Happy Christmas 2010

Happy Christmas everyone. Wishing you a great time with family and friends over the Christmas and New Year period. Peace be with you.

Work

My time at Central Office has come to an end. I have loved the last two years of managing a statewide project, Beam. Beam started as training for foster carers on how they can support their children’s learning in everyday life. It was so successful that it has expanded to be available for all schools to use with parents or carers. The highlights have included, meeting and training so many fantastic teachers, working with designers to create some awesome resources. Check it out www.beam.edu.au

Sport

I have continued with running, touch and cycling. The highlight of this year was achieving my goal of under 2 hours for a half marathon. Training with Lisa Wes-Newman was a joy and I don’t know how I will run without her when she returns to Cambodia. A special thanks to Pete too for keeping on track during the Gold Coast Half.

Cambodia

This year I was asked to lead a team of people to Cambodia – to learn about the work of Global Interaction and to fund raise for the work that Pip Miner is involved in. Pip is working in Poipet with an amazing group of young people to bring hope through sports development. Pip started a run club to connect with young people and we had the honour of joining them for the Pursat River Run. It was a fresh challenge to lead a group of adults overseas and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Family

Aunty Lis’ vacation care has been in full swing recently. It was great to have all 5 nieces and nephews stay over while their parents went to U2.

I took Harvey to Melbourne to see Mary Poppins for his birthday and Christmas. It was such fun seeing him skipping back to the hotel after the show and thoroughly enjoying the performance.

Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer this year. She has made a good recovery and is doing well. Dad was medically evacuated from PNG and after treatment and tests he is OK. He is about to head off to Bangladesh, please pray for a safe and healthy trip.

Friends

I am forever thankful for a fantastic group of friends who are so supportive and fun. A group of us decided to do our very own My Kitchen Rules. It was a real challenge to put together a TV worthy dinner party. Tracey and I spent hours reading cooking books and loved preparing our party. It was then wonderful to be treated to the meals of the rest of the group. Next year it has been proposed we do ‘Their Kitchen Rules” and go to restaurants.

2011

It is back to school for me next year. I will be Head of Curriculum at Dutton Park State School. I am looking forward to the new challenge. Importantly, the school is on my cycle route…so I can still ride with my cycling peeps J

Happy Christmas

Lis