The 1000 Word Picture Challenge # 1

We used to have a exercise in our english class wher the teacher woul give us a picture and we’d have to write about it. I decided to let my friends on Facebook challenge me to do it now, only I had to write 1000 words (seeing as a picture is worth one thousand words). The challenge was that not only did my friend choose the picture they also chose the style of the piece.

As I sat alone, I felt so very alone

As if a thousand hand made bricks

Were built into a hundred walls

Each a reminder of some action

Performed by my hands

That I cannot undo.

The bricks are inscribed so delicately

With words that haunt me now

Burrowing deep inside my brain

Feeding on that which once I dealt out

But now drown in daily.

I feel that presence over my shoulder

Overshadowing every decision I make

Bearing down on me like a freight train,

Growing in speed and weight

With every thought that flows;

With every word carelessly uttered;

With every selfish push and shove.

A wise man once said

(with all the wisdom of the universe)

That how people treat you is their karma –

That word worms its way into my memory

An replays over and over and over again

Playing on and on for infinity

Or until my poor addled brain

Turn completely in on itself

And eats away at its insides

Like a parasite gnawing away

Upon its hosts defenceless body.

That self same wise man also stated

That how you react is yours –

I oft remember the tale told

Of a lowly farmer of Scottish blood

Who, working hard to keep his kin,

Heard the plaintiff cry of a forlorn boy

Coming from yonder bog, so sad and scared.

He ran towards that cry for help

And saved the boy from certain death.

The boy, upon arriving at his home,

Did tell his father of the heroic deed.

This man, of noble birth and heritage,

As soon as the sun graced the sky once more,

Rode to the farmer’s humble abode

In a carriage fir for such wealth and status

And offered the farmer some just reward.

The farmer, honest and proud,

Could not, with any good conscience,

Accept a gift for doing what any decent man

Would do in the same situation.

The Nobleman, seeing the farmer had a son also,

Offered a deal to replace the gift rejected:

To educate the farmer’s son

As he would educate his own flesh and blood.

The farmer, knowing the deal was good and true,

Shook the hand of the Nobleman.

Over the years both boys grew,

Physically and mentally developing,

A source of pride for both fathers.

The farmer’s son, with brilliant mind,

Discovered that which would save millions

And yet would also save a man

Who, once being a small boy trapped,

Had been rescued by his saviour’s father

So many years before.

What splendid words did fall

From the lips of that once small boy twice saved

When he uttered that line,

“We make a living by what we get,

We make a life by what we give.”

Here I sit having made my fortune,

Having scaled the dizzy heights

Of finance and all that goes with it.

Now I would give all the coin,

No matter how hard earned,

To have what those I stepped over

To get to where I am now

Treasure so very dearly and hold so very close.

I wonder where my friends are

As I look around at staged photos;

And where my trophy wife is,

Except I am the only one who thinks like that,

That she might be something to be won

And displayed as an ornament.

Is it any wonder no-one would consent,

Not any warm and nurturing woman,

Only those as materialistic and vacuous

As I have been to this point

And hold no attraction for me.

I wish I had listened to those who said,

“One good turn deserves another.”

Too many times I used and abused

And now I sit, abused and used

By the consequences of my own actions.

Living a life where you care not for others

Lends itself to others not caring for you

And now, in the twilight of my years,

Without a friends in the world

And only my bad decisions to keep me company

I know my reactions have been my karma,

The results of my decisions a harsh teacher.

You might say that fate,

She has been a cruel mistress,

But my undoing was not at fate’s hand

For I brought this all on myself

And must bear the weight

Of every despicable action

Upon these weak and narrow shoulders

For all eternity and beyond

Unless I can find some measure of respectability,

Something to redeem my shallow soul.

I want to write Mr Buechner a letter

And ask him now I take them back –

All those touches that burned,

That scolded, stained and scarred.

He will surely tell me that I can’t,

That what has passed will always be

And that those minor indiscretions,

Those major ones too,

Will flow through the universe

And come around to bite me in some way

Or maybe topple those hundreds of walls

Filled with thousands and bricks

Like dominoes set in motion

What feels like a million years ago.

And as they fall the words written

Will burn into my once thick skin

Until there is nothing left of me

But a broken body and a tormented soul.

If I could move from this chair

Before that final domino falls

Then maybe my life is worth something,

Maybe I have evened out the balance.

Now I face that impossible choice

Made such by present circumstance

(Though my current predicament

Is wholly self inflicted and

I have no-one to blame but my own greed) –

Do I continue down this path

That I have worn so well

Or turn and face up to all I have done,

Bear the consequences of a thoughtless existence

And hope that, in doing such an act,

The universe will grant me the favour

Of allowing me some small measure of humanity

That I may leave some mark on the world

Which is not the ruins of what was a life

But instead is that which may blossom

And perhaps grow through nurture

To be bigger than itself

And be a legacy of my time here.

Who Inspires Me

I think we draw inspiration from different spheres of our lives. If I look back at all the different people who have inspired me then there are quite a few of them.

The first is my mum. She raised me single-handedly and I think I turned out relatively ok. I’ve had my problems but all in all, I am a decent human being (I hope). She didn’t work so she’d be available to take me to all the sports I did. She scrimped and saved so I could do the sports I did. We didn’t have a proper holiday for 22 years. Now that I am a single mum myself, she has stood by me, helped me out and never shied away from any hardship life has put in her way.

The second person to inspire me was my 3rd Grade teacher, Mrs Levy. She believed in me, encouraged me and was always the most friendly, helpful and genuinely nice teacher I ever had. I’ve seen her a few times since I left primary school and every time I’ve seen her she’s been just the same as I remember her and she always remembers me, no matter how many years have past in the meantime.

The third person on the list is my old gymnastics coach, John. He taught me to be a better gymnast and a better coach, he didn’t take any of my crap and he gave me hell. He could be the most serious person on the face of the planet one second … the next he’d be pretending to be Dracula and trying to bite my neck. He also instilled in me the notion that all areas of gymnastics are important, from Kindergym right the way through. I think that if it hadn’t been for his inspiration I would be just like a lot of coaches I’ve known over the years that only aspire to teach competition kids, but I aspired to work with the kids who are fresh to the sport, who don’t want to go to the Olympics, who just want to have fun.

The fourth and fifth inspiring people are that for the same reason. They showed me what could be achieved if you set your mind to it, if you trained your arse off and didn’t listen to the nay-sayers. Of course, I never reached their lofty heights but I still aspire to be like them. They inspire me to continue in a sport when I could have turned my back so many times. They inspire me to do more than I think I’m capable of. Who are they? They are the most talented Tammy Bryant and Jayson Sutcliffe.

The sixth person of inspiration to me is one that is known to just about every school student across the western world: William Shakespeare. To be a writer of that calibre would be the most thrilling thing ever. He has inspired me to dabble in plays and poetry, short stories and screenplays (and blogging, of course). I hope that one day someone will like a work of mine enough to say, “I want to publish that.” Whether it happens or not is immaterial, the inspiration to be the best writer I can be stems from reading that very first play, and continues to inspire me to this day.

