On a Journey by Lethe Gaskin (PIA)

Kia ora Sue and friends,

There is a great network of psychodramatists isn't there! Here on the Kapiti Coast, in New Zealand I am establishing my own practice, and also have the fledgling PIA; Psychodrama Institute of Aotearoa. Not enough time in the day to put into effect all the things in my heart, but kei te pai, we'll get there.

One of the things I am working on is making myself available to Maori - this is a process at the moment of building relationships. I love it.

In Paraparaumu I have rooms with a teacher of Te Reo, his name is Te Umu-a-riki. - we see ourselves working with people on their journeys, and with psychodrama, Te Reo and counselling we are building a place where a korowai is offered, a cloak of protection and identity and new growth. Recently Te Umu-a-riki went to begin his journey as a Reo teacher at the Maori Unit in Rimutaka prison. It was the day of his powhiri (Ceremony of Beginning). That's not quite psychodrama in prisons but as psychodramatist we are no strangers to beginnings.

I myself would love to take psychodrama into the prison system - at any stage of it, including rehab, transition back to the community. That door hasn't yet been opened.

My sister Katrina, who also trained as a psychodramatist at PIM is currently studying counselling at Welltech. Her current social theory project focuses on aspects of the justice system in NZ! As a psychodramatist she also has many ideas, and quite a bit of frustration at a system which has been limited in its options for supporting people in prison to develop better relationships with themselves and others.

I'm pretty excited at the moment. I also have a little house that a couple of us are renting in Levin, about 40 minutes north of Paraparaumu (and where I live). It's a 3 bedroom weatherboard house, fire in the lounge which is a good size for small groups, nice garden. My friend and colleague, Kahu has done out one of the bedrooms as a play therapy room, gorgeous, and great that's she's seeing kids. The house we've named Te Whare Korowai. Te Whare (Te Fa-re) just means the house, Korowai (cor - raw - why) means cloak, which has attached to it a valuing of the person wearing it. Like people standing up and wearing their own individual korowai.

The rooms with Te Umu, well, gosh, that's a journey and a half too. I don't really know what we're doing, but it feels good. I have to go get organised for the day now, but will write more soon.

Lovely to hear about PIM, and I would love to hear more of what people, psychodramatists and trainees, are doing via our blog.

Best to you, hei kona,

Lethe Gaskin

Psychodrama Institute of Aotearoa

Just thought I would send a little prayer/song which we are doing at the beginning and end of one of our presentations. We do it as a prayer at the beginning and a song at the end. It is a powerpoint slide with a few different pictures attached to it. So you have to start the slide show to get the special effects. Would like to put it on the blog. Not sure if possible!

I am teaching three women to sing the Karakia so we have a Waiata at the end. Seems like a full way to end, by singing our heads off.

Whakataka te hau ki te uru,
Cease the winds from the West,
Whakataka te hau ki te tonga.
Cease the winds from the South.
Kia mākinakina ki uta,
Let the breezes blow over the land,
Kia mātaratara ki tai.
Let the breezes blower over the ocean.
E hī ake ana te atākura.
Let the red-tipped dawn come
He tio, he huka, he hauhunga.
With a sharpened air, a touch of frost, a promise of a glorious day.
Tihēi Mauri Ora!
Behold there is life!

Katrina Gaskin

PIM NEWS - April 2009

We are proud to announce that John De Bono is the Administrator of PIM in 2009. John is an advanced psychodrama trainee, consultant and Director of Groupwise.

ONGOING TRAINING
The PIM training program recommences its three ongoing Tuesday and Thursday groups on Tuesday 19 and Thursday 21 May. The Practicum group meet for the first of their two training weekends for Term 2 on the 16th & 17th of May.
During the break the Level 2, 3 and practicum training groups have met or are meeting soon for social get-togethers or dinners. The Level 3 group had a wonderful time at Sala Thai in Brunswick Street last week.

