Received: from beru.its.uow.edu.au (130.130.68.31) by staffmail.uow.edu.au (10.5.102.13) with Microsoft SMTP Server id 8.1.291.1; Sun, 17 Aug 2008 09:40:48 +1000 Received: from febris-nat.its.uow.edu.au ([130.130.68.210] helo=febris.its.uow.edu.au) by beru.its.uow.edu.au with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1KUVO4-0002F2-MS for blane@uow.edu.au; Sun, 17 Aug 2008 09:40:49 +1000 Received: from c3.confirmedcc.com (c3.confirmedcc.com [64.95.77.164]) by febris.its.uow.edu.au (MOS 3.8.7a) with ESMTP id NEF35331; Sun, 17 Aug 2008 09:40:40 +1000 (EST) Received: from p1-ws008.ad.prodcc.net (unknown [10.250.0.101]) by c3.confirmedcc.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id CDB7A3FE1D4 for ; Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:48:08 -0400 (EDT) From: Fatherhood Foundation To: Brian Lane Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 09:40:37 +1000 Subject: Snakes, Crocodiles and Other Adventures Thread-Topic: Snakes, Crocodiles and Other Adventures Thread-Index: Acj/+YMnKVPpZgx3QkeP1Bf9RIf07g== Message-ID: <1102206731778.1101938345415.1211.8.84194002@scheduler> List-Unsubscribe: http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?p=un&v=001jm8CFGIzLJHYg-gJRLc-3d90mBLDU8ykBXVJKc4pAwQ6N9rgxhVzGQ== Reply-To: "info@fathersonline.org" Accept-Language: en-AU, en-US Content-Language: en-US X-MS-Exchange-Organization-AuthAs: Anonymous X-MS-Exchange-Organization-AuthSource: excasht03.ad.uow.edu.au X-MS-Has-Attach: X-MS-TNEF-Correlator: x-junkmail-status: score=10/49, host=febris.its.uow.edu.au x-junkmail-sd-raw: score=unknown, refid=str=0001.0A090205.48A7657F.01F3,ss=1,fgs=0, ip=64.95.77.164, so=2008-05-01 23:44:25, dmn=5.4.3/2008-02-01 x-junkmail-iwf: false x-return-path-hint: ESC1102206731778_1101938345415_1211@in.confirmedcc.com x-roving-id: 1101938345415.1211 x-lumos-senderid: 1101938345415 x-roving-campaignid: 1102206731778 x-roving-streamid: 0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="_000_110220673177811019383454151211884194002scheduler_" MIME-Version: 1.0 --_000_110220673177811019383454151211884194002scheduler_ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/11.jpg?a=3D11= 02206731778] 18th August 2008 Inspiring Fathers Encouraging Families Issue 313 [http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/1101093164665/people3_header= 1.jpg] Snakes, Crocodiles and Other Adventures Dear Brian, Welcome to the Fatherhood Foundation newsletter and email information servi= ce for fathers and families as we present Snakes, Crocodiles and Other Adve= ntures. In This Issue Frontline...Fathering Adventures Laughter.. Is Your Mother home Grandfathers...What a Wonderful World Single Dads...We are a Take Away Society All You Need is Love..Your Own Grassroots Marriage Special Feature...My Little Story News & Info..News Links for Parents Dad's Prayer..Life is a Great Adventure Next Week Daughters & Their Dad's - New release for Father's Day Join our Mailing List! [http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/ftf_btn_1.gif] Quick Links Fatherhood Foundation Dads in Distress Men to Men Malachi Global Marriage.com.au Mannet Living Waters Care for the Family - UK Wild at Heart CSA Adverts Thought of the Week [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/365.jpg?a=3D1= 102206731778] I learned that the richness of life is found in adventure . . . it develops self-reliance and independence. Life then teems with excitement. There is stagnation only in security. William Orville Douglas Link of the Week Enjoy Anaconda Adventures Frontline [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/361.jpg?a=3D= 1102206731778] Last week Darren Lewis shared the importance of having adventures with your= children. I found his Fathering Adventures website and his programs truly = inspirational. Fathering Adventures offers a father son/daughter ad= venture experience that includes kayaking in the Coral Sea, snorkelling on = the outer Great Barrier Reef, white-water rafting on the Tully River with t= he Raging Thunder rafting team and a jungle walk up Mt Tyson, near Tully. A= long with this, Fathering Adventures runs a program which could best be des= cribed as an 'adventure of the heart'. The funny thing is that going on an adventure and doing something you have = not done before, with a group of people, produces what adventure experts ca= ll 'temporary community' or 'islands of healing'. Adventure therapy and adv= enture education have become buzz words for a new type of transformational = educational process that is really, as Sidney Smith said last week, an 'old= truth which is our wisdom to remember and our weakness to forget'. Jesus s= aid, 'Unless you become like a little child you will not enter the kingdom = of heaven', and Albert Einstein said, 'There are two ways to live your life= . One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything = is a miracle'. To a child, every day is a great adventure (ie a miracle). Life is a leanin= g curve. When a dad invites his child to go with him on an adventure, that = father is opening himself to new things and entering into his child's world= , which is constantly full of new things everyday. I love snakes. It all started when my dad used to tell me snake stories whe= n I was just a boy. One example he gave was the time, as a toddler, that I = walked across the yard to pick a flower and my dad saw a dirty, big, red-be= llied, black snake wrapped around that flower. Of course, without hesitati= on, he disposed of the threat, to the detriment