Singing and Tennis a Hit at Goolgowi

One of the roles for a community developer is to help communities get services that they might not normally access. Many small schools in isolated communities cannot afford to bring high quality teachers and coaches to their pupils.

The Tennis and Music and Preschool day went so well in Weilmoringle last year that I decided to get a similar team together to do it all again. As the final arrangements were being made it turned out that Weilmoringle could not host the event this time due to other commitments so the whole show went to Goolgowi Public School who were thrilled to have the opportunity. After tweaking the timetable to fit in some regular school work and a Musica Viva event that same week it all fell into place.





Sue, tennis coach extraordinaire, travelled up from Geelong. Lou, an exceptional singing teacher travelled over from Bulahdelah, and they gathered in Hillston on the Saturday to start the week. But first there was a singing evening for Hillston church on the Sunday night - a beaut event where we sang until we dropped.

Then on Monday it was off to Goolgowi for a week of singing and tennis for kids -K-6. Every class did both music and tennis each day and the progress they made over the week was remarkable to watch.  By Friday they were all proficient enough to participate in a concert and even the Kindy kids could perform a rudimentary tennis serve. Not bad for 4 days of lessons!

Even the nearby Gunbar and Goolgowi playgroups got a look in on Thursday morning  as the mums and kids gathered to join in a special time of music and stories for little people.

The students certainly loved the week if the thank you cards to Julie, Sue and Lou are anything to go by.
Who knows the Goolgowi courts may now see new life and maybe the next tennis hopeful or opera star will be a Goolgowi local!




A BIG THANK YOU to Sue and Lou for giving up a week of their time to run the tennis and music classes.

Hope Brings Life Like Rain - Phill Shares His Adventures

The rain that has fallen this side of the range seems to me to be linked with many of my trips.

 Lyn and I recently took a trip back to the coast for a Zone Service (a Zone is like a Presbytery, only it’s an area- the southern half of Mid North Coast Presbytery.)

We left with a bright blue sky.

As we made our way East, a darkness started to cover the land.

We passed Tamworth and entering ‘Middle Earth,” the hills took on a misty look.  When we hit Walcha we stopped for our last chance of food before the Hills. The Nowendoc drums rumbled as we left the town behind, news of us was sent ahead -even what we had eaten! We found out later that the girl who served us was related to friends at our destination. She'd grown up and I hadn't recognised her! Such is the bush and coastal telegraph. Anything can be news. Sometimes people know what you are doing before you do!

The heavens opened as we drove on. The cloud filled valley and tops of the climbs looked good but then all but the front of the car was lost in the dense rain and a truck loomed out, reminding us of the dangers of long distance travel.

We arrived with a group of good friends coming out to meet us. Saturday was a great day. Most of the congregations had come for the event. We started with prayer and song. Using the power point I put together for Synod, I spoke about what had I left here to do on the other side of the range, about the places and people, the wonderful new team and friends who we meet and the Hope that our Church brings to so many.

Evening fun-a dramatic presentation of  "Bush Christening"

 An old friend and neighbour had heard I was in town and came across to hear me. 

 “I get it now,” he said.”
 It is good work you are doing. How is BJ going?”

Another great day was had at Manilla!  Similar to the last; good fellowship, followed by sharing the story of Hope and how our faith helps us when life is unhelpful. Thanks to the Fellowship for their support towards the chaplains work.

 Again the trip home saw the heavens open. We choose to go back through Gunnedah on the tar.

 Who said it was dry out here in the West?

The next week was my first meeting as a member of RMU so off to Dubbo for me, to the dog-a-lodge for BJ. Hard life that dog has!

The RMU team involved in discussion and planning research.

The RMU trip was a time of good sharing of our way forward, planning for the Conference in August.  Hope you can come. It will be good to yarn with you. The people planning this have some great things organised but we need your input on the day to help us all make Rural Ministry alive and our mission strong.

And “Yes” the trip home was wet till 30k out of Narrabri.

 

I love sharing stories with those I meet. Hope brings life like the rain. It might be a bit messy, uncomfortable but like the Luke7: 11-17 reading a while back told of Jesus reaching out in Compassion and bringing life to the widow’s only son, it’s amazing what God can do if we just touch people with Compassion .

Who cares?

                    God cares.

Remember that when you’re feeling alone.

