There was a welcome picnic, but the grills
above were not part of it. They were a section of an amusing
sculpture at Brighton Beach.
Welcome, welcome, and more welcomes. I feel so welcome here. Today at Junior Assembly the group sang the Australia version of "We are One" and I was so moved. The exchange group has welcomed the newbies at Central Market and the park. I have been welcomed by having lunch with Ken and Pauline, at Sylvia's then Chris's for dinner. I have been introduced to great teachers in the staff lounge and am awaiting a Friday after school, but at school, a glass of wine (those famous South Australian wines are chilling. . . in the lounge fridge). Teachers Ben, Tracy, Mia, Tracy's daughter, and I went to stroll the Brighton Jetty Classic Sculptures.
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| Mia, Tracy and Pam |
I have also accepted a very exciting invite to the 5 year anniversary breakfast of the reconciliation policy of the stolen generations (with the past Prime Minister Kevin Rudd).
Formal apology to Australia's Indigenous peoples, 2008
Julie Dyson, Welcome to Country
(Djakapurra Munyarryun, The Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP, Leader of the Opposition; The Hon Kevin Rudd MP, Prime Minister; Albert David; Denis Nuie; Ryuichi Fujimura; Matthew Doyle; Arnold Marika; Glen Doyle), Parliament House, Canberra, 13 February, 2008. Courtesy of Julie Dyson, Ausdance National.
On the 13th of February 2008, the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, tabled a motion in parliament apologising to Australia's Indigenous peoples, particularly the Stolen Generations and their families and communities, for laws and policies which had 'inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.' The apology included a proposal for a policy commission to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in 'life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.'
Food is a main source of my great experiences. Today I had a pie, not a meat pie, but a meal indeed. So now I can honestly say that there are pies in Australia that I will seek out. I still hope that I won't be shunned from the country for my earlier statement, not to be repeated. Ken made a delicious bacon and egg pie which I sampled before anyone else began eating. Not too polite of me, but Ken insisted and was glad to have had it directly from the oven. It was so good, but later when I went back for more, it was gone. He claims making them is easy, and I intend on becoming an expert.
I also had another Australian traditional food. The nationality of its creator has been a source of argument between AU and NZ for many years. My loyalties are currently Australian. Pavlova Pavlova Recipe - Taste.com.au is a meringue dessert named after the Russian ballet dancer. It is believed to have been created in her honor following a tour. It was served at our celebratory welcome picnic, and I have learned to not judge Australian food (although I loved it!). Its origin is an argument I will stay away from too. Politics, (meat) pies and Pavlova. Its crisp, soft, sweet and light, but I probably won't try making it since my history with Lynne's meringue cookies flop when I attempt them.
I also had another Australian traditional food. The nationality of its creator has been a source of argument between AU and NZ for many years. My loyalties are currently Australian. Pavlova Pavlova Recipe - Taste.com.au is a meringue dessert named after the Russian ballet dancer. It is believed to have been created in her honor following a tour. It was served at our celebratory welcome picnic, and I have learned to not judge Australian food (although I loved it!). Its origin is an argument I will stay away from too. Politics, (meat) pies and Pavlova. Its crisp, soft, sweet and light, but I probably won't try making it since my history with Lynne's meringue cookies flop when I attempt them.
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| just a section of the "Everything Asian" food court |
Eating a meal out and buying shoes is probably up there with the most expensive items, but the South Australian Teacher Exchange League has taken us to the best spot in town. Behind the Central Market is China Town and it connects to the Asian Food Court. It is an amazing place with food from at least a dozen different cultures. In addition, one stall is a wine bar. So, you buy your take-out and then a glass of South Australian specialities.
The two days of the exchange league "get togethers" were fantastic. They are a great bunch- adventuresome and hospitable: welcoming!
At Brighton Beach:
The two days of the exchange league "get togethers" were fantastic. They are a great bunch- adventuresome and hospitable: welcoming!
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| The flags were hiding welcome gifts for the exchange teachers and language assistants. . . |
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| There was a wombat for all: the South Australian mascot, and we were asked to include the wombat in some photos while out and about! Get ready for a game of "I Spy Wombat" aka Fatso
Fatso's name came from Fatso the Wombat who was an unofficial mascot of the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics created by Sydney cartoonist Paul Newell with Roy and HG from the Australian Channel Seven sports/comedy television program The Dream with Roy and HG, which covered the event. He took the form of a life-size stuffed toy wombat with a lazy, cheerful expression and comically pronounced rump, and usually appeared on The Dream broadcasts on Roy and HG's desk.
Fatso was a spoof of the official Olympic mascots Syd, Ollie and Millie. Fatso proved to be more popular among Australian fans (and some visitors who viewed the program) than the official mascots. Fatso appeared with Gold Medalists Susie O'Neill, Grant Hackettand the Australian men's 4×200 metre relay team on the winners' dais. He consequently appears on an official commemorative postage stamp of the Australian men's 4×200 metre relay team in the arms of Michael Klim. During the Olympics, the Australian Olympic Committee attempted to ban athletes appearing with Fatso to stop him upstaging their official mascots. Poor Fatso was a public relations disaster. (Wikipedia)
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| The Group being welcomed under the Morton Bay Fig tree- and ripe fruit for eating! |
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| Teachers here from Canada, CO, and the UK |
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| Metal art |
More on the amazing Gilles Street Primary School Soon
P.S. I have not seen a koala in a week, but I know they are around. Scat was pointed out to me in the driveway and they continue to grunt, rumble, and snort every night. I hear this sound at bedtime!
After all this talk about eating pies you must come home with a recipe for at least one of them!
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