White Ribbon Day 2016

November 25, 2016
by Rodney Olsen
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wrd-oath-2016

I could ask if you know a woman who is affected by domestic violence but instead let me say that whether you know it or not, you do know someone.

According to information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one in three women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by someone known to them. That means that it is extremely likely that there are women in your family, among your friends, and in your workplace who have experienced domestic violence. How can this be happening in Australia?

25 November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women also known as White Ribbon Day.

This year, we’re acknowledging the fact that men’s violence against women is everyone’s issue. Get involved and spread the word today.

In the very place where women should be able to feel safe, their own homes, many are at the highest risk.

When you look across an entire year you’ll see that on average, one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner in Australia. One in four young Australians are exposed to domestic violence. In such an amazing country, how have we allowed this to happen? Are we prepared to let this continue?

You might feel that domestic violence is someone else’s problem but with it having such a dramatic effect across our nation, it’s everyone’s problem. White Ribbon Australia calling on men, women, workplaces, young people and the whole community to uncover secrets and help stop men’s violence against women.

So, how do you know if someone you know or love if experiencing domestic violence?

Most violence against women happens in the home and other private places, so you probably won’t see it happening. Here are signs that a woman is experiencing violence and abuse:

• She often mentions that her partner is ‘jealous’ or has a ‘bad temper’.

• She is afraid of her partner and tries hard to please him.

• Her partner criticises and humiliates her in public.

• She has become increasingly anxious or depressed, has lost confidence or is unusually quiet.

• She has physical injuries (for example bruises, cuts and sprains) and gives unlikely explanations for these injuries.

• She tells you that her partner pressures or forces her to perform sexual acts.

• Her partner makes all the decisions, for example he controls the finances and tells her who she can and can’t see.

• Her children seem frightened of her partner, have behavioural issues or are withdrawn and anxious.

• She doesn’t want to leave her children alone with her partner.

• If she has left the relationship, her ex-partner calls or emails her constantly, follows her, comes to her house uninvited or waits for her at work.

I will stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against women.

Take the oath to stand up, speak out and act to prevent domestic violence. If you’re still wondering what you can do about it, spend a bit of time checking out the White Ribbon website. While you’re there, I hope you’ll also throw in a few dollars to help the White Ribbon cause.

This violence must stop. You must be part of the solution.

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Imagine Generosity

November 24, 2016
by Rodney Olsen
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einstein

Imagination is powerful. Imagination takes us from where we are to where we could be. Imagination drives us forward to a better future.

German-born theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein, knew the power of imagination.

I am enough of the artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world. – Albert Einstein

Our knowledge tells us what we have already discovered and found to be true. Imagination expands our thinking to discover what might be. It tells us that what we know so far isn’t all there is to know. Imagination says that things don’t have to stay the way they are. We can imagine a better tomorrow.

Will you dare to imagine?

Perth’s Christian radio station, 98five, is asking people to imagine.

Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control.

Take a moment and imagine if these things permeated our community!

Imagine what impact and changes would happen in the lives of West Australians!

Will you dare to imagine?

Without imagination, our communities, our city, our state, our country and our world might be fooled into believing that this is as good as it gets. Surely we can imagine better.

98five is asking people what they can imagine for Perth but I reckon we can all imagine better for our own communities wherever we are.

What can you imagine?

I can imagine a Perth that is more generous. I don’t just mean being generous in the sense of handing over some dollars for a good cause. People in Perth are already pretty good at that. Whenever there’s an appeal for someone in need or for a cause that requires funding, the people of Perth respond in amazing ways.

There’s more to generosity.

When I look at definitions for ‘generous’ or ‘generosity’ I see phrases like, “willingness and liberality in giving away one’s money, time”, “willing to give money, help, kindness, etc., especially more than is usual or expected” and “kindness, especially in giving things to people” but I also find phrases like, “abundance, plenty” and “freedom from pettiness in character and mind”.

Yes, I think there’s always more room for being generous with our money. There are wonderful organisations such as 98five which can only operate when people are prepared to give, (You can donate right now to their Radiothon) but we need to broaden our idea of generosity.

I like the definition that speaks of “freedom from pettiness in character and mind”.

Imagine if we refused the pettiness that can sometimes entangle us and decided to think the best of others. Imagine if we refused to make our first response one of thinking badly of others but instead we considered others better than ourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. – Philippians 2:3

Imagine if we simply decided to give others the benefit of the doubt.