of the snake. When I was 14 years old my brother and I accumulated a sizable collection o= f deadly snakes, which we kept in a box in the back yard. Two tiger snakes,= 2 black snakes and several Marsh snakes (no pun intended). One day one of = our red-bellied black snakes got lost in the house. Mum freaked out and eve= ntually sold all our snakes to a herbatologist, much to our dismay. When my family and I travelled throughout outback Australia over many years= , every day was an adventure, a snake-hunting expedition. We would stop at = the snake and reptile parks and took every opportunity to hold the pythons = and lizards that we could. If we ever accidentally ran over a snake, an unf= ortunate reality of outback travel, we would always stop and offer road sid= e assistance. Once when travelling on a narrow tarmac road of the Kimberleys the headligh= ts of our Toyota Coaster revealed a huge rock python, straddling the road. = He was so long that his head was buried in the bush on one side of the road= and his tail stretched to the other side. Towing a caravan makes it hard t= o pull up. When the boys and I went back on a search and rescue mission by = the light of a torch the huge snake had disappeared into the long grass. [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/367.jpg?a=3D1= 102206731778]Crocodiles were also a fascination. They are cold blooded anim= als, just like snakes (maybe that is why I like them). I will never forget = the first time our family saw a crocodile in the wild. We were in a flat bo= ttomed boat in Kakadu National Park. We were all warned to keep our arms in= side the boat otherwise we might become arm-less. (I kid you not. All tour = operators know all the best 'dad' jokes) Crocodiles do jump you know! All part of the adventure for Dad and the kids. Our hearts were beating tha= t little bit faster as we experienced islands of healing and adventure educat= ion all at the same time. Lovework You don't need to go to Kakadu and pat a crocodile to have an adventure wit= h your children but you can't just sit in your lounge chair and watch TV ei= ther. You have to move out of your comfort zone and take your children with= you. You probably know what I'm going to say next? JUST DO IT! Every day is an adventure for your children. How wonderful if you could do = it with them! Yours for more adventures Warwick Marsh PS. Dads & Kids Adventure at Parliament House, Canberra. On Thursday 4th September 2008 the Fatherhood Foundation will be holding a = Dads4Kids Forum at Parliament House, Canberra. As a celebration of Father's Day we are not only inviting dads to come and = talk to politicians but children too. You might think I can't take my children out of school but I guarantee they= will learn more in 24 hours with Dad travelling to Canberra and going to P= arliament House than they would in two weeks of School. Your children can experience the adventure of a lifetime. Come with Dad to Parliament House See inside Parliament House Check out Question Time Meet and talk with parliamentarians Find out how decisions are made The Dads4Kids Forum will be child-friendly with some fun activities for dif= ferent age groups. Your children can put forward their ideas about how to m= ake Australia a better place for children to grow up. You and your children= can come. This will be a great way to celebrate Father's Day. If your children can't come, come anyway. To register your interest in attending the Dads4Kids Forum at Parliament Ho= use, Canberra, please email info@fatherhood.org.au ____________________________________________________________________ Warwick Marsh has been married to Alison for 32 years. He is the grandfath= er of two children and father of five children, four boys and one girl, ran= ging in age from 27 years to 15 years. Warwick is a musician, songwriter, = producer and public speaker who likes to think he can still laugh at himsel= f. Laughter [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/368.jpg?a=3D1= 102206731778]A blonde was on vacation and driving through Darwin She desper= ately wanted to take home a pair of GENUINE CROCODILE SHOES but was very re= luctant to pay the high prices the local vendors were asking.. After becoming very frustrated with the 'no haggle on prices' attitude of o= ne of the shopkeepers, the blonde shouted, Well then, maybe I'll just go ou= t and catch my own crocodile, so I can get a pair of shoes for free' The shopkeeper said with a sly, knowing smile, 'Little lady, just go and gi= ve it a try'! The blonde headed out toward the river, determined to catch a crocodile! Later in the day, as the shopkeeper is driving home, he pulls over to the s= ide of the bank where he spots the same young woman standing waist deep in = the murky water, shotgun in hand.. Just then, he spots a huge 3 metre croc swimming rapidly toward her.. With lightning speed, she takes aim, kills the creature and hauls it onto t= he slimy banks of the river.... Lying nearby were 7 more of the dead creatu= res, all lying on their backs.. The shopkeeper stood on the bank, watching in silent amazement ..The blonde= struggled and flipped the Croc onto its back.. Rolling her eyes heavenward and screaming in great frustration, she shouts = out.............. CRIKEY, THIS ONE'S BAREFOOT, TOO'! Grandfathers [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/366.jpg?a=3D1= 102206731778] There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. Albert Einstein Single Dads Father's Day[http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/= 