Cornerstone V Margaret River Tigers.

The kids lining up ready for the corner kick to be taken. Last season we drew 1-1 with the MR Tigers after we managed to score the equaliser in the last 10 seconds of the game, from a corner.
Yesterday was a more comfortable result, a 3-0 win to Cornerstone after it was 0-0 at half time.

NB. Check out the cool new shirts!

Ready to Strike

Georgia jumps for the header from the corner, Ben is ready to pounce and scored a goal from this attack.

Margaret River Defending

The kids practice taking corners quite often and have gotten better and better. Two of our three goals yesterday came from corners.

Cornerstone V Margaret River Tigers

Reflection for Dane's Funeral

Dane Atkinson

It has been my sad duty to preside at the funerals of many young people over the last 15 years but despite being familiar with the role I am never comfortable in it.

It always feels wrong. It is against the accepted or natural order of things.

Parents should die before their children.

Yet, again today we are here because of the death of a young person, dead before his time.

Dane had a long and happy life to look forward to, he should have had the chance to grow up and grow old, to get married and have children, to experience more of the joy that life provides and die an old man.

At the very first funeral I conducted I asked the question, Why has this happened?

It’s a question that I‘m sure many of you have pondered over the last week.

But my answer now is the same as it was then, I don’t know. No-one knows. Only God could explain it and he weeps along with all of us at the loss of Dane’s life.

It is a tragedy. It didn’t happen for a reason. There is no cosmic game of chess being played out in which Dane’s death is just another move. We can’t explain it.

But, we can learn from it.

We can’t change it, but we can change in response to it.

We can’t undo it, but we can resolve to never forget it or what it means to us or what we are going to do because of it.

Dane was a happy, healthy successful young man. He had a multitude of family and friends who loved him. I knew him in my capacity as school chaplain at Carine High School and more specifically in my role as football coach. Dane was part of the team that created history by winning the Smarter than Smoking Cup Cable Division Grand Final in 2002 against Clontarf Aboriginal College who up until that point had never lost a game. The sad part of that season for Dane was that despite playing in all the lead-up games and helping Carine qualify for the Grand Final, he injured himself by training too hard and pulling stomach muscles which caused him to miss out on the Grand Final.

He had wanted it so bad that he pushed himself too hard and unfortunately missed out. There is an irony there that I find hard to ignore.

Dane was a doer, he worked hard, he achieved a lot in his 22 years, but, just as he missed the Grand Final through pushing himself too hard, ultimately he paid the highest price for pushing himself beyond his limits.

I am not here to criticise Dane or condemn him, but I think even Dane himself would agree with me when I say that he made a decision that cost him his life.

After working a long shift he and his work mates had some drinks after work, then he and one other young man got into a car and headed into town.

They were tired. For some inexplicable reason they were not wearing seat belts.

It would appear that the driver, and probably Dane as well, fell asleep, crashed the car and Dane was killed instantly.

I want all of the young people here today to join me in looking at the coffin before us.

I know it’s hard, I know it’s painful, but I want you to look, and to think.

I want you to imagine yourself in Dane’s place right now.

I want you to realise that any one of you could be killed on the road if you take the same risks that Dane took.

What would Dane say to you now?

Would he say, don’t worry about it, it doesn’t matter, carry on doing whatever you want, take risks, ignore the dangers?

Young people, you possess great opportunity and potential, the world is before you, your lives are an open book waiting to be written. Part of living is taking risks, pushing yourself, being daring and adventurous.

But, you are not invincible.

You can do great things.

But you are not immune.

You have lives to live.

But you cannot defy pain and death by taking huge risks and hoping you’ll get away with it.

I’m not having a go at you.

I’m not dishonouring Dane.

I’m delivering a message on his behalf, and on behalf of every parent and family member in this room and beyond.

I am sure that if Dane had known the danger he was in he would not have made the decisions he made or taken the risks he did.