MONTHLY GROUPS
The monthly groups are continuing throughout the breaks.
The Practitioners' Group meets on the last Friday of each month. They had their third meeting last Friday, 24th of April. In March they met for a peer session on the 27th. The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, 29th of May at PIM.
The Supervision and Writing Group is holding its' second meeting this coming Friday, 1st May at Simpson Street.

THEATRE of SPONTANEITY
The second Theatre of Spontaneity was held on the last Sunday in March. This event was hosted by the Practicum Group at PIM in conjunction with the committee of the Moreno Psychodrama Society. Patricia Green conducted the open session.
During the evening, a cheque was presented to Psychodramatists, Bob Cummings and Linda Harrington (both members of the CFA) for the Yark Rural Fire Brigade. Recently we received a beautiful 'Thank-You' card from John Sharwood and Rodney Ridd, Chairman and Secretary respectively (on the noticeboard at PIM). The money that we raised at the February Theatre of Spontaneity for the Fire Appeal amounted to $500.00. Part of this money went to Yark and the other part is to be presented to Margaret Cunningham, another member of MPS whose family and home were affected by the fires on 7 February.

The next Theatre of Spontaneity is on Sunday 31 May, 6 - 9 p.m.

PIM WORKSHOPS
Two workshops were organised between terms to compliment the ongoing training program. Jil Toovey's "Working with Psychodrama in the Corporate World" was held on 21 March. Participants included a colleague from Finland who happened to be working in Melbourne at the time. The second workshop is on this coming Saturday, 2nd of May. Entitled "Through the Mirror: Making Safe, Keeping Safe" and run by Sue Daniel, the focus is on working with psychodrama in such a way as to create and maintain a safe environment. On the 27th of June Marie Watt will conduct her workshop, "An Exploration of Our Dream Life Through Psychodrama".

OVERSEAS NEWS

In the USA
Sue Daniel conducted a workshop in April in Chicago for the Psychodrama Training Institute of Chicago - "Making Use of the Imagination in Individual and Group Psychotherapy". Elaine Sachnoff (fifth from right) is the Director of this Institute and Lorelei Goldman, (4th from left) the Training Director. Sue is fourth from right. Some of you may remember Elaine, when she came over to Melbourne for our conference "Giving Life" in 2006. The following photograph is courtesy of Iliya Tanchev.
Sue was in the USA for the American Society for Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama (ASGPP) Annual Conference in St Louis where she also conducted a pre-conference training workshop "Role Theory: The Essence of Psychodrama."

The International Association for Group Psychotherapy and Group Processes (IAGP)

Rome Congress, August 2009 - Groups in a Time of Conflict

Several of our members; trainees and practitioners are presenting at this conference. Ailish Gill is doing a poster on a project that she did in Ireland. Danielle Forer is also presenting a poster, on Psychodrama in Bangladesh and conducting a workshop. Julia Lau and Sue Daniel are conducting a workshop each. Sue is also conducting a Large Group with Peter Kellermann, as part of a series of Large Groups at the end of each day.

Julia Lau invited people planning to go to Rome to her home for a meal and get together several months ago. This little group is expanding. Our second event, an afternoon tea, was held in the garden of Jil Toovey and her husband, Gary's home on March 22. The next social event is to be held in Sue Daniel and Ted Bugarski's home on Saturday 27 June from 3 - 7 p.m. There is an Italian theme. Approximately 18 people are going to Rome for this congress from within the PIM and Moreno Psychodrama Society community.

Sue Daniel has been nominated for the election slate for the Board of the IAGP. She was the Chairperson of the Psychodrama Section of the IAGP from 2000-2003 and has been instrumental in organising two Pacific Rim Congresses in Melbourne, in 1991 and 2001. The new Board will be announced in Rome.

Moreno Psychodrama Society - One Day Conference - JULY

Optimism is the theme of our one day Conference 11th July to be held at the Abbotsford Convent from 8.30 a.m to 6 p.m. The program is almost complete and we should have more news on this at the end of May. Thanks to those who sent in proposals. Thanks to Stephanie Lee for her beautifully designed card, announcing the conference. If you haven't received one or want more to display at work or give to friends, ring John De Bono on 0429 427 873. (See website link for the conference in the right column.)