The seventh inspiration is comedian/actor/writer Craig Ferguson. Here is a man who has seen the ugly side of life, through alcohol and drug addiction, and has overcome them. It is inspirational that someone can pick himself or herself up out of the gutter, so to speak, and actually make something of their life. It tells me that it doesn’t matter how bad my life gets, as long as I want to change I can and as long as I draw breath there’s still hope.

The person who is my eighth inspiring person is Adam Goodes. If you don’t live in Australia and don’t follow Aussie Rules Football then you may not know who he is. He is one of the best players in the modern era. He is respectful and delightful to talk to. He gives of himself not only to his football club (the mighty Sydney Swans) but also to the community, especially the aboriginal community. He is unaffected by his fame and very down to earth by nature, a truly inspiring character.

My ninth inspiring person is Annie Sullivan. You may never have heard of this woman. She was a teacher in the late 1800s and early 1900s. She inspires me to be a better teacher, especially in regards to children with disabilities. Why should this teacher, with whom I have no contact with and who died long before I was born, inspire me so? She was the teacher who taught Helen Keller language (I’m sure you would have heard of Helen Keller but if not, she was a blind and deaf woman who became the first deaf and blind person to attain a Bachelor of Arts degree, as well as being an author, activist and lecturer). Helen Keller once said, “Once I knew only darkness and stillness... my life was without past or future... but a little word from the fingers of another fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness, and my heart leaped to the rapture of living.” What better summary of the blessing that Annie Sullivan gave to Helen. I can only hope that I touch the lives of the children I work with a fraction of that amount and I am inspired to persist when I might give up.

The last person on my list is by no means the least inspiring. They are, in fact, the most inspiring. This person is my son. He inspires me every day to be a better person so that he is a better person. He does not discriminate against people based on looks or religion or cultural background or mental or physical capabilities. He is happy and bubbly and social. He inspires in me a love like no other and an ability to forgive others that I have not known before (it doesn’t always work, but it works more than not).

So, it doesn’t matter who in your life inspires you, from those closest to you to those you’ve never met; if that person inspires you to be a better person then their job is done. It is up to you to be part of the next generation on inspirational people, even if to no-one but your own small circle of family and friends.

Naming Your Child

Choosing a name for your unborn child can be one of the hardest things to do in the world. I was lucky, in the sense that I didn’t have to compromise with anyone else. I could choose whatever I wanted and there was no-one I had to run it by. That’s the benefit of being a single parent. But there are some things you should consider when naming a child, and here’s my top 10 tips:

1. The Surname

The name you give your child might sound perfectly fine on its own but when you say the full name it can be quite horrendous for the child. My surname is Busch (pronounced Bush). My mother used to joke that she wanted to call me Rose. If she had, I would have been Rose Busch (rosebush). It might seem cute when they are a baby but when they reach their teens it can be a nightmare.

The other thing about surnames is, if you have a terrifically long surname, or one that is hard to spell, be kind to your child and give them a nice easy first name. If the child is going to go through their entire life spelling one name, at least do them the favour of giving them a name that’s easy.

2. The Initials

Like with surnames, the combination of initials can spell some terrible things. Imagine being the child whose initials are POO or COW or some other unfortunate arrangement of letters. Imagine the torment. So when choosing a name write down their potential initials and ask yourself: would a young child be able to make something stupid out of that?

3. The Nicknames

Some names don’t really lend themselves to shortening (Jane). Some names just become variations of themselves (Thomas > Tommy). Some names become other words entirely (Richard > Dick) and this can be embarrassing for the child. My mum gave me the name Shannon partly because she though it would be hard to make a nickname out of and she just wanted me to be known as Shannon. I got the following: Shaz, Shazza, Shan, Shanny, Shan-dog, Shannona and (of course) Nona. Whatever name you give your child, they are going to get a nickname made out of it at some point during their life. Make it as painless or as bearable as you can, for their sake and yours.

4. The Prevalence

Do you want your darling child to be unique or the 5^th child in their year at school with that name? There were 2 Shannon’s in my year in high school. Not a popular name, but not unheard of either. We had 4 called Kelly (or variations of) and 5 boys called Matthew. You had to distinguish which one you were talking about before  you started. And it can be a nightmare for teachers. I teach kids gymnastics and had in a class of 20 girls three lots of multiples: Taylor (4); Charlotte (4); Jessica (3). The best way to see what names are doing the rounds is to check the birth notices in the paper each week, and research the top 10 names for the past 5 years.

5. The Pronunciation

If you give your child the name Jack, there’s pretty much only one way you can say it, but the name Kyra can be either Keer-ah or Ky-ra and that’s just a basic example. If you give your child a complicated name, or one that isn’t said how it’s spelled (especially the Irish names), then your child may resent their name and prefer to go by their (often easier) second name or just change it altogether when they are old enough. Then there’s the names that look similar but are pronounced differently: Mia, Maya, Myah. So before you give your child a name, write down the name and give the paper to your friends. Ask then to say the name. If you get 10 variations from 10 different friends, maybe choose a different name.

6. The Spelling

I mentioned above the gym class I had in which there were 4 girls called Taylor. Only they weren’t. One was Taylor. One was Taylah. Another was Tayla. The last was Tailah. I cannot stress enough how frustrating it is for teachers to come across what should be an easy name to spell and have to ask the child to spell it. It got to the point where I’d ask every child to spell their name, just in case they had an unusual spelling for it, even if their name was something easy like Tim (who knows, maybe they spell it Tym).

7. The Weirdness-Factor

It’s usually the celebrities who like to call their children weird things, like “Apple” and “Blanket” (ok, that’s just a nick name, his real name is Prince Michael II, because Prince Michael was already take by his older brother). But occasionally the regular world people adopt this strange habit and call their child something very bizarre. I think your child will either love it or hate it, there won’t be any middle ground with the weird names. If you like a certain thing (for example, planes) I can almost let you get away with naming your child Jett (like John Travolta did) but not Pilot Inspektor (like Jason Lee did). And Nicholas Cage is clearly a Superman fan as he called his son Kal-el, which is Superman’s birth name.

And why stop at one strange name when you can have a whole raft of them. Bob Geldof has 3 daughters: Fifi Trixibelle, Peaches Honeyblossom and Little Pixie. Frank Zappa had 2 sons and 2 daughters: Zweevil, Ahmet Emuukha Rodan, Moon Unit and Diva Thin Muffin.

Other names that celebrities decided to call their children (some you’ll recognise, some maybe not, all you’ll wonder what drugs they were on when filling out the paperwork) include :

Audio Science

Moxie Crimefighter

Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily

Camera

Puma

8. The Style

Sometimes a name just doesn’t suit a child. I work with children a lot and I have had a few instances where the child just hasn’t suited the name because they don’t look like someone with that name typically does. I know it’s hard to know when your child is born if they are going to suit their name in looks and personality but try to choose a name that suits your child, not you.

