It has been a tremendous two years serving on the Queensland Writers Centre Management Committee as Chair alongside other dedicated members, especially, Jemma, Mary, Justin, Lara, Stephen, David, Peter and Colin.
After giving Chamberlin Social Justice, Oration at University of Queensland, 2022
I will continue to be a ‘critical friend’ to the Diversity and Inclusion subcommittee, but am excited for the next chapter, stepping away from Chair to finish my masters of teaching and work on my writing projects.
Many thanks to all the staff, especially CEO Lori-Jay Ellis, Sandra Makaresz and Charlie Hester, volunteers, interns and subcommittee members for all that you do for the Queensland Writers Centre.
Front, Left to right: Charlie, Mary and Jemma, Quills lunch, 2022
In the last few months I have been connecting with Pasifika Friends, who carry their/our cultures in the heart, in the art, and in the soul wherever they go, and connect to families who share that same passion to continue meaningful cultural practices even whilst embracing new homes.
I hear stories of endurance to obtain cultural tattoos, and reconnect with friends who dart in and around the Pacific, Australia and call so many places home, because they have family there. How I treasure these connections and the inspiration, strength and creativity within them.
I’ve been reading and attending forums on the Voice to understand where it comes from and what it means to people and work out how I wish to vote. At a Multicultural hosted Forum at the QPAC, it was raised that we are all migrants to Australia, other than the First Nations people who were here first, and that with many coming from countries where they do not have freedom of a voice, to ensure that future generations of First Nations will have an enshrined voice is something that all migrants can consider something they can give back to First Nations people through supporting the Voice.
A voice, is only one beginning, one action, a vote where people decide whether to support a proposal but the true changes will come through ongoing conversations, grass roots actions to connection, collaboration and friendship where listening, should forever be a keystone. Whether you think the Voice will work or not, few can deny the integral and ancient and important connection of First Nations people to this land and that listening, healing and actions go hand in hand.
However you choose to vote, do your homework with reliable sources, and don’t put unrealistic expectations on all the First Nations people you might know to do your homework for you!
The other thing I have been doing, until my health took a tumble, was walking. Daily walks to parks, full of bird life, turtles, and interesting trees and creeks. And little did I know how precious this would all become when I got serious sciatica and just couldn’t and still struggle to walk a little bit. My small pieces of film, photographs and memories of these special places is sustaining me whilst I make numerous trips to the doctors and begin the rounds of physios, orthopaedics, and more. I am still not able to return to beloved walks of more than a few mins if that, but only struggle out to my garden.
To sustain me through this time there have also been the memories of in person times with colleagues and friends, discussing stories, writing, community and the wonderful visits of friends who took the time to come and sit with me in my garden, and cheer me up with our shared memories and stories. There have also been a few phone calls to people who prefer that mode of communication, just to see how they are.
To overcome my feelings of isolation I have been doing lots of editing, reading, writing and attending and organising meetings on zoom when I can’t make it out of my house. I’ve made strides forward on some historical biographical work, and hope to do some interviews over zoom whilst I can’t venture too far from home.
A friend bought me a physical copy of Emily Dickinson, my first actual paper copy of her work as I usually read her online. And thinking about Emily’s use of time alone to write I have begun filling a notebook about the experience and sensations of pain.
Some very touching comments were posted on my face book wall. Some of my favourites were:
May all the kindness and love you so generously show to others flow right back to you and lift you up and over the waves rolling in. Calm seas are ahead.
You are a treasure for so many people. I hope all our energies spread back to you, with love.
Writing Friends
It was very sad to hear of some people passing away relatively young, who had been important at different times to our family in our children’s journeys at school, but inspiring to hear of the courage of forgiveness, of the daughters of one my close friends who lost their mother.
Both these instances of mortality and forgiveness give me an urgency to finish particular projects or ensure there is someone to continue them if something should happen to me.
My silence on this blog means I am healing, reading, living – and pausing to reflect I write to express gratitude for all that life teaches, whether it be walks, or ill health.
Many thanks to all the true friends, and so sorry to miss birthdays, invitations, walks, functions, meetings where we normally connect I will be back or you can visit me in my garden, and we can listen to the wind, enjoy the stillness and bask in the memories of nearness.
D’aguilar national park, Queensland – image by June Perkins
Inside the quiet space
time will bend
branches over water
tall grasses tumble
meanings for peace
walkers stumble stones
beyond deadlines
dreamers seek
how solitude mends.
(c) June Perkins
“In every age and cycle He hath, through the splendorous light shed by the Manifestations of His wondrous Essence, recreated all things, so that whatsoever reflecteth in the heavens and on the earth the signs of His glory may not be deprived of the outpourings of His mercy, nor despair of the showers of His favors. How all-encompassing are the wonders of His boundless grace!”
Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah
Outpourings in darkness
soul frames longing
lost, lassoing,
looking
twisting twirling
torrential
light.
Thoughts into action
flight away from fancy
focus
flowing
freedom
singing rungs to
heaven.
Ripple rising
through the water
torch like
from torment,
terrifying,
transforming into
tenacious
hope's
leviathan.
(c) Poem by June Perkins
Poem inspired by photograph and Gleaning from Nineteen Months
Delighted to be on a panel with these two insightful women, Sharon Orapeleng, and Dimity Powell, to discuss the challenges and gifts of Diaspora to – community, writing, and publishing.
The session is fully booked out, and is happening before the Queensland Writer’s Centre, Christmas Party in a couple of weeks.
Sharon Orapeleng is a behavioral change expert and a mental health professional. Through Psyched Solutions Training and Consultancy – Sharon is on a journey to create a much more compassionate community that cares by embedding the African philosophy of ‘Ubuntu’’ – I am Because We Are, in all she does. A renowned speaker and community advocate, Sharon works with workplaces, businesses and communities delivering workshops on mental health awareness and wellbeing as well as facilitating cultural diversity conversations. She also works for the Queensland Government as a strategic policy and program lead for mental health community support programs delivered by non-government organisations.
Dimity Powell is the Managing Editor for Kids’ Book Review. Amongst her 30 published stories and six books are the recent Oswald Messweather (2021), and the forthcoming This is My Dad (2022), Discover more at dimitypowell.com
June Paisa Perkins, author, poetry advocate, educator, and director of gumbootspearlz press, defines herself as a world citizen in the diaspora ocean whilst looking outwards from Brisbane. She has edited two community collections themed Cassowary Coast and recovery from cyclones, and independently published two poetry collections. WQ 275 is her first commissioned editing position. @gumbootspearlz.
A huge thank you to the Queensland Writers Centre for their support of Diverse communities.
It was such a highlight to have this wonderful chat with the effervescent Michelle Worthington, from Share Your Story
We tackled some cool questions from children about what it is like to be a poet!
There are many other inspiring interviews with other creatives, such as Candice Lemon Scott, Dannika Patterson, Karen Tyrell, just to name a few, so do check out Ask a Creative with Michelle
There are interviews with a clown, comedian, authors, illustrators and more!
Thank you Michelle for having me as a guest in this series.
Ripple Poetry 