Reviews from

Ararat

A unique outback town in Australian history

16 total reviews 
Comment from Zue65
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That's the privilege of being a senior, to enjoy workshops for free and go back to the cultural roots and the interesting mix of history in a particular place like Ararat. I enjoyed reading the history and struggles of those who founded Ararat. Your author's notes were also very informative. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 04-Dec-2015


reply by the author on 04-Dec-2015
    Yes! I feel being a senior is a great privilege and joy in many places around our world today. I feel it is another season, Autumn, and I step into Winter, that has not generally been opened for those who went before us. I feel its time and space of insight and freedom, perhaps incentive, to reflect on that in relation to the regeneration and hopes of life is of great potential; and am saddened our western countries have little respect, place, and appreciation of elders, except as voluntary tools of capitalism or voiceless carers. Whereas, I feel our blessings are those of the India sage, and mystic; yet, as Christ said, being in this world but not of it. Christ-massed and New Year blessings of peace, love and sharing, Maureen*&*
reply by the author on 04-Dec-2015
    Yes! I feel being a senior is a great privilege and joy in many places around our world today. I feel it is another season, Autumn, and I step into Winter, that has not generally been opened for those who went before us. I feel its time and space of insight and freedom, perhaps incentive, to reflect on that in relation to the regeneration and hopes of life is of great potential; and am saddened our western countries have little respect, place, and appreciation of elders, except as voluntary tools of capitalism or voiceless carers. Whereas, I feel our blessings are those of the India sage, and mystic; yet, as Christ said, being in this world but not of it. Christ-massed and New Year blessings of peace, love and sharing, Maureen*&*
Comment from writeapoem
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So educational I enjoyed learning of this place and the grace by which you give honor to the event at Aratat. Even the name makes you where at this little countryside in the country known as down under.

 Comment Written 03-Dec-2015


reply by the author on 04-Dec-2015
    Hi! Lovely to connect you to this lovely town down under! We had such a wonderful time there for this year's Senior's festival, which was so superbly hosted. I was so thrilled to be inspired with a poem, but never got around to posting a copy as intended to the Tourist Centre that hosted the event. Resurrecting it on FanStory is the incentive to do so now, thanks for the encouragement, Maureen*&*
reply by writeapoem on 04-Dec-2015
    Welcome and happiness on the next trip
reply by the author on 05-Dec-2015
    Thanks*&*
Comment from Ben Colder
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Sounds interesting.Perhaps a place I would enjoy visiting. Being an America, we have what is know as Ghost towns in the west but nothing in comparison as your town mentioned. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 03-Dec-2015


reply by the author on 04-Dec-2015
    Hi! We have many ghost, and dying country towns too; and so it is wonderful to see Ararat moving forward whilst promoting its fascinating history so well, and its wonderful community energy and talents. They do such a superb job in drawing Senior's there for special events, and have hosting down to a tee, so I'm hoping they will empower other small towns. Thanks for your encouragement, and I can certainly encourage it as a stop especially if driving around the Victorian Goldfields, to the Grampian Mountains of South Australia. Blessings, Maureen*&*
Comment from wordspinner314
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Wow, you've painted such a unique and interesting history of Ararat, a place of which I had never known until reading this. You write of its struggles and accomplishments, and of course its beauty. Thank you for sharing this lovely poem!

 Comment Written 03-Dec-2015


reply by the author on 04-Dec-2015
    Hi! Lovely to connect you to this lovely historic town down under! We had such a wonderful time there for this year's Senior's festival, which was so superbly hosted. I was so thrilled to be inspired with a poem, but never got around to posting a copy as intended to the Tourist Centre that hosted the event. Resurrecting it on FanStory is the incentive to do so now, thanks for the encouragement, Maureen*&*
reply by wordspinner314 on 04-Dec-2015
    That's wonderful! Yes,
    you definitely should!
reply by the author on 05-Dec-2015
    Thank you again. Maureen*&*
Comment from TheNecklace
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Wow! What a picture you paint with your words! This is a history that very few outside of Australia would even know about and so well portrays the trials and tribulations of the Chinese as they attempted to immigrate into your country. Well done!

 Comment Written 19-Nov-2015


reply by the author on 19-Nov-2015
    Thank you, beautiful Necklace. Not only few outside of Australia, but very few who live here. We generally hear the Ballarat story as focussed around Sovereign Hill in Victoria; Ararat is a wonderful complement to that and the spirit of Asian peoples in our community today. We were so blest to gain this unique insight as told at the Chinese museum. We also gained a wonderful feeling for pioneer history in general, plus both the challenges of the world war times, and work to maintain and enhance the community health, prosperity, gifts as a tourist venue and community spirit today. It was the venue for `The Biggest Looser township challenge, a special inspiration to many. So, I'm thrilled to re-edit and promote this before I get around to sending a copy to the Tourist Centre in gratitude and encouragement for their hosting of some very special senior's week events. Great to connect with you, Maureen*&*
reply by TheNecklace on 20-Nov-2015
    Maureen, Thank you for the additional insight. I'm sure, with time, you could expand this into a very intriguing story and maybe even give a personal portrayal of some of the people who actually experienced this. Lina
reply by the author on 21-Nov-2015
    My thanks Lina, you have added another star of possibility and empowerment to future horizons. What an exciting journey to share step by step! Enjoy a new week, Maureen*&*
Comment from alvina224224
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I enjoyed reading your verse, poet. For its content and sentiments, but also because it is about historical events for this great country. I first lived in Australia in 1963, and left there in 2009. Everybody asks me the same question - why? It was a wrong decision I made, whilst still grieving for an Aussie husband. And oh boy! I regret it. So reading your work has been a gift from you. Thank you.