9. The Meaning

Mostly, name meanings don’t really signify much but when you have a name that is clearly one thing and the child is clearly the complete opposite then it can be a little strange. An example of this might be if you have a blonde haired, blue eyed, pale skinned girl and name her Ebony.

Place names (especially place of conception) are quite popular at the moment. I am named after a river in Ireland, which is nice, but I wasn’t conceived there or born there. If you begin with this trend, it can be a bit awkward down the track if you conceive of your child in some badly named town like Little Hoboken (which is a perfectly acceptable name for a town, just not, in my opinion, for a child).

Likewise, other trends can start out well, if you name your children after flowers, like my great aunts were, you could end up with Violet, Rose, Olive, Daisy, Rosemary, Ivy … and I could go on. Or maybe you prefer gems: ruby, pearl, jade … Or maybe months of the year are more your thing: April, May, June, August. But if you have an especially large family, keeping the trend going can be difficult, and how sad (or exciting, if you pick a terrible trend) for the last child who misses out on the trend.

10. Tradition

Does your family have a tradition of naming the first child after a certain member of the family? Does the father’s first name become the son’s second name? It can be important to uphold the tradition but it can also be important to stamp your own uniqueness on your child as well. For example, in my family there were, when I was little, three generations of men called “Richard” but only one was known as that. My grandfather was known as Dick (a common nickname for people called Richard during that generation). My uncle was known as Des (short for Desmond, his name being Richard Desmond). My cousin was the only one known as Richard. I quite like the idea of passing names down from generation to generation but also understand that it can lead to confusion and a sense of too many people with the same name, especially if the family is very large.

Whatever you choose to name your child, I hope that it sits well with you, your family and (most importantly) your child. Oh, and congratulations on bringing a new life into the world :D

Overcoming Writer's Block

Ok, we all get it ... that annoying, mind-numbing feeling when you stare at the page or screen and nothing wants to fall out of your brain. If you're lucky, it doesn't last long. If you're not so lucky, it can go on for what seems like forever. I am someone who has the concentration span of a gnat when it comes to writing in a single discipline. I like to flit between blogs, poems, short stories and plays. This can been a good way of getting around writer's block but it's not the only way. Here are my top 10 tips and tricks for (hopefully) snapping out of it so you can get back to doing what you do best.

1. Change topic

I have a really bad habit of having 3 or 4 blogs and/or stories on the go at once, but a little distraction can give you the break your brain needs to get back into the original topic. If you get stuck on one thing and can't move forward with it, put it away for a day, a week, however long it takes and write about something else.

2. Exercise your body

Exercise can revitalise you. It gets the blood flowing and, for some, the creative juices flowing. While you exrecise, you can let your mind wander. It might go off on some random tangent that is perfectly relevant to the topic you've been stuck on that means you can now move forward with it. And if it doesn't work, at least you've gotten in some exercise.

3. Read

If you write about a particular subject, then reading works by other authors on the same topic might inspire you to write your next piece. You might not agree with what you read, you might not think it's very good, but remember that everything you read can be fodder for your next piece, either positively or negatively influencing your thought processes. If you're writing poetry or fiction, read things in the same vein as what you want to write to spark the imagination.

4. Play word association games

Whether you play alone or with someone else, just being spontaneous and random can trigger all sorts of topics and ideas and associations that you never imagined were there. Just open up your dictionary to any page and read the first word, that's your starting point. From there it's whatever comes into your mind without thinking about it. I find it best to close my eyes when doing this so there are no outside influences.

5. Be entertained

Watch TV, rent a movie, go to the theatre, listen to some music ... anything that triggers and emotion is good. Scare yourself silly on a rollercoaster, laugh 'til you cry at a comedy club or sing your heart out at karaoke. What you do isn't as important as actually doing it. Sometimes, sitting in front of the idiot box and emptying your mind for a couple of hours is just what you need in order to take a fresh look at what you were working on.

6. Explain your work to someone who has no idea

This can make you think about your topic differently. It can make you get to the essentials of what you're writing about. The person you explain it to might ask you questions which help you to get at what it is that has you stumped.

7. Play Devil's Advocate

If you're writing an opinion piece or arguing for a specific point of view, try looking at it from the other side. Pick holes in your own argument. It will make you make your own argument stronger by weeding out those weak points.

8. Write your piece in a different style

Can't get your poem to work? Try writing it as a short story instead. Can't get your description to flow? Turn it into a review. There's no rule that says you're only allowed to use one style, either. Mix it up. Sometimes it's the kick start our brains need.

9. Go to sleep

If you're tired, your brain isn't functioning at optimum efficiency. Get some sleep, even if it's a power nap. There's only so many cups of coffee you can drink before the side effects become negative. If you can allow your brain to reset itself, you might just find that the vibes are all working in your favour and work can begin again.

And finally ...

10. Relax

If you're writing for pleasure, then that is what it should be: pleasurable. Ask yourself, "does it really matter if it doesn't get done today?" Take a deep breath, don't stress about the final product. If you don't like it, don't publish it, start again, change tack. In the end, you're writing for yourself and you can be your harshest critic, so give yourself a break and chillax.

50 Questions Everyone Should Try To Answer

The following questions I found on the website: http://www.marcandangel.com/2009/07/13/50-questions-that-will-free-your-mind/ and thought I'd have a bash at answering them. My answers are only valid for me, your answers may be similar or very, very different.
 

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

You would be the same age as if you did know. Time is a concept invented by man based on the rotation of the earth and the orbit around the sun. This cycle continues regardless of whether we are aware of it as a passage of time.

OR

This question could mean to ask how old I would think I was, looking from the outside, as a stranger. In which case, on physical appearance I would probably think I was about the same age as I am, psychologically, I might think I was anywhere between 16 and 60 depending on the situation in which I observed myself.

Which is worse, failing or never trying?

They are equally as bad as each other, though the pain is different. I think that the pain of failing is short lived but more intense, whereas the pain of not trying is more subtle and lasts longer (or until you decide to try).

If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?

We do things we don’t like because we feel obliged to do them – visit family; go to a job just for the money and not for the enjoyment. Society often makes us feel bad for not doing the expected things, meaning that in order to get along, we do those things which we might not want to do.

I like motorbikes (I don’t own one or know how to ride one). I think there are two major reasons why we like things that we don’t do. One is the fear factor. We like the idea of doing something potentially dangerous but can’t bring ourselves to actually do it. The other factor is the time constraint. We get so caught up in our day to day lives that we find it hard to make the time to do that thing we like or try the thing we want to do.

When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?

I think I will have said more than I’ve done, not only because I like to talk and write but because there’s a lot I want to do but will probably never get around to doing. I think as long as you’re happy with what you have done and can live with what you’ve said you’d do and didn’t then it’s a life well lived.

