Well here we are nearly knocking on the door of December with  all the joy of

Christmas celebrations waiting for us to enjoy with family  and friends.

Again  we  have the opportunity to say,’ thank you God  for Christmas ‘ for  the real Christmas, God becoming  human and living among us. A wonder and well worthy of all the songs and stars .

You can see where my head is at present as time seems to rush by.

I was thinking the other day in retirement I have plenty of time to do things, on the other hand, the hourglass sands are on the running out side ,and yet there are so many things yet to do,experience, celebrate and share.

The pictures that come with this show something of our  travel to Maroochydoor. 

We saw Tuiana  working hard  as  Nanny and was able to enjoy some picnics with the children . Joel came over for a fortnight and I went back for a couple of weeks in Auckland.

I was well looked after  there and Allan took me down to visit our Great Uncle Jack who shared with us some of  our family history.

It was good to spend time there with Allan and Margaret and to see Joel at work.

Karen came back, to go on her last Barkly Areo Medical visit around the Stations as she had taken up another job. She was sad to say goodbye to those she has been looking after.

Because Karen changes jobs we also had to shift houses, only 2 doors, closer to Robert but quite an effort in the very hot sun, smaller house with no view, but the  house is ok. I was still in N ew Zealand so they tell me I have a debt to the shifters still.

Karen is now the CQI facilitator for the Barkly Region, based at Anyinginyi Aboriginal Corporation, she had the responsibility of Anyinginyi and 5 Department of health clinics  , so she will still have some travel out to remote areas.

The job is about best practice and quality audits, at present she is working on the accreditation   for  the Anyinginyi Health centre, so lots of meeting s . Karen has been to Darwin for training for a week and looking at going to Alice springs next week to work with another CQI Facilitator.

I have been enjoying making some wooden toys of late wooden puppets that dance when I play the Ukulele and am selling them at markets here.  I call them the hand carved original Blain St Dancers .

I  have been making Incredibly  Secret Hooey Sticks!!

We head  home on the 22^nd Dec joining Wrighty’s Marae for Christmas

Arohanui

Ian and Karen

Desert Harmony

It was good to part of the Desert Harmony Festival here at Tennant Creek.
The youth night went off well, with a lot a young people performing on stage under the stars.
Click here for Barkly Regional Arts and Desert Harmony  you never know who you'll see.
I rode my bike in the Parade through town making bubbles as I went along.

 I also had a spot doing some comedy magic with Emma from Barkly Arts at the Alice Desert Festival performing in a circus tent.

 Karen is back today after another Barkly Mobile Medical run out to the stations. The satellite computer let them down so were back to paper notes. Weather wise it is getting hot up in the 30+ these days. Karen said it was in the forties when getting back into the plane sitting on the station airstrips.

We are are enjoy having Prabhu living with us a the moment. He works for the Department of Families and Children. He is a good cook as and often gives us a taste of or India.

 He gave me a T shirt for my Birthday which says. I'm Not 71, I'm 18 With 53 yrs Experience.

 Robert and Michael gave me a 'one hundred and one cheeky dogs" T shirt, and yes there 101 dogs on it. This T shirt has been personalised for me.

On the right sleeve it says; Hearing Aid, Wallet Diary, pen , Bagpipes, Whistle. On the left sleeve, Glasses, Bag, Bike, Keys, Banjo. I don't have to get a tattoo on my arm to remember things after all.

Karen, gave me an ipad so I am learning about App's and apple things,its good Prabhu here to help.

 Joel and Tuiana also spoilt me. Many happy memories of a year ago at Marehau.
This year I wasn't abducted !

We have been busy in the Op shop here as well as in the local church.

 I'll sign off with four words from Philippians 3:1 Be glad in God.

 God Bless you

Arohanui Ian and Karen

click here for web album

The Democratic Set - Tennant Creek blog post - teabagcreek@gmail.com - Gmail

This is short film showing something of Tennant Creek I am playing the Jews harp and being a mad hatter watch for that..Karen and Tuinana are sweetly singing Blue moon

Click here - to view the project

The Democratic Set - Tennant Creek from Back to Back Theatre on Vimeo.
Performing Lines, Back to Back Theatre, Barkly Regional Arts and Artback NT: Arts Development and Touring present The Democratic Set, filmed at Tennant Creek Civic Hall on 22 – 24 May 2012.

Democratic Set is toured by Performing Lines for Mobile States, with the support of the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and through the national performing arts touring program, Playing Australia.

August update from Ian and Karen

Allan and Margaret seeing Karen and the Dr off around the Stations 

The satellite computer all set up at Brunnette Downs with a helpful dog 

We had a day at Elliot for the opening a building for Families as First Teachers. Karen was popular with the fave painitng . I was busing making balloon animals.

Chris the secretary of the office retired so I make some flowers and a princess love heart wand. 

Elliot beauty with painted face. 

Second hand shop sign in Alice Springs. 

This car caught my eye

Star light by candle the first outing of many  lanterns which will apear on Friday at Anyinginyi Manu  Desert Harmony Festival at  Nyinkka Nyunyu.

This is where the Nyinkka Nyunyu lives in these rock the spiky tail goanna. Fast asleep the other night when I was there.

We have practicing hard an over the rainbow performance the touble is every week we have a differen't lot of children.

Emma is very patient and it will come toegether on the night.

I will send some more pictures of the event.

Tak care

Arohanui

Ian and Karen

                  

Some recent pictures of Elliot and Tennant Creek activities

Click here to go to web abum

What has been happening from Ian and Karen

Hi I tried to stream the pictures but I seem to be missing one step so after a morning of trying I am trying this so I hope the numbers print to pictures on the blog. Oh the wonders of didgital technology. I

Tuiana has gone to work in Brisbane we miss her not being here. She left in the night and arrived at Mt Isa next morning and caught a plane from there in the evening.  Yes sometimes it gets cold at night here but not often.

 I enjoyed being part of the holiday programme at Tennant Creek working with Emma.

At Elliot with Karen and Robert ,Kangaroo and bush turkey for tea ,I did a magic show Karen cooked and painted faces.

Celebrating Territory day plenty of fireworks at Tenant Creek. The girls here will miss Tuianans'  beauty treatment. 

Show day was fun again, Karen and Robert were busy on a health promotion stall.That not it in the boxing pavilion.

Karen has been out recently around the Stations. She is off to Alice next week for a course so we head down on Saturday.

I have been  enjoying  Ephesisans of late .  I'll share with you I have put in a song prayer (chords on request)


I give thanks for you
and, I ask for you
that you may have the Spirit of wisdom
and revelation
so you may know him
and run the race in joy of his grace
knowing him


God Bless 
Arohanui
Ian and Karen

Kakadu and Kathine Gorge