the voice, the look

Pauline called to Danny this morning, "Stop bouncing that ball inside. If you bounce it one more time I'll be taking it off you" - uttered with all the penetrating gusto she's summoned regularly as a union negotiator, HR manager, and mother.

Needless to say, Danny entered into dispute and gave the ball one more bounce.

This was a grand moment, but I am sad beyond words having to report that everything else is becoming very difficult for my sister. Greg looks after her and the kids tirelessly, and with infinite patience and devotion. With the energy she has left Pauline expresses nothing but her gratitude and love.

I love this photo of me and baby Pauline. Her gaze seems to say: Get on with it; No time for bullshit; Life is short.

Her gaze is different now. It is full of love and acceptance. But we would all do well to bear in mind that other, penetrating look. She has usually been right.

From your friends and comrades in the union movement

Pauline- our best wishes are with you, Greg, Bridget and Danny.

Your friends all over the union movement know what a fighter you are, and how your strength, intelligence and fierceness delivered so much for individual workers, and for the broader rights of the workers you stood up for, as a rank and file nurse during the 1986 strike to your service for the ANF and the FSU.

You are surrounded by your close friends and family, who are no doubt supporting you in this difficult time.

We want you to know that there are those of us who, while a bit further away, are thinking of you and wishing you and your family all the love and courage we know you have.

Elizabeth Lukin, Matthew McGowan, Sharron Caddie, Amanda Tattam, Ingrid Stitt, Maryanne Thomas, Rae Perry, Cath Noye, David Atkin, Paul Schroeder, Angelica Pantas, Sue Kenna, Chris Lockwood, Karen Kearney, Rose Kerlin, Lisa Hilda, Lisa White, Mick Scilini, Bruce Atkins, Nancy Conte, John Wilson,Michelle McCann, Angela Galati, Roger and Kerrie Lante, Melissa and James Thyer, Annie Mayo, Amanda Hohn, Sarah Wilson, Mary Doyle, Margaret Maloney,Lisa Fitzpatrick, Jan Brownrigg, Paul Gilbert, Mark Staaf, Catherine Hutchings, Jill Clutterbuck, Merryl Freemantle, Lindy Williams, Ros Holten, Leonie Kelly, Ross Longhurst, Mary Price, Cathie Raynor

Message from Greg's work

Hi Pauline, Greg & family,

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the recent return of your illness. I remember very well the lovely afternoon we enjoyed with you & the kids at Prue & Johns botanical paradise in the Yarra Valley. These and many others are important memories to treasure.

Our thoughts are with you & from all the staff at NAA we pass on our very best wishes & love.

Regards

Andrew Meerman
General Manager

Noel Arnold & Associates

Support for Pauline, Greg, Bridget and Dan

Having known Pauline for over 20 years I have watched her attract the most amazing bunch of friends from all walks of life. She has old high school buddies (of which Greg is one), nursing mates, union comrades, footy mates, Human Resource colleages, in more recent years her Alphington friends of which there are so many and others who have come into her life in all sorts of ways. How she has kept up with you all amazes me (even with all those lunch dates!).

I have been overwhelmed at the number of people who have offered to help in some way. I have spoken with Greg and it is for this reason I am posting to the blog to let you know how you might volunteer for something if that is what you would like to do.

As Pauline is very tired we would like be of as little disruption to the family as possible as they spend this precious time together.

We have four coordinators- dog walking, meals, garden maintenance and respite. The coordinators details are provided below and can be contacted if you would like to know more and go on the roster.

If you have any trouble contacting the coordinator via email please feel free to contact me anytime on my mobile 0407 838 913 or email louise.ajani@gmail.com.au

Dog Walking
Andrea Newman-Rogers
Email:a_newman_rogers@hotmail.com

Meals
Elena Callipari
Email:elena.callipari@dhs.vic.gov.au

Garden
Sue Gleeson
Email:sgleeson@baillieu.com.au

Respite
Anna Robert
Email:annarobert@netspace.net.au

It is a time when we are hurting and feeling so sad but the love and support all radiating out from our friend Pauline is and will always help us through.

Thankyou
Louise Ajani

A message from Pauline

Hi everybody, thank you all for the food, the flowers, the soups, the doggie walks, the messages of support and your kindness. I've been in a Panadeine Forte induced haaaaaze today. It’s hard not knowing how long this process will go on for, and feeling that I have little control over things, but I do genuinely feel at peace and have come to terms with the way things are.

Of course I would love to be around to see Bridget and Danny grow into the wonderful adults that I know they will be one day; to be at their Birthdays, their graduations, their weddings, and to go through all their trials and tribulations with them, but I know that I can't. Greg and I have spoken to them and while they are of course upset and will miss their mummy, I have told them that I will be with them in their hearts forever. One great consolation for me is that Greg is one of the best dads you could ever have, and is dearly loved by Bridge and Danny.

I am feeling quite exhausted, and uncomfortable these days, and don't have much energy for anything. While I would dearly love to see you all again please forgive me if I can't, or time does not permit. I am enjoying spending some quiet time with Greg Danny and Bridget. However, please send email messages, blog comments, letters or cards as I would love to hear from you.

A special request.

I have heard that children love to hear and read stories about their parents who have died, or things that happened when they were kids, and crave any information they can get, so I am collecting what I can for them. If any of you can assist by writing about your memories of me or the kids (however short) I would love to collect them and save them for Bridget and Danny. Anything at all: how you met me, something funny or noteworthy that I did, or that they did, any stories about their births, or anything else at all would be treasured. Again, it doesn't have to be long, (mind you I am expecting and epic from Aunty Rose).

Bye for now

Love you all

Pauline

Message from Alphington Primary School

Dear Pauline and Greg

On behalf of the School Council and our Principal Cheryl McCashney I convey our deepest sympathy on hearing news of your continued illness.

Please rest assured that the School will support and nurture Bridget and Danny both now and always. We will ensure they are strong and enthusiastic students and people, like their mother. We are aware of the support you and Greg are receiving from the School community and will make it our business to foster this support into the future.

Yours sincerely

James Thyer
President of the Alphington Primary School Council

Hello again

Unfortunately, as many of you may know by now we have reason to re-start Pauline's blog. After a second round of chemo last year and radio therapy early this year, Pauline's illness has returned.

In just the few days since this has become clear, as the word has got around, Greg and Pauline have received so many messages of support and concern that we have decided to re-start the blog to enable us to keep everyone up to date on how Pauline is going and to allow family and friends to leave messages for her.

Pauline has probably known better than any of us that neither of these treatments could safeguard her future, but she has pursued all options and has looked fantastically on top of things. However, given the nature of this recent recurrence, Pauline has accepted that further treatment would not be effective and is unlikely to to offer any relief.

Pauline is already quite weak, and tires easily, so it is with much sadness that we reluctantly request that her many dear friends please call before visiting to ensure she isn't exhausted on any given day. She truly does know that she is loved and that each of us wants to help in whatever way possible.

Any messages left on the blog will be read by or to Pauline, and if at all possible she will make some posts. Please note that if anyone has difficulty negotiating the blog or would prefer to send a more private message they can email Pauline at scott.pauline@optusnet.com.au

It is already clear that my sister is going to travel the next leg of this journey with infinite grace; supported by Greg, Bridget and Danny and surrounded by our love. She will make it as easy for all of us as she possibly can.

Pauline's sister, Aunty Rose.