with F&M, not so nice to fight with ants and mozzies and torturous to eat more ham (kidding Frane, don’t be so sensitive!). Mark unsuccessfully tried to roll Jaffas down the aisle while we watched Seraphine My friend Frane is an ‘outsider artist’ like Séraphine Louis.
4. Complimentary entry to the pool /gym: OK, so it wasn’t so much a complimentary pass as it was sneaking in without paying. Don’t blame me. Frane said it’s what everyone does in Fremantle and I’m just trying to fit in. I will pay tomorrow!
5. Google Maps: It’s not a long walk from the Fremantle train station to my current accommodations, but it was far enough to get lost. I could’ve got a cab, or the free CAT bus, but I wanted to drag myself through the heat instead. When I realised I was in a street I’d never seen before I didn’t use the ‘blacktracker’ ways many think I’m born with. Rather, I pulled out the iphone, Googled the street and was home shortly afterwards.

What I'm grateful for today:

December 27
1. Frane banging the banger ie she discharged the Signal Cannon on the gun deck of the Round House Precinct in Fremantle. Don’t care? No neither do I, but she’s my friend, and she did have a crowd gathered to watch her push the red button and to hear the loud bang. So it was a big deal to her, so it was a big deal for me. Congratulations Frane, you are now an Honory Gunnery Officer. You can congratulate Frane also via her website at: http://www.franelessac.com/
2. Young people: M&F’s children are delightful. They are full of the passion of youth and remind me of a time long ago when I was too. They party with friends and play on boats and flit in and out of the house at meal times, they even poach eggs – just like I used to do. And they always find the time to stop and chat with me, with their parents, with the old people. Ahh, to be young again. I’m grateful for the memories of what it used to be like.
3. Verity James took me to Must Wine Bar where I had my first Chili Martini and met Jerry Fraser – King Of Oysters who taught me how to shuck! I always wanted a good shuck! VJ also introduced me to Adam who was ‘tall, dark and unmissable’. And finally, before the clock struck 12 and the Cinderella’s headed home, VJ contributed the word ‘circuitous’ to my vocab list. I now know 5001 words.

4. Fridges in homes of two or more: I don’t have food in my fridge. Well rarely. Except when I have guests and it is suddenly full. My fridge at home has some soy sauce, Vegemite, fete bought jam and marmalade, a questionable jar of tomato paste and countless bottles of tap water. So it’s always exciting to go to Mum’s where she has two fridges full of food, always. F&M also have a fridge full of food. And they have a freezer that makes crushed ice, cubed ice and chills and filters water. I could stand there all day playing with it. Sounds like I don’t get out much doesn’t it? This is not true. I just like the simple things in life that’s all. And I love F&Ms fridge which has more condiments than you can point a stick at – eight types of mustard, various curry pastes and even Jerk Sauce from Jamaica. Actually I think Mark had a bit too much Jerk sauce today.
5. Shampoo: It not only cleanes my hair but also entertains me each morning at F&Ms place. They have more shampoo than the supermarket. Really. There’s almost no-where to stand in the shower as the space is full of bottles. It’s funny what rich people spend their money on isn’t it? Like champagne, mustard and fancy yoghurt and spa baths and international trips. And yet, there’s not a $5 shower caddy to hold the 15 bottles of shampoo. I think I’ll buy them one, you know, in the spirit of reconciliation. PS the good thing about the shampoo is that they have the same brand as me, so I can just replace my empty bottles with their full ones when I leave and they probably won’t even notice. :)

What I'm grateful for today

December 26
1. The Boxing Day sales – four dresses at bargain prices mean I’ll be sufficiently frocked up at least for the next few weeks!
2. Random conversations with everyday people who make standing in queues bearable. Had a good yarn with the women waiting for change-rooms at the sales.
3. Frane’s sense of humour – although she does get us in trouble at times... like when she burst into an occupied change-room today, AND when she stuck her finger up the nose of and groped a mannequin in Myer, and then insisted on throwing balls around Rebel. Luckily, she’s also good at flirting with sales staff –of both genders – and security was never called!
4. Frane’s husband Mark – he drove us to the beach early morning for our walk. He makes coffee for us too. I guess that’s what husbands are good for. I really should re-think getting myself a husband shouldn’t I? They can come in handy at times it seems. Especially for preparing the spa in the afternoon. Maybe I’ll get one at the Boxing Day sales next year.
5. Afternoon naps... you don’t have to be a nanna to enjoy them.