What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?

The materialistic nature of society. I have no problem with ownership, I just have an issue with the cost of buying those things. Having withings and wanting things is not being materialistic. Wanting something because it is more expensive than something else, or because no-one else has it is materialistic. We have become a society that values the dollar more than we value our values.

If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?

I would do the same thing I do now, work with children in an active environment. I suppose, looking at it from the premise of this question, I am already as rich as I could ever hope to be.

Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?

I think my life is a mixture of both. I love what I do and I believe in the value of doing it as fulfilment of myself: being a parent, the work I do, the other interests I have and partake in. I have also settled in that I haven’t tried in any real sense to extend myself or better myself recently.

If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?

Probably not. I might date a bit more. And it depends on whether it was the same process of aging but sped up to shorten the lifespan to 40 years or whether you aged as you do now, then dropped dead at 40.

To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?

I think it’s about 50/50. Somethings have been completely my own choosing. Some have been influenced by others and some things have been forced upon me (both good and bad).

Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

Again, I think I worry about both. I want to do things right, I am a perfectionist. I also want to do the right things (as seen by others and by myself). I would like to be able to worry less about the outcome, rather than the reason behind what I am doing.

You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and unjustified.  What do you do?

With all due respect and admiration to the people I am with, I would correct them if they said something erroneous about a friend of mine and have done this before. I think if they are critising based on information that is flawed then I should correct the information so they can come to an informed critique of the person and/or their actions.

If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?

Learn from the mistakes of others, it saves you having to make the same mistakes yourself.

Would you break the law to save a loved one?

Yes. There is no hesitation in answering this. I would do anything to protect and/or save my family and close friends.

Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?

I’m not sure about insanity, but stupidity definitely. I recently had a revelation, or maybe a reawakening of a thought: A person can be incredibly creative in one manner and yet you find the rest of their work to be incredibly stupid.

What’s something you know you do differently than most people?

Eat spaghetti / noodles.

How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?

Individuality: culture, religion, generation gap, gender, sexuality, friends, family, genetics. There are probably a few basic, fundamental phenomena that make most people happy but all in all be are a product of what we are, what we experience and what we gain from the experience which makkes each individual unique.

What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?  What’s holding you back?

Sky Dive: money, time, encouragement, fear.

Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?

The idea of the perfect man.

If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?

Interstate: Tasmania – it’s beautiful and it’s not busy

International: Scotland or Ireland – the accent

Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?

Yes. No.

Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?

A worried genius because if I were a genius I could figure out a way to solve what was worrying me and then be a joyful genius.

Why are you, you?

Because my brain is wired aspecific way so that it experiences things in certain way and informs future decisions based on what has gone before. In other words, a little bit of nature and a little bit of nurture working together.

Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?

Not always but mostly and I hope increasingly more so.

Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?

Losing touch with a good friend who lives near by because there is nothing you can blame the loss on but yourself because distance isn’t a factor.

What are you most grateful for?

Choosing not to follow through with thoughts of suicide when I was younger because if I had, I’d never have had my son.

Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?

There’s some old memories that I’d like to lose but I think I’d rather not be able to make new ones because I could document my present in some way, through writing it down or videoing it and not have to rely on memory, whereas the old memories have no backup.

Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?

No. You can have faith in it being the truth, but you can never really know that it is the truth unless you have challenged it and seen the result for yourself.

Has your greatest fear ever come true?

My greatest fear is being without a partner for the rest of my life. This can only come true the moment I die, so the answer is no.

Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now?

No, and clearly not, because I don’t remember it.

What is your happiest childhood memory?  What makes it so special?

Finding out someone had a crush on me. It made me believe that I could be just like the other girls.

At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?

At the football, cheering on my beloved Sydney Swans with my son and my friends.

If not now, then when?

When it’s convenient, when I have the money, when I have the time, when I have the energy.

If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?

It depends on what the achievent is. If you give up nothing for an achievement, then what have you really achieved. We all give up something to achieve: time, money, other opportunities. The real question is whether they are worth losing.

Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?

Yes :D

Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?

Because most religions support love of an ideal which may be different from another religions ideal and so in order to “save” the followers of the other religion they feel that they must destroy all opposition to their ideal.

Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?

In some cases, yes. In some cases no. I believe that nothing is good or evil except the intention which makes it so.

If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?

No, because a million dollars doesn’t go very far these days.

Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?

More work I enjoy doing.

Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?

Sometimes.

When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?

When I started this blog. It’s not much but I believe in it.

If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?

My son.

Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?

No, because in those 10 years I may find someone who can see past my physical imperfections or become famous on my own.

What is the difference between being alive and truly living?

Being alive is survival mode, truly living is make the most out of every experience, trying new things, being the best person that you can be.

When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?

In my case, never. Or when the risk is negligable and the reward guaranteed.

If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?

The percieved pressure we feel to be perfect.

What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?

Say yes more often when I was younger and no more often now I’m older.

When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?

Everytime I yawn I notice my breathing.

What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?

I love my son. I tell him all the time. I love writing. I do it as often as I can.

In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that?

No, not specifically, as it is an ordinary day.

Decisions are being made right now.  The question is:  Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?

Both.

The Value of the Boys and Girls in Blue

Today is National Police Remembrance Day. It’s a day for commemorating those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Whether those officers were killed trying to apprehend a criminal or died trying to save someone else, their efforts should never go unrecognised. It is held on September 29^th each year in Australia, New Zealand and other countries in the region: the date signifying the day of St Michael, patron saint of police and an archangel in Christianity, Judaism and Islam, truly a reflection of our multicultural

Since the inception of the New South Wales Police Force in 1803, over 250 officers have given their lives to uphold the laws that keep the rest of us safe. The Police Force Wall of Remembrance, located in The Domain, has the names of the fallen etched into it and is testament to the respect shown by the community at large towards the Police Force and those who serve under it.

I have been fortunate enough to know many serving police officers. I have nothing but respect and admiration for these fine people. It saddens me that a few bad eggs can tarnish the reputation of such an outstanding organisation. Without the police force there would be no order, only chaos.

The police not only help once a crime has been perpetrated, they are instrumental in crime prevention. They also work alongside other emergency services (fire, ambulance, SES, armed services) in the wake on natural and man-made disasters, as well as lending a hand in peacekeeping missions and major sporting and community events.

Having said that, the police cannot do their jobs without community support. It is up to us, the public, to report crimes and to do our best to prevent crimes. By saying we don’t want to get involved or we can’t help we are making their work infinitely more difficult.

I am honoured that outstanding individuals consider taking on the responsibility of being a police officer, for far too little pay or recognition. So whether they are a beat cop, undercover, area command, or police commissioner, whether they are locating a missing child, arresting a drug dealer or rescuing a flood victim, each and every one of the individuals deserves a pat on the back, a warm and heartfelt thank you and the knowledge that the public have their back against those who would corrupt, steal and sabotage the very fabric of society.

