This morning I resigned from a volunteer position because I was stressing about it and that wasn't helping my current state of health.
So what do I do?
I volunteer to be secretary for another committee I am on - on one condition though. That there is a laptop available for me to type the minutes onto.
Oh dear!
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
The cliched Black Dog
FORMER premier Geoff Gallop and his family have known he has been suffering from depression for some time.Teary cabinet colleagues, who yesterday urged Dr Gallop to take sick leave until he was better, were stunned and disappointed when he declined the offer, telling them: "I've been down that route before."
Acting Premier Eric Ripper said that in a sad meeting at the former leader's home on Saturday morning, Dr Gallop indicated his problem was not new.
"He did indicate that this was an issue that he had been dealing with for some time. A label was only put on it in recent times," Mr Ripper said yesterday.
Shortly after he arrived back at work from holiday as scheduled yesterday morning, an emotional Dr Gallop called about 20 personal staff to his office, where he broke the news and shared tears and hugs with some who had worked with him for years.
It appears even those who may have noticed that all was not right with Dr Gallop never guessed the true nature of his illness.
"It was certainly a great surprise to me," Mr Ripper said. "I didn't have any insight that this was a particular issue that he was dealing with. It would appear now that, like many great leaders, he has had to deal with this issue at the same time he had to lead."
Mr Ripper said he was deeply saddened that Dr Gallop had suffered alone. "I do find it upsetting that Geoff has suffered such distress. You couldn't fail to be moved by that," he said.
It is no secret that Dr Gallop has had a tough year - the former government school student from the crayfishing and agricultural centre of Geraldton was said to have been deeply affected by the death of his father, Douglas, in September and openly admitted he was tired from a long year that included a vigorous election campaign.
After his party's victory last February - pre-polling having given Labor little chance on the back of the disaster of the Latham federal election result - the premier returned to work without taking a break.
Dr Gallop survived the scandal of the WA Inc years to become Labor leader in 1996 and was often described as being too nice for politics.
While his ministers liked to talk about Western Australia's "V8 economy" or factions when off duty, the unaligned premier was more likely to recount the story of a 100m final at his local primary school's sports day or a conversation with a constituent.
Dr Gallop, known in the office for his witty imitations of Winston Churchill, swims 20 laps each morning at the Belmont Oasis Olympic pool. He describes it as his "daily escape".
He said at his annual Christmas party a month ago that he was tired at the end of a tough year and was looking forward to his break in London.
A noticeably thinner premier was less upbeat than at the previous year's party, where an affable leader worked the crowd to great effect, seemingly remembering the names and life stories of every guest before taking centre stage in the courtyard of Parliament House to award amusing prizes to the media.
But it is possible then, more than a year ago, that he was already feeling the strain of what Mr Ripper described yesterday as an increasingly presidential political system in which the leader cops personal criticism.
Dr Gallop returned from holiday on Sunday last week and sought medical treatment for his depression. In the following days he reconciled himself to resigning from politics, which has dominated his life for the past 20 years.
It's been 4 years, 4 months and 6 days since I was diagnosed with depression. I think it's fantastic that Dr Gallops resignation has been accepted so positivley. Instead of the media portraying depression as a weakness (as it was portrayed less than 4 years ago) it's catching on and reporting it as an illness.
One of Beyondblue's (www.beyondblue.org.au because I can't get the links to work) key messages is that depression is a medical illness and can be treated. It is ok to talk about depression and I commend Dr Gallop about speaking so openly and frankly about his illness. I think it will inspire men who a secretly battling depression to talk to someone and seek treatment. I look forward to his return to politics.
For further information about depression and treatment, check out:
www.ybblue.com.au - The youth arm of beyondblue
http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/ - Delivering cognitive behaviour therapy for preventing depression
www.reachout.com.au - Another site aimef towards young people
www.sane.com.au
Acting Premier Eric Ripper said that in a sad meeting at the former leader's home on Saturday morning, Dr Gallop indicated his problem was not new.
"He did indicate that this was an issue that he had been dealing with for some time. A label was only put on it in recent times," Mr Ripper said yesterday.
Shortly after he arrived back at work from holiday as scheduled yesterday morning, an emotional Dr Gallop called about 20 personal staff to his office, where he broke the news and shared tears and hugs with some who had worked with him for years.
It appears even those who may have noticed that all was not right with Dr Gallop never guessed the true nature of his illness.
"It was certainly a great surprise to me," Mr Ripper said. "I didn't have any insight that this was a particular issue that he was dealing with. It would appear now that, like many great leaders, he has had to deal with this issue at the same time he had to lead."
Mr Ripper said he was deeply saddened that Dr Gallop had suffered alone. "I do find it upsetting that Geoff has suffered such distress. You couldn't fail to be moved by that," he said.