December 25
1. Waking up in Fremantle. I love Fremantle – see photo!
2. Christmas morning walking along Port Beach. I have never seen so many single fellas walking dogs, anywhere in the world. I think I might have to get a dog, even though I don’t really like dogs. But what a talking piece they are. And probably less work than kids right? Except that thing you have to do with the plastic bags when they poo. Really, I’ve never seen so many dogs pooing in one place. Do they wait to go to the beach to do that? I should do some research before I get a dog, right?
3. The most sensational Christmas day. I had always dreamed of having a white Christmas, but I didn’t really mean with a white family. But they were really, really lovely and really kind to me, and didn’t ask me to play the didjeridoo, or speak in language or to put ochre on. I ate turkey with cranberry sauce and profiteroles with chocolate sauce and cassata (Mark’s mother Lynne is a genius in the kitchen!). I can’t cook, well I can cook, I just need a cook book right? So to rephrase it, I should say I don’t like cooking, but I’ve learned that to be a hit at a party, just take a couple of bottles of French champagne and a jar of hibiscus flowers and voila! Instant star! Sometime later in the day it helps to have someone casually mention that you’re a best-selling author and then no-one cares whether you can make muffins or not! And so they shouldn’t. I think I’m coming back here for Christmas next year, I’ve adopted myself into this family.
4. My friends Frane and Mark are very generous and kind, and good looking (I think they are reading this...) And they are sensational authors / illustrators! Check their work out at: Frane and Mark
5. The beautiful gifts I received. My I LOVE FREMANTLE tee-shirt and red cap. New York New York tee-shirts. My Tiffany’s bracelet to inspire the next book Paris Dreaming. My Vera Wang PRINCESS perfume. I was / am so so so lucky.

December 24
1. My brother Mark getting up early to take me to the airport. Let’s face it, he’s 13 years younger than me and is never going to catch up on all the rides I’ve given him over the years to the movies, the beach, his mate’s place, school, the shops etc. And he doesn’t have to, but it’s really nice to have him pick me up for early morning trips to the take flight.
2. The QANTAS steward as I boarded the plane asked ‘Are you going to a wedding, you look very glamorous. Did you have your hair done?’ Not sure if the taffeta dress and baby’s breath gave it away (kidding!), but I was grateful for the compliment.
3. The young guy who kept looking and smiling at me from across the aisle. I think he thought I was someone else...someone famous like Kate Ceberano perhaps. Or Rachel Berger is another I’ve been mistaken for in the past. Either way, I didn’t mind being considered fit for a wedding or potentially famous!
4. My punching buddy Frane Lessac met me at the airport in her Lexus – which I hate to say – that she can't actually drive very well. We nearly cleaned up a traffic warden before we’d moved 20 metres. But that’s only because she’s such an attentive friend she looks you in the eye when she talks to you, even when she’s driving. She looked fabulous sitting there with her flashing reindeer antlers on as she drove back to Fremantle. I’m glad she took them off when we went to Salt to meet another fabulous woman Verity James for some Christmas bevvies.
5. Dinner with Frane, Mark and friends at Maya in Fremantle – where the trivia I learned that night was ... In a room of 30 it is highly probable that two people will share the same birthdate. Do some research next time you’re at an event. You’ll be surprised what you find!

December 23

1. My brother Joe being an absolute maniac when it comes to weight-training. Even when I can’t do the exercise for my lats, or was it my delts, he just keeps pushing, then laughing and calling me a whinger for complaining. No matter how desperately I try to get out of an exercise – ‘I need to go to the bathroom, I think I heard the phone, is that one of the kid’s crying’ – he just won’t let up on me. He’s a hard task master... and it’s a good thing, even when I can’t move my arms or even sit down for days afterwards.
2. Chocolate (which is the main reason I have to exercise) – really, chocolate is a staple in my diet. It gives me energy. It has caffeine. It makes me happy. And it tastes sooooo good.... Last count, I had already received three boxes of chocolate for Christmas. I asked my mum ‘Why do you give a fat person chocolate?’ She said, ‘Because you like chocolate!’ Of course, she should’ve said, ‘You’re not fat Anita!’ Anyways, every Christmas, birthday, Easter and Valentine’s Day, without fail, my mum gives me a box of Lindor Balls (red) because I do in fact, like them. I like chocolate ice-cream, chocolate biscuits, chocolate cake, chocolate covered almost anything! My name is Anita Heiss and I am a chocoholic!
3. Time to hang out with Phillipa enjoying the Pacific Ocean, the smell of summer and catching up on who’s doing what, who’s doing what they shouldn’t be doing, and what we’re both going to be doing in 2010. Someone was on MY rock at the pool, which turned out to be something I am grateful for! I was forced to find a new spot to sit for the first time in years and so a new view of the pool and people. And it’s all about observation for me... pen always mentally poised in my head seeking out new characters, so I spy the men in Speedos, the women proud of the their stretch marks, and teenagers having fun.
4. My new metallic bag – well it’s not really metallic, it’d be too heavy if it were, but it’s got this metallic look about it, which doesn’t really sound fashionable, but you know what I mean. Mum gave it to http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifme – with my Lindor balls – for Christmas. Currently holds my laptop, latest novel by Larissa Behrendt –Legacy - and all the makeup I need to look ready for public exposure when I head to the airport!
5. Mum (Elsie). Not only does she ply me with chocolate feed me whenever I don’t have food in my own house, provide a place to always feel loved, secure and at home. She’s the best mother you could ask for.

