Dear Nancy & colleagues
Thank you Nancy for your reflections on life's mysteries.
Sometimes the direction we take at a fork in the road can be greatly influenced by the advice or action of one individual with whom we are in contact or conversation. In my case I will be eternally grateful for the decision which Rob Duffy took to re-assign us to a different location when, due to the constraints being put upon us where we were, we were weighing up whether to stay or leave. We are both grateful for the rich and fascinating journey we have experienced since then which includes the opportunity to meet and work with all of you at various times.
Another occasion I am aware of when one person's action influenced our destiny was when we tendered for the contract with the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation - we attached a reference from John McNaughton, who was Mayor of Newcastle at the time and for whom we had facilitated a number of community meetings. As Newcastle was the first Local Council in Australia to establish an MOU with the local Aboriginal people, the people appraising our tender did not even interview us and I am sure it was because of John's reference.
We will be attending the celebration of Rob's life next Wednesday and will no doubt have the opportunity to share some stories with others who will be attending the service and the wake which follows at Ann's place. We will be happy to pass on any messages from any of you who cannot attend.