Phill Matthews - Uniting Church Rural Chaplain

The bus story continues

Long term readers of the blog will remember Sue's brilliant story on "What about the bus" in September last year . (And if you haven't read it yet I would encourage you to look at this wonderful example of God's miraculous provision).




Well of course collecting the money is only the beginning of the story. A Tsunami in Japan meant getting hold of a new bus became impossible for quite a number of months and when we did get one we had to get it to Enngonia. But it did eventually happen thanks to a lot of hard work by lots of people, and is a great asset for the school. Having their own bus cuts their transport costs by at least 50% allowing kids from this very isolated village to get to more events elsewhere including things like soccer carnivals, swimming carnivals, lessons with other small schools etc.

A couple of weeks ago I had the joy of travelling to Enngonia for the "official handover" of the bus. Although the school has been using the bus for a while, this was an opportunity to acknowledge the work done by those who had raised the money.

I felt very privileged to be able to join with the kids and staff to celebrate the bus and what it means to the school. An of course there was morning tea afterwards, including the pres-school kids!





I'd like to acknowledge the hard work of Pymble Uniting Church congregation to make this all happen and St Vincents Foundation, UnitingCare, Variety Clubs and Investaplan Dubbo who all donated the thousands of dollars needed.

The Men's Shed Gets a Gift

The men at the Hillston Men's Shed are very grateful for a generous $1000 donation towards running costs from Oatley Uniting Church.

A few weeks ago on the blog we sent out a copy of the brochure "Can You Help?"

Last year and for the few years before that, Julie and Sue had been contacting city churches asking if they were interested in being involved in some way with rural churches or communities. Pymble Uniting Church and their commitment to Enngonia have been mentioned on the blog before but other churches are becoming interested too.

When Oatley Uniting was approached to be involved with a rural community they decided to make a donation to one of the options suggested. They chose the Men's Shed. After raising funds at the annual art and craft show they donated $1000.
This money enables the men, from all walks of life, to meet each week at the Men's Shed to work and share a meal together.

 Some men are experienced builders or wood workers,others are learners.

 All enjoy the time together and often become involved in other community projects,such as restoring the local Historical Society buildings (or Hysterical Society as one member, Joe, calls it) in preparation for the Hillston Sesquicentenary in September.

Since the brochure was distributed at Synod and via the blog, other churches have also responded to the call for help
 Look for their stories soon.

"During the night Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia standing and begging him."Come over and help us."After Paul had seen the vision ,we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia,concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them." Acts 16: 9-10 

A Word from BJ on Phill's trip to Bourke

As Phill sat ringing around a car pulled up.

I knew the smell. 

It was V from my new country retreat.

I gave Phill a quick look and then was off out the door across the yard and in the 4x4.

My escape to the country to see the gang.

Who needs coffee when you got chow? 

That's how it was when the kennel lady turned up.

I did not look back .

                                                         BJ

(Translated from Dog by Phill Matthews UC RC.)

Phill continues His Rural Chaplain Adventures

Since I last wrote I have been doing lots of foundational work chasing up things like cards connecting to the internet and a land line. Narrabri UCA has been so helpful in all this.

 I’ve been out and about to Balata and Moree, including doing an ANZAC day service at Balata, a small but friendly, village between Narrabri and Moree. This was a great day. Lyn and I marched down from the school to the hall for the wreath laying ceremony, followed by lovely cup of tea and some Anzac biscuits. We also had Sunday morning fellowship after I spoke at Gunnedah UCA.

Tuesday May 14^th-Julie and I heard of a Forum in Bourke regarding Murdi Paaki, a service that runs programs for Aboriginal people across the western area of the state and in a number of the villages. Julie has done some programs and as she was tied up and I had some cancellations, I said I’d go.

Now to get ready-

“Right- need accommodation- as too far to hook up van for an overnight, plus I have no time to drop it off.'      BJ also needed to find somewhere so I rang his new home- away- from- home.
“Was it possible for them to pick him up this afternoon?”

“No problem”, and then 6 calls later had a room for me!

Vicky from the kennels pulled up to the kerb, BJ knew she was here before she got out of the car.  His excitement was extreme. His whole body was transformed into a puppy. For an old dog it was so cool! I had to get the tablets he needs -old football injury. By the time I got back he was on his way to the ute. As Vicky opened the car door, he was in like a flash, sitting up on the back seat like royalty- no goodbye !