So on this day of national remembrance, take the time to spare a thought not only for those who have given their lives but also for those who currently serve, may they gain strength from our support and may the bad guys never win.

Who We Become When With Others

We all have separate little pieces of our personality that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle, making the larger picture that is us. Sometimes, when we are with specific people or a specific group of people, one of those pieces dominates or is repressed, making us seem to be not ourselves to those who know us in other spheres of our lives.

I find this is most evident in two realms. The social and the business spheres can bring to the fore two disparate parts of our personalities. The serious versus the fun loving, if you will. The other is when we begin a new romantic relationship.

Finding that perfect partner, the one who you can truly be yourself with, can be very easy. It can also be the hardest thing in the world. There is no rhyme or reason to this. It is being in the right place at the right time. Sometimes we think we’ve found the one when in reality they are just another stepping-stone, there to teach us something about ourselves.

Whatever the reason for this disparity in personality, we have to make sure that we don’t allow the change for one aspect of our lives to take over in every aspect. I have found that professionally, I can quite submissive. This has a tendance to creep into my social life, especially in regards to boyfriends. Standing up for myself and not backing down for the sake of not arguing have been issues, which until recently, I have not really dealt with. With my friends who know me and with my family, I would never dream of letting them walk all over me, not would I let anyone walk all over them.

At work, it’s a survival mechanism. I am not a big enough fish to make waves and not feel the consequences. Luckily, I am good at my job and don’t have much recourse to have to try to defend myself. I am also reasonably well liked so don’t need to stand up for any injustice against me.

When it comes to men, there is the fear that if I let one go then I won’t find another. This creates a submissive attitude in me. I will agree to save us from having, or to end, an argument. This is a double-edged sword as the problem doesn’t get resolved and you end up losing them anyway because they don’t want to be with someone who has no spine.

The trouble with submission is that the flip side of the coin is often an uncontrolable inward rage. All the anger at not standing up for yourself, the fear of rejection and the miriad of other negative emotions eats away at you, burns into your soul. If there is no outlet for this rage then it can be very dangerous.

In others, I have seen the logical and commonsense version of themselves be sabotaged by friends who encourage their wild and reckless side.  This can be very confronting and sometimes overwhelming when the two worlds meet especially when they are extreme ends of the spectrum. I know that alcohol can play a large part in this collision of psychological worlds. The staff function can wreak havoc with the boundaries we may have established for the different pieces of our personality puzzle. I have seen people who, while at work, are incredibly quiet, demure and responsible become loud, aggressive and dangerous because they have allowed their barriers to crumble between the personal and the professional, aided by the consumption of alcohol (sometimes in copious amounts).

Of course, many people are pretty much the same no matter where they are. All of their pieces fit neatly together and work together to make a seamless transition from one situation to another. The fluctuations between different aspects of their personality are minor and normal in the grand scheme of things. They do not rage against each other and tear each other down.

Maybe one day I will achieve the balance I so desire between submission and rage. I hope everyone who needs to find their balance is successful and, in the meantime, that your worlds do not collide too ferociously.

Swans Loyal: Part One

There are plenty of people who have pulled on the red and white to play for the South Melbourne/Sydney Swans but in this modern age of trades and back room deals, club loyalty stands out a mile. It’s nice for us, as fans who are loyal through ups and downs, to see players who will celebrate the wins and struggle through the losses just like us. This installment deals with those who have played for the Swans for at least ten seasons and ended their career in Sydney. Further installments will deal with those who ended their career prior to the move from South Melbourne and those who came from other clubs to call the Swans home. It has been my privilege to see many of the players listed below in action on multiple occasions. I hope that the current crop of players who are on this list stay loyal to the end, which I’m sure they will, and so, without further ado … from most recent to past greats … the Swans loyal  …

Tadhg Kennelly

2001 – 2008; 2010 – date (10 seasons)

Courtesy of writer's own collection

Tadhg was recruited from Irish Gaelic Football team, Kerry, in 1999 and made his senior AFL debut in 2001. He won many fans with his Irish charm and was the first Irishman to win an AFL Premiership Medal when he played with the Swans in their 4 point win over West Coast in 2005. There had been speculation that Tadhg would return to play in Ireland to follow in his father’s footsteps and win an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medal and never was this more fervent than following his father’s sudden death at age 51 in December 2005, despite a year remaining on Tadhg’s contract with the Swans but he ended the speculation in August 2006 by signing a 3 year contract with the swans.

During the 2007 and 2008 season, Tadhg suffered a run of injuries, including leg and should injuries, which set back his AFL career. An anterior cruciate ligament tear in 2007 and a dislocated kneecap in 2008 caused him to reassess his career and in January of 2009 he announced he would return to Ireland and play Gaelic football for his native county, Kerry.

Tadhg played in the Gaelic National Football League and earned a spot in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, playing for Kerry, in June 2009 after their team was ravaged by injuries. Despite an injury during the qualifying series he took the field as a substitute in the All-Ireland quarter-final against Dublin and made such an impression that he was named in the starting team for the semi-final in which Kerry beat Meath.

On 20 September 2009 he played the first 50 minutes of the All-Ireland final, scoring 2 points and becoming the first person to win an AFL premiership and an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. Following controversy after a supposed misquote by the ghost writer of his autobiography Kennelly signed a two year deal with the Sydney Swans, marking his return to the AFL in 2010.

Personal Reflections: Seeing Tadhg standing on the stage to receive his premiership medal, having it hung round his neck and him facing the crowd and do his version of an Irish jig made the Irish in me swell with pride (even if it is only about 1/8^th of me). Seeing him do it again the next morning at the team presentation, quite hung over, was very amusing.

Ryan O’Keefe

2000 – date (12 seasons)

Courtesy of The Telegraph

Recruited from the Calder Cannons Ryan has been a solid player for the swans since his debut in 2000. He played in the winning 2005 Grand Final team and in 2006 again played in the Grand Final as well as gaining selection on the All-Australian team.

Like many players who travel from their Victorian homes to play interstate, they occasionally get homesick. Ryan announced that he wanted to go home, to play for one of the Victorian teams, and knocked back a three year contract with the swans. However, a trade was not forthcoming and Ryan decided not to run the risk of the draft as their were three non-Victorian teams with draft picks ahead of any Victorian team. He later signed a 4 year contract with the Swans and in 2009 he won the Bob Skilton Medal. After initially worrying that the fans might not accept him back into the team he has taken on a role in the leadership group and the fans have understood his desire to go home.

Personal Reflections: I’ve met Ryan a few times over the years and he is a quiet, reserved kind of a guy. He’s not your typical footballer personality, not in public anyway. This is not to say he has no personality. At one time he hosted a cooking segment on Channel Ten’s “Seriously AFL” and writes “Ryan’s Recipes” for the Swans website. It’s nice to see a player who doesn’t need or want the alcohol- and/or drug-fuelled recklessness that so catch out so many promising players.

