one week till Christmas case numbers...

We thank everyone who got vaccinated and tested yesterday.

Our thoughts are with those in hospital, and the families of people who have lost their lives.

More data soon: https://t.co/OCCFTAtS1P#COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData pic.twitter.com/RlHnMcqdlX

— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) December 17, 2021

NSW COVID-19 update – Saturday 18 December 2021

In the 24-hour reporting period to 8pm last night:

- 94.9% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 93.3% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine pic.twitter.com/HIr5CV8wJw

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) December 17, 2021

When NSW case numbers jump daily from 477 to 529 to 795 to 1347 to 1738 to 2199 to 2482..., you'd think someone in Government would cotton on that they're rapidly escalating 🤔

— Marty D 💉x 3 (@martydaus) December 17, 2021

rising Christmas traffic...

PASSING THOUGHT: Since early hours, the relentless whirr of Mornington Peninsula freeway traffic has been rising...I presume this is Christmas holiday traffic...
I'm going nowhere...I'm vaccinated, but not taking chances...
Suddenly, packing removal boxes is most appealing... pic.twitter.com/2rZnWfZLCs

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) December 17, 2021

AAAHHH...The weather gods must take centre stage to spice up the Christmas season...
Not only is there a rising whirr of freeway traffic, but now we have the sounds of looming thunder accompanied by bursts of rain...
For an added bonus, we even have cycling sounds of sirens... pic.twitter.com/kkWVi7OE1q

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) December 17, 2021

soul place and soul people...

PASSING THOUGHT: I've lived first in southwest Sydney, then northern Tasmania+Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula.
Tasmania...My soul place...The landscape speaks to me...
Mornington Peninsula/teachers...My soul people...I have connected with people more here than anywhere... pic.twitter.com/h9yEECj7D0

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) December 17, 2021

passing weather post...

WARNING - Just another passing weather post:
Last night, an incredibly warm 'no blanket' night in the Dromana Hills....
(So much cool weather in recent days...
This change was a bit of a shock)...
Now, at 7:30am it is already 27°C + rising...
Has summer really appeared at last?

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) December 17, 2021

casting teaching chains aside...

PASSING THOUGHT: As days pass, more+more I am unchaining myself from teaching demands+thinking poetry, photography+sketching...
To do this each day is a brilliant dream slowly turning into reality...
Planning ways how my skills could promote my new home, a country community...

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) December 17, 2021

still haunted by pre-Christmas tragedy...

a cascade
of tears
for strangers
children and
a lost Christmas#tanka

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) December 17, 2021

VCE results...

PASSING THOUGHT: I'm basking in someone else's happiness+claiming a little as mine. A Year 12 Victorian student-taught for 3 years in his high school career (English, History+Geography), today received his ATAR of 97. Same student who gave me a thank you card before the results.

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) December 16, 2021

Massive shout out to Anthony Brown, teacher of Outdoor Education+assessor. He's one of those quiet achievers. For some years in a row, his students scored great VCE results. Always a 50 in there. This year, he secured his 50+8 students above 40.
A humble man I'm proud to know.

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) December 16, 2021

pre-Christmas tragedy in Tasmania...

I simply cannot find the right words for the Hillcrest Primary families in Tasmania who are suffering right now...
I've been haunted by the pre-Christmas tragedy since news first broke...
National tears keep coming...
So I offer Koori Brotha's words to all who may need them... https://t.co/5cbKRjUC7D

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) December 16, 2021

Deadly jumping castle incident at Hillcrest Primary School in Tasmania — everything we know https://t.co/FsF4twYOuI via @ABCaustralia

— tackles (@tackles66) December 16, 2021

Christmas lunch at The Heritage...

Delighted to share a Christmas lunch with friends yesterday in my special place - The Heritage, Balnarring... pic.twitter.com/RIETDynVE2

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) December 16, 2021

Paid for my 3 friends' Christmas lunch yesterday. Meant to be a huge thank you for all their support through my troubles this past year. Just checked a Christmas bag one friend gave me. (She texted me just now to check the bag again.) I found that she had tucked $50 into it...

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) December 16, 2021

hope you heal...

A very healthy attitude...
Hate may release even further untold nasties from Pandora's box...
While hope was left behind in Pandora's box...
'Hope you heal' is good natural medicine all round... https://t.co/7rimiFMYVX

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) December 15, 2021

Hate takes up more room than love.

Choose love and you will have enough for all.

Choose hate and you will be alone hating yourself in the end.

— SexHealthEd (@SexHealthEd) December 15, 2021

Hating someone damages your mental health. Stop letting other people live in your head rent free

— Nelson | Mufasa🦁 (@ThaSherriff) December 15, 2021