Imagine if we treated others with the same kindness that we’d like to experience.

Imagine if we were truly generous with our opinions of others and their motives. Sure, there would be times that we might be disappointed but surely generosity is a better starting point than cynicism and suspicion becoming our default position.

Imagine a generosity that chose to forgive rather than keep score.

Let’s decide to be more open handed with others. Let’s imagine a community that lavishes honour, love and concern on others. Let’s be generous. And yes, not everyone may ‘deserve’ that generosity but I can assure you that I am the least deserving of a God who would give everything, including his own son, to restore relationship with me. I am the least deserving, yet I am incredibly thankful.

Imagine.

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Gifts with Global Impact

November 22, 2016
by Rodney Olsen
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goc2016

I love receiving gifts. I love the unwrapping and the excitement of having something shiny and new. I also love the fact that people care enough to choose something for me. It doesn’t matter if the gifts are big or small … it really is the thought that counts for me.

I love giving gifts. I’ll admit that do I worry about the gifts I give. I wonder whether they’ll be suitable and appreciated but when I manage to choose the right gift, it’s a beautiful thing.

With Christmas just around the corner I know that there’ll be a fair bit of giving and receiving in the coming weeks.

While many gifts are fun, there are some that are absolutely life giving.

Gifts of Compassion

Gifts of Compassion are real goods and services given to children and families in Compassion child development centres around the world when you purchase an item from the Gifts of Compassion catalogue. For every Gift of Compassion you order, you will receive a gift card to personalise for your friends and loved ones.

Funds raised from the Gifts of Compassion catalogue are used to support Compassion’s Critical Needs, which remove obstacles to children’s development and implement preventative action. These interventions include providing safe water, disaster relief, emergency medical care, vocational training, infrastructure, and much more: all issues that need to be addressed for a child to be released from poverty.

Compassion Australia uses Gifts of Compassion funds to meet the project needs represented in the catalogue.

It concerns me that while I’m enjoying lovely new things that I don’t really need, there are people in many parts of the world that don’t have the basics that they need to get on with the daily task of just keeping their families alive.

If Christmas is about celebrating Jesus, surely we should be doing something that honours him and his heart for the poor, rather than overindulging while most of the world goes without.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting we should all be miserable and not fully enter into the celebrations at this time of year.

Balance

I suppose that’s where we all need some kind of balance between the giving and receiving of gifts between friends and loved ones and our wider responsibility to those in need around the world. We live in a global village but most of the villagers are missing out. Those of us who’ve been blessed by simply being born in the right place should spare a thought for those who only ask for the gift of life this Christmas.

I might not have a lot of use for a goat but for a rural family in a developing country the simple gift of a goat could be just what they need to break free from poverty.

Compassion

So where do you buy a goat and how do you get it to someone who needs it? Compassion Australia’s Gifts of Compassion is open and ready for business. Their gifts help people who are battling desperate poverty. They can take your money and turn it into a very real solution to poverty.

You can buy everything from mosquito nets to vocational training with lots more in between including chickens, cows, sewing machines and baby vaccinations.

Your support really does make a difference.

I’ve visited churches partnering with Compassion in seven of the 26 countries where they’re working and I can personally vouch for the fact that it makes a difference. When you support those in poverty through Compassion, the aid really does make it to those who need it. In fact, it was after seeing the work of Compassion that I decided that I would do all I could to advance their work which is why I’ve now been working full-time for Compassion for around three years.

This Christmas I do want to receive something for myself, wrapped in thought and love, but I also hope that someone will give me a goat or a chicken or some clean water for someone I’ll never meet.

What about you?

Go on … you’ve thought about it before but unless you let your loved ones know now it’ll never happen. Ask those you love to buy something for someone else this Christmas.

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12 Things You’ve Never Done

November 1, 2016
by Rodney Olsen
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twelve

Let’s get the conversation going. I want to know about some of the things you’ve experienced that most others haven’t. What are the unique moments of your life?

I thought I’d try to spark things by listing a few things I’ve done that you probably haven’t.

While you may find one or two things on the list that you’ve done I sincerely doubt that you’ve done all twelve. 🙂

I’m hoping that you’ll come up with a few of your own in the comments section of this post. If you’ve done any of the things on my list let me know.

I’ll just list the twelve things and leave it to you. If you have questions about any of the items in the list, feel free to ask.