Tragically for Dane it is too late, he has paid the greatest price for his mistake.

But Dane is crying out to each and every one of you, “Don’t do what I did!”

“Don’t die before your time”

Dane was greatly loved by his family and friends. His memory will be treasured.

His life will live on in the hearts and minds and memories of you all.

He should not and must not be forgotten.

His life should be celebrated and honoured.

But his death must never be forgotten.

You owe him that.

I charge you with this solemn duty.

Do not forget Dane.

Do not forget what happened to him.

Do not ignore the circumstances that led to his death.

Do not fool yourself into believing it can never happen to me.

Do not become another tragic statistic.

A number is no fit memorial to a life such as Dane’s.

Please do not dishonour him or his memory by failing to learn a lesson from this tragedy.

Vale Dane Atkinson

I received a sad phone call on the weekend informing me that one of the kids I coached in the Footy team at Carine had been killed in a car crash. His family asked me if I would conduct his funeral service so I am heading up to Perth in the morning to prepare for the funeral which will be held on Thursday morning.

A Legend's Autograph

I got a big surprise while I was staying with my Auntie Ev and Uncle Ken at Leongatha. Auntie Ev revealed that she had John Coleman's autograph! She dug out her childhood autograph book and we spent ages going through it, deciphering the signatures of famous footballers, cricketers, tennis players and reading the various poems and verses of her friends and family from some 60 years ago. John Coleman played for Essendon in the 40's and 50's and is considered by many to be the greatest full-forward ever to play Australian Rules Football. If a tragic injury had not shortened his career he would have kicked even more goals, as it was he kicked a century of goals in a season several times and in a career that spanned only 98 games he averaged over 5 goals a game. The medal for the leading goal kicker in the AFL each season is named in his honour and he was one of the original 12 inductees in the Football Hall of Fame, being named a "Legend of the Game". He was also selected at full forward in the AFL Team of the Century.
I love my Auntie Ev but she went up a few points in my estimation when she produced this hidden treasure!!
For more on John Coleman click here.

The Olympic Torch/Fountain!

While I was in Sydney I went back to Homebush for the first time since I was there with the kids for the Olympic Games in 2000. It was great to relive some of the memories of a fantastic trip. You may remember the opening ceremony when the Olympic torch rose up through a cascading waterfall within the stadium to it's place of honour atop Stadium Australia, and that awful moment when it appeared to get stuck before finally moving as a whole nation exhaled a huge sigh of relief. It has been turned into a permanent fountain in a park next to the stadium.

Aviation History

The very helicopter Aussie adventurer Dick Smith flew around the world, becoming the first person in history to fly solo around the world in a chopper. Suspended from the ceiling at The Powerhouse Museum, Sydney. It trumps the collection of toy helicopters and model planes hanging from the ceiling of my office!

A Piece of History

The very first Victa Lawn Mower! This is the prototype for what went on to become one of the great success stories of Australian ingenuity. The first motorised lawn mower, complete with coffee tin for a fuel tank, built in an Aussie backyard. Now every home has one and the creator is a multi-millionaire. This little beauty is on display at The Powerhouse Museum in Sydney where I spent a couple of very enjoyable hours.

Letchy on the Job

While I was driving through Perth during Country Week I suddenly realised that I was behind the Perth Tram, and that meant Letchy was driving! He recently left his job at the youth hostel for a complete career change and now drives tourists around the city in a replica tram. I bipped the horn a few times to get his attention, causing the passengers to think they were about to experience some road rage. It was only when I yelled "LETCHY" out the window that he worked out what was going on.

Trip Photos

Beware, there's a very nasty looking photo posted below! If you don't want to see a dislocated patella, look away now!

The owner of the patella was a kid from Albany at Country Week.

It looks bad but once they put it back where it belonged he was ok.

I offered to take a picture and email itto him, after all, it's not every day your knee bone ends up looking like this!

Remember, you've been warned!

This is not for the feint hearted!