What I’m grateful for today:

1. My brother Mark’s sense of humour. He is one of the funniest guys I know.
2. Bumping into Aunty Gloria Martin at the local shops and having a good yarn.
3. Talking to Shelley Gare on the phone, albeit it briefly, inspired me. Shelley and I met in Geraldton in September, sharing an apartment as part of the Big Sky Festival. And we had some really life-changing conversations over that time and later down in Perth. She’s a wise woman, and if you haven’t read her book The Triumph of the Airheads – And The Retreat From Commonsense
then you should! Shelley’s Mum, Nene Gare wrote The Fringe Dwellers.
4. My quick reflexes. I skilfully dodged a serious car accident when someone drove right through a stop sign in front of me.
5. A great end of year session with my life coach helped me consolidate 2009 and plan for 2010, and now I feel like I can take my ten days off and not be concerned about chaos when I go back to the office come early January.
A pretty good day all round!

What I'm grateful for today:

1. Spending time with my ‘other mother’ – Lorraine McGee-Sippel. It had been way too long since we’d had a good yarn, a hug and to share stories. I was lucky to get some pearls of wisdom also. Lorraine is also the author of Hey Mum, what’s a half-caste? Check it out if you haven’t already.
2. Meeting Jono Fisher who set up the group Wake Up Sydney
Jono introduced me to the ‘Kindness Revolution’ and I reckon you should check it out also, and join with me in changing Sydney for the better!
3. Having a few moments to celebrate Terri’s birthday before the rest of the hectic day set in.
4. Finishing the next draft of the kids’ novel I am working on.
5. Gorgeous, gorgeous weather! I loved driving with the roof down today. Such a feeling of freedom!

What I'm grateful for today:

December 18
1. The rain – at long last. I loved it filling up the water barrels, watering the lawns, the roses, and the weeds! And it made it easier to stay indoors and work.
2. Breakfast with Geraldine as we plan my workload and goals for 2010. We were meant to start the day at the driving range, but the weed-watering rain put an end to that lead us directly to Coogee ‘Crumpets’ in Havelock Street.
3. Finally finished preparing my tax info for the accountant... why bother? One must earn an income to pay tax right?
4. Catching up with Terri Janke over Thai – yes I know it seems like my days are only about food, but in reality, all my social life and meetings are around food. I am far happier and much more productive if there’s something to munch on in arms reach!
5. Me and my so-not-cool Planet Hollywood and not-so-merry mood staying away from the local Christmas party. Actually, I think the neighbours were probably the grateful ones!!

December 19th:
1. Waking up to another STUNNING Sydney day. Really, do I live in the best city in the world or not? I am up for the debate if you want to have it.
2. Belting out Mozart’s Serenade No. 13 in G Major “Eine kleine Nachtmusik’ (yes I write that like I know what I’m talking about). I played it over and over again and felt invigorated (and wasn’t it used for the Minchinbury advert back in the 1980s?). I got a little teary also as it reminds me of my late father who took me to Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg when I was 9! Ever since, whenever I visit Salzburg (indeed anywhere in Austria) I always buy bags of Mozartkugel.
3. Driving to Wollongong to see my gorgeous friends Julie and Ali and little baby Josephine. We dined al fresco under the palm trees and had our annual Christmas catch up. We used to meet three or four times a year, and sitting there today, I wondered how we managed to coordinate those meetings, giving the various distances and extraordinarily busy lives we live. The moment together was pure. The weather perfect. The view over the harbour picturesque. The fish’n’chips something just to put in our mouths when we weren’t yacking!
4. Receiving the stunning book A Survival Guide for Landlocked Mermaids by Margot Datz. My dear sista Leo Princess Julie Ditrich gave it to me, and it is spot on for me, for her and for our other tidda Ali Smith (Ali is the Director of the South Coast Writers’ Centre). From the book: ‘The landlocked mermaid is a symbol of the contemporary woman, trapped in a paradoxical dilemma of being part worldly and domesticated, part untameable and intuitive.’ It is the most beautiful book that I will be buying for other ‘landlocked mermaids’... might I suggest you do too!
5. The most delightful evening at Sonja Stewart’s home, catching up over champagne cocktails for Christmas. I caught up with old friends from Uni I hadn’t seen for years, girlfriends I hadn’t seen for months, and bar men I need to catch up with again :)

