Introduction

General

For a couple of years I have toyed with the idea of compiling a blog. I really needed to research the how, what and where.

After going to a session recently where these concepts were explained simply and clearly I have decided to start.

I have chosen the following labels to categorise and structure my thoughts and group the work I have already compiled. The order of the labels / categories is as they progressed as I typed. Hopefully I interpreted the instructions accurately in that you, the Reader, can click on a label and go to the respective post / page without difficulty. I am thinking of submitting posts each week on probably a Wednesday. I will post one or two enteries each week - have to proof read and compile a few yet!

The first category is, of course, a general overview of my aims and causative factors for recording the diverse threads of my life. In this area, I am recording events and possible future occasions of activity.

The reader is directed to ancestry.com.au for the public tree: 'Daniel the seedling' and the blog page Branches of the Tree for stories and information of the people that populate my life.

Within this area of 'General Overview' I will add a post of my amended resume content to detail my professional activity throughout the last decades. My Life    Money/Occupation

I have used a number of concepts identified during the last few years to develop possible future activities and will discuss them in a future post in this category.

The second category is titled 'Inspiration'. This area is where I record those sayings, poems and inspiration / motivational messages that guide and support my days. I have collected and developed these truisms over many years and have derived much pleasure and direction. I am sharing them for support only. I am planning to post my discussion on the philosophy of 'F I S H' also - I have personally found this philosophy beneficial in many interactions I have had in my personal and professional life.

'Branches of the Tree' is the third category. It is here that I talk about the research and information I have collected over at least four decades - starting as a teen. In the late 1970s, I was talking with my Nanna and thought about the many stories told around the lunchtime table when numerous members of the family were present. Though tape recorders were available, the action of actually having one present and powered on was not a consistent practice - still isn't. The reader is directed to the post on the local Association website of the Central Queensland Family History Association. cqfamilyhistory.org.au Also attention is referred back to the paragraph above on the first category. I am compiling information about eight families: Richards, Chippendale, Craig, Truss, Thompson, Jones, Slater and Campbell. It is hoped I can gather and sort information on all aspects of these peoples' lives in a way that my son can use and pass onward with appreciation and fascination. A number of family members have accessed information on various branches of the family tree and these requests have given impetus to the gather and sort processes.

Consecutively during the past four decades I led a professional life immersed in health learning and practice. The fourth category is focussed on my application of this arena. The reader is directed to the website: achha.org.au; it is this portal that represents a view to the Association in which I was seriously immersed. Future posts will detail a number of the Association projects in which I was involved. More posts will also discuss my thoughts on suggestions I propose to support a person's health optimisation, development and maintenance.

In the late 1990s I undertook training in the area of Reflexology; this study has dovetailed, I feel, nicely with the clinical work I did as a Nurse. This fifth category discusses the number of complimentary therapies I have formally and informally studied for benefit of myself and others. The Reader will be directed in future posts to various websites for more detailed information on various complimentary therapies.

In the second half of 2018 I had several major life changes that required me to review certain aspects.  This sixth category describes the review applications I took to my future and wishes for that future. Plan for the Future

For personal enjoyment and support, I investigated and dabbled in the area of esoteric thinking, the seventh category in this blog. I feel these areas of thinking provide a useful guidance and explanation when life is being just that bit more challenging than usual.

Until the late 1980s, I was unknowing of a methodical way of thinking to assist in analysing and problem solving - then I found about quality (statistical) tools. This eighth category discusses my initiation and application of these tools. Quality Tools

Up to the 1960s, women who married then ceased paid work to be stay-at-home Mums. Then in the 1960s these Mums could return to the workforce to help with the financial burden of family life. As I married in the early 1980s I had the expectation of doing the same. It is from this expectation that avenues for increasing revenue to the household over the contributions of the husband and wife came to being. This nineth category describes the various ways I tried to action this increase. Money

I have a family disposition to collecting things (hoarding). This tenth category describes the books, audiovisual discs and photographs I have collected over time. A future project is to develop the practice of minimisation of stuff which includes a plan to distribute away from my abode - note the word: 'future'. Collections

The eleventh category identifies the types of puzzles I use to keep the brain active and hopefully logical in practice. Brain Teasers

Food and beverage has been a source of appreciation and curiosity, as well as health and nutrition, since I can remember. This twelfth category describes some of the dishes that I like to provide for myself and others. Recipes

I was born and have lived in the Capricorn region of Central Queensland for over 50 years. Though the heat of Summer is extremely wearing and the couple days of cold in the winter are burdens, the region has much to offer for entertainment and life style. In the thirteenth category, See N Do, I provide references for the Reader to investigate and plan their own adventures around the area.

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Please provide a comment on any post with friendly constructive suggestion so I can structure the information in a useful way.

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Understand that these are MY thoughts and suggestions as initiated and developed during my adult life.

I hope you, the Reader, will travel the threads of my life tapestry with pleasure and appreciation as it unfolds with this and future posts in this blog.

Deb

The emus are back at Emu Park

See N Do

Recently I visited a friend for lunch in Emu Park. During conversation she mentioned the emu statues becoming visible around town. I went for a walk along the jetty at Bell beach and found a couple of informative birds. Below is an article describing these statues and the reason for their appearance. Read the article then visit the town for a pleasant tour of Emu Park. Various places of note have information panels beside each statue that discuss function and reason for being for that place.