Jude Bolton

1999 – date (13 seasons)

Courtesy of writer's own collection

Jude was recruited from the Calder Cannons and soon became a hit with the young girls, myself included. I still have my jumper with his number lovingly sewn on the back from 1999. His career has coincided with my membership of the club, perhaps why I feel such an affinity towards him. Despite his pretty-boy image, Jude is a hard player and isn’t afraid to get dirty.

In 2007 Jude won the AFL Community Leadership Award in recognition of his charitable works, especially with the homeless. Jude once said, "Getting out among the street people is an eye-opener and a pretty humbling experience. You get to meet a few interesting characters … We're very lucky to have a lifestyle because of our jobs, so it's good to get out there and give something back."

Personal Reflections: My friends and I have always had a giggle about Jude, especially when it comes to him kicking goals. It has now become a ritual that one of us crosses ourselves father-son-and-holy-ghost-style (it is usually me, but I always get reminded to do it if I forget or blamed if I don’t do it and he misses). There’s just something about mid-fielders sneaking forward to kick goals. The other thing we have a giggle about is how long it will take before his pristine jumper is caked in mud. However, as much as we tease Jude, we love him to bits and feel like we’ve been through a lot together.

Adam Goodes

1999 – date (13 seasons)

Courtesy of writer's own collection

Where do I start with Adam? In 1999, his debut season, he was outstanding and deserving winner on the Rising Star Award. Things only got better from there. In 2003 he as named for the first time in the All-Australian Team, won the Bob Skilton Medal and won the Brownlow Medal. He backed up the All-Australian selection and Brownlow win in 2006, as well as playing in the 2006 Grand Final loss to West Coast.

Adam was played instrumental roles in both the successful 2005 Grand Final campaign and the 2006 loss. His ability to lead on the field has been duly rewarded with a position in the leadership group for many years and with Co-Captaincy since 2009.

Demonstrating a leadership quality off the field as well has defined Adam as one of the good-guys of Australian Football. He and his good friend Michael O'Loughlin helped to start an indigenous football academy. In 2009 they launched the Goodes O'Loughlin Foundation which aims at empowering the next generation of Indigenous role models. Adam and Michael co-Chair the Foundation, which focuses on education, employment and healthy lifestyles for indigenous youth.

Personal Reflections: Adam is another player that I feel like I’ve grown up with. It was beautiful to see him in 2003 at the Brownlow Medal Ceremony, having no girlfriend in tow, instead bringing his mum to share the night and, ultimately, his victory. Adam is not only one of my favourite players of all time, he is one of my favourite people and I think he will always be thus.

Brett Kirk

1999 – 2010 (12 seasons)

Courtesy of writer's own collection

Nicknamed “Captain Kirk” (in reference to popular sci-fi character Captain James T. Kirk of Star Trek fame) and “Captain Blood” (in reference to the clubs former nickname of “blood stained angels” or “bloods” for short) Brett was one of the finest captains the Swans have ever known.

Recruited from North Albury he debuted in 1999 and went on to win just about every accolade available. He was named on the All-Australian team in 2004, won the Bob Skilton Medal in 2005 and 2007, played in the 2005 Grand Final victory and the 2006 defeat. This also marked his first year of Co-Captaincy, which continued until his retirement in 2010. He was given the AFLPA Robert Rose Award (League's Most Courageous Player) in 2006, the Paul Kelly Players’ Player Award in 2008, the AFLPA Madden Medal (Community Spirit Award) and the AFLPA Best Captain Award 2010.

Brett is beloved by not only the players and fans from his own team, but respected by other teams, coaches and fans. His down to earth attitude, coupled with his tenacity as a player, was the hallmark of his playing career and he has been honoured by being selected in 2011 as the AFL Ambassador Youth Mentor, the AFL International Cup Ambassador and the AFL Premiership Cup Ambassador.

He finished his career with 1278 tackles, which remains the record today. His ability to get the ball in tight contests proved pivotal in many games and he certainly led by example. Now that he’s finished his playing career he’s taking that same leadership quality to his new position and will continue to do the Swans proud no matter what direction his life path may take.

Personal Reflections: Brett will always be remembered as Captain Kirk, a name given to him before he even took on the position but I think that, rather than any specific memory of him playing (though there are so many wonderful ones), what I will always remember is his smile. It is the smile of a true champion, of someone who has seen the best and the worst of the human character on that field, and of someone who gave his all with grace and determination.

Michael O’Loughlin

1995 – 2009 (15 seasons)

Courtesy of writer's own collection

Recruited from the Central Districts in South Australia and making his senior debut in 1995, I’m sure no-one would have guessed what a magnificent player the Swans had unearthed. In only his second season he played in the 1996 losing Grand Final against North Melbourne. In 1997 he was selected for the All-Australian team, and again in 2000. in 1998 he won the Bob Skilton Medal and the Fos Williams Medal which is awarded to the best player from South Australia in an inter-state competition such as State of Origin.

Michael was given the nickname “Magic”, some say because of his ability to cast a spell over the opposition, and he certainly lived up to it. He was a critical member of the 2005 Grand Final win and the 2006 Grand Final loss, as well as every other game he played. One could never accuse Michael of giving less than his all, and then some, every time he stepped out onto the park.

Michael is one of the most decorated Indigenous Australian players in the history of the Australian Football League. He was named a member of the Indigenous Team of the Century, was only the third player with Indigenous heritage to play 300 AFL games (as well as the club’s first player ever to reach the milestone) and won two Deadlys: Outstanding Achievement in AFL (for his 2005 premiership season) and Male Sportsperson of the Year (for his unceasing efforts on field and off in 2009).

He has also been awarded the 2009 AFL Players’ Association Madden for his on and off-field contributions to the game, including the launching of the Goodes O'Loughlin Foundation, along with his good friend & co-Chairman Adam Goodes.

Personal Reflections: Michael was an amazing player and is an amazing person. Every time I have met him he has restored my faith in footballers with his gregarious personality and infectious attitude. I have nothing but respect and admiration for the man. I am hard-pressed to pick one moment from his career that warrants a mention more than any other moment so I am going to recall a moment I shared with him following the 2005 Grand Final win. It was the following morning. We fans were all down at South Melbourne’s old stomping ground for the team presentation. We’d gotten there early and had front row positions. The players arrived, looking a bit worse for wear, many sporting sunglasses (including Mickey). They were presented and then came down to sign a few autographs before being shepherded onto the bus to take them back to the airport for more of the same in Sydney. Mickey made his way around the fence line, signing autographs along the way, until he came to my friend and I. We asked him how he was feeling that morning. He looked at us over the top of his sunglasses, perched on the end of his nose, smiled a kind of a half-smile and said (in a rather croaky voice), “Just fine.”