December 20th:
1. Seeing my nieces and nephews first thing this morning, and having them do lunges alongside me up the length of the backyard. They are all under 7, and so so so cute!
2. As I left their house watching Joey (5) and Liesl (7) jogging with their father down the street. It was truly precious and I am so proud of how wonderful a father my brother is.
3. The excitement I have knowing that I will be spending Christmas with friends Frane and Mark and New Year’s with VJ. There will be immeasurable happiness and laughter and good fare to be indulged in (is that correct grammar??).
4. My friend Julie in Barcelona who loves me unconditionally. I know I can tell her anything, and I did, and she won’t judge me. I am grateful for her friendship which began back in 2002 when I was her guest at the Kosmopolis International Literature Festival.
5. Hearing from a friend I made in Western Australia earlier this year at a writer’s festival. Having to share an apartment with a complete stranger can go either way. We got on famously and so it was a joy to hear her voice when she called.

Anita features in GRAD LIFE magazine...

As a proud graduate of the University of Western Sydney, and currently Adjunct Associate Professor attached to the Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education, Anita was more than happy to yarn with Grad Life when they visited her office.

You can read the article 'Anita takes Indigenous writing to an international stage' on-line now...

Language workbooks for students

Barriyala is a set of three student workbooks designed to support Gumbaynggirr language learning in primary schools. There is a separate workbook for each primary school stage, each workbook building on students’ prior learning. Each workbook provides a range of activities that will reinforce language learnt in the classroom. The activities are divided into eight different themes based on aspects of Gumbaynggirr culture, with associated language tasks.

Definitely check them out… and maybe give your own children something cultural to do over the summer holidays.

Each workbook is $20.00

For details go to: http://www.muurrbay.org.au/publications.html

A handbook of Aboriginal languages

At Emma Donovan’s – the beautiful Gumbaynggirr singer/ songwriter – CD launch in May this year, I met some of her family and elders including Uncle Ken Walker, Aunty Pauline Hooler and Uncle Gary Williams.

Driving back from Queensland through Nambucca Heads in July I decided to drop in and see them all at the Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Co-operative. The Coop began in 1986 when Gumbaynggirr Elders got together to revive their language and hand it down to future generations. Muurrbay means ‘white fig tree’ in the Gumbaynggirr language, and the organisation aims to support Aboriginal people, particularly Gumbaynggirr, in the revival and maintenance of their language and culture, and so strengthen their sense of identity, self esteem and links to country.

Muurrbay auspices the Many Rivers Aboriginal Language Centre, a regional language centre that provides vital support to Aboriginal communities who want to revitalize their languages; this covers an area from the Tweed to the Hawkesbury River.

I was excited to learn about Muurrbay's publishing wing which publishes a variety of books supporting the revitalisation of the Aboriginal Languages of New South Wales. These include Dictionaries and Grammars that document the languages of New South Wales, particularly those of the north coast of N.S.W, through the Many Rivers Aboriginal Language Centre. Muurrbay also publishes educational resources such as children's stories, student workbooks and teaching tools like Mayalambala, a set of interactive posters and pictures.

A handbook of Aboriginal Languages of NSW and the ACT by Jim Wafer and Amanda Lissarrague

The handbook is a guide to Aboriginal languages, with illustrative vocab lists. It’s divided into two parts: the first part, which includes 18 maps, is a survey of the Indigenous languages of NSW and the ACT, and gives information about dialects, locations, and resources available for language revitalisation; the second part provides word-lists in practical spelling for 42 distinct language varieties. There’s also useful information on contact languages, and kinship classification, as well as an appendix on placenames.

The work breaks NSW and the ACT into 14 language regions from the Northern NSW Coastal Languages in the North to the Eastern Victorian Border languages in the south, Lower Murray Languages in the west and the Cameron Corner Languages in the North. It’s quite an academic exercise to read and I’ve only glanced the massive volume but I think it is invaluable to understanding the complexity and diversity of Aboriginal languages in NSW and the ACT.

