DDYT Reunion - Part 2 (no it's not the cruise yet!)

Hi everyone

 

Thanks for a fantastic time in Toowoomba.  The memories were wonderful and the years seemed to melt away.  My favourite moment was when we had mostly sat on the floor after the slideshow and were just chatting together.  I am so glad to have caught up with a bunch of very special people again!

 

But ........ Just when you thought, "well that's it and wasn't it great''  we are organsing a second part to the whole thing!

 

As you know Jim Cotter is here in Canberra and we would like to present him with a plaque similar to the one we gave to Rob. Sadly Jim was unable to make it to Toowoomba so we ared bringing the reunion to him.  (well a mini-version anyway)

 

We will be having lunch at my place on Saturday 7 July from 12.30pm.  I thought that there may be people in the relatively near vicinity who may wish to join us  (eg Sydney people)  If you would like to come please let me know by Thursday 5th July so we can organise for enough food and grog to be available.

 

My address is:

 

16 Garrad Court

Charnwood  ACT

 

(directions can be given but it's not hard to get to)

 

My phone number is 0417 247 875.

 

 

Cheers

 

Naomi

 

 

Email from Gayle Cullinan! (permisson given to forward to blog)

Hi Rick- how are you, my friend?  Hope the reunion went well - i look forward to hearing about it. Also thank you for getting Robert in touch with me - that is great - although what a shame it came only as I'm leaving Aceh after long posting for new ventures - read on....now I might need the contact details for mark in new york....

 

Meanwhile, here is my latest news.....

 

My time in Aceh with the tsunami reovery posting just flew by and was remarkable life experience...fantastic!!

but I've got a fantastic new posting and so will be saying goodbye to Oz for a while.
I have been offered an opportunity simply too good to refuse – as global staff counsellor with UNICEF based at United Nations Staff Well Being Unit Headquarters in New York. 

I'm still can honestly say that I haven't done this by design, as much as serendipity and twists of fate, with hard work thrown in for good measure. I am sincerely passionate about my field of trauma and counselling, but I have also always dreamed of having a simple life - goodness knows how I end up with such full on career path. Now the UN for goodness sake - and a global position -Lordy, big stuff for a little ol' girl from country Toowoomba! Please indulge me the excitment as well as being a bit overwhelmed....

My new role will focus initially primarily on developing UN's global response to emergencies such as pandemics, terrorism and sudden outbreak of war (eg when staff have to be evacuated or remain in lockdown, including support for families left behind and helping staff continue to provide essential services during crises), for staff such as peacekeepers and core emergency staff. I will be traveling extensively – alas, not to the Caribbean as I would like….more like places where everyone is leaving instead of in the tourist brochures.

I will now be moving to New York, based at UN Headquarters. Please feel welcome to stay in touch. Hopefully our paths will cross again someday.

 

Email: gacullinan@hotmail.com

Aust ph: 0431801892

Until we meet again,
Gayle CULLINAN

Thoughts from Robert Kingham (section lifted, with permission, from email to Rick)

 

 

 

I feel as if I've come back through the looking glass

 

The general level of apprehension early in the evening was so extraordinary. I think we all wondered whether we would have anything to say to one another. Did we have anything that linked us other than a youthful experience? It seems we did. We do. It was very wonderful to be able to reconnect with a part of my life which I thought was lost forever. And I realize the pain of thinking I'd lost it was what had distanced me so from my past life for so long. I don't think I was the only one to feel like this. Somehow since Saturday it is ok. One life consists of so many bits. This week I understand better it is ok to have baggage, and even better to have friends. And to be proud of both. What you, Michele, Jeff and Leo have done is a wonderful thing. Thankyou is inadequate.