Seriously! It's not pleasant!

Cool but not pleasant!

Brings back vivid memories of Daryn Cresswell trying to slap his dislocated kneecap back into place during a game for the Sydney Swans a few years ago.


Well, here it is!

Enjoy!








Most of the Country Week team on the balconies at Mountway! There were some mischievous youngsters in the crowd as closer examination will "reveal" !!



Rachel with a portrait of herself painted by a friend in Afghanistan.


Me at Parramatta Stadium for my first ever game of Rugby League, between the Parramatta Eels (I kid you not, that is their nickname!) and the Newcastle Knights. It was a wet cold night so I appreciated Mike braving the elements to introduce me to the dubious pleasures of Rugby League.


One of the days when I was wandering around Sydney I happened upon this interesting brain-like sculpture at the Sydney University of Technology in Ultimo but unfortunately I couldn't get any closer than this to it. There was an exhibition advertised but the doors were locked.

One Night in Busselton

It's 12:30am.

I'm driving the Maxi Taxi.

I'm called to an address in Dumbarton.

A group of young people want to go to Bunbury, to go clubbing.

It's a $120 fare, one way.

We'll only go back for them later if they pay the return fare in advance.

This they agree to do.

A girl in a sombrero, holding a toy six-gun says, "Hi Dad"! "Can you give me a lift home?"

"Hi Soph!" I say to Favourite Daughter, "I can't take you home cause they're paying the fare and it's out of the way, but you can come to Bunbury with me and I'll drop you home when we get back"

OK.

The excited and noisy crew climb in and we set off.

"Hi Sophie's Dad" says one young man I've met in the cab a couple of times.

He seems ok but 10 minutes down the road we notice he's got his head out the window and the disturbing sounds of vomiting echo through the cab!

Seems he drank the best part of a bottle of Tequila in the short period between deciding it would be a good idea to go to Bunbury, and my arrival to make the trip possible.

He's not in a good way.

Another young man is asleep, still clutching a half full bottle of beer.

The ring-leader of the group asserts himself through volume and acerbic humour.

He spasmodically breaks into loud and tuneless verses of "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall". I pray silently that he'll run out of energy before he hits the 80's. Thankfully he does although a third attempt sees him gather a few supporters for a minute or two before good sense prevails and the "song" dies.

Meanwhile Tequila Boy is not well and the group have realised that the nightclub doormen are not going to admit him in this state.

I offer to take him back to Busselton with me. Problem solved! They get to go clubbing and I get to make sure he has some chance of getting home safely.

Ring Leader makes us all laugh by requesting that I drive close to any low-hanging trees so that Tequila Boy can get cleaned up by the combination of water, from the strong rain, and bristle motion of the passing shrubbery.

We arrive outside the nightclub.

They cough up the big bucks, $280 in the end because of the drink/food/ATM stops along the way. (One innebriated youngster managed to have the ATM swallow his card because he couldn't remember his PIN.) Another spoke out what I was certainly thinking, "This was a bad idea!" "I should be home in bed!"

Indeed they should! But they won't be for several more hours!

Meanwhile, Favourite Daughter and I transport Tequila Boy to his residence in Kalgaritch and revive him long enough to find out what number he lives at.

He staggers out of the cab and immediately lays down on the gravel driveway, assuring us he'll be quite comfortable there and we can go!

We don't!

At the third attempt I manage to walk him as far as the carport, where he insists on laying down again.
I accept the compromise and give in. He's under cover so the storms won't drown him. I put him in the "Recovery Position". His pants, already low-slung, courtesy of the fashion, are now almost completely off but I decide not to try and adjust them, his dignity is long gone!

I contemplate ringing the door bell and letting his parents know he's home but decide against it.

He's home, he's under cover, he's coherent enough to know where he is and he's already expelled the entire contents of his stomach several times over so I feel confident that he won't choke. Eventually the cold will revive him or drive him inside.

I drop Favourite Daughter off and go and park up for the night.

