Anita Heiss's Blog, page 18
June 8, 2018
May 27: Happiness is Sunday with my Canberra family
I’m blessed to have family who always make time to see me when I am in the nation’s capital, Canberra. However short our time together might be, it’s always fills my heart. Traveling so much can be a lonely experience and so today, just having breakfast and a yarn at the National Library was enough to make me feel fully loved while feeling slightly overwhelmed by life right now.
These are my beautiful cousins above… and they are the cause of my happiness today…
June 6, 2018
May 26: Happiness is sharing Sorry Day with likeminded people
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Today marked National Sorry Day in Australia and events were held around the country to remember those forcibly removed under destructive policies of protection. Policies that causes trauma across generations. It’s important for community members to find comfort with others on Sorry Day, and I found mine in Canberra and the National Library.
I had the honour of launching an important book. In fact, Sorry Day (pictured above) is not just a book, it’s a cultural gift to the nation.
What Coral Vass, Dub Leffler and the NLA put into the Australian literary landscape, into school and public libraries, into homes – is a story that will make it easier for all Australians to understand, engage with and appreciate the importance of “Sorry Day”.
I have done a lot of teacher PD over the years particularly around how to embed Indigenous perspectives into the classroom via literature. And there are few picture books on the Stolen Generations that I talk about. I am often asked, ‘But aren’t primary school kids too young to learn this?’ Well aside from the fact it was primary school kids and younger removed under the devastating policies of removal, it’s important for Australian children today to understand that other Australian kids throughout history have had a very different journey, often and sadly riddled with fear and disconnection from family, culture and community. I believe it is the way a story is told and presented that will determine whether or not it is appropriate for a young audience. And this is where Carol and Dub have excelled through their text and images. The combined passion and skills of the author and illustrator have made this story readable from the youngest of readers to the oldest. And there are teachers notes available online as well.
There aren’t many words in this picture book, but there needn’t be. It’s a complex story told simply, brought to life on the page via stunning illustrations. One word that stands out for me though is ‘hope’.
HOPE! That’s what I believe ‘Sorry Day’ by Carol Vass and Dub Leffler will give many, because it’s what it gives me.
May 25: Happiness is being an Ambassador for the National Library of Australia
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This year marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the National Library of Australia building in Canberra. It also marks the 50th year of my life. And we are both celebrating!
I’m thrilled to be appointed a 50th Anniversary Ambassador for the NLA and share the title with my esteemed literary colleagues: Kaz Cooke, Benjamin Law, Garth Nix and Peter FitzSimons. Together we will enjoy participating in events and showcasing the collections and community events that make the NLA a truly unique institution in this country’s cultural landscape.
Be sure and follow the NLA on Twitter and LIKE their Facebook page to keep up to date with what’s happening.
If you’re reading this from abroad, have you visited your national library? Can you tell me a little about it?
May 24: Happiness is knowing these broadcasting babes
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I met Annie Papppalardo and Loretta Ryan when I was touring with Am I Black Enough for You? back in 2012. They worked at another broadcaster back then, and Annie and I had originally met on Twitter. Sometimes, humans just click and we three did. We became friends, tiddas, and in fact there are scenes in my novel Tiddas that were borne out of moments we have spent together in Brisbane.
I was in the ABC today doing a pre-record for National Reconciliation Week for Loretta’s show ‘Weekends’, and we got a quick group hug and selfie with Annie on my departure.
Seeing these two broadcasting babes made my day!
June 4, 2018
May 23: Happiness is breaky at Miss Bliss
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I’m not one to photograph my food very often, but this morning’s breakfast was off the charts at Miss Bliss in West End. Smashed avocado with goats cheese whip and greens strategically planted on top. It was SO delicious and pretty and eaten over an intense meeting, so also great to soften the blows of the politics being discussed.
For someone who has a protein shake most mornings, these kinds of breakfasts are a very happy way for me to start the day.
I’m also looking for new, diverse and yummy places to try for breakfasts / brunches with friends so hit me up with your recommendations please. Thank you!
May 22: Happiness is being at the Worawa College Reconciliation Carnival.
I’ve loved working with the Worawa College Girls this year on our first anthology of writing to be published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. But today I was at the College to support them in their annual Reconciliation Carnival.
The event is celebrated with 15 schools from around the region, with students playing netball, football and other activities, with live music played throughout the day.
A smoking ceremony by Uncle Max, a tour of the College art gallery and some time with Aunty Lois Peeler made me a happy little Vegemite, even in the rainy weather. Sometimes, community spirit is all that you need to keep you warm.
May 21: Happiness is working with top shelf women like Kristen Fletcher
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Today I was in Melbourne doing final preps for this year’s Kick on for Literacy event, co-hosted by the Epic Good Foundation, Queen’s College at Melbourne University and the Hawthorn Football Club. It celebrates Sir Doug Nicholls Round and National Reconciliation Week while raising much needed funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
Kristen Fletcher (pictured above) manages events at Queen’s College, and she is all over it. I am so grateful for her efficiency and skills that are making my job so much easier. It’s also wonderful to work with likeminded people who can turn a business event into something that is personal with a community-feel.
I think KF rocks, and working with her over the last few months has made me very happy!
May 20: Happiness is knowing that the day after the hangover day will be GREAT!
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I run a lot, and train in the gym, but that doesn’t mean I don’t party too. But perhaps I shouldn’t!
Last night I discoed away at my friend’s 50th birthday. It was a wonderful celebration as it should’ve been. But not eating much and with my own 50th fast approaching, well the bubbles don’t sit as well as they use to when I was in my 20s.
So the only comfort I found today was knowing that tomorrow, the day after the hangover day, I know I will feel 5000% better! And that thought was the happiest thought I had all day!
May 19: Happiness is a morning at my sacred place in Sydney
Because I travel so much, it’s important to have local places that ground me, fill my spirit and calm my emotions. I have written many, many times on this blog about Maroubra Beach. It is the one place I miss most since leaving Sydney, and it is the one place in that bustling, fabulous city where I always find peace.
It’s also the place where I meet my friends for walks, talks and brunch, and over the years I have been responsible for introducing the family beach and walking track to many people, including professionals because it’s a great place to meet outside of the office (just as a tip).
Today was chilly but wonderful, and I got a 7km run in before meeting my tidda, Ashlee for a long-overdue catchup.
The smiles are real in the photos above, and I was happy!
Do you have a beach that makes you happy?
May 24, 2018
May 17: Happiness is beating your best, again!
Surprised myself today with a 25km run along the Brisbane with a hint of a breeze to keep me cool. No pain, no doubt that I couldn’t finish, no struggle. Best of all, a decent time on the clock.
Today was a really happy start to my day, beating my own best time as I get closer to the start line of the Gold Coast Marathon.
