Wagga Wagga wanderings

Spending the weekend in Wagga Wagga is a clear demonstration of my lack of geographical nouse. I thought it was almost to Melbourne and therefore would be cold! So I absolutely sweltered in the allegedly 32 degree heat yesterday and gave a lot of financial support to the local taxi service to avoid arriving at appointments dripping with perspiration.

My colleagues in Sydney were perplexed and asked in disbelieving tones why I was going to Wagga Wagga. Well true, and with reference to the previous post, the person I am with is the key reason, and he is preaching here tomorrow. And it is the location of one of our clinical schools for 2011 so an opportunity to visit Calvary and learn more about Mary Potter. But above all it is an interesting place. With a quilt exhibition. And a botanic garden with a free zoo.

Walking back from a riverside wander yesterday afternoon I came across the 'war memorial'. Such a huge list of names, from what is even now a relatively small community, who served "God, King and Country' in the Great War. Interestingly the dates on the memorial were 1914-1919. Curious. Did they acknowledge the aftermath of war as well as the duration? Did they update to include those who made the 'supreme sacrifice' after warfare ceased? Or did a stonemason just make a mistake?

And behind it an ever-burning flame (with an empty Coke bottle floating in the pond) and a wall acknowledging all who served in previous and subsequent military encounters: Anglo-Boer War, WW2, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam etc. And another curious corrections plaque listing additions, alterations and deletions from the main bronze plaques. Deletions puzzled me, were they later identified as traitors or cowards, or again was this just simple human error?

Such memorial inspire conflicting emotions for me. Pacifist feelings mingle with pride and a kind of patriotism, with grief at needless waste, with sadness at the scale of it. Good to take stock and think. Before shopping for summery clothes.

Silent in the ashes

Cheryl has posted some beautiful worship space ideas as those of us further away contemplate the devastation of the bush fires and also note the moments of miracle. This Melbourne team include space to confront the issue of deliberately lit fires. Hard stuff. And real.

Nation ablaze

Sobering news coverage from Victoria this evening just begins to reckon the damage caused by the blazing bush fires. Whole communities destroyed in a matter of minutes. Over 700 homes burnt to the ground. Seventy-six known deaths and many people unaccounted for. Cheryl posted this morning from near this hell zone. It's one of those times I sit transfixed by the television monitor almost numb trying to even begin to imagine how deeply people have been affected. The fire crews so professional and so methodical and clear in their instructions. Spared communities opening their doors to their neighbours. Prime Minister and Premier responding rapidly. Fire crews and trucks despatched interstate, forensic teams flying in to assist with identification, Australians responding to a national appeal. A mother sitting and playing with her children, providing a sense of normality and routine in the midst of devastation.

Singing 'The North wind is tossing the leaves" will never be the same after this day (should be a link on Oremus but I can't get it to work. A famous Australian Christmas song).

Here in NSW we have several fires as well, but so far no lives lost or serious injuries sustained. Further north Queensland communities are experiencing repeated flooding. A small boy out walking with his brother was apparently taken by a crocodile.

As our nation experiences the full force
of the uncontrolled brutality of nature
May we know in some small part
The full force of human compassion
and a measure of grace

The rebuild will be long and slow and arduous. It's a time I am glad to belong to a church that is known for being with people through such long hauls. That doesn't lighten the heart. But it does sustain the spirit even when hope seems ethereal and distant.

Nation Celebration

(Yes I do realise it is Tuesday - just taking a wee break to blog ...)
Yesterday we celebrated Australia Day. As still new Aussies, we headed for the city and enjoyed all the offerings on display, watched the tall boat race in the harbour, rode in Dennis - the 71 year old omnibus and soaked up the sun and the rain that fell late in the day.

Yet it struck me that we were 'celebrating' colonisation. New Zealand commemorates recognition of indigenous people by the Crown (and acknowledges breaches of that Treaty throughout history), the USA celebrate emancipation from British rule. And we celebrate invasion by the British and genocide of the inhabitants and guardians of the land for millennia.

Then on the TV news I heard an item that resonated with my ponderings through the day. This day is known by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Survival Day or Invasion Day. Our new Australian of the Year, Mick Dodson, has called for a national discussion about the best day to commemorate our nationhood.

To which the Prime Minister has said no. Just like that. A "simple, respectful, but straightforward no"

I hope and pray that the conversation does not end here, but continues.

And in 2010 I will seek out a survival day event to participate in.