369.jpg?a=3D1102206731778] No one would argue that without the father and the mother, the family does = not exist in the first instance. Fathers are fundamental to the family unit= . Therefore Fatherhood is one of the cornerstones of a civilized society Father's Day is a positive acknowledgment of the contribution that fathers = do deliver in the development of their children. Father's Day also shows and positively reinforces the love fathers have for= their children. This can be seen in the following forms. Emotional security. Balance in attitude between the two sexes. Mentoring. Physical security. Coaching. Objectivity. Giving views and attitudes to life. Providing a fallback in times of hardship. Giving a quality of life from a different perspective. Offering children a sense of identity. Providing a chance for children to develop mentally and physically to fulfi= ll their potential to live in a diverse society. Above all, being someone who can listen. To allow all of this to happen, there has to be freedom for both parents to= be treated equally both in marriage and after marriage if this to happen. Can there be true freedom unless Where children are not used as weapons? Children have certainty about their future? Having equality allows the sanctity of fatherhood to flourish within the li= ves of children and for the betterment of society John Flanagan Non-Custodial Parents Party (Equal Parenting) ncpp@xisle.info All You Need is Love [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/364.jpg?a=3D1= 102206731778] They say it takes a village to raise a child. That may be the case, but the truth is that it takes a lot of solid, stable marriages to create a village. Diane Sollee, smartmarriages.com Special Feature [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/362.jpg?a=3D= 1102206731778] My wife's perspective of who I am Well here I am... sitting at my desk... thinking about everything that nee= ds to be done... whilst being distracted by everything I want to do. I want= to write some articles for the Fatherhood Foundation, and at the same time= give the new organization we've just launched a shameless plug - www.fath= eringadventures.com.au . Now that's out of the way..= . what do I write about? Do I write about what Fathering Adventures intends= to offer? Nah, the website covers that. Do I write about what qualifies me= to lead such a thing? Nah, I don't like to blow my own trumpet... well may= be just a little. For now, I've decided to run with my wife's perspective o= f who I am. A dangerous question to ask of your wife to be sure, but noneth= eless who better to offer a more honest and accurate assessment of the man = she has lived with for the past 17 years. In April last year, my wife Melissa and I flew from Townsville to the Sunsh= ine Coast to have dinner with my long-term friend and mentor, Robert Lewis,= and his wife, Sherard, who were travelling throughout Australia and New Ze= aland at the time, promoting the organization Robert founded back in 1990, = called Men's Fraternity. Melissa had purchased a gift for Sherard, and writ= ten a letter for Robert to read once they arrived back in their room. I had= no idea what she had written, so her gesture did make me a little nervous.= Melissa had made a copy of the letter she gave to Robert, and I had the pr= ivilege of reading her heart's message, once we arrived home. Here's what s= he wrote... "To the very dear Robert Lewis, I curtsey in my heart before you and your beautiful wife, Sherard. Your inf= luence has impacted and enriched many lives, ours included, and for this I = want to honour you both. I am so grateful for your commitment to breaking n= ew ground for men, women, and families. I recognise that this must have com= e at a great cost to you both. Darren and I have found that fighting for he= arts can, at times, be a lonely and discouraging path. Very much a "battle"= that requires a steadfast stance to the truth in our hearts. Not only have= you weathered the storms (and I'm sure still do) but you are a shining exa= mple of what warriors look like. We need that desperately. We need to know = it is possible. Robert, I thank you for answering my husband's emails - when I'm sure you w= ere exceptionally busy. You will never know how much Darren needed a "fathe= r" to speak into his life during those times - and you were there. You have= sown wisely in my husband, Robert. He is a great man, disguised in an ever= yday life. He is faithful, he is courageous, and he is passionate about God= and His beloved. Because of your influence, he is purposefully raising fou= r extraordinary young men, who are rich in the heritage that their Dad is f= orging from scratch. Because of your influence, I am loved and adored so beautifully - he has ru= ined me for any other man! And in being such an exceptional husband, he has= created a blueprint for his son's future marriages. Because of your influe= nce, Darren has championed men to believe in a life bigger than themselves.= Daring them to explore the fact that life was meant to be more... that the= y were meant to be more. Darren has never backed down, backed off, or backe= d out of anything God has asked of him. And if you haven't guessed already.