Next Drummoyne Conversation is due on Wed July 6th '05  6.30pm
We gather at 6.00pm for nibbles and chat so....
Call 9819 7914 to let us know you're coming else there won't be enough nibbles.  (Or email: nwinterburn@conversations.com.au )

You will decide on the topic.

June session we talked about a range of Social Justice issues with a stimulating finish on "How does who I am,  impact on how I can be in the world."  

Drummoyne
    top
Here's some notes from a random selection of sessions in 2003.
July 30th    Sept 10th   Oct 15th

More to come.  Yet to be entered.

This is our first session here in a while and it was good to welcome back some old friends as well as acquaint ourselves with some new ones.

We rambled through a range of possible topics but the trend was to stick on the subject being covered by the Verandah Group.   RITUALS

These are some of the comments:

• Rituals seem to be disappearing with our separation from the religious.
• Maybe the function is still there only we've changed the form
• University graduation ceremonies
• Overseas travel
• Schoolies week
• Now lots of diffferent communities with different rituals
• Question is, can we choose now, which rituals we subscribe to and with which group?
• Question, why bother with rituals at all?
• Rituals seen as a passing on of knowledge with element of respect implied
• Passing on of rules and responsibilities
• Enhances sense of belonging
• Does ritual help us make meaning in life or give us a sense of belonging?
• New rituals perhaps include security checks at airports.  Proof that we live in a dangerous world and that we have lost our sense of innocence.  This is perhaps good because now we can engage in the real world.
• Rituals can be bad in that they can stop us thinking for ourselves.  Abandoning them is an act of free will.

Closing comments:

TV as a generational thing.  Early TV was live rather than canned.
Real community means that we've got to SEE the people.  
Loneliness is a personal issue?
Feel optimistic about the terrorist issue and what we can do for African children
Now have enhanced awareness about what ritual means

Perhaps these cryptic notes arouse your curiosity but they're a bit hard to follow?

Answer.  Do come and join us.  These are thoroughly engaging evenings and lots of fun.

   Back to top

Wednesday Sept 10th  Drummoyne

Another small but dedicated group.  No subject was defined so it just grew.

We talked about homes being built without kitchens.  Cooking is yet another part of home life that is being outsourced.  I should add here that we had a delicious home cooked carrot soup with good quality organic bread.

The "Bowling for Columbine" movie came in for some discussion.  

Noted that Sustainability as a headline for conversations would be fine BUT the best part of these session for some is the fact that they are not limited.  Open for personal issues as well.

Noted need to separate out the person (Say..  John Howard) from his/her actions or policies.

It's also OK to acknowledge that there are some people we simply do not like but this is not a reason to NOT communicate.

Need to see conflict as normal and get comfortable with it as a point of departure into growth.  However must first agree that resolution is the aim.   We MUST hear each other.

Conflict better dealt with before it develops.  Before the emotions become too strong.

It's our fear of conflict that often puts us into denial and thus we don't deal with differences.  Note the importance of respect.

The conversation branched out from there and the notetaker got too engaged to make sense as a reporter.

  Back to top

Drummoyne