There’s also some explanations of the use of Aboriginal sign language in specific ‘dialect areas’ – with examples of how to ‘sign’ to ‘sit down’ ‘salt water’ and ‘peace’ in various language regions of NSW.

The handbook is a valuable reference and educational resource, useful to Aboriginal people who want to revitalise their language.

It’s probably not something that people will be able to afford at home but it is DEFINITELY something to encourage your school library to order in and your local library.

830 pages | Hard Cover | RRP $135

For more details go to: For details go to: http://www.muurrbay.org.au/publications.html

What I'm grateful for today:

1. My brother Joe – and just being able to hang with him, even though it means sweating it out in his home gym.
2. My gorgeous 7 year old niece Liesl who wrote a four page story in two days, and read it to me while visiting. It was about five girl-friends living in Adelaide who meet Frosty the Snowman. We had to change the ending where the girls all die!
3. Lunch with Jeremy Fisher - he's moving to Armidale and we're going to miss him- and as a bonus getting an autographed copy of his book: Music from Another Country.
4. A 4km morning walk around my burb where an old fella always greets me with arms opened-wide and says ‘Here I am!’ Makes me laugh every time I see him.
5. A phone call which was not as confrontational as was expected – by both parties. Phew!

What I’m grateful for today (well the last two days):

1. Working with the students at La Perouse Public School on the follow-up to Yirra and her deadly dog, Demon. They were fabulously creative and brimming with ideas for a third book also. I was so inspired when I left their classroom.
2. Spending time with dear friend Rosie Scott – I always leave with an added sense of purpose after we’ve had a yarning session together.
3. Ticking things off my ‘to do’ list.
4. Knowing I had a crew of people arriving to do a photo-shoot. It made me seriously clean and tidy my flat.
5. The actual photoshoot at home and down North Maroubra Beach and the Pool Cafe. Working with lovely people, serious professionals, and getting to enjoy some of the fabulous weather was a bonus. Look out for the March 2010 edition of Women’s Health for a feature on yours truly. My pics were taken by the very deadly Daniel Smith
6. Dinner with Leo Princess Michelle – great company, food and Italian vino.
7. Cold Rock Ice-Cream: cheesecake with Maltesers crushed throughout.
8. My ability to be creative under pressure: I made a Christmas card for someone special who has absolutely everything and I didn’t know what to buy.
9. The beautiful pink and yellow gerberas brightening up my humble abode.
10. Cold watermelon.

What I’m grateful for today:

1. The very pleasant guy on reception at my gym. His chirpy disposition every morning make its that much easier to ... go in ... and work out!
2. That the x-rays and ultrasound on my shoulder this morning confirmed there was nothing sinister. And I’m grateful for my general health!
3. The opportunity to work with Josh Goodswen on a (potential) project. His last was a series on Channel 7 called ‘Chrome’.
4. The caring and concern of my friend and life-coach Geraldine Star who always has her eye out for me.
5. My ability to cook ONE dish well, thanks to Donna Hay!

What I’m grateful for today:

1. Waking up to another glorious Sunday in Sydney.
2. Brunch with my dear friend Terri Janke – author of the beautiful novel Butterfly Song
3. Two-hour Skype session with my friend and colleague Dawn McCoy who has just released her first book Leadership Building Blocks: an insider’s guide to success
4. Pushing myself hard at the gym – before brunch and chocolate intake later in the day.
5. Managing to install a new toilet seat all on my lonesome.

What I'm grateful for today:

I was on the road Thursday / Friday and arrived home last night exhausted and, sorry, I didn’t get to do my ‘gratefulness list’. so here it is x two days. I promise to get back into routine tomorrow... or maybe the next day:)
What I’m grateful for today:
1. Everything about the READ WITH ME literacy day at Erambie Mission. Especially meeting the 150+ Koori kids. They inspired me, made me laugh, made me want to go back and do workshops with them on their own stories. I loved reading to them, creating characters with them, and watching them sit under the marquees and read books. Too deadly! Also, obviously, connecting with family for the first time, meeting Elders and meeting young women like me (ok, so they were a tad younger!). The entire event was a gift to me.
2. Walking along the main drag of Cowra early morning and just imagining the place where my Mum grew up. Was surprised there was no-one else out at 6.30am in the morning.
3. Standing on the bridge over the Lachlan and thinking about the history and heritage of the area.
4. Checking out the Aboriginal artwork on the pylons of the bridge. The murals were painted by local Aboriginal artist, Kym Freeman and depict the history of the Wiradjuri people who inhabited the Cowra area prior to invasion.
5. The friendly conversation with the fella in the local newsagency, just nice to be nice I reckon. It’s really not that hard, really.
6. The slooooooooooowwww service for coffee made me grateful for speedy baristas in Sydney, especially at Billy’s Bar Expresso in Maroubra Junction.
7. Waking up feeling in Sydney today feeling completely energetic after a solid night sleep.
8. A stunning day with Wendy, Clive, Charlie and Carol down La Perouse. Fish’n’chips, a sea breeze, an ocean view, laughter and plenty of storytelling. Perfect way to spend any Saturday in Sydney.
9. Plenty of machines and equipment free at the gym when I went this evening. Yes, sad, early Saturday night and Anita is at the gym... if only it showed!!
10. Saturday night proper on the couch with a copy of Women’s Health, Vogue and The Sydney Morning Herald while Seinfeld is on in the background. Life is good!

