Return-Path: X-Original-To: info@ausheart.com.au Delivered-To: info@ausheart.com.au Received: from localhost (marlin.fishinternet.com.au [127.0.0.1]) by marlin.fishinternet.com.au (Postfix) with ESMTP id A4A5BDEB5B for ; Sun, 24 Sep 2006 07:45:08 +1000 (EST) Received: from marlin.fishinternet.com.au ([127.0.0.1]) by localhost (marlin.fishinternet.com.au [127.0.0.1]) (amavisd-new, port 10024) with ESMTP id 10826-06 for ; Sun, 24 Sep 2006 07:44:55 +1000 (EST) Received-SPF: none (marlin.fishinternet.com.au: 203.16.214.140 is neither permitted nor denied by domain of fathersonline.org) client-ip=203.16.214.140; envelope-from=info@fathersonline.org; helo=ipmail01.adl2.internode.on.net; Received: from ipmail01.adl2.internode.on.net (ipmail01.adl2.internode.on.net [203.16.214.140]) by marlin.fishinternet.com.au (Postfix) with ESMTP id 307AADEB51 for ; Sun, 24 Sep 2006 07:44:55 +1000 (EST) Received: from eth2643.nsw.adsl.internode.on.net (HELO polyglot.com.au) ([150.101.193.82]) by ipmail01.adl2.internode.on.net with ESMTP; 24 Sep 2006 07:14:52 +0930 X-IronPort-Anti-Spam-Filtered: true X-IronPort-Anti-Spam-Result: AbgeAIFHFUWBToEmiAhpAYEl X-IronPort-AV: i="4.09,208,1157293800"; d="scan'208,217"; a="16625700:sNHT167175694" Received: from server ([192.168.100.14]) by polyglot.com.au with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.1830); Sun, 24 Sep 2006 07:44:29 +1000 Thread-Topic: Crocodile Hunter Fatherhood Legacy Reply-To: Message-ID: <13a6001c6df59$72ea5100$0101a8c0@polyglot.local> thread-index: AcbfWXLovdOXYOQrS0arckUiePEQOQ== From: To: Subject: Crocodile Hunter Fatherhood Legacy Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2006 07:44:29 +1000 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_13A61_01C6DFAD.44966100" X-Mailer: Microsoft CDO for Exchange 2000 Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message Importance: normal Priority: normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.3790.2757 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 23 Sep 2006 21:44:29.0984 (UTC) FILETIME=[72ECC200:01C6DF59] X-TM-AS-Product-Ver: SMEX-7.2.0.1122-3.6.1039-14708.000 X-TM-AS-Result: Yes-7.505100-5.000000-31 X-Virus-Scanned: amavisd-new at fishinternet.com.au X-NAS-BWL: Found match for 'info@fathersonline.org' on the allowed list (1951 addresses, 0 domains) X-NAS-Classification: 0 X-NAS-MessageID: 2585 X-NAS-Validation: {FF825B7A-B161-40BD-90F8-3582DAE91A1E} This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_13A61_01C6DFAD.44966100 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Unable to read this email? Please click here Issue 211 - 11 th September, 2006 Go to our website Here * Hello Warwick * Grandads * Laughter * Single Dads * All you need is Love * Thought of the Week * Special Feature * News & Info * Dad's Prayer * Help Us Hello Warwick I can't say that I was a big fan of Steve Irwin's but this week I became a true believer. They say it's not what a man does that is important but what he leaves behind when he steps off this planet. Sadly Steve Irwin stepped off the planet way too soon. Stingray fatalities are very rare. I think three, ever recorded in Australia, but Steve Irwin was third in line. Ironic that it was a stingray and not a crocodile, but life is never fair. Steve's death proves the point. We will all step off the planet one day but, as a father, what legacy will we leave behind when we go? Three hundred million people stopped their day last Wednesday to find out what Steve Irwin had left behind when his Memorial Tribute was beamed by satellite around the world. John Williamson's iconic song, 'Hey true blue, is it me or you? Is it Mum and Dad, is it a cockatoo? Is it standing by your mate when he's in a fight or will she be right?' echoed across the planet asking all the right questions. Russell Crowe said, "We have all lost a friend, we have all lost a champion." Cameron Diaz said, "Every kid was in love with the idea of being able to be him." Hugh Jackman said, "Steve showed us we can all live like warriors, and we can make the world a better place." Australia's Prime Minister, John Howard, said, "Steve Irwin touched the hearts of Australians and touched the hearts of millions around the world . . . because he had that quality of being genuine, of being authentic, of being unconditional and having a great zest for life and throughout his all-too-short life he demonstrated a love for the two things that ought to matter more to all of us than anything else - his love of his family and his love of his country." Perhaps the most revealing tribute was paid by Kevin Costner who said, "Where he is the most fearless is that he let us see who he was and that's being brave in today's society because . . . you show yourself to so many people willing to mimic and mock you." Steve Irwin certainly had many mockers, especially here in Australia. Many thought he was a bit over the top, and maybe so, but that was who he was. That is what captured people's hearts. The last time people were so touched with someone's death was that of Princess Diana. Cameron Diaz was right - 'children loved him'. When children love you, that's always a good sign. Jesus said you must become like a child to get to heaven. Kostya Tszyu, World Champion boxer said about Steve Irwin, "He was first and foremost still a kid at heart. I've known Steve for quite some time - he came one day to my place with Russell Crowe. I have quite a few animals in the house and he would jump and play with the rabbit like he was a real kid. It was amazing. He was so real, he was not a fake." 