Lessons from the National Mediation Conference Day 1
There is nothing more inspiring than getting together with a group of experts to discuss what you are passionate about! The National Mediation Conference in 2019 has a focus of “Over the Horizon”, looking at the essence of mediation for the future. So many fascinating presentations, but some significant standouts for me! Dr June Oscar-Whole…
10 Tips to deal with someone overwhelmed with emotion
Stay calm Do not get sucked into the vortex! Remain friendly and calm, maintain a reassuring tone of voice and body language. Be empathetic Show compassion by the use of empathy for what you are observing, attention to their experience, and respect for their distress. Focus on the future Do…
Why We Sleep- The new science of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker
We all now accept that what we eat and the amount of exercise we get is crucial to our wellbeing and long term health. However the other aspect of our lives that dominates our day to day lives is all but ignored. Dr Matthew Walker is seeking to change this and educate us about how…
Autumn Inspiration- “Becoming” by Michelle Obama
During recent regional travel I listened to Michelle Obama read her current autobiography “Becoming”. It was fascinating to hear her tell her own story and answer those questions I had about who she is, the challenges that she has faced along her journey, and how she came to be the wife of Barac Obama. I…
Creating Space for Consensus
At a time of crisis, parties can feel stunned and flooded with feelings of shock, disbelief and powerlessness. This can give way to a strong sense of fear, loss and hurt, and then to overwhelming emotions such as sadness, rejection, depression, betrayal and perhaps anger. In this state it is very hard to make sense…
Autumn Reading – “The Fragments” by Toni Jordan
I have followed the work of Melbourne based author, Toni Jordan over several years, and can recommend her most recent novel. This is a murder mystery set in Brisbane, with many familiar features about this city and the lifestyle of those who live there, that are like hooks to grab hold of and keep the…
What you can expect from the court system
Litigation The inevitable consequence of separation is that decisions will need to be made. In many cases these are easily identified and parties can work together to manage their conflict, and move forward with dignity and minimal cost to themselves, their extended family, friends, and society. In some cases this is not possible…
Summer Reading- The Lost Man by Jane Harper
Jane’s story revolves around several generations of a farming family. The main characters are the three adult sons, but their parents and children are also an important part of the novel. It is concerned with the death of one of the sons, and the attempt to understand what was happening for each of the characters,…
What to expect from an ICL in Family Dispute Resolution
Operating as both a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) and Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) has given me a unique insight into the role of the ICL in Family Dispute Resolution (FDR). My experience is that every ICL has a different approach to FDR and works towards very different outcomes. This leads me to ask the…
The life long impact of Trauma on Children
A recent study has made a strong correlation between childhood trauma and life long social, emotional and health outcomes. Exposure to early adversity affects brain development, and leads to a greater likelihood of engaging in high risk behaviours and developing serious health conditions such as heart disease and cancer. This type of childhood trauma is…