Women of the Valley

[william williams]

Stephen a close friend of mine committed suicide and it was not a pretty sight finding his body.
I along with others had to attend the help that was given by the Professional Councillors then given a one on one interview.
Now I was instructed that I must do this and must do that , not this nor that, among many other do's and don't.
But what was very noticeable was all the councilers they all went home to their place and their lives.
While we went home to our lives and the problem still remained and it was our community
with our own group help that held us together and helped us to weather the storm.


Bill williams

[Stephen Whiteside]

I understand what you are saying, Bill.

I remember a very funny episode when I was working in aboriginal health in Fitzroy. A young woman was employed to come and talk to the staff about how to deal with violent clients. This was following a number of nasty incidents.

While we were all in the main meeting room listening to her talk, word arrived that some bloke was running amok with a knife out in the waiting area. A few key health workers quietly slipped out, and the whole situation was contained without the speaker losing a beat, or even knowing there was anything going on. Very ironic.

Of course, nobody is perfect, and some counsellors are much better than others. The fact that they don't live with their clients on a day to day basis can be a weakness, but it can also be a strength. There are things you can say to somebody who is not a critical part of your everyday life that you might not be able to say to a family member or close friend, and there are things they might be able to say to you that nobody else would.

Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

[Maureen K Clifford]

You've hit the nail on the head Stephen when you rightly point out that these professionals are not available in the country areas, and this is one of the reasons the country network of neighbours and friends 'healing themselves' has arisen.

when the 'black dog' is around the prospect of driving for 4 or 5 hours for help just falls into the too hard basket. And then there is the cost factor, fuel and time away from properties and most folks out there are time poor as well as cash poor these days.

Not taking anything away from the professionals and not throwing bub out with the dirty water, but many a life has been saved by an astute friend, relative or neighbour hearing/seeing the warning signs of an imminent melt down and taking action.

[william williams]

Stephen have you ever sat behind the wheel of a tractor for 6,8,10 hours ploughing and hoping that the crop will fulfil the next years budget nor hope the shearing cheque would do the same.

Or faced the problem of having to gather up the remains of 2000 sheep and destroy the remainder because of fire or flood or had to worry where the next lot of money comes from to feed your family because of circumstances beyond your control.

Your money is secure to a very large degree ours is not but modern councillors say you may get help in various ways bull crap they need the help now not 3,4,6, months later.

Those councillors bills are paid with regular money ours is not. You may walk away each night and sleep but our problems stay with us until we fix the problem often with the help of neighbours and friends within the community.

You live in a protected secure world our parents fought in several world wars to protect drug using people who are a liability and drain on our community yet seems more real help is there for them than us.

Bill Williams

[Heather]

I see this discussion descending into a slanging match against counsellors and I don't for one minute think that is what Marty intended. He was simply applauding the strength and resilience of women in tough times.

Bill, people in all walks of life face problems. You can't judge people because you have not walked in their shoes.

Enough of the personal attacks please. Perhaps discussion could return to the poem....


Heather

[Bob Pacey]

A bit blunter than me Heather but exactly what I was trying to say.

( Don't get too hung up on the who is the better councillor or who is not. Read the poem for what it is an expression of what you saw and the inspiration you drew from that.)


Bob

[David Campbell]

Well said, Heather. Timely, and to the point. Just like Marty's poem.

David

[Maureen K Clifford]

Good on you Marty. A worthy addition. Those CWA books are highly prized and often handed down through the generations.

Cheers

Maureen

[Neville Briggs]

Good work Marty. You do realize that you will now have to be inducted as an honourary woman to be in the CWA book.

[Bob Pacey]

Wadda ya mean honourary woman Nev ???


Well done Martina.


Bob