NuffNang

Sunday, August 28, 2011

My Favourite Photos of the Week

taken by me for your enjoyment

A Shell on Pambula Beach, NSW. Taken 21st April 2011


A Shell on Pambula Beach, NSW. Taken 21st April 2011


A Shell on Pambula Beach, NSW. Taken 21st April 2011


A Shell on Pambula Beach, NSW. Taken 21st April 2011

Please DO NOT copy any photos on this blog - without my express written permission



Sunday, August 21, 2011

My Favourite Photos of the Week


Black Swan on the Lakes of Lakes Entrance, taken at dawn on the 19th April 2011





pair of Black Swan on the Lakes of Lakes Entrance, taken at dawn on the 19th April 2011




Old Farmers House, near Bairnsdale, Victoria. 22nd April 2011




Apollo Bay Sunrise. I love Apollo Bay down on the Great Ocean Road. taken 9th July 2011



Please DO NOT copy any photos on this blog - without my express written permission




Sunday, August 14, 2011

My Favourite Photos of the Week

Taken by me for your enjoyment
A shell on Pambula Beach,NSW right at the high tide mark. 21st April 2011




A shell on Pambula Beach,NSW right at the high tide mark. 21st April 2011




A shell on Pambula Beach,NSW right at the high tide mark. 21st April 2011



A shell on Pambula Beach,NSW right at the high tide mark. Notice the shadow of the incoming surf? 21st April 2011


Please DO NOT copy any photos on this blog - without my express written permission



Saturday, August 13, 2011

My hero

.................................................. ..

Joan and Charlie ......................... .............. .................. ....... Sally!


Some 7 or 8 years ago – I met a lady. I took one look and realised she was something special.

First and foremost, she loves animals, in fact had a companion dog that went everywhere with her. Secondly, she volunteers at the Austin Hospital a minimum of 5 days a week and is there Christmas Day also, loving, and laughing with the patients. Thirdly, she endures the after-effects of polio, which means she relies on a ventilator for every life-giving breath. Thirdly she is confined to a wheelchair.

Every day of every week, she is lifted out of bed and every day she is thinking of someone other than herself.

Her name is Joan Gillespie and she is my hero. Joan was born in 1937 and in that same year contracted Polio. It wasn’t until the 1980’s that Joan left the numerous hospitals she called home and moved in with her partner John. Soon after full-time employment was no longer an option with the worsening effects of polio taking a toll on her body. About the same time technology caught up with Joan and allowed her to continue to work full-time in a voluntary capacity, with the provision of a portable ventilator.

Joan volunteers once a month at Inner FM (96.5FM) radio in Melbourne, along with her partner John. Joan is also a member of the Polio Advisory Committee, who meet once a month and discuss and advise on issues relating to Polio.

Joan goes shopping for patients at the Austin Hospital and the adjoining nursing home, because (as Joan says) ‘They can’t get out, like I can.”

As we have both have a love of animals, Joan asked me to do her a favour. Joan knew that her dog Sally was struggling to keep up with her and she asked if I could perhaps find a dog that might replace Sally when her time was near.

I asked around my network and was offered two brothers, little Chihuahua Crosses. I couldn’t make the choice for Joan. So I organised for the dogs to be bought to the Austin Hospital for Joan to see if she liked either dog. After much debate and what ifs and maybes, Joan settled on the less dominant of the pair. This little boy had been abandoned and was a little timid, but had a lovely temperament. I organised for this little guy to come home with me on the weekend.

He spent a week at my place, where I tried so hard to stay remote from him, but alas 6 years later it appears that I failed.

He was named Charlie and helped Joan with the loss of her Sally and is trying hard to fill the space that Sally left.

Today Joan and I were laughing at his antics, and I realised that Charlie helps Joan and Joan helps Charlie. The two are a match made in heaven.

Joan is my hero. If you are ever at the Austin Hospital and you see a lady in a wheelchair with a little dog walking beside her. Say hello and remember that without people like Joan, the world would be a sadder place.

Thank-you Joan for giving me permission to publish this.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

My favourite photos of the week

Taken by me for your enjoyment


Spider web in the mist. Taken 25th April 2011



Spider web in the mist. Taken 25th April 2011



Spider web in the mist. Taken 25th April 2011



Orb Spider, near Whittlesea. Taken 16th March 2011


Please DO NOT copy any photos on this blog - without my express written permission