= .. he is my hero. So I stand to my feet and applaud you. I thank my Heavenly Dad that He pour= ed His life into you, and in turn, you have poured your life into others - = the world is blessed because of it. Thank you for everything, Melissa Lewis" So here I sit... humbled by the love, respect, and admiration of an excepti= onal woman. Until next time my friends. Strength and Honour, Darren Lewis Fathering Adventures Ph: (07) 4723 2941 Fax: (07) 4723 2941 Mob: 0431 839 035 email: info@fatheringadventures.com.au web: www.fatheringadventures.com.au Darren has been married to his beautiful wife Melissa for 17 years, and is = father to his four courageous sons, ranging in age from 14 years to 5 years= . Darren has not given up on his desire to live life to the full. News & Info [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/358.jpg?a=3D1= 102206731778] Time for dads to have their day August 14, 2008 The Daily Telegraph MAJOR decisions about parental leave and breastfeeding are being made witho= ut adequate research into the roles fathers play. Fatherhood expert Richard Fletcher said policy makers were "shooting from t= he hip" and wasting taxpayers' money because not enough research has been d= one into how fathers fitted into national priorities. Dr Fletcher, of the University of Newcastle's Family Action Centre, has ass= embled senior researchers and advisors to address the problem. Read full article. ______________________ NATIONAL BODY TO REPRESENT MEN A new peak body will ensure men's interests are not forgotten in government= policy-making across Australia. In a national teleconference this morning, representatives of leading men's= organizations endorsed the development of a peak men's body, significantly= expanding the activities and coverage of the existing Australasian Men's H= ealth Forum. Read full Media Release ______________________ FATHERHOOD TOUR in WA Warwick Marsh from the Fatherhood Foundation will be doing Seven Secrets fo= r Success Seminars for Fathers in Kalgoolie WA and a Bush Camp Fire Session= for Aboriginal Men from 21st - 24th August 2008. Warwick and Alison will a= lso be conducting a Parenting Seminar on Saturday 23rd August in Kalgoolie. For more information and other event details please contact Peter Vanderwal= on 0890223721 _________________ Letters Dear Fatherhood Foundation Well done! Well done for all of your efforts in producing the Fatherhood Fo= undation's weekly newsletter. Well done for the way you tied together this = week's newsletter... but then again... why should I be surprised? Week in a= nd week out, you do more than just copy and paste articles contributed by o= thers... you masterfully link them together from the beginning, with your u= se of great quotes... to the end, through the words of the Dad's Prayer. In= the weeks to come, I look forward to reading about some of the adventures = you have initiated / experienced. Regards from a fellow adventurer, Darren ______________________ Dear Fatherhood Foundation I have been meaning to say that you do a good job of pulling together inspi= rational stories. Some very nice things in it. Cheers Michael ________________________ Dear Fatherhood Foundation Thanks so much for placing the link in your newsletter re our next Dads & K= ids Camp. It is most appreciated. Great newsletter! I had not heard of Fathering Adventures. It seems like a= nother very worthwhile organisation supporting dads and their children. Kind regards Brad Mander Australian Camp Connect Association Dad's Prayer [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/110193834541= 5/img/363.jpg?a=3D1102206731778] Dear God Einstein's words about enjoying the miracle of the moment we live in has that unmistakable ring of truth. Einstein must have been talking to You! Maybe that is where he got all his good ideas! Maybe I should talk to You more often! Have You got anything You want to tell me because I'm all ears? Help Us! The Fatherhood Foundation is a Harm Prevention Charity. Fatherlessness and inadequate fathering has been proven to be a source of h= arm. The Fatherhood Foundation helps children by promoting excellence in f= athering. Excellent fathers are in word and deed: responsible, involved, pr= otective, loving and committed to the well-being of their children and thei= r children's mother. If you would like to give financially to the Fatherhood Foundation Public F= und and receive tax deductibility: Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund (Name, address and amount details must be emailed for a receipt for tax ded= uctibility) Westpac Branch Wollongong DONATE ONLINE BSB: 032 695 A/C: 25-5558 Or mail cheque and address details to: PO Box 542 UNANDERRA NSW 2526 AUSTRALIA The Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund is a public fund listed on the Regis= ter of Harm Prevention Charities under Subdivision 30_EA of the Income Tax = Assessment Act 1997. You have received the fathersonline.org newsletter because you have subscri= bed, or you have been subscribed by a friend. If you do not wish to receiv= e future emails, please click the UNSUBSCRIBE button below. Forward email [http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/safe_unsubscribe_logo.gif] This email was sent to blane@uow.edu.au by info@fathersonline.org. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe(tm) | Pri= vacy Policy. Email Marketing= by [http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/cc-logo-color-sm.gif] Fatherhood Foundation | P.O. Box 542 | Unanderra | NSW | 2526 | Australia --_000_110220673177811019383454151211884194002scheduler_ Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
=09
3D"FF
=09
=09
=09
18th August 2008  &nbs= p;  Inspiring Fathers  Encour= aging Families Issue 313
Snakes, Crocodiles and Other Adventures
=
Dear Brian,

