Memories from Queensland

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I thought you might like to check out a few more photos from my recent trip to Queensland. There are photos in the gallery below from Surfers Paradise, Movie World, Sea World and a day trip to Brisbane. Just click on any of the thumbnails to see larger photos then scroll through the images.

You can see even more photos at my Facebook Page. There’s also a bunch of snaps at my Instagram account.

It was a fantastic family holiday and I would have been happy to stay a lot longer but it’s great to be back home.



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Having a Wonderful Time …

As you probably know I’m on holiday, so instead of a long post today, here are a few photos from the past few days, including yesterday’s visit to Movie World. Just click on any of the images to have a better look.



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No Reason is Reason Enough

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I’ve been to the Gold Coast twice before. The first time was for a day and a half. The second time a little longer. Both were for conferences and I didn’t have time in either of those instances to see much of the area.

This time it’s different. Both previous times I was here for a specific reason. This time I have no real reason to be here but that’s reason enough.

Of course saying I’m here for no reason isn’t completely true. What I mean is I’m not here for reasons of work or for a specific task.I’m here to kick back and relax with my family and that certainly is reason enough.

We’re here for just over a week and we don’t have to follow a schedule or be anywhere particular at any time. Our routine is very much about having no routine.

We spent today at Movie World meeting super heroes and cartoon characters. I’m not really a roller coaster person but those in the family who are had an amazing time on a number of stomach turning rides.

Routines are wonderful. They help us create systems that make day to day life run more smoothly but when we set up hard and fast routines we can become slaves of those routines,rather than using them to serve us. Slipping out of routine is a great way to remember that routine should never become our master.

I often find that holidays and breaks in routine remind me that I’m dispensable. The world can survive perfectly well without me. Strangely enough, far from being a depressing thought, understanding that the world doesn’t fall apart when I’m not following my normal routine is incredibly empowering. It tells me that I don’t have to carry the world on my shoulders but at the same time I can choose to play a part that will make a difference in the lives of others.

My break in routine is a great way to recharge then get stuck back into my regular life, ready to take myself less seriously while being more effective when my routine cranks up again.



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Great Work Perth

Yesterday morning I broadcast my 98.5 Sonshine FM radio programme from the middle of Perth as we called on the people of Perth to buy cupcakes to raise money for those affected by recent floods in Queensland and in Western Australia.

Lives have been lost, homes have been destroyed and communities have been thrown into chaos. The hardest hit state has been Queensland which has seen massive destruction.

Andy Corkill, Mission Development Officer for the Uniting Church in the City, came up with the Cupcakes of Love idea. He’s the guy I’m interviewing in the photo in this post. During the broadcast he explained the idea behind the initiative.

Obviously we can’t send the cupcakes all the way to Queensland, but we can ask the people of Perth to buy a cupcake in solidarity with our fellow Australians who have been affected by these terrible floods.

From around 8:00 a.m. until noon yesterday, Uniting Church members sold 940 home baked cakes at a street stall outside Wesley Uniting Church, on the corner of Hay and William Streets. The sale of cupcakes and the generosity of people who donated funds meant that during the morning $5 028 was raised for people in desperate need.

Remember that wherever you are in the world, if you’d like to help you can visit the Queensland Flood Appeal website.



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WA Flood Relief Concert

The WA Flood Relief Concert starts at 7:00 p.m. this Tuesday the 25th January at the Burswood Theatre.

Tod Johnston will be performing with both V Capri and Peace Love. Also performing will be Courtney Murphy and Murphy’s Lore, Damien Cripps Band, Magnificent 7, Groove Night Avenue, Juliet’s Diary, Dave Crosby and more.

You can hear Tod Johnston talking about the concert and those who will benefit by clicking the play button on the audio player below.

Everyone involved is donating their time and talents to raise money for the Queensland Flood Appeal as well as helping the victims of the Gascoyne floods and Lake Clifton bushfires.

Tickets are $40 or $45 and available now from Ticketek, or at the door on the night.

[audio:http://mpegmedia.sonshinefm.ws/feeds/MOR190111_1044.mp3]

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