'You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can?t fool all the people all the time'. Most of all you can't fool your own children. Children will eventually see through pretence. That's why being a father is so scary. You can't hide yourself, you have to be real. You have to be who you are, yourself. And if who you are is not good, you have to be prepared to change. It is so important to commit to changing for the better because your children need to know that you are on a journey, and that you enjoy the challenge. The journey is called 'life' and the challenge is to live each moment and enjoy it like a child. This is what our children teach us every day if we allow them to. Really it was Steve Irwin's eight year old daughter Bindi who said it the best: "My Daddy was my hero - he was always there for me when I needed him. He listened to me and taught me so many things but most of all he was fun. I know that daddy had an important job. He was working to change the world so everyone would love wildlife like he did. He built a hospital to help animals and he bought lots of land to give animals a safe place to live. He took me and my brother and my mum with him all the time. We filmed together, caught crocodiles together and loved being in the bush together. I don't want daddy's passion to ever end. I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did. I have the best daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day. When I see a crocodile I will always think of him and I know that daddy made this zoo so everyone could come and learn to love all the animals. Daddy made this place his whole life and now it's our turn to help daddy." Lovework Talking about Steve Irwin with my family, I asked my 19 year old son what he would say about me when I died. He couldn't answer me because he said, "You're not dead yet!" What is the message for you this week? Listen to your children and have fun with them no matter how old they are, because when you are dead and gone they will say what's in their hearts, and that is the greatest legacy you can leave behind when you leave the planet. Yours for the legacy of love Warwick Marsh PS We would like to give our friends all over Australia advance notice about the visit to Australia of Brian Molitor from the Malachi Global Foundation, USA. Malachi Global www.malachiglobal.org is very similar in its thrust to the Fatherhood Foundation. Brian's dream is to 'turn the hearts of the fathers to the children'. For this reason we are calling his short speaking visit to Australia in October, 'Turning Hearts 2006'. Brian Molitor will be conducting seminars on the topic of 'Boy's Passage Man's Journey' in Wollongong, Perth, Kalgoorlie, Sunshine Coast, Hobart and Melbourne. The title is taken from his book, 'Boy's Passage Man's Journey', published in 2004, Emerald Books www.koorong.com.au and deals with the subject of lifelong mentoring, words of affirmation and blessing spoken by a father, and rites of passage. Steve Irwin left a legacy for his children. Come along to one of these seminars with Brian Molitor and find out how to leave a legacy for your children. Further details are found in the News & Info Section. You might not be able to catch a crocodile, but we can all learn how to catch our children's hearts. Steve Irwin, you were a great dad and we honour you mate! Warwick Marsh ___________________________________________________________ Warwick Marsh has been married to Alison for 30 years. He is the father of five children, four boys and one girl, ranging in age from 25 years to 13 years. Warwick is a musician, songwriter, producer and public speaker who likes to think he can still laugh at himself. back to top Grandads You can't do much about your ancestors but you can influence your descendants ENORMOUSLY Anon back to top Laughter Kid's Prayers - 2 back to top Single Dads Dads lost in cloud cuckold land September 05, 2006 12:00am Herald Sun, Melbourne Father's Day was happy for most fathers, but a day of anguish for those whose children had died because of illness or accidents. And fathers who do not have contact with their children because of divorce. In this group there is a sub-section, whose grief is compounded by paternity fraud. These fathers have been cuckolded, deceived by their wives into believing the children were theirs when they were fathered by other men. The word cuckold is derived from the cuckoo, which places its eggs in the nests of other birds. The plight of one such father is being considered by the Australian High Court. Liam Magill married Meredith McClelland in April 1988. Their first child was born in April 1989, their second in July 1990 and their third in November 199l. In November 1992, Meredith left the family home taking the three children with her. She said she was not happy. Two days later, she applied for child support for all three children. Liam and Meredith were divorced in February 1998. Liam paid 32 per cent of his gross salary from November 24, 1992 until September 1999, when he could no longer work because of depression. At one stage, the Child Support Agency left Liam $132 a week on which to survive. This increased later to $200 a week. On this meagre amount, he had to cover living expenses and weekend access visits of the three children. Financially crippled, Liam could not cope and that is where Liam's story might have ended, another victim of "no-fault" divorce and a pawn of the CSA. However, in February 1999 Liam met Cheryl King, who has been his tenacious friend and adviser since. Like me, Cheryl loathes injustice. She urged Liam to get the children DNA tested. This process took almost a year. In March 2000, the tests showed the two younger children were not his. Meredith then told her children that her friend, Derek R, was their father, even though he was not tested for another 17 months. In 2002, Liam sued his ex-wife for damages caused by deceit and in November 2002 Judge Hanlon in the Victorian County Court awarded Liam $70,000 in damages, excluding child support payments he had made. In December 2002, Meredith's legal team, funded by the Victorian Women's Legal Service (ie, the taxpayer) appealed against Judge Hanlon's decision. The appeal was heard in November 2004 and, in March last year, the Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal allowed Meredith to win on a technicality. In mid-2004, before the hearing of Meredith's appeal, Derek R and his wife moved to Southport, Queensland. Liam's friend Cheryl considers the CSA has not done enough to make Derek R pay for his two children, or to refund the payments made for years by Liam Magill. In