Leo Barry

1995 – 2009 (15 seasons)

Courtesy of writer's own collection

Leaping Leo earned his nickname by being able to somehow defy the laws of gravity (and probably a few other laws of physics) to launch himself high into the air and mark the ball. I suppose when you’re not the tallest of defenders and ability to leap higher than your opponent can reach is a terrific asset and at only 184cm (yes, only!) he quite often played of forwards who towered over him, usually by at least 10-15cm.

Leo’s remarkable ability is showcased by two games. The first is the 2004 clash with St Kilda. Leo was matched with the massive, 196cm tall Fraser Gehrig. Despite giving away 12cm in height and 15kg in weight, Leo kept the full forward scoreless and limited him to only two possessions, both handballs. This is not just amazing because of the size difference but because Gehrig went on to claim the 2004 Coleman Medal, which is awarded to the player who kicks the most goals in the regular season each year.

However, it is the second game that will go down in Swans Club legend, if not AFL legend. Let me set the scene. It is the 2005 Grand Final. The swans have been locked in an agonising battle against West Coast for the entrie game. There is less than a minute to go and the swans are ahead by 4 points. Dean Cox, a West Coast player, has the ball. He knows that a mark in the forward line could win West Coast the game. He send the ball flying down into the forward line and the pack of players fly. The crowd are going nuts. From the pack emerges Leo Barry, ball in hand. He has taken what is the most memorable single mark ever in the history of Swans games and by taking it ensure the Swans first Premiership win in 72 years.

Personal Reflections: I could reflect on how it felt being there are the MCG in 2005, behind the goals that Leo took that mark in front of, but I won’t. What I will reflect on is the first time I met Leo. It was at a Barrassi BBQ (ah, the good old days). Leo and a few of the other players were sitting upstairs over-looking Randwick Racecourse. Being eager, young autograph hunters, my friend and I decided to go up and see if they’d be willing to sign our books. We politely asked and Leo took my book. He signed it and, as he passed it to the player next to him, said, “Give her your phone number.” That cheeky sense of humour is what I will always remember about Leo. Oh, and that mark, of course.

Daryn Cresswell

1992 – 2003 (12 seasons)

Courtesy of The Age

Recruited from North Hobart, Daryn played his first senior game in 1992. His outstanding playing career, which included the Bob Skilton Medal in 1994, playing in the 1996 Grand Final and being selected in the All-Australian team in 1997, has been marred since his retirement by off field activities.

In 2009 he declared bankruptcy, owing almost $700,000, admitting that gambling had become an addiction since retiring from football. That same year Cresswell was arrested and charged in relation to with fraud offences that were allegedly committed in Queensland.

Personal Reflections: I was recently reminded of an incident involving Daryn during a 1997 game against Geelong (thanks Dean Edwards). Thinking back I remember him sitting on the ground, having just layed a crucial tackle, holding his dislocated knee and then proceeding to smack it back into position. The pain must have been excruciating. The mental and physical fortitude to then back up the next week is incredible by anyone’s standards and it should be this attitude, rather than his off-field indiscretions, for which he should be remembered.

To watch the video of Daryn relocating his kneecap follow the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNP5HG1zN8w

Andrew Dunkley

1991 – 2002 (12 seasons)

Courtesy of The Age

Dunkley was one of the first players that I’d seen made defending seem cool. As far back as I can remember, there was Dunkley in the back line, holding strong and saving many a goal. He was a hard player, being seen at the tribunal on more than one occasion, but he was a great leveller for the club, a father-figure to the younger players in the latter stages of his career, though his hard-man approach did nearly cost him a spot in the 1996 Grand Final.

In their after the siren victory over Essendon, Dunkley was reported for striking James Hird and was set to miss the Grand Final though suspension. The Swans went to the Supreme Court and had his ban put on hold so he could play. Unfortunately, it didn’t matter in the end, with Swans going down to North Melbourne 19.17.131 to 13.10.88.

Personal Reflections: I remember as a teenager, Dunkley was one of my favourite players of the mid-90s. I think it was the hair. I was very superficial back then. I also remember that I was always surprised when Dunks kicked a goal. Well, considering he player over 200 games and only scored 10 goals, his ventures up forward were somewhat limited but always exciting as you never knew if he was going to get it.

Dale Lewis

1990 – 2001 (12 seasons)

Courtesy of Triple M Radio

Dale was recruited from North Ballarat and debuted in 1990. He was instrumental in the run to the 1996 Grand Final and played good, consistent football. It’s a shame that his post retirement remarks about drugs in the AFL have somewhat soured the perception of him. Dale was an exciting player with flair and style.

Personal Reflections: I am not sure what to say about Dale. He was a loyal player, you can't be at a club for as long as he was without feeling some sort of connection to the club, the people, the fans. I know there is a lot of debate about what Dale did and said and this is not the place for that argument. I really enjoyed watching Dale play and that's where I will leave that subject.

Paul Kelly

1990 – 2002 (13 seasons)

Courtesy of the Herald Sun

Kels was recruited from Wagga Wagga and first played in 1990. A mere three years later he was appointed Captain of the team. His ability to lead and his general football ability were outstanding from the beginning and it’s no wonder that he has become the iconic captain that we all love and admire.

Paul won an amazing four Bob Skilton Medals (1992, 1993, 1996 and 1997), won the Brownlow in 1995 and made the All-Australian team on three occasions (1995, 1996 as captain and 1997 as captain) but it was Kels courage as a player that stood out. He was the recipient of the AFLPA Robert Rose Award for Most Courageous Player in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2000 and, to this day, is known as Captain Courageous.

Kels played in the 1996 Grand Final defeat and it’s tragic that he never got to taste that sweet success, however, he was given the honour of presenting the Premiership Cup to then coach Paul Roos and then captain Barry Hall after the 2005 Grand Final victory.

In 2007 he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame and has the Swans annual Players’ Player Award named after him.

Personal Reflections: Again, how do you pick one moment from such an outstanding career? I think the most poignant memory is that of Kels presenting the Brownlow Medal to former teammate Adam Goodes in 2006. Seeing two greats of the club together like that is great motivation for the club and a fitting tribute to both players.

Mark Bayes

1985 – 1998 (14 seasons)

Courtesy of the Sydney Morning Herald

Recruited from Noble Park, Mark debut with the Swans in 1985 and soon established himself as a consistent player at either end of the ground. He genuinely was a jack-of-all-trades when it came to footy. Despite playing mostly in the backline, he was more than capable of making forays into the midfield and front line. Given the opportunity, he showed himself to be a good goalkicker, booting many goals in his career.

His ability to play anywhere on the ground contributed to his selection in the Swans “Team of the Century”. He was awarded the Bob Skilton Medal in 1989 and played in the 1996 Grand Final loss to North Melbourne. It should also be noted that Mark suffered very few injuries over the space of his 12 seasons at the Swans and even late in his career when niggling injuries could have gotten the better of him he continued to play consistent and influential football.

