As you can see from this Blog site, my aim is to create a Traffic Accident Commission in Queensland; and ultimately to see that it is established throughout Australia.
There is no doubt that I am not going to be able to do this without the assistance and support of others. This is not going to be a request for funds or anything of that nature, but purely a request to the public to come on board and support the setup of this commission. Currently I am in contact with various Members of State Parliament, as well as the Prime Ministers Office and Mr Kevin Rudd. But I must say that, it is still very early days and not a lot has been achieved. However, the ball is rolling and there has been some positive responses so far.
The purpose in undertaking this project is to create a legacy to our son. It is also to create a legacy for all of the other people that have lost loved ones to road accidents.
Like my wife and I, and the rest of our family have come to realize, it is impossible to imagine the situation that confronted us in the early hours of that fateful morning in August. No individual is ever prepared for such an event.
Try, if you can, to put yourself in a similar situation and begin to make preparations for all the necessary things that need to be done, and the funds that need to be found, and do this while thinking clearly and logically, and yes do this also, while experiencing the grief and emotional heartache.
Not the easiest of tasks is it? And that was just supposing.---- Not real.---- False.---- A dream. "One day it could be real!!"
Thankfully the Traffic Accident Commission of Victoria was there for us when we needed them.
It would be so nice to be able to say that we have the same facility in Queensland and hopefully, in time, throughout the rest of Australia.
I would be so pleased to offer you the opportunity to contact me if you feel of a similar mind for what I believe is a most worthy cause.
This is something positive that we can do for the benefit of all the people of Australia.
You can contact me via this blog or by email.
The Touch of The Master's Hand
Perhaps my favourite piece of verse. It is very thought provoking especially in todays world. The first time I heard this was during a talk being given by a Buddhist Monk, who used it to illustrate the point of the talk.
I hope it is enjoyed by all who view this blog.
The Touch of a Master's Hand
Myra B Welch
Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar, then, two! Only two?
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?
Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three . . ."
But no,
From the room, far back, a grey-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low, said:
"What am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow.
"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
"Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
"Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice;
And going and gone."said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand, what changed its worth?"
Swift came the reply:
"The touch of a Master's Hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.
A 'mess of potage,' a glass of wine;
A game - and he travels on.
He is 'going' once, and 'going' twice,
He's 'going' and almost 'gone'.
But the Master comes and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the Master's Hand.
I hope it is enjoyed by all who view this blog.
The Touch of a Master's Hand
Myra B Welch
Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar, then, two! Only two?
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?
Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three . . ."
But no,
From the room, far back, a grey-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low, said:
"What am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow.
"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
"Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
"Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice;
And going and gone."said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand, what changed its worth?"
Swift came the reply:
"The touch of a Master's Hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.
A 'mess of potage,' a glass of wine;
A game - and he travels on.
He is 'going' once, and 'going' twice,
He's 'going' and almost 'gone'.
But the Master comes and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the Master's Hand.
Time passes slowly and things seem larger than life. It's not hard to live in a daze, but then, you feel,I want to get out of this daze,or,should I stay here, at least I feel secure here. Nothing can touch me while I'm here. Memories for comfort, close family members for strength and endurance. Sometimes,personal solitude to gain strength to rebuild a shattered world.
Yes, I can stay here for a time. The world will never be the same no matter what happens,but I can give myself this time to try to create the world anew. It will not be a time to drift from weird and wonderful states with fanciful dreams, while avoiding the realities of life. But,it will be a time to heal myself of the deep hurt that lingers inside.
I will not live for myself alone. I am in this world; I am a part of the world of others. So my future will be to live for those that grace my world.
My three sons will always be with me in body and spirit. They are my best friends. My wife is my guiding light and soul companion. She is my love and my energy.
For those that I love, and for those that grace my world; Yes,I can stay here for a time. For the one's that I know now and the one's to come in the future; Yes,I can stay here for a time.
I am not living for myself alone, I will stay here for a time.