Capricorn Enterprise: Region of innovation - Cultural icons begin to arrive at Emu Park

https://capricornenterprise.com.au/2019/08/cultural-icons-begin-to-arrive-at-emu-park/

Introduction to Local Attractions

See N Do

Rockhampton and its close district surroundings is, I consider, a pivotal point in exploring and appreciating the natural and commercial beauty of the Central Queensland area.

I have noted several attractions that can be scheduled for exploration by the Reader.
My thinking is that with planning, a person or persons can spend a day or a week meandering through several attractions in as active or leisurely fashion as they wish. And still not see and or do everything.

Use the links provided in future posts for identifying attractions of interest.

Individual posts will be created for places around my local area. Each place will have links to direct the Reader to attractions and events.

Make a particular note to visit the Information Centres in each area; these places are manned by Volunteers who are usually long time residents with loads of knowledge and experience regarding their particular area.

Links in future posts will cover such topics as:
Botanical Gardens - one has a zoo
Museums - one is a collection of museums in a village setting
Waterways
Military presence
Churches
Heritage trails
Commercial enterprises
Information repositories - one is a university; libraries
Investment by Regional Councils

I will focus on places such as Rockhampton, Mt Morgan, Yeppoon, Emu Park and The Caves.

Overview to Family History category

Branches of the Tree

Compiled from a 'Forward' written for Family Folders March 2008.

I started collecting information on my family history in the 1970s, initially from discussions with my Grandmothers. I asked them to tell me about their parents and siblings and it is from these conversations that the collection of information grew.

According to the directions of family history organisations I have accessed over the years, there is no such thing as wrong information when collecting family history - the memories, recollections, perceptions, and interpretations people state are theirs alone. This concept applies to the written record as the 'clerk' who recorded a person's details for the document may not have heard clearly or been able to write clearly or had their handwriting interpreted correctly / accurately. This viewpoint also needs caution as the information does need a factual basis as well and the researcher does need a sensitive and diplomatic presentation on occasion.

Another concept to keep in mind, is that, the events that occurred in the past may have a different societal and possibly cultural significance to the same event today - that is, keep an open mind.

I have collected this information from many different sources, and they are;

• conversations with family and friends of family
• birth, marriage and death certificates
• newspaper clippings of births, marriage and deaths
• shared investigations with other family historians, of whom I am extremely grateful and appreciative of the time and money they would have spent gathering their information and their generosity in sharing
• 'Order of Services' of family who have deceased
• family history websites
• researching texts and journals held in libraries
• visiting / contacting cemetery administrations and obtaining lists of graves

You will find that I have tried to consistently record my source as much as possible against entries, to help with verifying the recorded information.

Many hours and several dollars have been spent gathering this information.
I hope you enjoy and are intrigued with the characters you find within, as I have.

In future posts I will list the families on who I have a focus. I will also list websites that have been of benefit.

Overview to Estate Planning

Plan for the Future

I believe in the saying: Succeed at planning and plan to succeed. I also keep in mind "The Divine laughs when plans are made."

During my nursing career I came across many occasions where the lack of estate planning caused heartache and dissension in families. I also have come across the thinking that by doing these actions that the person is planning their death - not so with me. I am trying to minimise the stress for my son having to consider my wishes for the distribution of my estate on my death, which hopefully will come at a far future time.

My understanding of estate planning is having the following documents in place in a legal and documented fashion:

• Will drafted and signed in conjunction with a Lawyer. My Lawyer and I both have a copy of this document. This document covers all types of clauses and conditions as well as those that focus on property and financial considerations. https://www.qld.gov.au/law/births-deaths-marriages-and-divorces/deaths-wills-and-probate/wills 

          https://www.doyourownwill.com/

          https://www.lawdepot.com/au/last-will-and-testament-au/#.XgVniknV6Ag

• Enduring Power of Attorney - this document is required more and more due to the increased incidence of mental incapacity from disease and or trauma. I choose my Lawyer to hold this service as I think that my family will have enough to cope with. As well as my Lawyer, I also have a copy of this document.

          https://www.qld.gov.au/law/legal-mediation-and-justice-of-the-peace/power-of-attorney-and-making-decisions-for-others/power-of-attorney

          https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/power-of-attorney-and-advance-health-directive/resource/94c27605-28ad-4e71-846b-04b0d66ef3b8

          https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/power-of-attorney-and-advance-health-directive/resource/d33b1e89-0b07-4a14-a4d8-05ff4f610b25

• Advanced Health Directive Health - make sure it is read and signed by family members that will have input into your final moments. You may be surprised who will think they have a right. A couple of copies are necessary - one for you to keep close at home; one for each family member who signed; one for the General Medical Practitioner; and I gave one to the Lawyer.

         https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/power-of-attorney-and-advance-health-directive/resource/6a3af073-cdba-4b82-8de7-eabe65950c24

• Funeral Plan & Payment - I have chosen a local Funeral Director who has conducted the services for many of my family over the years. There is a template on this website https://afda.org.au/preplanning/; that is easy to complete and provides direction for wishes. My Lawyer and I have a copy of this plan as well as the Funeral Director. In recent years, it has been broadcast the cost of having a funeral service, and to pay for this I have an insurance policy that I took out when I was 19 years old. In my will and with instruction to the Insurance provider I have given direction for payment of the funeral service and any remaining monies.

I undertook to do these things in conjunction with a Lawyer and my Financial Planner - I am a single woman who has to financially support myself now and in regard to my health and demise. I also have only one child and do not want to burden him with my responsibilities; or in the tragic event he should pre decease me, other relatives who may be called upon to execute my estate.

The links above are for information and resources.