Airport Resort, Darwin NT

Top End Inspiration

Indigenious Mother and Child, St Mary's Cathedral, Darwin. Northern Terriotory.

Mamuli earrings 20th century Copper alloy
Tanimbar islands, Indonenisa

Child’s embroidered Chinese shoe. Although not documented, it is believed that this little shoe was recovered from the ruins of the former Museum in the Old Town after Cyclone Tracy.

Collections from the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory Collection.

Title Unknown, Schmidt (2007)

Remote Area Health Corps, Northern Territory

Thanks to... Trish (Physiotherapist, Maringrida), Lucy (OT, Katherine), Phillipa (remote Nurse, Top End) and Cathy (Remote Nurse, Elcho Island) my Remote Area Health Corps colleagues for sharing angst, fears, experiences and a common passion.

Cathy & Jules (Elcho Island December 2009) [above], Jules & Lucy (Darwin, outside RAHC Office, November 2009) [below].
Jules, Lucy & Trish (Greek Restaurant, Darwin, November 2009) [above],

Phillipa (Katherine, November 2009) [below].

Blazing sunsets, Darwin

Red dust

On Monday night I arrived in Darwin, Northern Territory to commence three weeks of remote nursing in Indigenous communities at Timber Creek through the Remote Area Health Corps.

Experiences thus far have been challenging, culturally diverse and from a clinical perspective really interesting. Especially when I realised that many of the conditions that I will encounter are preventable and are often caused by third world conditions and social health and well being attitudes). During clinical training at Charles Darwin University and the Katherine West Health Board I have learnt about the prevalent conditions in the NT. Infectious diseases include: Syphilis, Tuberculous, Leprosy, Scabies and maternal and child health issues include: failure to Thrive, Diabetes, Trachoma (leading to blindness) Otitis Media (leading to hearing deficits).

The problems here are three fold and compounded by challenging attitudes.

Another interesting aspect of this experience is learning of other clinicians motivation for being here. For many it seems to be a transient and financially lucrative endeavour.

Greater sensitivity and humility towards the needs of Indigenous people is required.

As for me... I keep thinking " I'm a long long way from Firenze". Even the red dust from the dry open plains in the Top End of Australia can not blow the cob weds from my mind. Despite the diversity and distractions, thoughts of Firenze and my PhD linger. In essence this 'diversion' is illustrating to me that even though I have the capacity to do anything, my destiny lies elsewhere. And I should embrace this.

Love to you

Jules

Katherine, Northern Territory

Yoga Retreat

This weekend Jessica came down from QLD and together we attended the Breathe and Balance Yoga Retreat at peppers Resort in Mornington.

The weekend started with an open car ride along Nepan Highway to Mornington. Then we had lunch followed by a decadent hot stone massage at Endota Spa.

Our Retreat was pure bliss and given that it drizzled with rain all weekend, we soaked up the opportunity to stay indoors and relax into a beautiful routine. Each morning we staretd our day with a two hour early morning yoga session followed by a lazy brunch and the morning papers, then an afternoon nap or sofa sojourn in our suite followed by an two hour afternoon session and chill out over dinner Absolutely splendid and wonderful to be to share this experience with Jessica.

My inner spirit feels rejuvenated.

Thanks bella.

Field of Butterflies

I embrace emerging experience.
I participate in discovery. I am a butterfly.
I am not a butterfly collector.
I want the experience of the butterfly

- William Stafford

Rememberance Day

Today was my last day as a Lecturer at the University.

My experiences at ACU have been stimulating, nurturing, challenging and dynamic - it all feels like a dream and as though I only walked through the doors yesterday.

I am immensely thankful for all the opportunities I've have had, the mentorship and professional support and guidance of my peers and the scope of possibilities that have been revealed. As these moments have helped me to develop greater personal strength and professional expression and made me more aware of my capacity.

I now understand the whisper from within.

This is the moment when it all begins.

Beach bliss

This morning I walked out of the front door of my little beach side appartment and was instantly struck by the scent of the sea air. I was off to work and 'dolled-up to the nine's' and yet felt like I was heading to the beach.

This has been one of my dreams.

I couldn't resist smiling - does it get any better than this?

At the end of a blammy day, I raced home to change into my cossie and plunged into the sea for a sunset swim. As my hands glided through the green sea waters and crystal bubbles floated slowly to the surface. The purity and calmness of the moment filled my soul with even more happiness.

Swim no.1

Melbourne is scorching hot at present! ...and I LOVE it. I love the warm sea breeze, lazing with friends in the basking hot sun, sand between my toes, fish 'n chips on the beach, being lost in the words of a great novel, hanging out in a cossie and short shorts, monitoring shades from pearl white to golden Brazilian and ocean water swims.

First swim for Summer 2009-10 - DONE

Truthful encounters

Mid morning in a shop in Queenscliff. We are all casually shopping the seaside locale when Suz walks towards me and holds up a grin and a book with the following inscription on the front page.

"You offered me the world and I told you that I had my own."

The girls all laughed to themselves when they read these words. I just smiled and lowered my eyes. The inscription said it all. There is nothing more to add - for now.

Shades of Summer