And finally, we wished Anne Schutzenberger, our French Colleague, a Happy 90th Birthday on the 29th March. Picture shows Anne with colleagues, Marcia Karp (England) and Manuela Maciel (Portugal).

Best wishes to all from the PIM Faculty.

Poems

Tears,

Rain Drops,

Pouring thunders;

Furnase,

Healing -

Time, 
Will tell.



Rain drops...

Tears,

Healing;

Showers,

Moonlight,

Sunlight.

Life, re-gained.



Mournings, mornings...

Always -

Heartfelt.

Tender,

Loving. 




That departed

Yet,

Not

gone away...



Liliana Melone.




Resonating in my mind 

Is a song I love....



"Human kindness

Is overflowing

And I know

It's gonna
 Rain Today"

(Bette Midler).




Wishing you

Safe and healing journeys....



Liliana Melone.



New Life in Strathewen

A sure sign of hope shoots from the Victorian bushfire ashes as a Pink Lady flower emerges in the fire ravaged township of Strathewen near Kinglake.

After the Theatre of Spontaneity

Hi there,

I have been feeling shocked and overwhelmed by the past two weeks. Yesterday when Bob and I drove down to Melbourne through the blackened forests that used to burst forth life, past lost homes and businesses, I felt the helplessness and hopelessness of loss. There appeared to be nothing living in what was left of the forests. I said to Bob that this charred forest is too damaged to regenerate. It's beauty gone. I silently wept.

Bob said that the forest would grow again, but I didn't listen. I couldn't listen as what was before me seemed too destroyed.

As we drove we listened to the remembrance service with the beautiful songs, and we both wept.

We spent the afternoon reconnecting with family. Then we joined psychodrama friends at the Theatre of Spontaneity and had an opportunity to tell our stories, hear the stories of others, and share in the sadness of everyone's loss. Through this experience our anger and sadness changed to hope for the future and joy in the strength of the relationships of our family and friends.

This morning I was moved to write some poetry about my experience, which I would like to share with you.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for being in my life.

With love,
Linda

Images of Black Saturday - A Poem

Images of Black Saturday: by Linda Harrington, Yarck CFA

Hot.
The thirsty air drank from my very skin, leaving it dry as parchment.
Unbearably hot.
So hot that the fruit cooked on our orchard trees.
The air eerily calm, like in the eye of a storm.

Then it came.
A searing wind that scorched the life out of all it touched;
a blow torch out of control.
The dust filled sky radiated a scary orange brown,
An ominous prediction of things to come.

Birds stopped singing.
Animals cowered.
We cowered under the awesome might of nature,
Then we rose up
and fought.

Yarck’s CFA tankers had gone,
called away to fight fires erupting at Kilmore.
At three pm, the unbelievable – a power outage.
A power outage to a town with only tank water
And water pumps need power!

A town vulnerable
put their fire plan into action.
No time to think.
Stay to defend or leave.
Hesitation, Disbelief.

This won’t happen to us.
This can’t happen.
I won’t leave, some said.
We’ll defend with a bucket and mop!
And pray the fire doesn’t come our way.

The radio presenter’s voice turned to disbelief and horror
As the fire raped and razed towns and moved on.
Kilmore, Wandong, Flowerdale, Hazeldene, Humevale,
Kinglake West, Strathewen, Arthur’s Creek, Kinglake.
Our shire was on fire!

More fires at Narbethong, Buxton, Marysville and Taggerty.
The fire’s velocity was merciless.
Our tankers were diverted to Marysville.
But there was no mention of Marysville on the radio.
Maybe it was all a hideous mistake.

Rostered to relieve the first crew at 3 a.m.
I learnt that Tanker 2 had been abandoned amidst the Marysville inferno.
The crew escaped with minor burns and had joined Tanker 1.
Also in trouble, valiantly the crew protected themselves from the radiant heat
And barged their way to safety.

