November 28th. Creators and Craft Market

The Golden Plains Hockey Club (also known as the Navigators) is looking for new players. Hockey is a sport for all ages, from juniors through to seniors. We were established in 2013 and currently have a men’s, women’s and junior teams. We are a community, family -orientated club looking to have fun and get some guaranteed fitness as a bonus! Hockey skills can be learned by anyone, so if you’re new to the sport, or thinking about returning after a break we welcome everyone of all skill levels! We are supportive and encourage a friendly, family-orientated culture and you will get to play regardless of your skill level. While we are proud of some of our juniors who have played in the Victorian Junior State Championships we equally encourage and foster players whose skills are still developing. We encourage you to consider us as a sporting alternative. The season proper is played through winter but we have a summer season that is a good way to gain an introduction to the sport, being played mixed teams on half a field with 7 players and no hitting the ball allowed.

Check out our website at: www.goldenplainshockeyclub.weebly.com

Behaviour, Consequence and Punishment (Revd Dr Timothy Smith)

It was a privilege to be involved in Special Religious Education when it was permitted in the schools. My experience of the role of SRE was to help the students learn life skills; how to live together well. Schools not only teach our young people the academic skills they need, they also teach students to live together well. This was done in partnership with the Church which also shared this vision of being community.

A part of being community is to learn that our behaviour has consequences. Unfortunately, a consequence has been equated with punishment for bad behaviour. The result of this, I think, misses the step of working out why a behaviour is right or wrong. Something is declared bad simply because it is against the rules or the law. But why is it a rule or a law deserving punishment? It is consequences of our behaviour that help us determine whether behaviour is good or bad and, in turn, whether it deserves punishment. We all have the right and freedom to choose what we are going to do, think or say. However, to think that my choice does not have an impact on other aspects of my life, other choices I have to make, or the effect on the life others, is naïve. The way I speak to others, for example, whether or not I respect other’s personal boundaries, will have consequences regarding what others think about me. Their response, the consequence of my behaviour, will determine whether my behaviour is good or bad. If the reaction is positive I will continue to be included in their activities and conversation. If the reaction is negative, then there will be a punishment. It will, of course, not be a fine, but it may simply be exclusion. It is unfortunate that we are living in a world that has been turned up-side down by Covid-19 and this has forced us to make choices about what we are going to do and not do in order to participate fully with others in community. We are free to choose to act however we want about anything and everything. However, the choices we make will result in consequences of inclusion in all aspects of community or loss of the privileges we may normally enjoy. In our consideration of the consequences of our choices we learn that there is a difference between privileges and rights.

The Revd Dr Timothy Smith Priest in Charge The Anglican Parish of Inverleigh+Bannockburn+Meredith Living the Gospel in our Community www.goldenplainsanglican.org