Happy Australia Day
and
Happy Chinese New Year
From Harper & Lindy
I had a wonderful Christmas break with lots of food and drinks. Well actually Lindy and I had lots of food. In the drinks department, no matter how hard I tried, I only managed to find water in my bowl! I am sure the Guide Dog handbook does not mention that Guide Dogs can’t consume wine or beer during the festive season. We had a great start to 2009 with Australia Day and Chinese New Year both falling on the same day. As usual I was the Australia Day ambassador, even though Lindy’s name is officially on the list! I love this duty, because I get to go to the Convention Centre at Darling “Harper” (Harbour to others but I think it was really named after me!) for the Australia Day Lunch. The full report on the Australia Day Festivities is below. This newsletter also includes: - Australia Day Ambassador Duties - Chinese New Year Festival - Guest Speaker at the International Women’s Day Breakfast (6th March) - Exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum featuring Lindy and Toireasa Australia Day Ambassador Duties
The Australia Day Ambassador Duty began with the Launch at Sydney Luna Park a week before Australia Day. I always use this opportunity to contribute to the cleaning up process. After all, I think it is my duty to ensure the function floor is spotlessly clean despite Lindy’s disapproval of this added duty. There were some great speeches and I learnt that the Australia Day Ambassador program began 20 years ago. It all began because someone from a country town wrote to the Australia Day Council requesting a celebrity to come and give the Australia Day address. The letter said “we can’t bear to hear another speech from our Mayor!” Nancy Bird-Walton, the first Australian female Commercial Pilot, was among the nine ambassadors that year. Sadly, Nancy passed away a couple of weeks before the 2009 Australia Day. Her last flight was with the Angel Airline. She made a great contribution to Australia, both in and out of the aviation industry and many will certainly miss her. Lindy and I went to the Bombala Shire Council for the Australia Day celebration. It was also the Wool and Wood Festival. I saw the wood chopping and sheep sheering competition. Lindy made sure her Australia Day address did not sound like one from a Mayor! We also attended the Harbour Cruise for the Chinese Community. Although Lindy did not have to give the Australia Day address that evening, she gave a short Thank You speech on behalf of the Celebration Committee.
Chinese New Year Festival
This Festivity began on New Year’s Eve with a Family Banquet in Canberra. This is another great opportunity for me to bond with all my four legged cousins. More importantly, the mealtime with ten children under the age of ten certainly gave me the opportunity to sample the wonderful Chinese cuisine! As much as I love my Purina Salmon Dinner, I love to sneak in some variety as it fell from the children’s table. One of the Chinese New Year customs is to give out red packets. This means good luck and good fortune. Somehow I missed out on getting one of these packets. Maybe I’ll have better luck next year!! Back in Sydney China Town, we went to the Australian Chinese Community Association Banquet where lots of community leaders attended. Once again, there were lots of foods, entertainment and speeches. On Sunday evening, we joined the Chinese Women Association (CWA) for the Chinese New Year Twilight Parade. The Parade went from Sydney Town Hall to China Town. Some 2,700 people participated in the Parade. Since this is the year of the Ox, the Parade was lead by a Giant Ox, followed by the Chinese Ex-Serviceman’s Association. The CWA were the next group, as they are one of the longest established Chinese Associations in Sydney, with a 52 year history. The streets were lined with people all the way to the Entertainment Centre. After we got to the end, we saw the other eleven giant animal lantern floats came in. There were also Martial Art Groups, Community Groups and many different Chinese Performing Groups. Clarence Street Cyclery sponsored the Beijing Bicycles Coolies. Photos can be viewed on the Clarence Street Cyclery Website www.cyclery.com.au . Janelle along with staff from the Cyclery, dressed up as Coolies riding bikes full of merchandise and were kept busy making deliveries to China Town. The well-lighted bikes with precision riding were a real hit among the elders of the Chinese Community, as well as the non-Chinese spectators. The involvement of Australians from non-Chinese backgrounds showcased the integration of all Australians. By integrating cultures, knowledge and history in this Land of Oz, we can certainly make this a great place to live. This initiative by Sydney City Council may well be extended to future Chinese New Year Parades. I am sure other community groups will also adopt the parade format for their celebrations. The evening was capped off with fireworks over Cockle Bay at Darling “Harper”.
