Anita Heiss's Blog, page 20

May 3: Happiness is a literacy day at Tiwi College

What a day! Tiwi College students showed me how much they love stories and storytelling not only in the workshops we ran but also and in the pop up bookshop hosted by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

The highlight of the day for me, okay, there was more than one, the three highlights were:

Writing a short story with the students in Middle Years which was completely unplanned but inspiring. Hoping to publish it here in the weeks to come.
Watching students (and teachers) choose three books each (two for themselves and one for a sibling or other relative).
Officially launching the College’s most recent book Japarika which will be available to the public in September.

Today was one of those days that reminds me of the importance of being in community and the joy that storytelling brings to people of all ages.

May 7: Happiness is Monday night in the gym

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It was a public holiday in Brisbane today, Labour Day, but that didn’t mean that work wasn’t done for some of us. I spoke to Amanda Smith on Radio National’s Life Matters about Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia and then got stuck into emails. It wasn’t until this evening that I managed to get my exercise in, but boy I enjoyed it.

I’m not usually a night-time-gym-goer, but it does make getting to sleep a tad easier. As I came to the end of my work out, lifting the legs for the last time, I felt really good about being in control of my fitness (okay the diet still needs work!), and I can honestly say I was happy!

May 6: Happiness is sharing the SWF stage with three amazing women

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This afternoon I had the privilege of chairing the Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia panel at the Sydney Writers’ Festival. In front of a full-house at the Seymour Centre, I re-connected with Liza-Mare Syron and met for the first time, Marlee Silva and Natalie Cromb. And WOW – what a powerful combination these three voices were.

Sometimes it’s difficult to find humour when we talk about our lives growing up, but it’s not impossible, and among the stories around challenges to identity and fear of being judged, there is still laughter, and always warmth.

Thank you to these strong and articulate women for sharing their journeys in the anthology and their stories on stage today, and thank you to the audience who came along for the ride, listening with respect and showing gratitude for what they gain from the hard work that was put into pulling this collection together.

 

 

 

May 5: Happiness is a Tiddas brunch at the ‘Bra

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See these women above? One I’ve known since 1987, the others from the 1990s. They are some of my closest and most dearest friends. We have been to uni together, on holidays, shared funerals and love lives, and we have danced! These are the women I have no fear of bearing my soul, my secrets to. I trust them completely. And we laugh a LOT!

Today’s happiness was in the form of these women coming together while I was in Sydney for the weekend. We shared some coffee and food and made plans at my favourite beach (Maroubra). There’s not a lot I need in life to feel happy and content, but strong, sassy, smart women friends – my tiddas – well I really, really need them! And I am grateful for all they bring to my life.

 

 

May 4: Happiness is being bookish in Darwin

It was an unexpected morning in Darwin, where a spare hour had be in the ABC Studio for an interview about the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and a chance meeting with Shahni Wellington – broadcaster AND contributor to the Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia anthology.

There’s 52 contributors in the book, and I’ve had the good fortune to meet a few, but far from all, so it was wonderful to be able to congratulate Shahni personally and then pop into the Bookshop Darwin to sign some books. Big shout of thanks to the mob in-store for always being so welcoming and interested in my work, and the work of other Aboriginal writers. And remember, it’s good to shop local people.

Yes, it was easy to smile with happiness this morning just being around fabulous people and lots of books!

May 2: Happiness is a Tiwi sunrise

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Happiness is… a sunrise like this. And yes, we did spot a croc, and respectfully kept our distance!

May 1: Happiness is creating characters with Tiwi kids

Today is the kind of day I live for.

Today, I worked with young students at Milikapiti School as the Indigenous Literacy Foundation ran a literacy day on Melville Island. There with other ILF Ambassadors – Justine Clarke, Alison Lester and Gregg Dreisse – we ran workshops throughout the day, giving kids insights and skills in the creative process.

My role was in the classroom, working with talented young ones and teaching them how to create their own fabulous characters. Armed with props (sunglasses, gloves, bow ties, flower leis etc) we had a great time and I was impressed that in very short spaces of time, the kids developed short stories around their characters – and of course included vibrant illustrations. If only every day could be a day like this one. Happiness in abundance!

April 30: Happiness is flying to Melville Island

Well it’s been quite a few years since I was in a light-plane, and 25 years to be exact since I was last on Melville Island. But today, I landed into Darwin and connected with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation team heading to Tiwi Islands for a week of literacy work with students at Milikapiti School and Tiwi College.

It’s amazing to fly so low in light planes which means you get amazing views of the ocean below and the clouds you fly through. We just managed to dodge and rainstorm coming from the west – as you can see in the pic above.

Fair to say, it was hard not to smile with a sense of WOW on this flight.

April 29: Happiness is my own half marathon

I may have been out the last two nights but marathon training means you still have to get up and run on Sunday! And what a gorgeous morning to push myself beyond the expected 18km and knock over my own half-marathon (21.1km). The sense of achievement (and happiness) at seeing that final number click over is something other runners will understand.  Funny thing is I remember when a long run like this would mean a day ahead full of naughty food and beverages. I think getting older has changed a little of that kind of post-run diet, and that’s probably a very good thing!

April 28: Happiness is celebrating a special birthday

Tonight we celebrated Kara’s birthday with fabulous food and excellent company. And there’s not a lot more you need in life to be happy with your lot, is there?