12 Things You’ve ‘Probably’ Never Done

1. Spent six weeks in court.

gavel

It was some years ago and it was quite a high profile case. I had been called on for jury duty for a case that was set down for two to three weeks. Within the first week the judge suggested that things were going really well and we’d probably be all wrapped up in less than two weeks. Then things got complicated.

Six weeks later we finally returned our verdict and our lives could return to normal.

2. Cycled across Australia five times.

nullarbor

It’s been way too long since my last Nullarbor crossing in 2003 when I rode from Perth to Hobart. It seems almost a lifetime away from my first of five crossings back in 1987.

I’ve cycled across Australia in my twenties, my thirties and my forties. I’m now in my fifties and while nothing’s in concrete, I’m making plans for another crossing. Probably in 2018.

1987 – Perth to Canberra
1988 – Perth to Canberra
1990 – Perth to Adelaide
2000 – Perth to Sydney
2003 – Perth to Hobart

3. Escaped a country when rioting and looting in the capital became widespread.

haitiriot

I was introduced to the work of Compassion when I was invited to travel to Haiti back in April 2008. We were meant to be there for a little over a week but it was the time of the global financial crisis and subsequently the global food crisis. Families couldn’t afford even the most basic food so after their criesd for help to the government fell on deaf ears, they began to demonstrate in the streets.

Roads were barricaded, shops were looted and there were fires across the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Several people died in the riots.

Our small team managed to get out of Haiti under some extremely trying circumstances. It was very difficult getting to the airport and at times we were in very real danger. We finally hooked up with some armed police who escorted us to the airport so that we could leave the country.

4. Hand fed an orangutan.

orangutan

I also got fairly close to a lion, patted a penguin, fed a rhinoceros, had a 1.5 metre snake draped across my shoulders and much more as part of a behind the scenes Zoo experience back in late 2008.

5. Shared a stage with Mikhail Gorbachev.

mikhail-gorbachev

When I say ‘shared a stage’ what I really mean is that we were both on the same stage at the same time. Gorbachev was speaking to an audience and I was carrying his cup of tea.

It was May 1999 and the World Masters of Business was at the Burswood Dome in Perth. Some friends were staging the event and so I not only recorded all the voice overs to introduce the guests, I got to be stage manager on the day.

One of the things Mr Gorbachev requested was that he would have a very hot cup of tea placed on a table off to the side of his lectern. To ensure it was as hot as possible I carried it on just after he had made his way onto the stage.

6. Had my travel documents confiscated in a foreign country.

passport

It was 1992 and I was traveling to Canada to cycle through The Rockies for a week or so. Our flights had been overbooked so instead of going a fairly direct route we had to visit a few extra airports.

It was back in the day that Australians required a visa to enter the US. When we flew into San Francisco and had to clear US Customs, my passport and other travel documents were confiscated. I didn’t have a visa.

I explained the situation and so it wasn’t really a big deal but I did get a big red ‘TWOV’ stamped in the passport. (Transit Without Visa).

All my documents were finally returned a couple of flights later when I stepped off the plane in Canada.

7. Cycled from Agra to Delhi in India.

agra-to-delhi

On my first of three trips to India I traveled to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, by van before starting the ride back to Delhi.

Cycling in India is an amazing experience. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone with a heart condition but if you’re interested in adventure, start pedaling.

8. Met General ‘Stormin’ Norman Schwarzkopf.

Stormin Norman was another of the speakers at World Masters of Business at the Burswood Dome in Perth. Unlike the other speakers, Norman was back stage well before time. He wanted to hang out with the crew and made sure he introduced himself to everyone. For someone who played such a significant part in the history of our world he was amazingly ‘normal’. He was extremely friendly and seemed to be a genuinely nice guy.

When it was finally time for him to speak, he focused a lot on leading alongside others and having real care for those you lead. From my interactions with him earlier in the day it was obvious that he practiced what he preached.

9. Interviewed 2011 Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans.

cadel

I had the honour of interviewing hundreds of people during my years working in radio. I spoke to the famous through to the not so famous and lots in between but some interviews will always be highlights for me. Like the day in 2009 when I had twenty minutes with a cycling hero.

Cadel had just published his biography, Cadel Evans: Close To Flying, and was traveling around Australia on a promotional tour. As soon as I heard he was coming I contacted his publisher and was thrilled when I was told he would be coming to the studio for an interview.

