Hi there list-ners, Thought I'd fill you in on our latest activities. After trying to avoid being saddled with the hippy/alternative label for years, a group of comitted mums and dads (and babies) held a stall at the Brisbane Permaculture Exhibition last week. There was a lot of interest in our guest speakers as well as in the stall, with many publications sold. A very receptive crowd. Interestingly, it was a very new-age, hippy, studentish and alternative type of crowd. There were heaps of folks who came up to the stall and said " I'm from Cairns/Gympie/Noosa/Gold Coast etc and I had my homebirth with X/Y/Z and it was fantastic and...." Homebirth seemed the norm in this crowd and it was refreshing to hear so many woman and men talk about their children's births in such glowing terms in a short space of time. We networked over the two day exhibition and have been invited by Brisbane Organic Growers to have a stall and guest speaker at the Organic Fair next Sunday in the Peace Hall, Windsor. Today's support group members offerred time/cakes/jams/baby slings/art/crafts/face-painting/a slide/baby change area/helium ballons/flowers to put alongside the publications for the stall. I notice we're being offerred things which will be easy and fun for the volunteers (with babes in tow) as well as the punters. I look this over and it seems more Presbyterian Country Womens Assoc in style than hard core political activity. And I am glad. I am amazed that families put in the time for this persuit. I know that is because the option of homebirth is highly valued in this community. There's been an interesting turn of events within the HMA - the re-emergence of the Women AS Midwives lobby by a few older, wisened members. There is an argument against the professionalisation of midwifery in that this takes childbirth away from the mothers and into the hands of the professional. It seems to be an arguemnt that is more concerned about what may be lost if direct entry is achieved rather than what will be gained. But I will hear more about this soon and fill you in... Blessings, Marina PS I'm very excited about the homebirth conference; looking forward to meeting some list personalities there. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