Yes, I can stay here for a time. The world will never be the same no matter what happens,but I can give myself this time to try to create the world anew. It will not be a time to drift from weird and wonderful states with fanciful dreams, while avoiding the realities of life. But,it will be a time to heal myself of the deep hurt that lingers inside.
I will not live for myself alone. I am in this world; I am a part of the world of others. So my future will be to live for those that grace my world.
My three sons will always be with me in body and spirit. They are my best friends. My wife is my guiding light and soul companion. She is my love and my energy.
For those that I love, and for those that grace my world; Yes,I can stay here for a time. For the one's that I know now and the one's to come in the future; Yes,I can stay here for a time.
I am not living for myself alone, I will stay here for a time.
Our Three Sons;--- Less One.
So much of life we simply take for granted.
We go to bed each night without giving a thought as to the prospect of not being here in the morning. This can be ourselves or some loved one, and amidst all of this we live in a world where this can never happen to us, or so we believe.
Well, what my wife and I thought could never happen has in fact happened. This time it was our turn. The impossible had happened to us.-----------
-------------------------------Our eldest son was dead.
At 5-25 am on Friday the 24th of August 2007, we received that life shattering phonecall from interstate Police to advise that our eldest son had been killed instantly in a single car accident.
How do you imagine you would respond to such a call? Shock, horror, sadness, anger, disbelief, and a million other feelings. As this dramatic announcement slowly starts to sink in you start to believe that you have dreamt the whole thing, only to realize that it's not a dream. This is in fact your waking nightmare and it will live with you the rest of your days. For the next few days you go through the motions of life like a zombie, and the hardest thing you have to do is to let family and friends know of the tragedy.
One of your very own invincibles has been taken from you so savagely and undeservedly.
This is the situation that now faces you for the rest of your life, however, there are arrangements to be made, certain things need to be done. First of all you have to arrange to get to the state to claim the body, and arrange for a funeral and so many other things and all the while time is the pressing agent, followed by the heavy financial burden. Don't get me wrong but stop and think for a moment,---- how would you pay approximately $7000.00 to $8000.00 to finance a funeral for anyone? Would you draw it out of the bank? Would you get a loan? Would you borrow from a friend?------ So what would you do?
Because it's a loved one you want to do the right thing to remember them, but how to do that when your'e not that financial?
Well, all that we are able to say is, thank God the accident happened in Victoria and thank God for the foresight of the Victorian Government and the existence of the TAC (Transport Accident Commission). Through this body, assistance is given with burial or cremation expenses as well as support with family counselling and support for a dependent spouse or partner, and also support for dependent children.
Never be of the opinion that this could never happen to you, but, heaven forbid, if it did,
wouldn't it be nice to know that there was someone there to help in your hour of need.
As a legacy to our Son it is my aim to ensure that a similar body is established in Queensland and ultimately Australia wide.
If you would like to visit the Victorian website:
Go to www.tac.vic.gov.au
If you wish to contact me please feel free to do so.
Welcome and Introduction
As I am not one that has a great aptitude for computers, I still believe there is much that I have to relate and hopefully others may find some of my comments of value.Some of the issues I will relate may at some point in time, affect many people ,who as yet have not given any thought to the situations themselves, but believe me when the time does arrive it can be the most unwelcome and horrendous experience you will go through.
I hope that this comment will foster enough interest for you to be a regular visitor to this Blog in times to come.I also assure you that it will not be a blog of doom and gloom, but will also have many lighter moments.
There will be opportunities to discuss topics and leave comments, and maybe some will wish to share similar experiences.
If you take the time to read my resume you will gain a better insight into the workings of this individual.
I hope that this comment will foster enough interest for you to be a regular visitor to this Blog in times to come.I also assure you that it will not be a blog of doom and gloom, but will also have many lighter moments.
There will be opportunities to discuss topics and leave comments, and maybe some will wish to share similar experiences.
If you take the time to read my resume you will gain a better insight into the workings of this individual.
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