12 in a Row The Cats March On

Geelong just beat Fremantle by 68 points in another awesome display.

I Really am Home Now

First game of the Footy Feast, Cats v Bombers, Fri July 6 @ Docklands. Geelong won by 50 points.
A team of internet broadcasters! This group record and transmit all Essendon games to South Africa over the net! They interviewed me after the game so I promised to put them on my blog! Modern media in the hands of the people.
Happy with the result, and also my trawling collection, the umbrella came in very handy in the lousy Melbourne weather!
The Jetstar plane I caught to Sydney from Avalon. I love discount airlines!
Rachel and Michael, rugged up and weather-proof at the Dockers v Swans game at the SCG, Sun July 8. Sydney won.

I'm back in Busselton after a 3 1/2 week absence. Sophie managed to deliver me safely home, adding about 8 hours driving pratice to her log book in the process. Fashion Boy gave me a big hug. Sport Boy woke up and was bright as a button. He loved the new Geelong jumper I bought him, and wore it to bed. I didn't attempt to unpack, just distributing a couple of gifts before going to bed. My own bed! Carolyn said to me this morning, "It's good to have you back but I'd forgotten about your snoring!" I've had a fairly quiet day so far although Sport Boy's soccer training starts in half an hour and I've got volleyball tonight. I've uploaded 895 photos taken over the last month! Unpacked my bags and started sorting through the backlog of mail that needs attending to. So far so good. Only 11 1/2 weeks of my long service leave to go!!

I'm Home....Sort of....I'm Back in WA at Least

Just touched down in Perth about an hour ago, Letchy was there to greet me, nice to arrive at an airport and find a welcoming face.
Talked footy all the way home.

He's got an early start in the morning driving the tram so he's gone to bed. My body clock is out of whack so I won't be far behind him.

Home to Busso tomorrow.

Art in Melbourne

I spent my second last day in Melbourne driving around the city discovering cool stuff.

It started at DFO, the huge direct factory outlet centre at Essendon airport. I resisted the urge to buy anything other than a new bag in order for me to carry home all the extra stuff I've accumulated since I got here!!

Next I dropped off a jacket I found at the footy the other night to it's owner who works in the Docklands area. I found him because in the pocket of the jacket was his Geelong membership card. He was very pleased and relieved when I rang him on Saturday to say I had it. He lives in Newcomb, which is where my brother went to high school.

My next intended destination was the Ian Potter Gallery but on the way there I heard an interview on ABC radio with an artist called Andre Sardone, a plumber by trade, who creates works of art out of Colourbond (a type of metal sheeting used in roofing and building). It sounded pretty cool and it turned out that the exhibition was not far away, in Fitzroy, so I went to check it out, and I'm glad I did because it was fantastic. He cuts everything out with tin snips, freehand, and the results are amazing. I've included a few pics here, and if you want to check out his website, click here.

All of these pictures, including the portraits of Bono and Marilyn Monroe, have been cut out of Colourbond steel with tin snips!! Amazing!

As I was leaving that gallery I picked up a card advertising another exhibition, the Bald Archys, at the City Museum in Spring St. The Bald Archys are a spoof of Australia's most prestigious, and controversial portrait competition, The Archibald Prize. There are some excellent paintings in the Bald Archys, with a strong streak of irreverence and humour running through the entries, and the winner being chosen by a sulphur-crested cockatoo called Maude!

This portrait of Dame Edna is in this year's exhibition.

By then it was getting dark and everything was closing for the evening so I headed back to Gary and Christine's place at Doreen.

After dinner Gary and I compared notes on relationships, mental health and depression, mid-life "crises" and the degeneration of our mid-40's bodies and discovered we have a lot in common and have been on similar journies over the last 6-12 months, and the last 20 years.

His Dad Allan and my Dad Peter were life-long friends from when they were teenagers and Gary and I are carrying on the tradition. I hope Sport Boy and Gary's son Nathan will get to spend some time together when we come back in September, who knows, perhaps the bonds of friendship between the Holts and the Davies may extend to a third generation.