What I'm grateful for today...

December 8 and 9:
Because I was so busy yesterday I didn’t get to do my gratefulness journal, so have doubled up today... so here are my 10 things I am grateful for:
1. Visiting my Mum’s Wiradjuri home at Erambie Mission, Cowra. I’ve waited a lifetime to come here. Still processing the wonderful emotion of being in the central west.
2. A phonecall with my cousin Donna in Canberra, to tell her I was in Cowra.
3. Connecting with a sistah – Bea – I first met back in Wagga at CSU in 1998. She lives at Erambie. Met her gorgeous son... want to smuggle him in my bag and take him home... so cute!
4. Being invited to be part of the Yalbillina Read With Me program at Erambie.
5. A helpful man who gave me directions near Liverpool.
6. The Yass Service Centre’s McDonald’s = clean toilets!
7. A group of Cowra teenagers who celebrated their end of year activities at the Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant. The girls all frocked up with hair done, the boys in jeans and baseball caps. They joked with the waitress, drank pink lemonade and reminded me of young love and innocent times. I couldn’t stop smiling as they chanted lemon chicken and left the drunken louts at schoolies on the Gold Coast for dead.
8. The miserable woman sitting next to me in the restaurant who kept tut-tutting the young people. She reminded me of how pleasant and happy I actually am.
9. Seinfeld – even when I’ve seen episodes twice before I still laugh out loud. Need to acknowledge Go Channel also, they show Seinfeld and Frasier – well written TV!
10. Some fabulous media interest in Manhattan Dreaming... details later!

What I’m grateful for today:

1. My life coach Geraldine Star for her wisdom and guidance for the past six years.
2. The absolute beauty of Maroubra Beach and being able to use cafes on the waterfront as my office – on occasion.
3. A fun interview with Women’s Health magazine, due for publication in March 2010.
4. Finishing the third draft of my kids novel and sending of to relevant parties – yay!
5. All my friends, family and supporters on Facebook and MySpace who enlighten, educate and entertain me everyday! Thank you.

What I’m grateful for today:

1. Being part of the Books in Homes (http://www.biha.com.au/)project and being able to present books to kids at Soldier Settlement Public School in Matraville today.
2. Being able to drink water from the tap whenever I want.
3. Working with a deadly team of passionate researchers and developing the Black Words research community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers and storytellers dataset of AustLit: http://www.austlit.edu.au/specialistDatasets/BlackWords
4. Roo bangers that can be bought from Coles – had them in Mountain Bread, yummo.
5. Some potentially exciting news re a nomination for something that cannot be discussed here...

Meeting Ms Right on ABC TV

Dear friends,

For those who missed the Summer Series repeat of MEETING MS RIGHT, it's now available on-line at: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/messagestick/

Hope you enjoy!!

Peace, Anita

Three Warriors Within – Marcus Pedro’s Story

by Nell Arnold
Illustrations by Alick Tipoti
Big Sky Publishing $24.99 120pp

Marcus Pedro spent much of his life illiterate and innumerate, and now he is a motivational speaker. And at 5am this morning when I was reading his book, his presence jumped off the page at me.

Born on Moa Island in the Torres Strait, and one of eight kids, he begins his story with:
I am Marcus Pedro,
in the present,
an Indigenous
a Black man
from the Torres Strait Islands,
Trying to survive in contemporary Australia.

And survive he does: as a child at school, he was called ‘idiot’ and ‘stupid’ unless he was playing sport, then he was a ‘champion’. Even without literacy and numeracy skills he could see the contradiction in being a ‘stupid champion’.

Even in his young adult life he struggled with the basic skills needed to survive in the workforce and yet he tried being a panel beater and spray painter, a mechanic, a railway worker, he became a DJ, community policeman, and a construction worker, before going on to graduate from the Police Academy and earn his black sash as a martial artist.