Welc= ome to the Fatherhood Foundation newsletter and email information service f= or fathers and families as we present Snakes, Crocodiles and= Other Adventures. 

=09
In This Issue
Frontline...Fathering Adventures
Laughter.. Is Your Mother home
Grandfathers...What a Wonderful World
Single Dads...We are a Take Away Society
All You Need is Love..Your Own Grassroots Marriage=
Special Feature...My Little Story
News & Info..News Links for Parents
Dad's Prayer..Life is a Great Adventure
Next Week&nb= sp;
 Daug= hters & Their Dad's - New release for Father's Day
 =09 =09
 
Join our Mailing List!
 
=09 =09 =09
Quick Links

Thought of the Week

3D"Father_Son
I learned that the richness of life
is found in adventure . . .
= it develops self-reliance and independence.
Life then teems with excitem= ent.
There is stagnation only in security.
 
William Orville = Douglas
 
<= b>Link of the Week

Enjoy Anaconda = Adventures
Frontline
  =20
 3D"Snake
Last week Darren Lewis shared the impor= tance of having adventures with your children. I found his Fathering Advent= ures website and his programs truly inspirational.
Fathering Ad= ventures offers a father son/daughter adventure experience that include= s kayaking in the Coral Sea, snorkelling on the outer Great Barrier Reef, w= hite-water rafting on the Tully River with the Raging Thunder rafting team = and a jungle walk up Mt Tyson, near Tully. Along with this, Fathering Adven= tures runs a program which could best be described as an 'adventure of the = heart'.
 
The funny thing is that going on an adventure and doin= g something you have not done before, with a group of people, produces what= adventure experts call 'temporary community' or 'islands of healing'. Adve= nture therapy and adventure education have become buzz words for a new type= of transformational educational process that is really, as Sidney Smith sa= id last week, an 'old truth which is our wisdom to remember and our weaknes= s to forget'. Jesus said, 'Unless you become like a little child you will n= ot enter the kingdom of heaven', and Albert Einstein said, 'There are two w= ays to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is = as though everything is a miracle'.
 
To a child, every day is a= great adventure (ie a miracle). Life is a leaning curve. When a dad invite= s his child to go with him on an adventure, that father is opening himself = to new things and entering into his child's world, which is constantly full= of new things everyday.
 
I love snakes. It all started when my= dad used to tell me snake stories when I was just a boy. One example he ga= ve was the time, as a toddler, that I walked across the yard to pick a flow= er and my dad saw a dirty, big, red-bellied, black snake wrapped around tha= t flower.  Of course, without hesitation, he disposed of the threat, t= o the detriment of the snake.
 
When I was 14 years old my broth= er and I accumulated a sizable collection of deadly snakes, which we kept i= n a box in the back yard. Two tiger snakes, 2 black snakes and several Mars= h snakes (no pun intended). One day one of our red-bellied black snakes got= lost in the house. Mum freaked out and eventually sold all our snakes to a= herbatologist, much to our dismay.
 
