Welcome to Best and Worst, a Mamamia tradition where we have a chat about how our week has been.
Best
I’m feeling somewhat hopefully this week about some of the political changes we’ve seen this week.
After all the political drama of the leadership spill, Malcolm Turnbull announced his Cabinet on Sunday afternoon, which more than doubled the number of women in one of the most important decision making forums in our country. It’s not 51%, but I choose to celebrate every step on the journey to equality.
The new PM has also made an announcement about increasing funding to battle domestic violence.
It may be overly optimistic, and maybe anything looks good next to the Abbott Government’s inaction, but it seems like women are finally being heard on this issue.
Worst
Tragically, more lives were lost this week as pregnant Kirralee Dugo was allegedly murdered by her partner, and a 12 year old girl was allegedly murdered by her step-father. Kirralee was found by her 16 year old son, after what was described as a “frenzied attack”. I can’t help thinking about that 16 year old and how his life will never, ever be the same.
It seems that all of the political announcements in the world can’t protect women and children in the place that they should be safest: Their own homes.
In a week when I was feeling so hopeful, these deaths brought me back to earth.
I’m thinking about what this country has lost: a woman, a 12 year old girl and an unborn daughter. RIP.
What’s going on in your world this week?
Top Comments
This is the week where my boyfriend said to me - in an undaunted, not-freaked-out-by-the-prospect voice - after several recent conversations about my wanting us to 'try' for a baby after summer:
'it's amazing to think we could have a baby by next Christmas' Yessss!
He also made a few other comments of 'when you're pregnant...' and 'imagine if we had a boy and a girl, and... <insert thoughts="" scenario="" here="">'
Pretty sure he's 99.9 per cent on-board now, and I am happy! :D I've also upped my insurance in readiness.
Good luck! He sounds like he's excited by the prospect, hope it all goes really well for you!
Thanks Rush. I've a real grin on my face today :)
I had the incredible privilege of spending a week with some of the people of East Arnhem on their homelands. I ate oysters straight off the ocean rocks, wove baskets and painted shells with the women, cuddled the cutest babies on the planet, taught the kids how to do light painting at night, sat around a fire each evening sharing stories and watching traditional dances, fell asleep every night to the sound of waves under an incredible blanket of stars. It was a powerful and transformative trip that urge everyone to try.
That sounds incredible Shaz, can you shed some more light on how you organised this? Were you staying with a family or volunteering locally? I'd love to know more if you have any links you could post?
It does sound incredible!! What an experience for your children :)