November last year, permission was given for Liam's appeal against the Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal to be heard by the High Court. The High Court Appeal was heard in April this year but the decision has not been handed down. Some issues remain unresolved. Why has the CSA not refunded the money extracted from Liam Magill for children he did not father? Why has the CSA not obtained these arrears from the biological father? And why are we taxpayers, through the feminist Victorian Women's Legal Service, involved in helping an unfaithful wife defraud her husband? Paternity fraud is not merely financial, but goes to the heart of relationships between husband, wife and children. The feminist attitude seems to be that which is described in Helen Garner's book, The First Stone, about a case of sexual harassment: "He may not be guilty, but other men are so he has to pay." I hope Premier Bracks, Attorney-General Hulls and Federal Minister Hockey, who oversees the CSA, had a happy Father's Day and will end the victimisation of Liam Magill. Perhaps by establishing a men's legal service for victims of paternity fraud. babette@endeavourforum.org.au back to top All you need is Love Baby Boomers Marriages Go KABOOM By Michael Kiely Many more long term marriages are falling apart in Australia, reports the Australian Institute of Family Studies. The figures show the number of couples who have divorced after at least 25 years of marriage has increased by 50% since 1985, rising to 16% of all divorced couples by 2004. And demographers predict it could get worse because many baby boomers now in their early 50s were married before the Family Law Act 1975 brought in no-fault divorce. Pairing up in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when divorce was still a social taboo, in many cases they endured a not-so-wonderful marriage for 30 years. Midlife crisis brings time to re-evaluate what they want in the next 30 years. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports the number of men aged 50 to 59 who are divorcing has also almost doubled, from 10.6% in 1985 to 19.7% in 2004. Same for women.In 1985, the number of females aged 50 to 59 granted a divorce was 6.9%. By 2004, that had risen to 14.8%. Counselling services report more older couples seeking help with their relationships. People are living longer and they know that their marriages are going to go on for longer. They'll be married without children longer than ever before. In an ageing population, in that last phase of married life - the longest - people are confronted with issues like declining health and retirement. Couples are thrown together and don't know how to deal with each other. Many marriages don't survive. The baby boomers were the last generation to marry young. In 1971 the average bride in Australia was 21 and the average groom was 23. After that, in the 1980s and 1990s, no one got married that young. The stigma of divorce has also dissappeared. Bernard Salt, a demographer, told the Sydney Morning Herald: "It's like freedom for the last generation who were caught in an old-world social paradigm of a 21-year-old girl announcing her engagement on her 21st birthday, getting married before she was 22, pregnant by 23 and living with this guy for 30 years," he said. "She turns 50 and she thinks, I'm just not happy, and could not have made that decision [before] because of her values, her mindset, her upbringing, because of the social stigma of divorce, because of the children, because of financial reasons. The gap grew over rearing of kids and kept on widening." When my wife of 25 years told me she wanted out of our marriage, it hit me like a bombshell. I felt alone and isolated. Now I know that many men of my generation are going through the same thing. (That's why I wrote my book Man Overboard: A Self Defence Course For Men In Marriage) http://manoverboardbook.blogspot.com/ back to top Thought of the Week I'd look up at my dad and he was larger than life, he was just like this action hero. He was everything I wanted to be. And all I've done in my life is follow in his footsteps, mimic him and try to be him. And nowadays I just try to make him proud, mate. Yeah, I love my parents like nothing else. Steve Irwin (6/10/03) back to top Special Feature My Daddy was My Hero by Ray Chesterton - Daily Telegraph September 20, 2006 HER father was Australia's wildlife warrior and eight-year-old Bindi Irwin showed she had inherited his courage when she fearlessly told the world how much she loved and missed him. Dressed in khaki, she came to the stage with confidence and left to a standing ovation after speaking lovingly of a father who was her idol and the need for his conservation work to continue. "When I see a crocodile I will always think of him," she told 5000 mourners at Steve Irwin's memorial service and millions more watching around the world on television. "My daddy was my hero. He was always there for me," she said, standing in front of a picture of her father at the zoo's Crocoseum. "He listened to me and taught me to do many things. But most of all he was fun. "I know that Daddy had an important job. He was working to change the world so that everyone would love wildlife like he did." That love was celebrated when zoo staff paraded animals including three elephants who had captured the Croc Hunter's heart. Native birds, including black cockatoos and rosellas, were released into the Crocoseum. Ironically, cockatoos were the one animal Irwin claimed he hadn't managed to befriend. "They always bite me. A cockatoo once tried to rip the end of my nose off. I don't know what they've got against me," Irwin once said. Bindi was watched by her mother Terri, who was nursing her four-year-old son Bob on her lap. Terri was unable to speak publicly about the trauma of Steve's death on September 4 from a stingray barb, but Bindi told of the passion her dad had for his family. "He took me and my brother and my mum with him all the time. We filmed together, caught crocodiles together and loved being in the bush together," she said. "I don't want