Contributors

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

I’m grateful for other people’s gratefulness...


1. ASHLEE DONOHUE: I’m not sure how long I’ve known Ashlee, otherwise known as Miss Ashlee on Koori Radio 93.7FM, but of late we’ve been hanging out a bit, sharing stories about our own evolution as Aboriginal women. I’m inspired by Ashlee’s sense of motivation and her commitment to being positive. I also appreciate – as she points out in her own gratefulness video blog – that we share an interest in Oprah, Maroubra Beach and eating good food. What more does one need as a strong foundation for friendship? Not a lot I’d say.
The pic above is of Miss Ashlee and I at the 2009 Deadly Awards at the Sydney Opera House.

2. ILD FUNDRAISING: Well the final figures are in for our 2010 Indigenous Literacy Day fundraising efforts. Nationally, we raised $607,000 way above the $400,000 target we set ourselves. I am enormously grateful for ILD founder Suzie Wilson form Riverbend Books and all the team at the Indigenous Literacy Project for their ongoing work. A huge shout to all the ILD Ambassadors for their time and efforts and to all those who attended events and bought books on ILD back in September. I am excited about the future of our young people, many of whom live in communities where they don’t enjoy the regular benefits of libraries like the rest of us. Book Packs and other chosen titles will make their way into hundreds of communities thanks to the ILP and the Fred Hollows Foundation. So big clap everyone!

3. AUTHORS FOR QLD AUCTION: I’m grateful to the amazing people who coordinated the auction, because it meant those of us paralysed by the images and news reports of the flood devastation, could actually do something practical to assist those suffering. Some writers donated books, others donated manuscript assessments and editorial advice. And bidders were incredible generous because it was about more than the product they were bidding on. I would like to send a huge shout-out to Rochelle Stratford who bid $250 for my three novels Not Meeting Mr Right, Avoiding Mr Right and Manhattan Dreaming. You rock!

4. WRITERS ON RAFTS: Just as the auction above came to an end Writers on Rafts took flight, and I’m grateful to also be a part of this fantastic initiative. As mentioned in an earlier blog, Writers on Rafts is an initiative of Queensland Writers Centre and author Rebecca Sparrow to raise money for the Queensland Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal. More than 150 Australian authors have pledged prizes that YOU can win. All you need to do is go to Writers on Rafts and choose the category you want to win in: Author Visit, Book Pack, Character Name, and Writer Support
• Purchase as many $5 raffle tickets as you like in as many categories as you want! To enter, simply choose the categories you’d like to enter and follow the links to purchase a ticket.
• Every ticket is one chance to win for a lucky person in every state and territory. Purchase as many tickets as you like, in as many categories as you want! If your entry is drawn as a winner, you can then select the prize you want.
• Every dollar goes directly to the Queensland Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal to help victims of the Queensland floods.
• QWC’s goal is to raise $10,000 through Writers On Rafts.
• We will be conducting the draw on Friday, 25 February.
For more info click here. You can also email the coordinators at writersonrafts@gmail.com

5. AIR-CONDITIONING: Does this one need explaining? It’s steaming in Sydney!

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