He was quietly spoken and it was obvious that media interviews weren’t his favourite part of the job, but he was gracious and interesting and I got to hang out with a hero.

10. Preached at Cathedral Church of the Redemption in New Delhi, India.

During my first trip to India I found that a number of engagements had been arranged for me. One of those engagements was preaching on the Sunday morning at the Cathedral. I was so glad that I’d packed my suit.

The cathedral is impressive, inside and out, and is known as among the most beautiful and magnificent churches in India. It’s a part of the Church of North India which is a province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

11. Been mentioned in Australia’s Federal Parliament.

hansard

It was September 2007 when Stephen Smith delivered a speech regarding the Millennium Development Goals. I was part of a small group representing the Make Poverty History campaign which visited Mr Smith’s office some time beforehand to raise concerns with him.

Our group, gathered from several local churches in Mr Smith’s electorate, were all mentioned by name. Mr Smith finished his short speech to the parliament with this paragraph.

We had a very fruitful conversation, and it was so pleasing to see so many people in the local community in my electorate committed to wanting to see Australia act as a good international citizen, committed from a personal point of view to always trying to ensure that someone who is not as well off as you are gets a helping hand up, and as far as Australia being a good international citizen is concerned, ensuring that Australia is committed to overseas development aid, is committed to the Millennium Development Goals and committed in an international sense to making poverty history for so many developing nations around the globe at the moment.

12. Cycled up and down an aisle at K-Mart in Miami, Florida.

kmart

In 2008, on the way to visiting Compassion’s work in Haiti, we stopped in Miami for a night. On the way to the airport we stopped at the local K-Mart so that one of the group could buy some extra shirts.

As we wandered around I noticed the bikes at the very back of the store. I figured that I wouldn’t get another chance like this so I handed my camera to one of the team and then started riding around. I wanted to say that I have cycled in the US. I got the photographic proof and so it’s official.

So there you are. Now it’s over to you.

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Soundtrack of My Life – The Story

October 29, 2016
by Rodney Olsen
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Soundtrack of my Life This is one of a regular series of articles highlighting some of the music that has played a part in my life. You’ll find a range of songs from old to new. Whether it’s the lyrics, the music, a time in my life, or a combination of reasons, the songs in my soundtrack are part of who I am.

If you take a good look you’ll probably find music that has been part of the soundtrack of your life too. You can also check out some of the other songs that make up the soundtrack of my life.

The Story – Brandi Carlile

It was back in March of 2008 that I met Brandi Carlile. I was working in radio and was absolutely thrilled to be able to interview Brandi. These days I certainly have more than just the one Brandi Carlile song on my personal playlist but back then it was just this one song that had totally captured me.

The Story is a song that slowly builds before taking you on your own story as Brandi’s amazing vocals begin to kick in. It’s beautiful and raw, all at once.

When I met Brandi it was hard to imagine that such a big voice could be wrapped up in the quietly spoken lady on the other side of the studio desk. She was a delight to interview and very generous with her time.

Brandi M. Carlile (born June 1, 1981) is an American alternative country and folk rock singer-songwriter. Born in Ravensdale, Washington, she dropped out of high school to pursue a career in music, teaching herself piano and guitar. Her first commercial album, Brandi Carlile, was released to critical acclaim but to limited commercial success. Carlile garnered wider recognition for her 2007 single The Story, from the album of the same name, was a greater commercial success, and was used by General Motors for commercials.

Carlile has released six albums including The Story (2007), Give Up the Ghost (2009) and Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony (2011), the last reaching number 14 on the Top Rock Albums chart. Her 2015 album The Firewatcher’s Daughter garnered her further acclaim and her first Grammy Award nomination.

Carlile’s music through the years has been categorized in several genres, including pop, rock, alternative country, and folk. She said of her style, “I’ve gone through all sorts of vocal phases, from pop to blues to R&B, but no matter what I do, I just can’t get the country and western out of my voice.” Carlile has been a part of several activism campaigns and advocates for causes ranging from spreading awareness for health issues to women empowerment. – Wiki

Take a few minutes to crank up the volume and enjoy an amazing song from Brandi Carlile then go out and buy some of her albums. You won’t regret it.

I’d encourage you to get involved too. Let me know about some of the songs that are etched in your mind. What are the tunes that bring back a flood of memories every time their opening notes start cranking out on your stereo? Are there songs you love for their music and others that speak deeply through their lyrics?

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