I returned to pack and get the car ready for the sojourn- food for the road, water- always good to use bottled water as it saves that chances of drinking water upsetting your system, fuel up, water, oil, tyres , hook up the gadgets (GPS and CB Mobile) -ready for an early start next morning.

The Forum was very good.

 Looking at many issues affecting communities, it also looked at how organizations can work with Aboriginal people with respect. There was a good mixture of service providers and community members and some Government reps. I made some good contacts to follow up in times to come.

The trip home was excellent.

The water hole, which was flooded last trip, was now full of caravans. Two drover’s dogs, worked their mob of cows, who roamed across the road for about a kilometre. As I drove slowly through this mob I got some shots; dark clouds building up over still-dry Walgett, a rainbow near Burren Junction, wet road lit by the sun, the spray of the passing cars looking surreal in the mirrors, then the storm, more rainbows and  sun highlighting the silos. Just on dark two big roos, on the way to Wee Waa Dance party, crossed in front of the Camry!

Keeping eyes open, stopping for photos, checking things out, helps me as I drive this big country thinking of what you can do here!

BJ came home next morning and said “G’day” as if he’d never been away.   He’s now lost 4 kilograms and is a new dog. I’ve lost 8 kgs. This flat country means we can walk when I’m home.

Well- time for coffee !

  

           As Pentecost is upon us-

May the Spirit of the living God travel with you!

                                                                 Phill Matthews- Rural Chaplain

Planes ,(no) Trains and Automobiles

When your office covers the state from Northern border to Southern border,west of the Mountains there can be a lot of travel time ( and time away from home ) involved in getting from one part of it to the other. Julie's home is in Hillston but many of her conversations with her friends involve,
 "Well, I'm here this afternoon but tomorrow I go to ...then on to ....after that.... and then .....and I'll be home on Wednesday so I can be back before the shops shut to buy food for my visitors who arrive the next day. I'm free after that."

We need a calender to track where she is! Julie packs a lot into her schedule so she can keep the various projects happening and maintain relationships with people in the various communities she visits. There is a planned schedule and then there are the things which happen,which leap out and demand attention and loving care.Things such as fire, flood or suicide.

Travel around one of the largest offices in the state.

(No )Trains.
We have a train track here in Hillston but it is a reminder of a bygone era.
A great (and true) story is the one about the group of women at a meeting in Hillston in times past, getting to know each other over a cuppa. Most were property manager's wives and the question was asked of each,
"So what Station does your husband run?
One women, whose husband was in charge of the trains at Hillston, replied,
"The railway station."
Not sure what happened next!

Next train? -Before harvest -November 2013.

Trains still run here but only once a year to carry the wheat from the silo before harvest in preparation for the next crop. Despite this, because the line runs over the road into town in two places, we still have to stop to watch for trains each time we go into town!

A dutiful citizen waits at the stop sign

The nearest passenger train is Wagga or Cootamundra, 3 hours away. The distance between Hillston and there is covered by car or coach.
Needless to say, Julie opts for other modes of travel. 

Automobiles
The main way to travel is the car,which is a 4 wheel-drive to cope with all roads.A phone holder is hooked up inside near the steering wheel so she can do calls while driving and not hold the phone.This all saves time and means the time spent at the destination is all "people time" with the community there.

Two weeks taken from her calendar sees Julie driving from Hillston to Dubbo to Narrabri, back to Coonabarrabran, on to Weilmoringle then to Brewarrina, Bourke, Enngonia and home for 5 nights for Easter (with the Moderator and his wife as house guests). The following week sees her back in Sydney for 1 night and home to Hillston for 3 nights and then off to Nyngan and Dubbo and home for 1 night, before it's off to Synod for meetings for 4 days - covering 3,400 kms, not including the plane travel.(Makes you tired doesn't it? Don't think it's a rest at home.There's preparation,calls and meetings there too.) [Comment from Julie: Yes, but even for me this was unusually busy and thankfully it is not always like this.]

Planes
Of course, frequent trips to Sydney are necessary to deal with the more formal, organisational and advocacy parts of the Rural Chaplain's role. The rest of this work is done on the phone,but that's another story.

Naturally, to cover that distance the plane is essential but first there's a one and a half hour drive to Griffith airport. A bit like Sydney really.................except without the traffic!

Something you will never see on the Hillston to Griffith road.

                                                     And for that we do give thanks!