When my family and I trave= lled throughout outback Australia over many years, every day was an adventu= re, a snake-hunting expedition. We would stop at the snake and reptile park= s and took every opportunity to hold the pythons and lizards that we could.= If we ever accidentally ran over a snake, an unfortunate reality of outbac= k travel, we would always stop and offer road side assistance.
 Once when travelling on a narrow tarmac road of the Kimberleys the headli= ghts of our Toyota Coaster revealed a huge rock python, straddling the road= . He was so long that his head was buried in the bush on one side of the ro= ad and his tail stretched to the other side. Towing a caravan makes it hard= to pull up. When the boys and I went back on a search and rescue mission b= y the light of a torch the huge snake had disappeared into the long grass.&= nbsp;=20
 
 
3D"Crocodile_Boat"Crocodiles were also a fascination. They= are cold blooded animals, just like snakes (maybe that is why I like them)= . I will never forget the first time our family saw a crocodile in the wild= . We were in a flat bottomed boat in Kakadu National Park. We were all warn= ed to keep our arms inside the boat otherwise we might become arm-less. (I = kid you not. All tour operators know all the best 'dad' jokes) Crocodiles d= o jump you know!
 
All part of the adventure for Dad and the kid= s. Our hearts were beating that little bit faster as we experienced islands of healing a= nd adventure education all at the same time.
&= nbsp;
Lovework
 
You don't need to go to Kak= adu and pat a crocodile to have an adventure with your children but you can= 't just sit in your lounge chair and watch TV either. You have to move out = of your comfort zone and take your children with you. You probably know wha= t I'm going to say next?
 
JUST DO IT!
 
Every day = is an adventure for your children. How wonderful if you could do it with th= em!
 
Yours for more adventures
Warwick Marsh
 =20
PS. Dads & Kids Adventure at Parliament H= ouse, Canberra.
 
On Thursday 4th September 200= 8 the Fatherhood Foundation will be holding a Dads4Kids Forum at Parliament House, Canberra.
 
As a celebration o= f Father's Day we are not only inviting dads to come and talk to politician= s but children too.
 
You might think I can't take my children out of school but I guarantee= they will learn more in 24 hours with Dad travelling to Canberra and going= to Parliament House than they would in two weeks of School.
 
<= strong>Your children can experience the adventure of a lifetime.
Come wi= th Dad to Parliament House
See inside Parliament House
Check out Ques= tion Time
Meet and talk with parliamentarians
Find out how decisions = are made
 
The Dads4Kids Forum will be child-friendly w= ith some fun activities for different age groups. Your children can put for= ward their ideas about how to make Australia a better place for children to= grow up. You and your children can come. This will be a great way to celeb= rate Father's Day.
 
If your children can't come, come anyway. 
To register your interest in attending the Dads4Kids Fo= rum at Parliament House, Canberra, please email info@fatherhood.org.au &= nbsp; 

______________________________________________________= ______________

Warwick Marsh  has been married to Ali= son for 32 years. He is the grandfather of two children and father of = five children, four boys and one girl, ranging in age from 27 years to = ;15 years.  Warwick is a musician, songwriter, producer and public spe= aker who likes to think he can still laugh at himself.
Laughter
=
 
3D"Cro=A blonde was on vacation = and driving through Darwin She desperately wanted to take home a pair of GE= NUINE CROCODILE SHOES but was very reluctant to pay the high prices the loc= al vendors were asking..

After becoming very frustrated with the 'no= haggle on prices' attitude of one of the shopkeepers, the blonde shouted, = Well then, maybe I'll just go out and catch my own crocodile, so I can get = a pair of shoes for free'

The shopkeeper said with a sly, knowing sm= ile, 'Little lady, just go and give it a try'!

The blonde headed out= toward the river, determined to catch a crocodile!

Later in the day= , as the shopkeeper is driving home, he pulls over to the side of the bank = where he spots the same young woman standing waist deep in the murky water,= shotgun in hand..

Just then, he spots a huge 3 metre croc swimming = rapidly toward her..

With lightning speed, she takes aim, kills the = creature and hauls it onto the slimy banks of the river.... Lying nearby we= re 7 more of the dead creatures, all lying on their backs..

The shop= keeper stood on the bank, watching in silent amazement ..The blonde struggl= ed and flipped the Croc onto its back..

Rolling her eyes heavenward = and screaming in great frustration, she shouts out..............

CRIKEY, THIS ONE'S BAREFOOT, TOO'!
<= /td>
=
Grandfathers
 
3D"Miracle
There are only two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing= is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle.
 =
Albert Einstein
Single Dads
 
 Father's Day3D"Fathers
 
No one would argue that witho= ut the father and the mother, the family does not exist in the first instan= ce. Fathers are fundamental to the family unit. Therefore Fatherhood is one= of the cornerstones of a civilized society
 
Father's Day is a = positive acknowledgment of the contribution that fathers do deliver in the = development of their children.
 
Father's Day also shows and pos= itively reinforces the love fathers have for their children.
 
T= his can be seen in the following forms.
 
Emotional security.
 
Balance in attitude between the two sexes.
 
Mentoring.
 