daddy's passion to ever end. I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did. I have the best daddy in the world and I will miss him every day. "I know that daddy made this zoo so everyone could come and learn to love all the animals. Daddy made this place his whole life and now it's our turn to help daddy." Mourners captivated by her poise rose to their feet applauding, many with tears in their eyes, as Bindi's last words floated away. Steve was represented by a poignantly empty seat next to his wife Terri. As videotaped reminiscences and condolences were played from celebrities around the world, including Hollywood heavyweights Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner and Cameron Diaz, it was the local tributes that lingered. And that included Irwin himself, his foibles and skills given full rein in screened highlights of his shows that caused smiles. A blooper tape showed him falling out of boats, taking lunch orders from the TV crew, muddling his lines and getting bitten. There were also tear-inducing revelations from Irwin about his mother Lyn and father Bob on a video that will now be an emotional and priceless family heirloom. "I was born on my mother's birthday. The devastating loss of my mum knocked the wind out of me for a year. It can devastate you for a long time but you owe it to the person to get up and get going again," he said. Irwin said his father's love of nature had been his own inspiration: "He is my hero, my icon and my mentor." Later Bob Irwin would tell the service: "Don't grieve for Steve. He's at peace now. Grieve for the animals. They have lost their best friend. And so have I." back to top News & Info 29 October - 01 November 2006 The Men's Advisory Network (MAN) Conference "From Babies to Blokes: The Making of Men" The Men's Advisory Network (MAN) is conducting a conference of national significance on the theme "From Babies to Blokes: The Making of Men" to be held at the Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle from 29 October to 1 November 2006. The conference will have six streams: * Conditioning of infant boys * Development of boys * Transition from boyhood to manhood * Men and work * Men and relationships * Men and ageing Speakers so far confirmed include: * Bettina Arndt * Professor Konrad Jamrozik * Ian Lillico * Greg Mitchell * Dr Michael Nagel * Kieren Perkins * Dr Shaun Ridley * Dr Arne Rubinstein * Dr Norman Swan. Register at: wwww.promaco.com.au/conference/2006/man/ Any assistance that you may be able to give in assisting to promote the conference would be greatly appreciated. Gary Bryant Executive Officer Email: admin@man.org.au admin@man.org.au Website: www.man.org.au www.man.org.au __________________________________________________ Inquiry into Child Support Legislation Amendment (Reform of the Child Support Scheme - New Formula and Other Measures) Bill 2006 The Senate, on the recommendation of the Selection of Bills Committee, has referred the provisions of the above Bill to the Committee for inquiry and report by 10 October 2006. The Committee invites written submissions relating to the Bill which should be lodged by Friday, 22 September 2006. The Committee prefers to receive submissions electronically as an attached document - email: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au - otherwise by fax (number 02 6277 5829). The Committee intends to hold a public hearing on the Bill in Melbourne on 29 September and in Canberra on 4 October 2006. Should you require further information please contact the Committee Secretariat on: Committee Secretary Community Affairs Committee Department of the Senate PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Australia Phone: 02 6277 3515 Fax: 02 6277 5829 Email: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au back to top Dad's Prayer Dear God Thank you for Steve Irwin. He loved the animals you love and taught others to do the same. Still it seems so sad that you don't get the credit for all the hard work you did making our beautiful planet. You made every crocodile, every cockatoo, every fish, every plant and every kangaroo. Why do people worship the creation and not the Creator? Every building has a Builder. Every painting has a Painter. Every design has a Designer. Every child has a Father and Mother. How could we forget your work to make us all? Then you put up with our poor memory of all that you've done? Maybe it's your incredible ability to look for the good in us even when it's hard to find. Maybe you know how forgetful we are Of your amazing goodness and forgiveness that keeps on growing in spite of our bad memories. So, while I remember, Thank you for your wonderful creation. I don't want to forget to be thankful for it again. back to top Help Us Click here for more information about us Help Us! The Fatherhood Foundation is a Harm Prevention Charity. Fatherlessness and inadequate fathering has been proven 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-being of their children and their children's mother. If you would like to give financially to the Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund and receive tax deductibility: Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund (Name, address and amount details must be emailed for a receipt for tax deductibility) Westpac Branch Wollongong BSB: 032 695 A/C: 25-5558 Or mail cheque and address details to: PO Box 440 WOLLONGONG NSW 2520 AUSTRALIA The Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund is a public fund listed on the Register 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 subscribed, or you have been subscribed by a friend. If you do not wish to receive future emails, please click the UNSUBSCRIBE button below or send an email to info@fathersonline.org with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject heading. back to top Click Here to Unsubscribe ------=_NextPart_000_13A61_01C6DFAD.44966100 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Fatherhood Foundation
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Issue 211 - 11 th September, 2006 Go to our website Here


