AHEAD OF A HOT DRY SUMMER, PILLOWCASE WORKSHOPS ARE HERE TO SUPPORT REGIONAL COMMUNITIES

Australia Post are proud to have just announced our support for Pillowcase workshops, delivered across the country by the Australian Red Cross. Working in every community across Australia, our team members are often at the frontline of disaster. We see frsthand how a disaster can affect a community and we want to do what we can to provide support. That’s why we’ve raised more than $1.8 million for Australian Red Cross since 2019 and contributed towards supporting 470,000 people across 133 emergency events. We also work hard to ensure via critical mail redirection services and pop-up post offces are available to Australians when they need them. But we also want to help even before people need us the most.

That’s why we’re passionate about supporting the Australian Red Cross Pillowcase workshops, helping to prepare more than 6,000 primary school students living in areas of high risk of natural disaster every year. We’ll support Australian Red Cross in delivering the educational resources required for the program, including the emergency pillowcase kits that aid families in packing essentials swiftly during crises. We know families want access to crucial support when natural disasters strike. So we’re pleased to play a part in Australian Red Cross’ mission to continue to foster resilience and the practical skills needed in our communities to reduce the impact through psychological and practical preparation.

As we head into a hot, dry summer, it may be time to ask if you and your family feel emergency-ready. Could your kids do with some new skills and additional support?

Learn more about Pillowcase workshops at https://www.redcross. org.au/emergencies/ pillowcase-program/

It’s ‘Leemo Cat’ here, addressing ‘Mum Jane’. ‘Mum, I read the other day that when the Baby Jesus was born, his Mother Mary laid him in a Manger full of nice fresh straw. Could we buy a Manger please; it must have legs and be at least 3 ft. above the ground. I have astutely not failed to notice that YOU are chucking straw all over our garden beds of late; to me this seems a rather futile exercise in stupidity so why not place the straw in a Manger, then put the Manger in a warm sunny place, or a cool shady place in Summer? It could be MY new place of repose, just like the Baby Jesus. Oooh Mum, it would be so nifty, kinda like my own fortress. Into the bargain, it would keep me safe from marauding puppies, wild foraging koalas, ferce snakes & 3 susso blokes atop camels who said they were wise men bearing gifts.’ (I have ALWAYS kept in mind your advice NEVER to take gifties from strange men Mum!) I fgured I should make her a cup of tea & a ginger bikkie to allow her time to ponder my request. All done!! I confess she did look a little befuddled by my MOST simple petition; she was emanating deep breaths with a meanie frown on her elderly countenance. Hmmm?!

Eeek..a shouty voice was directed at me & hit my ears like a lightning clap.

‘LEEMO, just sit down and listen to me you absurd cat; do you have one single clue about what a Manger is?

For your information, it is a a wooden or stone feeding trough or food box that holds hay for BIG sturdy farm animals like cattle, horses, and donkeys, even for large pigs, BUT unquestionably NOT for cats. I very much doubt Bunnings sell them, but perhaps you could head out West on your completely ‘under utilised’ delicate paws and ask a kindly farmer to give you a spare one; you can then drag it home yourself with a harness ‘cos I AM NOT becoming involved in bringing your preposterous request to fruition. GOT IT?’ (And I might add, Leems, you will pay the farmer from your own money!!) OMG, this is diabolical, it’s surprising I haven’t run away. BUT, I’m having the last say here; but frst a small meditation session is warranted; lying on the warm grass, paws in air, tail gently swishing & sun on my tummy. Blissy!! NOW, I had a plan, and, giving Mum a big purry licky kiss, I asked her to listen to me; my words came forth like a gentle miracle. ‘Mum, I ‘spose wanting a Baby Jesus Manger was a bit over the top. BUT, Mum, you’ve forsaken me a bit in past weeks; I just wanted your attention. All you do is cook jam & pickles & lemon butter and stuff and NOW you’re making old fashioned coconut ice, (and cussing) leaving nary a moment to spend with me playing with leaves & sticks & stuff on the grass.’

(Goodie, her meanie face became a calmer visage, well, as much as her wrinkles would allow.) ‘Oooh, Leems my darling boy, I truly am so sorry. I have just been most busy ‘cos my CWA BRANCH ARE HAVING A FUNDRAISING STALL AT BUNNINGS in Lismore on Sept. 9th. I’m just doing my bit to help raise money. I love you trillions so let’s go play on the grass together. Whoohoo, with purry purrsies. Leemo.