 Comment Written 19-Nov-2015


reply by the author on 19-Nov-2015
    Gee, so sorry to here of your ongoing grief, Alvina. But so happy to gift a few precious memories, and the Aussie beauty and spirit; spirit, I feel would welcome you back. Big decisions and moves get harder and more complex as we get older though, and often I believe over lighted by a higher power. I think I remember you reside in London now, but will go to your gifts after this. Blessings, Maureen*&*
Comment from The Mom/DarleneThomson
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Maureen,
This is a wonderfully descriptive poem of a monument in Austrailia. Your author's notes are also a great reference to the traditions. My only suggestion would be to change the font colour to either black or white. This gray was a little hard on the eyes.
Blessings,
Darlene

 Comment Written 17-Nov-2015


reply by the author on 19-Nov-2015
    Hi Mom, and thanks. I totally agree with the font. As you may see Gypsy Blue Rose also commented, and I did try to edit, but found I only had access to the background colour at that time. So, had to move on. And, was a little more aware for my last posting. I found it OK until I went back to advanced editor and enlarging the font. That changes the colour, but seeing it before posting I could adjust. And so far it's been accepted. Have you any suggestions? I am enjoying toddling along, and learning quite fast, but am really grateful for specific comments and enlightenment in relation to the fairly narrow FanStory path I'm so happy to walk, and admire my surroundings from, and connections of the Way.

    Moreover, I will have a go at re-editing again, as eventually I want to send a copy as a gift to the Tourist Centre and empower their work with my thanks.

    So, a big thank you. It is always lovely to hear from you, blessings, Maureen*&*
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
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Hello :)

Wow! This was a very detailed account of Ararat Victoria's Senior's festival. Your notes are very informative. Good job with the presentation but the font was too hard to see. I suggest you change the font to white. Good job!
Gypsy

 Comment Written 11-Nov-2015


reply by the author on 12-Nov-2015
    Hi Gypsy! I agree with the font, but was challenged immediately and still am. Initially my choosing looked OK, but after saving came up not good. I did return to re-edit, yet even now, can change background colour, but not print! Therefore, as my growth path is still quite steep, and time limited for the rest of this year, I've chosen just to flow gently on around such snags for now. However, I really appreciate your confirmation of this issue, and will welcome any tips for removing such snags in the future, should this be feasible. There is so much on this wonderful, and nourishing, site to empower my exhilarating and exciting journey I think through a magnificent autumn, so I'm happy to blow gently with the winds.
reply by Gypsy Blue Rose on 12-Nov-2015
    Hello, I hear you, this time of year is pretty busy. Whenever you are ready send me an email here on this site and I can send you step to step directions on how to use advance editor to change the font color and size. Take care :)
reply by the author on 15-Nov-2015
    Hi Gypsy! That's great! 2016 I hope! So just in case, Christmas blessings with the love and joy of Christ in every heart. Maureen*&*
Comment from nancyrabbrose
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AAA, I need to tell you that I admire both your poetry writing and your life itself. You seem to embody the spirit of just getting out there and enjoying what life has for you to see and enjoy, Your spirit shows brightly both in your poetry and in your sweet smile on your page.
Well done on this poem. I would never have know about such a place and the history of the people who were not accepted long ago. This is a story of many peoples.

 Comment Written 11-Nov-2015


reply by the author on 11-Nov-2015
    Thanks so much for such a nourishing and empowering review Nancy. Certainly it is a blessing for me to see with a feeling for the history of place in the superficiality of the rapid flowering, complexity and challenges of our Earth world today. I am happy to say it is the spirit, I think of as the Presence and Inspiration of Christ that gifts faith, hope, gratitude and love to walk His Way: the Way over lighted by God and a meaningful destiny as a participant in the ripening of humanity and its greater purpose on this Divine Blue Planet today. Blessings for your days, Maureen*&*
Comment from Selina Stambi
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No room in the Inns
No place in the Establishment
As 2000 years before they walked
Few donkeys, even shuttered doors ... I like these lines and the scriptural nuances

Hi Maureen,

Your joy and enthusiasm make your poem sparkle!

Loved the read. Well done. :)

Sonali :)

 Comment Written 10-Nov-2015


reply by the author on 11-Nov-2015
    Thanks Selina. I feel scriptural inspiration and symbols are the gift of God's Living Word and Presence of Christ connecting us and empowering the ripening harvest of true humanity, Mother Earth and we all need to see today. And for me, such nourishment, my daily bread, is a special gift of FanStory. And today I'll sparkle joyfully sending love around the globe to you too. Blessings Maureen*&*