Hello Warwick

 

I can't say that I was a big fan of Steve Irwin's but this week I became a true believer. They say it's not what a man does that is important but what he leaves behind when he steps off this planet.  Sadly Steve Irwin stepped off the planet way too soon. Stingray fatalities are very rare. I think three, ever recorded in Australia, but Steve Irwin was third in line.  Ironic that it was a stingray and not a crocodile, but life is never fair. Steve's death proves the point.

 

We will all step off the planet one day but, as a father, what legacy will we leave behind when we go?  Three hundred million people stopped their day last Wednesday to find out what Steve Irwin had left behind when his Memorial Tribute was beamed by satellite around the world.  John Williamson's iconic song, 'Hey true blue, is it me or you? Is it Mum and Dad, is it a cockatoo? Is it standing by your mate when he's in a fight or will she be right?' echoed across the planet asking all the right questions.  Russell Crowe said, "We have all lost a friend, we have all lost a champion." Cameron Diaz said, "Every kid was in love with the idea of being able to be him." Hugh Jackman said, "Steve showed us we can all live like warriors, and we can make the wo rld a better place." Australia's Prime Minister, John Howard, said, "Steve Irwin touched the hearts of Australians and touched the hearts of millions around the world . . . because he had that quality of being genuine, of being authentic, of being unconditional and having a great zest for life and throughout his all-too-short life he demonstrated a love for the two things that ought to matter more to all of us than anything else - his love of his family and his love of his country."

 

Perhaps the most revealing tribute was paid by Kevin Costner who said, "Where he is the most fearless is that he let us see who he was and that's being brave in today's society because . . . you show yourself to so many people willing to mimic and mock you." Steve Irwin certainly had many mockers, especially here in Australia.  Many thought he was a bit over the top, and maybe so, but that was who he was. That is what captured people's hearts. The last time people were so touched with someone's death was that of Princess Diana.  Cameron Diaz was right - 'children loved him'. When children love you, that's always a good sign. Jesus said you must become like a child to get to heaven.  Kostya Tszyu, World Champion boxer said about Steve Irwin, "He was f irst and foremost still a kid at heart. I've known Steve for quite some time - he came one day to my place with Russell Crowe. I have quite a few animals in the house and he would jump and play with the rabbit like he was a real kid. It was amazing. He was so real, he was not a fake."

 

'You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can?t fool all the people all the time'. Most of all you can't fool your own children. Children will eventually see through pretence. That's why being a father is so scary. You can't hide yourself, you have to be real. You have to be who you are, yourself. And if who you are is not good, you have to be prepared to change.  It is so important to commit to changing for the better because your children need to know that you are on a journey, and that you enjoy the challenge.  The journey is called 'life' and the challenge is to live each moment and enjoy it like a child. This is what our children teach us every day if we allow them to.

 

Really it was Steve Irwin's eight year old daughter Bindi who said it the best:

"My Daddy was my hero - he was always there for me when I needed him. He listened to me and taught me so many things but most of all he was fun. I know that daddy had an important job. He was working to change the world so everyone would love wildlife like he did. He built a hospital to help animals and he bought lots of land to give animals a safe place to live. He took me and my brother and my mum with him all the time. We filmed together, caught crocodiles together and loved being in the bush together. I don't want daddy's passion to ever end. I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did. I have the best daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day. When I see a crocodile I will always think of him and I know that daddy made this zoo so everyone could come and learn to love all the animals. Daddy made this place his whole life and now it's our turn to help dad dy."