Physical security.
 
Coaching.
 
Objectivity.
 
Giving views and attitudes to life.
 
Providing a fallback in times of hardship.
 
Giving a quality of life from a different perspective.
 
Offering children a sense of identity.
 
Providing a chance for children to develop mentally and physically to = fulfill their potential to live in a diverse society.
 
Above all, being someone who can listen.
 
To allow all o= f this to happen, there has to be freedom for both parents to be treated eq= ually both in marriage and after marriage if this to happen.
 
C= an there be true freedom unless
 
Where children are not used as weapons?
 
Children have certainty about their future?
 
Having equa= lity allows the sanctity of fatherhood to flourish within the lives of chil= dren and for the betterment of society
 
John Flanagan
Non-Cu= stodial Parents Party (Equal Parenting)
ncpp@xisle.info  
All You Nee= d is Love
3D"Mothers_prams"
 
They say it takes a village to raise a child.
That may = be the case,
but the truth is that
it takes a lot of solid,
stable= marriages to create a village.
 
Diane Sollee, smartmarriages.c= om

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Special Feature

<= /font>
 =20
 3D"Darren
 
 
My wife's persp= ective of who I am
 
 Well here I am... sit= ting at my desk... thinking about everything that needs to be done... whils= t being distracted by everything I want to do. I want to write some article= s for the Fatherhood Foundation, and at the same time give the new organiza= tion we've just launched a shameless plug -  www.fatheringadventures.com.au . Now th= at's out of the way... what do I write about? Do I write about what Fatheri= ng Adventures intends to offer? Nah, the website covers that. Do I write ab= out what qualifies me to lead such a thing? Nah, I don't like to blow my ow= n trumpet... well maybe just a little. For now, I've decided to run with my= wife's perspective of who I am. A dangerous question to ask of your wife t= o be sure, but nonetheless who better to offer a more honest and accurate a= ssessment of the man she has lived with for the past 17 years.
 In April last year, my wife Melissa and I flew from Townsville to the Suns= hine Coast to have dinner with my long-term friend and mentor, Robert Lewis= , and his wife, Sherard, who were travelling throughout Australia and New Z= ealand at the time, promoting the organization Robert founded back in 1990,= called Men's Fraternity. Melissa had purchased a gift for Sherard, and wri= tten a letter for Robert to read once they arrived back in their room. I ha= d no idea what she had written, so her gesture did make me a little nervous= . Melissa had made a copy of the letter she gave to Robert, and I had the p= rivilege of reading her heart's message, once we arrived home. Here's what = she wrote...
 
"To the very dear Robert Lewis,
 I curtsey in my heart before you and your beautiful wife, Sherard. Your in= fluence has impacted and enriched many lives, ours included, and for this I= want to honour you both. I am so grateful for your commitment to breaking = new ground for men, women, and families. I recognise that this must have co= me at a great cost to you both. Darren and I have found that fighting for h= earts can, at times, be a lonely and discouraging path. Very much a "b= attle" that requires a steadfast stance to the truth in our hearts. No= t only have you weathered the storms (and I'm sure still do) but you are a = shining example of what warriors look like. We need that desperately. We ne= ed to know it is possible.
 
Robert, I thank you for answering m= y husband's emails - when I'm sure you were exceptionally busy. You will ne= ver know how much Darren needed a "father" to speak into his life= during those times - and you were there. You have sown wisely in my husban= d, Robert. He is a great man, disguised in an everyday life. He is faithful= , he is courageous, and he is passionate about God and His beloved. Because= of your influence, he is purposefully raising four extraordinary young men= , who are rich in the heritage that their Dad is forging from scratch.
&= nbsp;
Because of your influence, I am loved and adored so beautifully - = he has ruined me for any other man! And in being such an exceptional husban= d, he has created a blueprint for his son's future marriages. Because of yo= ur influence, Darren has championed men to believe in a life bigger than th= emselves. Daring them to explore the fact that life was meant to be more...= that they were meant to be more. Darren has never backed down, backed off,= or backed out of anything God has asked of him. And if you haven't guessed= already... he is my hero.
 
So I stand to my feet and applaud y= ou. I thank my Heavenly Dad that He poured His life into you, and in turn, = you have poured your life into others - the world is blessed because of it.=
 
Thank you for everything,
 
Melissa Lewis" 
So here I sit... humbled by the love, respect, and admiration of= an exceptional woman. Until next time my friends.
 
