Body of Work — WIGHTMAN

Still battling Long Tan

How much do you know about Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War?

If I asked you a similar question about the World Wars including the Gallipoli Campaign, the Western Front, the Kokoda Track, and Hellfire Pass, would you be able to answer in more detail? Could you tell me about posthumous Victoria Cross Winner, forever 18-year-old Tasmanian Ordinary Seaman Edward "Teddy" Sheehan VC who, wounded and on the brink of death, strapped himself to an Oerlikon cannon on the sinking HMAS Armidaleto protect his mates.

My hypothesis is - you could.

An Easter Hare in Gumboots

As I cast an eye across our back deck a couple of Wednesdays ago, it appeared the Easter Bunny had returned to Tasmania with pitter-patter paw prints transforming the boards into a winter wonderland.

On closer inspection the prints were far larger than expected, resembling the heavy footed and rarely sighted Easter hare in gumboots who appeared to have trampled through settled snow.

ReflectionBrian Wightman16 August 2020snow, Anarctica, blast, Lebanon, Beirut, family, community, Launceston, social media, Mawson, Shackleton

Tasmania's Special Places: Alice Joyce's North East Tasmania

She craves the unpretentiousness of the people and the way they care for each other in good times and bad.

"There's a certain sense of humility. No one cares where you went to school, the car you drive, or how much you earn (probably because they already know...)," she said.

"Nevertheless, it really doesn't matter."

But even though the district remains her calling, Ms Joyce has her reasons to keep distant.

Portrait, ReflectionBrian Wightman19 July 2020North East Tasmania, community, seaside, beach, nomad, teacherComment

Tasmania's Special Places: Ida Stein's Swansea

Ida eventually realised that there was a limit to feelings of simplistic comfort, particularly as the body aged and joints become less forgiving. Ida's 20-year tour of duty on the naturally hardened floor of a tent was a significant achievement, but it couldn't last.

Portrait, ReflectionBrian Wightman5 July 2020Swansea, tent, caravan, simplicity, tinny, family, friends

Tasmania's Special Places: Hugh Finlay's Bridport

With thanks to Master 11 Photography - https://master11photography.blogspot.com/

Hugh Finlay* had always loved winter. But as he aged the love lessened. Aching joints and low light and a substantial disagreement with physical activity added to the strains of life.

Endless cups of tea, reverse-cycle air conditioners set to 21 degrees, and whisky, in that order, warmed the portion of his soul that lived on the surface.

In Hugh's mind there was no need for regular exercise.

Portrait, ReflectionBrian Wightman28 June 2020Bridport, Beach, sand, golf, Bridport Golf Club, fish and chips, shack, cold, weather

When Coming First is Not Winning

Australia has an uncomfortable past. It is simple to acknowledge but difficult to repair.

I did not hear nor recognise blatant racism until 16 years of age. I was left feeling shocked and my father demanded to know who made the offensive comment. He understood the impact of intolerance, not racism.

In viewing the harrowing footage that led to the rise of the Black Lives Matter protests, and the unacceptable looting and rioting, it is unsurprising that the issues have also found a home in our country.

Lost...

A volunteer found William Callaghan and chatted to him about Diesel. William Callaghan delightfully requested McDonald's.

Five hundred people joined the search. We expect no less. That is who we are, and it was heroic.

For all the heartache and worry, this was a joyous outcome.

Try to help those who are lost. It doesn't always work out. It doesn't always result in a positive outcome. But we will regret not trying.

Whoever you are - don't be a fair-weather friend. Don't be a fair-weather friend no matter the climate of life. Not that I need remind most Australians.

Feeling just momentarily lost is frightening enough.

"Kerr's Cur"

Chief Justice Mason, an elderly gentleman who rarely speaks on the record, wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald about the events leading up to the November 1975 dismissal soon after I met him. In 2012 he stated:

"I played no part at all in the preparation of Sir John's statement of decision, nor was I asked to do so, though I prepared, at his request a draft letter terminating Mr Whitlam's commission [which Sir John did not adopt]."

We can catalogue photos and delete hard drives, but we can't rewrite history.

What we can do is acknowledge wrongdoings and learn from the past to ensure our future is fairer and more just.

We can also hold those responsible to account, try to forgive, and recognise that history is written by those "in the arena".

The King's Foot

The US instructed either "put distance between yourself and other people", or six feet (182.88cm), the World Health Organization and Singapore chose one-metre and, underpinned by 1930's research, New Zealand went for two metres along with the UK who after finally falling for the metric system soon realised that it was easily explained with, "Och, just stay six feet apart - the height of your bairn, or wee'un, or littlin, or lad or lass..." affectionately used well after such descriptors should have lost relevance.

The Principal's Chair

Schools are complex.

The very nature of providing education to young people who don’t always make great decisions builds in a layer of complexity that can’t simply be explained.

Leadership, ReflectionBrian Wightman15 March 2020schools, education, leadership, community

It's a Matter of Trust

“As school leaders, we have to be our very best every single day, we can't let them down," the leader concludes.

"In the bright and cheerful office, a moment of clarity has blissfully interrupted a hectic day.

Leadership, Portrait, ReflectionBrian Wightman23 February 2020education, schools, teaching, teacher, principal, trust

Dirt, Dust, and Dorothea Mackellar

With thanks to Master 11 Photography - https://master11photography.blogspot.com/

Water holes, creeks, and dams are dry. Any water still captured is stagnate. Mosquitos are content and disease is rife. Any water dropped on the dry earth does not provide a desperately needed drink, rather it splatters like a butterfly symmetry painting.

Portrait, ReflectionBrian Wightman12 January 2020climate change, fires, drought, bushfires

Bucket List Bondi

I don't really have a bucket list. I am very fortunate. I have told you of my challenges learning to swim. I found it difficult to float as a child and had to dramatically improve my prowess for love.

Last week, we visited Bondi Beach and, more poignantly, Bondi Icebergs Club to swim a few laps. Like Katie once did, the kids now slap my feet demanding I hasten my stroke.

ReflectionBrian Wightman22 December 2019Bondi, swimming, bushfires, fire fighters, heroes