 

Lovework

 

Talking about Steve Irwin with my family, I asked my 19 year old son what he would say about me when I died.  He couldn't answer me because he said, "You're not dead yet!"

 

What is the message for you this week? Listen to your children and have fun with them no matter how old they are, because when you are dead and gone they will say what's in their hearts, and that is the greatest legacy you can leave behind when you leave the planet.

 

Yours for the legacy of love

Warwick Marsh

 

PS We would like to give our friends all over Australia advance notice about the visit to Australia of Brian Molitor from the Malachi Global Foundation, USA. Malachi Global www.malachiglobal.org  is very similar in its thrust to the Fatherhood Foundation. Brian's dream is to 'turn the hearts of the fathers to the children'.  For this reason we are calling his short speaking visit to Australia in October, 'Turning Hearts 2006'. Brian Molitor will be conducting seminars on the topic of 'Boy's Passage Man's Journey' in Wollongong, Perth, Kalgoorlie, Sunshine Coast, Hobart and Melbourne.  The title is taken from his book, 'Boy's Passage Man's Journey', published in 2004, Emerald Books www.koorong.com.au  and deals with the subject of lifelong mentoring, words of affirmation and blessing spoken by a father, and rites of passage.

 

Steve Irwin left a legacy for his children. Come along to one of these seminars with Brian Molitor and find out how to leave a legacy for your children.  Further details are found in the News & Info Section.

 

You might not be able to catch a crocodile, but we can all learn how to catch our children's hearts. Steve Irwin, you were a great dad and we honour you mate! Warwick Marsh

___________________________________________________________

Warwick Marsh  has been married to Alison for 30 years. He is
the father of five children, four boys and one girl, ranging in age from 25 years to 13 years.  Warwick is a musician, songwriter, producer and public speaker who likes to think he can still laugh at himself.

back to top

Grandads

 

You can't do much about your ancestors

but you can influence your descendants

ENORMOUSLY

 

Anon

back to top

Laughter

Kid's Prayers - 2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

back to top

Single Dads

 

Dads lost in cloud cuckold land

September 05, 2006 12:00am Herald Sun, Melbourne

 

Father's Day was happy for most fathers, but a day of anguish for those whose children had died because of illness or accidents.

 

And fathers who do not have contact with their children because of divorce.

 

In this group there is a sub-section, whose grief is compounded by paternity fraud.

 

These fathers have been cuckolded, deceived by their wives into believing the children were theirs when they were fathered by other men.

The word cuckold is derived from the cuckoo, which places its eggs in the nests of other birds.

 

The plight of one such father is being considered by the Australian High Court.

 

Liam Magill married Meredith McClelland in April 1988.

 

Their first child was born in April 1989, their second in July 1990 and their third in November 199l.

 

In November 1992, Meredith left the family home taking the three children with her. She said she was not happy.

 

Two days later, she applied for child support for all three children. Liam and Meredith were divorced in February 1998.

 

Liam paid 32 per cent of his gross salary from November 24, 1992 until September 1999, when he could no longer work because of depression.

 

At one stage, the Child Support Agency left Liam $132 a week on which to survive. This increased later to $200 a week. On this meagre amount, he had to cover living expenses and weekend access visits of the three children.

 

Financially crippled, Liam could not cope and that is where Liam's story might have ended, another victim of "no-fault" divorce and a pawn of the CSA.

 

However, in February 1999 Liam met Cheryl King, who has been his tenacious friend and adviser since.

 

Like me, Cheryl loathes injustice. She urged Liam to get the children DNA tested. This process took almost a year.

 

In March 2000, the tests showed the two younger children were not his.

 

Meredith then told her children that her friend, Derek R, was their father, even though he was not tested for another 17 months.

 

In 2002, Liam sued his ex-wife for damages caused by deceit and in November 2002 Judge Hanlon in the Victorian County Court awarded Liam $70,000 in damages, excluding child support payments he had made.

In December 2002, Meredith's legal team, funded by the Victorian Women's Legal Service (ie, the taxpayer) appealed against Judge Hanlon's decision.

 

The appeal was heard in November 2004 and, in March last year, the Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal allowed Meredith to win on a technicality.

 

In mid-2004, before the hearing of Meredith's appeal, Derek R and his wife moved to Southport, Queensland.

 

Liam's friend Cheryl considers the CSA has not done enough to make Derek R pay for his two children, or to refund the payments made for years by Liam Magill.

 

In November last year, permission was given for Liam's appeal against the Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal to be heard by the High Court.

 

The High Court Appeal was heard in April this year but the decision has not been handed down.

Some issues remain unresolved. Why has the CSA not refunded the money extracted from Liam Magill for children he did not father?