In his briefly yet poetically told story, Marcus praises his ability to ‘survive’ on three leaders in his life: a particular school teacher, his martial arts instructor and his police mentor.

The three warriors within are really different aspects of Marcus. They are:

1. The Brave Warrior – uses affirmations and self-talk to support self-confidence.
2. The Gentle Warrior – establishes presence by listening and learning from others.
3. The Humble Warrior – encourages you to take the power and responsibility of voice eg your language changes from ‘I and me’ to ‘we’.

Some might say it’s not rocket science, that these approaches to self-esteem / confidence and growing are nothing new, and they’re not really. But what a great reminder from someone who has walked the walk. Marcus has studied motivational speakers from around the world and along the way found his own motivational warriors within. A key phrase for Marcus is: ‘Mental spears are tools of the mind, constantly sharpened by the hunter.’ And the five key words to ensure the warrior remains within are: Respect, Attitude, Self-belief, Self-confidence and Focus.

This powerful yet simple story is told in his own voice and is structured like poetry, as if he is delivering it orally with all the pauses in place. There’s a resource section at the end of the book with information on the Torres Strait Islands (did you know there’s 274 islands of which 17 are inhabited with approximately 20 communities?).

Do what I did, Marcus Pedro in Three Warriors Within, and add some inspiration to your day, to your life.

To order: www.bigskypublishing.com.au

What I’m grateful for today:

1. My Mum’s schnitzel. My Dad’s legacy lives on... and it’s the best in the country.
2. Catching up with colleagues of the past, who remain friends.
3. The sounds of Cuban musicians at Bundeena Bowling Club.
4. Prune juice.
5. My gorgeous nephews Matt and Ben.

What I’m grateful for today:

1. David and Sue always making time to see me when they visit Australia.
2. Lindt chocolate (Lindor balls specifically).
3. My ability to self-motivate.
4. Earplugs to help me block out noisy cats (I have no idea what they do to make that noise late at night...)
5. Mahon’s Pool for the serenity and peace it brings to my day.

What I'm grateful for today...

1. My tiddas Robynne and Jake for 'getting me' and loving me unconditionally.

2. My haidresser Paul @ Lunio for making me feel bewdiful.

3. Yai Thai on Crown Street Surry Hills for the best salmon stir fry on the planet.

4. Long lunches on Fridays.

5. My bed and four pillows.

What I’m grateful for today:

1. Pete and Kate’s friendship – and the gorgeous seafood dinner and beautiful flowers I received. Too precious!
2. The sunshine today.
3. The international community of writers I am part of, and the daily support and friendship they offer.
4. Caffeine!
5. The Aboriginal Women of Australia Facebook group I joined today – another supportive community to be part of... http://www.facebook.com/kooranya07?v=feed&story_fbid=190314938591#/group.php?gid=191779148845&ref=ts

Burnum Burnum – a warrior for peace

Marlene J Norst
Kangaroo Press 1999 ISBN-13: 9780864179784

Burnum Burnum is probably most famous for planting the Aboriginal flag beneath the white cliffs of Dover on January 26, 1988 – the year of white Australia’s Bicentenary. The declaration began:

I, Burnum Burnum of the Wurundjeri Tribe, do hereby take possession of England on behalf of the Aboriginal Crown of Australia.


Although comical to many, the statement commented strongly and clearly (for those who didn’t already ‘get it’) on the way in which Aboriginal land had been claimed under the doctrine of terra nullius and how it’s First Peoples continued to be colonised.

The author of what is now known as the Burnum Burnum Declaration was born Harry Penrith under a sacred gum tree at Mosquito Point on Wallaga Lake Aboriginal Reserve in New South Wales, in 1936. He later took the name of his great great grandfather, Burnum Burnum (meaning ‘Great Warrior) of the Wurundjeri people.

A child of the Stolen Generation, Harry was taken from his parents at the age of three months and placed in the United Aborigines Mission Home at Bomaderry before going to Kinchela Boys’ Home. Under the assimilation policy he was raised to believe he was white. In the 1960's he began searching for his Aboriginal identity and joined the battle for Aboriginal rights including being part of the historic establishment of the Tent Embassy in Canberra in 1972.

In short, Burnum Burnum was a sportsman, storyteller and internationally recognised advancer of Aboriginal rights and his story, as told by Marlene J Norst was first released in 1999. It has just been re-launched as part of a fund-raising activity for the Sydney Indigenous Tennis Program (SITP). Lua Penrith de Burgh, founder and coordinator of the SITP, is a former junior athletics star herself, AND is the daughter of Burnum Burnum. After she re-read her father's biography she was amazed to see that in the 1960s Harry Penrith ran an Indigenous social tennis club based at Surry Hills. Now the SITP aims to provide employment opportunities for Indigenous youth and adults through gaining an internationally recognised qualification as a tennis coach. The program will provide free tennis lessons for Indigenous children residing in Redfern in 2010.