Seven a.m. Sunday
I am on another tanker, going to Marysville.
Escorting the ambulance, food and emergency vehicles -
Why is there still no mention of Marysville on the radio.
Was it just a bad dream? Or a horror movie?

The road in was hideous,
Fallen trees, dead animals, burnt homes, some still burning.
And burnt out cars.
People who had tried to escape
But the fury of the fire was merciless.

As we entered our picturesque historic town,
Disbelief and shock.
We were greeted with blackened twisted rubble.
It seemed that ash and debris was all that was left,
and a river flowing black with soot.

But no,
On the oval huddled a group of survivors.
Townsfolk in shock.
Firefighters in shock
Support services in shock – and supporting one another.

On the back of the fire truck tears welled in our eyes,
speechless at the sights facing us.
Humbled by the survivor’s courage and spirit
I knew that we might have lost this battle
But we would win the war.

The Theatre of Spontaneity - February 2009

On Sunday, 22 February from 6 - 8 p.m the first Theatre of Spontaneity for 2009 takes place at PIM, 155 Langridge St.

The evening is dedicated to the community in response to the tragedy brought about by the fires that razed communities last weekend and took lives. It is a place to bring forward stories, to grieve and to celebrate life.
This evening provides an opportunity to say goodbye, to bring forward questions, to put words and actions to feelings within the embrace of the psychodrama community.

The fee is $20.00 ($15.00 for MPS members) Proceeds will be donated appropriately to the Fire Appeal in consultation with those members.

The Bush Fires of Melbourne

At the present time, I can say that all members of the Moreno Psychodrama Society and PIM are safe. Margaret Cunningham and her husband and children, who live in Chads Creek Rd, Strathewen survived an horrendous event, even saving their house. The children were evacuated however Margaret and Bruce stayed and fought the fire. They have property and animal damage. Bob Cummings and Linda Harrington are also safe. They live in Yarck. Both Linda and Bob are members of the bush firefighters (CFA) and have been, and still are valiantly fighting the fires and assisting the people of Marysville and other townships struck down by the tornedo of fire. We are so grateful they are alive. Other members' family members have lost property, some, all that they have - apart from each other which is a blessing for sure.
We have all been touched by these fires. Everyday, I hear from people who have experienced a death of either a friend, friend of friend, or a colleague, and once, of almost all of the person's social and cultural atom, apart from their family. I feel immeasurably sad. I feel uplifted to hear the stories of people, the 24/7 support of the media, particularly those radio stations that continually broadcast from the ground zero of the fires, as this helps my grief. I feel with the people, I can embrace them with my heart and mind, having them in heart and mind. I am glad to hear of a little koala drinking from a water bottle, a little pony arriving, and that water and hay are available for him. I am glad to hear of people wanting tools to start working again and temporary fencing. I am glad to hear from Margaret Cunningham, and to hear Bob and Linda's voices.
With love and blessings, Sue Daniel

2009 TRAINING at PIM

This coming weekend, 14th & 15th of February, the Advanced Training Group (Practicum Level) commence training.

The Opening Night of PIM is next Friday evening, 20th February. A light supper will be served. Trainees may bring friends and colleagues interested in psychodrama to this event.

The weekend workshop of 21 & 22 February marks the start of the training year for the Level 3 (Thursday Evening) Training Group.

Tuesday February 24 is the commencement date for the Level 1 & Level 2 Training Groups.

The Moreno Psychodrama Society is holding a One-Day Conference with the theme 'Optimism' on Saturday 11th of July at the Abbotsford Convent in St Helliers St, Abbotsford from 9 until 6. Registration from 8 a.m. There will be 8 sessions of 1.5 hours. Final call for proposals 24 February.

For enquires regarding Ongoing Training Courses, Theatre of Spontaneity, The One-Day Conference 'Optimism' on Saturday 11th of July (change of date from 18th) or Workshops: telephone 94163779 or email pim@netspace.net.au