Personal Reflections: I always feel for the Swans players who were in the 1996 Grand Final defeat but retired before the 2005 victory. To come so close and come away without the Premiership must be heartbreaking. I think, though, Mark showed such a great resilience throughout his entire career and despite not being one of the “superstar” players, or perhaps because of it, he made a significant impact on many games.

David Murphy

1984 – 1993 (10 seasons)

Courtesy of the Sydney Swans

David could well have ended up playing for Geelong instead of the Swans had it not been for a fortuitous work transfer to Wagga Wagga (part of the Swans catchment area). A top player on the wing, David was rewarded with selection in the All-Australian team in 1988 and was consistently an influential player for the Swans throughout his career.

The Swans proved that they valued David’s loyalty when, after finding getting to training on time due to work commitments was becoming increasingly difficult, they helped him find alternate employment with a Swans supporter. Loyalty is best kept when it is a two way street and this is surely the best proof.

Personal Reflections: It’s great to see players who could have upped and left after the move to Sydney remain in the Habour City, and David is one of those who has not only remained but prospered. He recalled being a “very, very proud Swan” after the 2005 Grand Final victory and currently takes pride in watching his son play as a top up player for the Swans Reserves.

Dennis Carrol

1981 – 1993 (13 seasons)

Courtesy of the Sydney Swans

Originally from the Riverina District of New South Wales, Dennis is one of the longest serving Captains of the club, serving in the position for seven of his thirteen seasons. Dennis was a terrific leader of the club, both on and off the field, showing guts and determination each and every week.

After playing his first year with South Melbourne, he made the move with the Swans to Sydney and has been an integral part of the club ever since, even post retirement as a player. Dennis spent four years as the Swans Reserves coach, was the chairman of the Swans Match Committee and is currently the Player Welfare & Development Manager. The Swans award for Most Improved is also named in his honour.

Personal Reflections: Though I may not always agree with Dennis’ reading of situations, I have never been one to question his dedication and loyalty to the club which has been a part of his life for 30 years. I think that he has repaid the Swans belief in him and the Swans have repaid his loyalty towards them and they will hopefully continue to reward each other for many years to come.

Stephen Wright

1979 – 1992 (14 seasons)

Courtesy of Sydney Swans

Recruited from Oakleigh Districts, Stephen played his first senior game in 1979 and, despite playing with many “superstar”, he played an integral part in the team. Predominantly playing as a rover, Stephen was dangerous in front of goal, never took a backward step when it came to attacking the ball. It was this drive and dedication to the team that won him the Bob Skilton Medal in 1985 and 1990.

Stephen was also modest, however, and was shocked at being inducted into the Swans Hall of Fame. Wright explained that he was ‘embarrassed’ by the inclusion because “I never saw myself as a star player. Short (171cm) and light (73kg), I was more a battler than anything else. Besides, I didn’t have fantastic skills.”

Personal Reflections: It’s rare for players to show their emotions but when television cameras caught Steve crying outside the Lake Oval believing that his beloved club would fold, it not only showed the depth of feeling Stephen had towards football but towards the club he held so dear. Luckily, the move to Sydney saved the club, and the careers of many players, and we in the Harbour City are eternally grateful.

Tony Morwood

1978 – 1989 (12 seasons)

Courtesy of the Sydney Swans

Recruited from Noble Park, Tony played in the red and white along side brothers, Paul and Shane for many years but when the club made the move north to Sydney Paul elected to move to St Kilda and Shane moved to Collingwood, leaving Tony with the agonising decision of staying in Victoria with his family or moving with the Swans to their new home in Sydney.

In the end Tony happily made the decision to stay loyal to the club which had given him his start and went on to become one of the greatest half-forwards the club has even had. Tony was a very agile player often weaving out of trouble but was equally at home in the air and developed a reputation as a superb aerialist.

Personal Reflections: Despite playing in Tasmania and then Victoria following his retirement from senior football, Tony returned to the Swans as part of the Melbourne office and is now the manager of the club’s Melbourne operations. I think the fact that former players feel such affection towards their former club that they will follow them interstate should be acknowledged as one of the most beautiful things in football. It would have been so easy for Tony to remain in Victoria, as his brothers did, yet he showed dedication to his club and they have duly rewarded his loyalty and relish having him back in the fold.

Mark Browning

1975 – 1987 (13 seasons)

Courtesy of the Sydney Swans

Mark was signed under the father-son rule as his father, Keith, had played for the Swans between 1951 and 1954, though things could have turned out very differently if North Melbourne and Fitzroy had had their way. Both clubs had laid claim to the young Mark but, as Mark himself said, “Both North and Fitzroy were wasting their time as I only wanted to play for South and I made my debut with the Swans in 1975.”

His learning curve was rapid, thanks to then coach Ian Stewart putting him on some of the most influential opposition players each week. Mark took some hard knocks, including a broken leg, but a never-say-die attitude brought him through his first few years at the club and turned him into a strong leader, taking on the vice-captaincy for many years, including during the pivotal time of the club’s move north.

In the years following the move, Mark won the Bob Skilton Medal (1983) and was promoted to captain for the 1983 and 1984 seasons, though the modest and versatile player was happy to just be part of the leadership group.

Personal Reflections: Mark is the player who best represents both incarnations of our Club. He not only has the distinction of having played 100 games for South Melbourne, he also played 100 games for the Sydney, and is the only player in the club’s history to do so. I think those players who did make the trek north to Sydney should hold a special place in the heart of all Swans fans, especially those who spent a considerably more time in South Melbourne than they did in Sydney, such as Mark.

Colin Hounsell

1975 – 1985 (11 seasons)

Courtesy of The Sydney Swans

Few footballers have shown as much loyalty to the Swans as this former midfielder, who twice rejected offers to join other clubs. The first was a controversial deal by Collingwood who claimed Colin as part of a trade for Robert Dean (whom the Swans had signed over the summer) but Colin refused to play for anyone but the Swans (then still in South Melbourne). The second offer came from Carlton after Colin had decided to move away from senior football and had played a stint in the South Australian league. On deciding to return to the seniors, and despite the offer from Carlton, Colin stated, ““If I return to Victoria, I’ll play for the Swans.”

Colin’s loyalty was again tested when the club made the move to Sydney but he showed the club where his heart lay and stayed with the club. Now living in Queensland, Colin regularly attends club reunions, has stayed friends with many of the players who made the transition from South Melbourne to Sydney and follows the fortunes of the current players with interest.

Personal Reflections: Though I never saw Colin play, I find that his attitude pervades the club still. The Swans, more so than many other teams, manage to instill a sense of loyalty in their players and the fans have come to expect it.

For anyone interested in the Goodes O’Loughlin Foundation, head to the following website:

http://www.go-foundation.org/

And thank you to the Swans loyal fan base for helping put together the names for inclusion here, your contributions were most gratefully received.