Lara Flanagan

Sometimes all I crave is the company of puppy dogs and windmills. Luckily my constant companions Kevin and Rosie are always by my side and the Little Windmill is just around the corner.

What a glorious winter's morning in the 'field.

#startthedaywithsomethingbeautiful

I am watching my friend watch his family starve to death.

My friend Oday is 22 and is the sole supporter of his family and he is doing his absolute best to keep his family alive Please help Oday help his family – the best way is to donate here:
gofund.me/19dbdd50

A moment of blue between the grey and sitting with Bluff Rock for a while.

#startthedaywithsomethingbeautiful

In every face, I see myself, my children, my father, my brother. And I will never understand until the day I die that others can look at the same images and see nothing.

The prettiest spring blossoms on a grey mid-winter's morning in Tenterfield.

#startthedaywithsomethingbeautiful

The most important thing to do right now is to donate directly to the people of Palestine. Even the tiniest donation can make a difference between life and death.

Please help Oday help his family – the best way is to donate here:
gofund.me/19dbdd50

A winter's morning in Tenterfield.

#startthedaywithsomethingbeautiful

It is impossible to know how many gods there have been since the dawn of time but imagine if every single one of those gods were able to dictate land rights.

imagine if
every single god,
the world
has ever known,
was allowed to be a
real estate agent,
with bombs
and guns
and drones

A band of gold along the New England Highway.
One from the recent archives, too beautiful not to share.

#startthedaywithsomethingbeautiful

Rayola Binge, Kamilaroi Elder, a portrait.
Part of an Inspiration Project honouring the local Aboriginal Female Elders as organised by Helen Duroux, Kamilaroi Elder.

The best and most important way any of us can help is to donate directly to Palestinians.

My friend Oday is 22 and is the sole supporter of his family

Please help Oday help his family – the best way is to donate here:
gofund.me/19dbdd50

There is something magical about this little part of the world I call home.

#startthedaywithsomethingbeautiful

I love this lone tree.
The sky this morning, told me I needed to visit.

#startthedaywithsomethingbeautiful

Kerrie O'Sullivan, Gamilaraay & Wiradyuri Elder, a portrait.
Part of an Inspiration Project honouring the local Aboriginal Female Elders, organised by Helen Duroux, Kamilaroi Elder.
Helen organised this project to celebrate the Female Elders of our community as the Matriarchs play a vital role.

Of course Oday is not ok. Nobody who is living this nightmare is ok. Nobody who is watching it is ok. Nobody.

Please help Oday help his family – the best way is to donate here: gofund.me/19dbdd50

You can also help Oday’s sister Ameera and his nephew Amir here: chuffed.org/project/1207...

The house of Major Thomas always makes me feel a little melancholy and the low, grey, and misty skies were the perfect backdrop for both the house and my morning mood.

#startthedaywithsomethingbeautiful

Dr Margaret Beavis recently shared the response by the Royal Australian College of GP’s in her article “Gaza: There comes a time when silence is betrayal. This was in response to members urging for advocacy on Palestine: “We remain politically neutral.” What a carbuncle on humanity we have become.

And just like that the wattle has arrived and there is another colour to be found in the winter landscapes of Tenterfield.

#startthedaywithsomethingbeautiful

Amidst this horror, the people of Palestine, including Oday’s family continue to fight desperately day, by day to stay alive.

My friend Oday is 22 and is the sole supporter of his family.
Please help Oday help his family – the best way is to donate here:
gofund.me/19dbdd50

Winter colours are my favourite.
I don't know how I could have ever thought otherwise.

#startthedaywithsomethingbeautiful

The world is changing

The world is changing,
not in the way
winter gently gives way to spring,
or the day fades away to dusk.

The world is changing,
in the way
the tsunami eradicates the shore
and drought turns green into arid ground.

A few moments before the rising of the sun on Aldershot Road.

#startthedaywithsomethingbeautiful

“My grandfather, Haj Salah Zari’i Qudaih (95 years old) was martyred.”
In the last 24 hours, 7 further members of Oday’s large and beloved family were killed.
Please help Oday help his family – the best way is to donate here:
gofund.me/19dbdd50

Welcome back Jack.

#startthedaywithsomethingbeautiful

Fascism does not begin with bombs and tanks

Junkyard Moon.

#startthedaywithsomethingbeautiful

Oday’s family is being displaced again. Tanks are advancing. Rafah is now being talk about, not as a ‘red line’ but as a great place for a concentration camp.

Please help Oday help his family – the best way is to donate here:
gofund.me/19dbdd50

Magnolias and endless winter blue.

#startthedaywithsomethingbeautiful

June Binge, Kamilaroi Elder
A portrait, part of an Inspiration Project honouring the local Aboriginal Female Elders as organised by Helen Duroux, Kamilaroi Elder.

Can you imagine Hitler imposing sanctions on someone because they dared to investigate for crimes against humanity without his consent? A serial killer filing a complaint against the police because they did their job & investigated without consent? Absurd but that is the point we are at.