It is no secret that Dr Gallop has had a tough year - the former government school student from the crayfishing and agricultural centre of Geraldton was said to have been deeply affected by the death of his father, Douglas, in September and openly admitted he was tired from a long year that included a vigorous election campaign.
After his party's victory last February - pre-polling having given Labor little chance on the back of the disaster of the Latham federal election result - the premier returned to work without taking a break.
Dr Gallop survived the scandal of the WA Inc years to become Labor leader in 1996 and was often described as being too nice for politics.
While his ministers liked to talk about Western Australia's "V8 economy" or factions when off duty, the unaligned premier was more likely to recount the story of a 100m final at his local primary school's sports day or a conversation with a constituent.
Dr Gallop, known in the office for his witty imitations of Winston Churchill, swims 20 laps each morning at the Belmont Oasis Olympic pool. He describes it as his "daily escape".
He said at his annual Christmas party a month ago that he was tired at the end of a tough year and was looking forward to his break in London.
A noticeably thinner premier was less upbeat than at the previous year's party, where an affable leader worked the crowd to great effect, seemingly remembering the names and life stories of every guest before taking centre stage in the courtyard of Parliament House to award amusing prizes to the media.
But it is possible then, more than a year ago, that he was already feeling the strain of what Mr Ripper described yesterday as an increasingly presidential political system in which the leader cops personal criticism.
Dr Gallop returned from holiday on Sunday last week and sought medical treatment for his depression. In the following days he reconciled himself to resigning from politics, which has dominated his life for the past 20 years.
It's been 4 years, 4 months and 6 days since I was diagnosed with depression. I think it's fantastic that Dr Gallops resignation has been accepted so positivley. Instead of the media portraying depression as a weakness (as it was portrayed less than 4 years ago) it's catching on and reporting it as an illness.
One of Beyondblue's (www.beyondblue.org.au because I can't get the links to work) key messages is that depression is a medical illness and can be treated. It is ok to talk about depression and I commend Dr Gallop about speaking so openly and frankly about his illness. I think it will inspire men who a secretly battling depression to talk to someone and seek treatment. I look forward to his return to politics.
For further information about depression and treatment, check out:
www.ybblue.com.au - The youth arm of beyondblue
http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/ - Delivering cognitive behaviour therapy for preventing depression
www.reachout.com.au - Another site aimef towards young people
www.sane.com.au
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Travel research...
Is torture.
I want to do a semi-RTW next year (and now it IS next year, not the year after next!). US to work in a summer camp, then to the Rugby World Cup in Paris, with a detour through Bangkok to do a TEFL on the way home.
I can't start saving yet (well, not seriously). I must pay off my credit card and then start saving. But I want to go NOW! I'm worried about not having enough moeny by the time it roles around but it's 15 months away - why the hell am I worrying!
I've decided on it, I'm going to do it. I'll make it happen no matter what (I might have to sell a kidney though)
I want to do a semi-RTW next year (and now it IS next year, not the year after next!). US to work in a summer camp, then to the Rugby World Cup in Paris, with a detour through Bangkok to do a TEFL on the way home.
I can't start saving yet (well, not seriously). I must pay off my credit card and then start saving. But I want to go NOW! I'm worried about not having enough moeny by the time it roles around but it's 15 months away - why the hell am I worrying!
I've decided on it, I'm going to do it. I'll make it happen no matter what (I might have to sell a kidney though)
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Welcome to 2006
First day back at work yesterday and the internet is down. What? I have to Work?! I can't believe how addicted to the net I actually am. Needless to say I got a lot of work done yesterday! By 3 I completley bored and sick of work so I went the the travel agents to gets some brochures to look at places and dream and to sort out my finances so I can do a RTW in 07!
My NYE was a bit dissapointing. My cousin had to sail the boat back the same day her arrived, so only saw him briefly, so I drank my sorrows away, watched fireworks reflections in the sky and was in bed by 1. Next year I'm going to Falls with my friends.
Internet is back today (obviously!) and I have succeeded in doing no work whatsoever. Quite proud of myself!
Off to the gym after work to get my arse into gear. My goal is to lose 15kg this year and keep it off. Only plans to change my eating habits is to cut out my take away - love the stuff! Apart from that I eat fairly well, but it's going to be hard!
My NYE was a bit dissapointing. My cousin had to sail the boat back the same day her arrived, so only saw him briefly, so I drank my sorrows away, watched fireworks reflections in the sky and was in bed by 1. Next year I'm going to Falls with my friends.
Internet is back today (obviously!) and I have succeeded in doing no work whatsoever. Quite proud of myself!
Off to the gym after work to get my arse into gear. My goal is to lose 15kg this year and keep it off. Only plans to change my eating habits is to cut out my take away - love the stuff! Apart from that I eat fairly well, but it's going to be hard!
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