I understand the re-launch of the book in October was a huge success and raised $500 for the tennis program. Fundraising continues though, so if you haven’t got a copy of Burnum Burnum: a warrior for peace then you can get one through The Good Book Store in Belrose or email Lua to purchase a copy: boomerangel2004@yahoo.com.au To donate to the tennis program generally you can do so via the Aboriginal Medical Service in Redfern.

And here’s a wonderful link between sports and literature! I love it!

BLOKE by Bruce Pascoe

Penguin Viking $32.95

I’m a huge fan of Bruce Pascoe. As soon as I read Ruby-Eyed Coucal (1996) I knew I wanted to be able to write like him when I grew up. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened yet, but at least I am still being inspired by his novels like Shark (1999) and more recently the work Bloke¬ – about a typical Aussie fella. Well he’s typical in that he likes fishing and women, but not so typical when you read about life in the little town of Nullakarn on the East Gippsland Coast, where –

To get abalone you have to dive deep, into a sea of inhabited by some very big fish. Combine danger with money and you attract eccentrics: mad poets, Maori musicians, alternative medicine freaks, cricketers wondering what to do after the bats broke, water-colourists – they were all in Nullakarn and they had the best parties too.

Add to the mix, the Bloke’s trips to Bolivia, Singapore and Darwin, police raids on the boat he’s captaining on the Arafura Sea, stints in gaol, and his extraordinary circle of acquaintances and colleagues, then it’s more than a book about fishing!

Jim Bloke’s story begins around life diving for abalone, making lots of money but asking few questions. We’re told that

Most fisherman were decent blokes who couldn’t keep away from the sea. They got into it because they were already in love with the ocean floor. Some of them were benefactors of their towns, sponsors of any sporting team willing to pull on the town colours, supporters of the library and the elderly cits.

But the fishermen in this novel aren’t all good blokes’, oh no, there’s a few undesirables. And it’s the characters in Pascoe’s fiction that I really like. Their diversity and voices engage me page after page. They move the story along, they give it life, spice, interest.

The narrator Jim Bloke is an interesting and troubled creature himself. Given his name at an orphanage, he was removed under the policy of protection and never saw his mother again. He is reunited with his extended family in the story, and there we meet the cheeky child Lilly who loves to hear a good yarn. Her mother Retha – Jim’s cousin – steals too many of Bloke’s thoughts and causes a conundrum for both of them. And then there’s Aunty Cookup who doesn’t suffer fools and make’s sure he knows his responsibility to family. And just in case he forgets, she reminds him again.

There’s king of the fisherman, Stoker Stevens who’s built like a brick you-know-what and always good for a slab and a bottle of Jim Beam. He’s a drug-lord fisherman – the mafia of the sea.

There’s Scrubber Higgins whose brain is like a 1950s computer, and we meet
Smearcat Solomon and Nugget Nectar in the Barwon Detention Centre. The stories about how they go their names are shear gold!

And then of course there’s the love interest Giovanna – ex-wife of Bruno Baras, a rather ‘bad-bloke’. Through Giovanna we get some insight into the delicate and respectful way that men can consider women. Well, at least in fiction. ☺

I began reading this book as a “blokes’ tale” with some important insights into how men think about women. But the work contains serious comments on the issues and consequences around the Stolen Generations, blackfellas incarcerated and the loyalty amongst prisoners, Aboriginal identity and community responsibility.

So, it’s a fishing tale, a social commentary and a love story, so there’s something for everyone!

Check out more about Bruce Pascoe at: brucepascoe.com.au

What I’m grateful for today...

1. My brother Joe – for training me (or trying to) and pushing me (too hard) to reach my fitness goals.
2. Nelson Mandella’s wisdom.
3. The smell of mangos.
4. Michael Jackson’s genius as I drive a sing along.
5. Laser technology – no, I am not going to elaborate! 

What I’m grateful for today:

1. Having the time to walk early morning and breathe in the coastal air.
2. Sharing an office space with two fabulously warm, kind, intelligent women.
3. The honesty of my mechanic - John @ Kevin's Auto, Matraville
4. Delicious food and conversation / laughter over dinner tonight with my neighbour.
5. Seeing blackfellas on Australian television ie The Circuit on SBS.