 

Why has the CSA not obtained these arrears from the biological father?

 

And why are we taxpayers, through the feminist Victorian Women's Legal Service, involved in helping an unfaithful wife defraud her husband?

 

Paternity fraud is not merely financial, but goes to the heart of relationships between husband, wife and children.

 

The feminist attitude seems to be that which is described in Helen Garner's book, The First Stone, about a case of sexual harassment: "He may not be guilty, but other men are so he has to pay."

 

I hope Premier Bracks, Attorney-General Hulls and Federal Minister Hockey, who oversees the CSA, had a happy Father's Day and will end the victimisation of Liam Magill.

 

Perhaps by establishing a men's legal service for victims of paternity fraud.

 

babette@endeavourforum.org.au 

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All you need is Love

Baby Boomers Marriages Go KABOOM

By Michael Kiely

 

Many more long term marriages are falling apart in Australia, reports the Australian Institute of Family Studies. The figures show the number of couples who have divorced after at least 25 years of marriage has increased by 50% since 1985, rising to 16% of all divorced couples by 2004. And demographers predict it could get worse because many baby boomers now in their early 50s were married before the Family Law Act 1975 brought in no-fault divorce. Pairing up in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when divorce was still a social taboo, in many cases they endured a not-so-wonderful marriage for 30 years. Midlife crisis brings time to re-evaluate what they want in the next 30 years. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports the number of men aged 50 to 59 who are divorcing has also almost doubled, from 10.6% in 1985 to 19.7% in 2004. Same for women.In 1985, the number of females aged 50 to 59 granted a divorce was 6.9%. By 2004, that had risen to 14.8%.

 

Counselling services report more older couples seeking help with their relationships. People are living longer and they know that their marriages are going to go on for longer. They'll be married without children longer than ever before.

 

In an ageing population, in that last phase of married life - the longest - people are confronted with issues like declining health and retirement. Couples are thrown together and don't know how to deal with each other. Many marriages don't survive.

 

The baby boomers were the last generation to marry young. In 1971 the average bride in Australia was 21 and the average groom was 23. After that, in the 1980s and 1990s, no one got married that young. The stigma of divorce has also dissappeared. Bernard Salt, a demographer, told the Sydney Morning Herald:

 

"It's like freedom for the last generation who were caught in an old-world social paradigm of a 21-year-old girl announcing her engagement on her 21st birthday, getting married before she was 22, pregnant by 23 and living with this guy for 30 years," he said. "She turns 50 and she thinks, I'm just not happy, and could not have made that decision [before] because of her values, her mindset, her upbringing, because of the social stigma of divorce, because of the children, because of financial reasons. The gap grew over rearing of kids and kept on widening."

 

When my wife of 25 years told me she wanted out of our marriage, it hit me like a bombshell. I felt alone and isolated. Now I know that many men of my generation are going through the same thing. (That's why I wrote my book Man Overboard: A Self Defence Course For Men In Marriage)

 

http://manoverboardbook.blogspot.com/  

 

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Thought of the Week

I'd look up at my dad and he was larger than life,

he was just like this action hero.

He was everything I wanted to be.

And all I've done in my life is follow in his footsteps,

mimic him and try to be him.

And nowadays I just try to make him proud, mate.

Yeah, I love my parents like nothing else.

 

Steve Irwin (6/10/03)

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Special Feature

 

My Daddy was My Hero
by Ray Chesterton - Daily Telegraph September 20, 2006


HER father was Australia's wildlife warrior and eight-year-old Bindi Irwin showed she had inherited his courage when she fearlessly told the world how much she loved and missed him.

Dressed in khaki, she came to the stage with confidence and left to a standing ovation after speaking lovingly of a father who was her idol and the need for his conservation work to continue.

"When I see a crocodile I will always think of him," she told 5000 mourners at Steve Irwin's memorial service and millions more watching around the world on television.

"My daddy was my hero. He was always there for me," she said, standing in front of a picture of her father at the zoo's Crocoseum.

"He listened to me and taught me to do many things. But most of all he was fun.

"I know that Daddy had an important job. He was working to change the world so that everyone would love wildlife like he did."

That love was celebrated when zoo staff paraded animals including three elephants who had captured the Croc Hunter's heart.

Native birds, including black cockatoos and rosellas, were released into the Crocoseum.

Ironically, cockatoos were the one animal Irwin claimed he hadn't managed to befriend.

"They always bite me. A cockatoo once tried to rip the end of my nose off. I don't know what they've got against me," Irwin once said.

Bindi was watched by her mother Terri, who was nursing her four-year-old son Bob on her lap. Terri was unable to speak publicly about the trauma of Steve's death on September 4 from a stingray barb, but Bindi told of the passion her dad had for his family.

