The sun has set. The gums trees rustle in the wind and I am driving through the Royal National Park Sutherland. I love driving through the bush along roads that wind and dip…. but there are
NO signs
ROAD BLOCKS
My PHONE is DEAD
I have no idea where I was and drive along the road, over a weir with no people around and no help.
LOST in the NATIONAL PARK and I’m late with 100 girls waiting for my talk.
I flag down a ute with 2 young guys in it. I am hoping it’s not Ivan Milat. No it’s not – 2 young guys towing their trail bikes. ‘Follow me.’ I zoom behind them. ‘That way.’
It is the track from ‘deliverance country’ – winding, bush, dark with road blocks all the way – watch out for the wallaby. Just missed the wombat . Get to the winding river.
No humanity. Huts …. then I find it – Rathane House filled with girls and teachers and excitement – I’m an ambassador for the National Year of Reading and finally arrived.
It was a wonderful hour of sharing story, my ‘Ships in the Field’ (Ford Street Publishing) with endless enthusiasm from the SCEGGS girls.
Loved it.
Then I took a breath. Mist had descended as I headed throughout bushland back to the highway missing kangaroos and wallabys.
I’m thinking I may be a country person after all. My father was a farmer.
I just love the bush, the villages, the ‘ships in the field’ and cows.
Also love the beautiful birds and our kangaroos.
The kids of Cundletown Public School live in beautiful countryside.
It was great talking as an ambassador for the National Year of Reading to the kids.
Also shared NO to School Bullying with I AM JACK.
We’ve all just got to keep schools safe – so that kids can be all they can be.
They LOVE Jack.
Monkey Baa Theatre has its own theatre in the heart of Darling Harbour, Sydney!!!!!
It was goregous, arriving with the lights sparkling, the harbour dotted with boats, street performers juggling balls, families, young people, old people, everyone enjoying a glorious autumn day in Darling Harbour.
Lend lease Darling Quarter Theatre is such a commitment to Sydney and Australia – offering a beautiful theatre venue to our kids and families to see the best in youth theatre by Monkey Baa Theatre – www.monkeybaa.com.au
As a preview, I was in the family and friends performance to the 1st show ever performed at this theatre – ‘Tim Winton’s ‘The Bugalugs Bum Thief’ .
The kids were rolling in the aisles as the 3 boys went on a mad romp to find their stolen bums. The rollicking songs, the choreography tapping through stage and into the audience, kids and parents were in stitches.
It’s wonderful to see the best in theatrical direction, performance, stage craft …. used in theatre for young people.
Go and see it. Take your kids, your parents, grandparents get along there – it’s a romp.
As Ambassadors for the National Year of Reading, Christopher Cheng and I launched Jean Genies an Gosford Library initiative supporting teen reading across Australia and beyond.
Jeans are decorated by young people from libraries and this year the jeans will be going to Peru and Slovakia this year.
The fantastic librarians Claire Stuckey and Sharon Dalgleish initiated this Jean Genies celebration of books. It’s a natural partner with the National Year of Reading.
ABC radio Central Coast supports both the National year of Reading and Jean Genies – thankyou to Scott Levi. Loved our interview and sharing ‘Ships in the Field’ with the Central Coast.
Special hello to the Adventist School who I spoke to.
Special hello to the wonderful Gosford High School Choir who moved me deeply with their voices and generosity in supporting reading and community.
Special hello to the wonderful Gosford Library.
