First Prize

This is a picture that Peter took midyear of a building construction in Camberwell, in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. What is very special about this picture is that it came first at the Whittlesea Show this month. Peter submitted twelve photos in the novice section covering many different categories. The winning photo was under the category of 'architecture and building construction'. All his other photos won nothing.

Peter feels that he was indeed fortunate to get first prize given the standard of entries. Second prize in the same category was quite stunning, a picture taken in the Melbourne Museum by one of the mothers of the Whittlesea Primary School. Her children ribbed her that Peter the chaplain "pipped her at the post". Peter and this mum have had a laugh about it and will be competing again next year. Maybe it will go the other way next time.

These are the twelve Peter submitted. Afterward, Peter was amazed at all the good pictures of the year he overlooked that might have been far better choices. His choosing of these happened in a rush to catch the Show deadline. Lessons learned. Now he is compelled to be in the 'open' class in the 'architecture and buildings' category but can remain a novice for all the rest. Lessons learned there too.

Funk Dress Ups

We made it to Gembrook again which is always fun for us. And fun for the grandkids too. Gord was able to do a bit of carpentry on the side. His shed is being transformed to accommodate a whole lot more stuff from the house. There are big plans for the old car port space at the house.

Later that day the grandkids were going to the retreat to a community night with an opportunity to dress up in a costume. Piper wanted to be a parrot and Jasper a pirate.

The visit was a real tonic in a week that was pretty busy after coming back from the north and trying to pick up the pieces again.

Funeral to a Wonderful Mother

After some thought on the matter, Peter was comfortable to post some photos of the day of the funeral of his Mum. The picture above carries special meaning because the scene through the large windows of the crematorium shows cane farms (a very common sight for Mum) and right in the background is Mount Bartlefere, Queensland's highest mountain. Bartlefere overlooked Mum's home for 43 years when she lived in Babinda on the coast, and another 12 years after that when she lived in Atherton on the tableland. There is something very special to be associated with that mountain from both sides.

Mum's last ride from the church passing under the Jacaranda trees in bloom. The world will be different now.

Valmae Ackland 1929-2011

We are sad to bid farewell from this earthly life one beautiful lady and devoted mother. Peter's Mum has left a legacy of living life's great values most excellently. She has touched in this special way so many people during her 82 years, her family of course but also many hundreds of children growing up at the Babinda Primary School (1968-1988). We will miss her always.

Sophie No More

We are sad to announce that our pet rabbit was buried on 24 October after being put down at the vet's. During the previous night, she fell off her cage to the floor below and somehow broke her back. Her hind legs were paralyzed as a result and her body was starting to shut down when we found her in the morning. Sophie was from the breed called Norwegian Grey.

 Early snaps

More recent snaps

Woodcraft Variety

It seems right to share how Peter’s last school woodcraft elective went. He will try to give a balanced account from his perspective. It was a day when he wished he could have multiplied himself by five. That was about how many children needed help at any one time.

“The previous week, I asked each child to suggest what they would like to make. There were four who wanted to make a horse.  There was one who hoped to make a volcano (!).  Three children asked for planes, two for a castle, two for a model of Titanic, one for a helicopter, truck, raft, army tank and a catapult. As you might imagine it was a bit of a stretch to provide all pieces for all projects. I had to trust in the ‘craft sense’ of many of the children on the day.

Even though they all needed help to start, we somehow got going, and over the banging of the hammers were calls for my attention. I got to each as quickly as I could. As the hour progressed, I was glad to see the horses coming together (Jacquie, Claire, Mia and Tricia). The volcano was beautifully done (Paige). The aeroplanes were ‘muscled’ into shape (Tyler, Amber, Blake, Tayla). Two army tanks were made (Nicholas and Lachlan M). Three Titanics came together (Harry x 2, Lachlan M). A slowly truck grew into shape (Chace had patiently waited till I could get to him). The raft corner did have some trouble (Brendan, Brayden and Jack). They were invited to take wood home to further their project. The castle makers will have a chance to continue their project in the woodcraft clubs that happen each week (Thomas, Cooper). Liam took the initiative and made a delightful multileveled structure with what he found. Lachlan G did the something similar with what he had and made a model of a piece of fantasy machinery. A special ‘well done’ to Liam and Lachlan.

There was a time in the thick of it, when I asked myself why I couldn’t have taken an origami elective instead. :) “

Piper 2011