International Women’s Day (6th March)
Manly Council will celebrate International Women’s Day with a breakfast at Manly Golf Club. Lindy will be the guest speaker at this breakfast. Come along and celebrate this day with great food and company. The proceeds from the breakfast will go to the Manly Warringah Women’s Resource Centre. The staff believe in women’s rights and equality. They provide support and advocacy for women and children on the Northern Beaches. Their programs and services aim to empower women to take charge of their own lives. Lindy is donating her speaking service for this breakfast. For those of you who live in the area, how about organising a group of friends or work colleagues and booking a table to celebrate this day for a great cause. Date: Friday 6th March Time: 7:30 to 9:00am Venue: Manly Golf Club Address: 38-40 Balgowlah Road, Manly Cost: $30 per head Table of 10 for $300 Booking and information: Shelley Gardiner 9976 1749
email shelley.gardiner@manly.nsw.gov.au or check www.manly.nsw.gov.au
In addition: Everyone attending will also have the opportunity to sign up for a free surfing lesson on Sunday 8th March 2009! I hope I can also sign up for a Guide Dog Surfing Lesson. Living in a Sensory World Exhibition at the Power House Museum
Lindy and Toireasa feature in this exhibition with their 2006 World Championships medal and World Champions Jersey on display. An interview with them both is also shown as part of the stories from people with blindness and low vision, on the TV screen. My interview was not shown, as their budget did not cover a Doggie Translator!
This exhibition will be officially opened on the Wednesday 4th of March at 5:30pm. Lindy has been invited to speak at this opening. I don’t really mind listening to Lindy’s talk; it gives me another opportunity to have a Dog Nap! Following is the Vision Australia promotion information on this exhibition:(copyright Vision Australia) =========================================================== If you’re in Sydney during 2009, don’t miss ‘Living in a sensory world: stories from people with blindness and low vision’, an exciting exhibition Vision Australia is jointly presenting with The Powerhouse Museum. Today, thanks to developments in education and training, technology, legislation and social change over the past 140 years, Australians with blindness or low vision are able to fully participate in every aspect of life. This exhibition gives visitors a window into the world of the blindness and low vision community and celebrates their achievements. It features objects from Vision Australia’s heritage collection, compelling accounts and examples of new technologies that are increasing the independence of thousands of Australians. ‘Living in a sensory world’ also aims to educate the museum visitor about eye conditions and how people with blindness or low vision experience, as well as offer an insight into how Australians who are blind or have low vision learn, work, play sport, create art and carry out everyday household tasks. Objects on show include a cylindrical rotating braille map created by Australia’s RF Tunley in the 1940s; Sonicguide glasses from the 1960s, which used sounds to identify objects; a Taylor slate from the early 20th century that assisted people who were blind to learn maths as well as examples of modern technology such as a phone that can capture text in image form and read it aloud to the user. The exhibition will feature braille and large print labelling and audio guides (which can also be downloaded from www.visionaustralia.org) are also available. The exhibition will run in the museum’s Australian Communities Gallery throughout 2009. After this year-long run at The Powerhouse, the exhibition will tour regional centres. For information about tickets, museum opening hours and accessibility, as well as audio or braille guides, call 1300 84 74 66 or visit www.visionaustralia.org . The Powerhouse Museum is open from 10am to 5pm every day except Christmas Day. Tickets can be purchased at the door. To contact the museum call open call (02) 9217 0111. =========================================================== That is about it from the Black Labrador Guide Dog from Beacon Hill, however I will just leave you with the following thought : “be loyal to those who care for you” Woof Woof Harper Hou harperhou@optusnet.com.au www.lindyhou.com