Strength an= d Honour,
Darren Lewis
Fathering Adventures
Ph: (07) 4723 2941 Fax: (07) 4723 2941
Mob: 0431 839 035
email: info@fatheringadventures.c= om.au   
web: www.fatheringadventures.com.au   
 
 = ;
Darren has been married to his beautiful wife Melissa for 17 years, an= d is father to his four courageous sons, ranging in age from 14 years to 5 = years. Darren has not given up on his desire to live life to the full.
<= br>

Ne= ws & Info
=
 
3D"Kid
 
Time for dads to have their dayAugust 14, 2008 The Daily Telegraph
 
MAJOR d= ecisions about parental leave and breastfeeding are being made without adeq= uate research into the roles fathers play.
 
Fatherhood expert R= ichard Fletcher said policy makers were "shooting from the hip" a= nd wasting taxpayers' money because not enough research has been done into = how fathers fitted into national priorities.
 
Dr Fletcher, of t= he University of Newcastle's Family Action Centre, has assembled senior res= earchers and advisors to address the problem.
Read full article.
__= ____________________
 
 
NATIONAL BODY TO REPRES= ENT MEN
 
A new peak body will ensure men's interests a= re not forgotten in government policy-making across Australia.
 In a national teleconference this morning, representatives of leading men'= s organizations endorsed the development of a peak men's body, significantl= y expanding the activities and coverage of the existing Australasian Men's = Health Forum.
 
Read full Media Release 
 
_____________________= _=20
 
FATHERHOOD TOUR in WA
Warwick Marsh from the Fatherhood Foundation will be doing Seven Secre= ts for Success Seminars for Fathers in Kalgoolie WA and a Bush Camp Fire Se= ssion for Aboriginal Men from 21st - 24th August 2008. Warwick and Alison w= ill also be conducting a Parenting Seminar on Saturday 23rd August in Kalgo= olie.
For more information and other event details please contact Peter Vand= erwal on 0890223721
_________________
 
Letters 

Dear Fatherhood Fou= ndation
 
Well done! Well done for all of your efforts in produc= ing the Fatherhood Foundation's weekly newsletter. Well done for the way yo= u tied together this week's newsletter... but then again... why should= I be surprised? Week in and week out, you do more than just copy and paste= articles contributed by others... you masterfully link them together = from the beginning, with your use of great quotes... to the end, = through the words of the Dad's Prayer. In the weeks to come, I look forward=  to reading about some of the adventures you have initiated / exp= erienced.
 
Regards from a fellow adventurer,
 
Darre= n
 
______________________
 
Dear Fatherhood Foundati= on
 
I have been meaning to say that you do a good job of pullin= g together inspirational stories. Some very nice things in it.
CheersMichael
 
________________________
 
Dear Fatherhoo= d Foundation
 
Thanks so much for placing the link in your newsl= etter re our next Dads & Kids Camp. It is most appreciated.
 Great newsletter! I had not heard of Fathering Adventures.  It seems= like another very worthwhile organisation supporting dads and their childr= en.
 
Kind regards
 
Brad Mander
Australian Camp C= onnect Association

Dad's Prayer

           &nbs= p;       3D"Einstein_dice"

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dear God
Einstein's words about
enjoying the miracl= e of the moment we live in
has that unmistakable ring of truth.
Einst= ein must have been talking to You!
Maybe that is where he got all his go= od ideas!
Maybe I should talk to You more often!
Have You got anythin= g You want to tell me
because I'm all ears?
 
 
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Help Us!

The Fatherhood Foundation is a Harm Pre= vention Charity.
Fatherlessness and inadequate fathering has been prove= n to be a source of harm. The Fatherhood Foundation helps children by = promoting excellence  in fathering. Excellent fathers are in word and = deed: responsible, involved, protective, loving and committed to the well-b= eing of their children and their children's mother.

 

If you would like to give financially t= o the Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund and receive tax deductibility:

 

Fatherhood Found= ation Public Fund
(Name, address and amount details must be em= ailed for a receipt for tax deductibility)

 


Westpac Branch Wollongo= ng            &= nbsp;        DONATE ONLINE


BSB: 032 695
A/C: 25-5558
 

Or mail cheque and address details to:<= br>PO Box 542
UNANDERRA  NSW  2= 526
AUSTRALIA

 

The Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund&n= bsp; is a public fund listed on the Register of Harm Prevention Charities u= nder Subdivision 30_EA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.=

 

You have received the fatherson= line.org newsletter because you have subscribed, or you have been = subscribed by a friend.  If you do not wish to receive future emails, = please click the UNSUBSCRIBE button below.

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3D"Saf=
This email was sent to blane@uow.edu.au by in= fo@fathersonline.org.
Fatherhood Foundati= on | P.O. Box 542 | Unanderra | NSW | 2526 | Australia
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