"He took me and my brother and my mum with him all the time. We filmed together, caught crocodiles together and loved being in the bush together," she said.

"I don't want daddy's passion to ever end. I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did. I have the best daddy in the world and I will miss him every day.

"I know that daddy made this zoo so everyone could come and learn to love all the animals. Daddy made this place his whole life and now it's our turn to help daddy."

Mourners captivated by her poise rose to their feet applauding, many with tears in their eyes, as Bindi's last words floated away.

Steve was represented by a poignantly empty seat next to his wife Terri.

As videotaped reminiscences and condolences were played from celebrities around the world, including Hollywood heavyweights Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner and Cameron Diaz, it was the local tributes that lingered.

And that included Irwin himself, his foibles and skills given full rein in screened highlights of his shows that caused smiles.

A blooper tape showed him falling out of boats, taking lunch orders from the TV crew, muddling his lines and getting bitten.

There were also tear-inducing revelations from Irwin about his mother Lyn and father Bob on a video that will now be an emotional and priceless family heirloom.

"I was born on my mother's birthday. The devastating loss of my mum knocked the wind out of me for a year. It can devastate you for a long time but you owe it to the person to get up and get going again," he said.

Irwin said his father's love of nature had been his own inspiration: "He is my hero, my icon and my mentor."

Later Bob Irwin would tell the service: "Don't grieve for Steve. He's at peace now. Grieve for the animals. They have lost their best friend. And so have I."

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News & Info

29 October - 01 November 2006
The Men's Advisory Network (MAN)

Conference "From Babies to Blokes: The Making of Men"

The Men's Advisory Network (MAN) is conducting a conference of national significance on the theme "From Babies to Blokes: The Making of Men" to be held at the Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle from 29 October to 1 November 2006.

The conference will have six streams:

  • Conditioning of infant boys
  • Development of boys
  • Transition from boyhood to manhood
  • Men and work
  • Men and relationships
  • Men and ageing

Speakers so far confirmed include:

  • Bettina Arndt
  • Professor Konrad Jamrozik
  • Ian Lillico
  • Greg Mitchell
  • Dr Michael Nagel
  • Kieren Perkins
  • Dr Shaun Ridley
  • Dr Arne Rubinstein
  • Dr Norman Swan.

Register at: wwww.promaco.com.au/conference/2006/man/ 

Any assistance that you may be able to give in assisting to promote the conference would be greatly appreciated.

Gary Bryant
Executive Officer
Email: admin@man.org.au admin@man.org.au
Website: www.man.org.au www.man.org.au

__________________________________________________
 
  Inquiry into Child Support Legislation   Amendment (Reform of the Child Support  Scheme - New Formula and Other Measures)  Bill 2006

The Senate, on the recommendation of the Selection of Bills  Committee, has referred the provisions of the above Bill to the  Committee for inquiry and report by 10 October 2006.

The Committee invites written submissions relating to the Bill which should be lodged by Friday, 22 September 2006. The Committee prefers to receive submissions electronically as an attached document - email: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au - otherwise by fax (number 02 6277 5829).

The Committee intends to hold a public hearing on the Bill in Melbourne on 29 September and i n Canberra on 4 October 2006.

Should you require further information please contact the Committee Secretariat on:

Committee Secretary
Community Affairs Committee
Department of the Senate
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

Phone: 02 6277 3515
Fax: 02 6277 5829
Email: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au 

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Dad's Prayer

 

Dear God

 

Thank you for Steve Irwin.

He loved the animals you love

and taught others to do the same.

Still it seems so sad that

you don't get the credit

for all the hard work you did

making our beautiful planet.

You made every crocodile,

every cockatoo, every fish,

every plant and every kangaroo.

Why do people worship the creation

and not the Creator?

Every building has a Builder.

Every painting has a Painter.

Every design has a Designer.

Every child has a Father and Mother.

How could we forget your work
to make us all?

Then you put up with our poor memory of all that you've done?

Maybe it's your incredible ability

to look for the good in us

even when it's hard to find.

Maybe you know how forgetful we are

Of your amazing goodness and forgiveness

that keeps on growing in spite of our bad memories.

 

So, while I remember,

Thank you for your wonderful creation.

I don't want to forget to be thankful for it again.

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Help Us

Click here for more information about us

Help Us!

The Fatherhood Foundation is a Harm Prevention Charity.
Fatherlessness and inadequate fathering has been proven 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-being of their children and their children's mother.

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

Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund
(Name, address and amount details must be emailed for a receipt for tax deductibility)
Westpac Branch Wollongong
BSB: 032 695
A/C: 25-5558

Or mail cheque and address details to:
PO Box 440
WOLLONGONG  NSW  2520
AUSTRALIA

The Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund  is a public fund listed on the Register of Harm Prevention Charities under Subdivision 30_EA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

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