I spent the rest of the night packing! A huge job which I think I've just about finished!

By this time tomorrow night I'll be back in Perth, staying the night at Letchy's, and on Wednesday Sophie and Carolyn will come up to Perth to pick me up, it will be good to see them.

All Footballed Out .... For a Week Anyway!

My footy feast is over and I head home in a couple of days. It's been a lot of fun but the end has come. I went and saw the Geelong VFL (Reserves) team play Port Melbourne today, and had a chat to Brian Cook, the Geelong CEO, about tickets for next week and for the finals. Geelong won by 85 points.
Then I caught the last quarter of Richmond and Port Adelaide at the MCG, before my final game, the Kangaroos v Melbourne at Docklands. In 2 weeks I have been to 12 games and seen 13 of the 16 teams in the AFL play. My philosophy is "Too much football is just enough"!

Tomorrow I'll have a look around Melbourne, check out a couple of galleries and do some last minute shopping.
Tuesday I'll drop the van off back in Geelong and head back to Tullamarine for my flight home.

I had a treat last night when Gary's Mum Jan arrived. I haven't seen her for over 20 years so it was lovely to catch up. She reads my blog fairly regularly and gave me her honest opinion about my paintings! (She likes some of them!)

Happy Little Cats Fan

How good were Geelong last night?

They were awesome!

Smashed the highly rated Western Bulldogs by 75 points for their 11th win in a row to stay very clearly on top of the ladder.

My enjoyment of the game was only marred by that unfortunate modern species, the "ugly footy fan", the sort of bloke who yells swearwords and obscenmities constantly, ompletely disregarding the feelings or sensitivities of all thos around them, in this case a family with two young children sitting in front of us. Further to the swearing was a continual stream of vitriol and invective directed towards the opposition borne out of some sort of spite or hatred. It was not enough that Geelong were winning by 10 goals, this fan had to look for every opportunity to pour scorn and derision on the Bulldogs, and the umpires too of course, and even on occasion his own team!

It was unpleasant and uncomfortable, it was ugly and aggravating and I observed many people sitting in the vicinity looking around at him and shaking their heads at the continual stream of abuse.

At the end of the game the family in front got up to leave and I apologised to the mum for having to put up with the swearing. She said "no worries, they come to the game every week and their used to it." What a shame!

Football should be a safe fun family friendly event, not one where you run the gamut of this sort of abuse and anti-social behaviour.

What a shame that it has become so common-place that people are forced to accept it as the norm instead of being able to expect not to put up with such ugly attitudes.

I am not against passion or emotion at the footy, I get as fired up as anyone at the footy, but that doesn't mean you have to become abusive or swear your head off. It took the edge off a good night for me, and I daresay for other people too.

As a Cats fan I was embarrassed, as a Dogs fan I'd have been infuriated.

C'arn the Cats.

7 Hours to Go

Until the bouncedown of the big game, the Cats and the Dogs.
Pre-match nerves are starting to bubble.
We owe them one after the first game of the season, everything was doom and gloom after that game!!
Obviously things have improved dramatically since then!

It's another grey day in Melbourne, the weather has oscillated between ordinary and atrocious since I've been here! Not complaining about the rain, just the COLD!

I had a text message from Dave yesterday, seems he was missing me at the Chaplains Conference back in Perth! I usually enjoy those events but can't say I was sad to miss this one.
I don't go back to work until mid-October!!
By then the Cats should be Premiers and I'll have a permanent Cheshire grin!
Hopefully!

A message for Fashion Boy: You're coming to Melbourne in September, don't spend all your money now! You know the shopping is much better over here! And I suggest you don't tell your grandfather you're lazy again! Enjoy your last weekend of freedom before school restarts.
Hi Sport Boy, only another week until soccer starts again!

See you all next week.