Thank you to the lovely Cate from http://cateartios.blogspot.com/ for the Versatile Blogger Award. (Did you know, this is only the 2nd blog we’ve received in nearly 4 years? The last one was was back in July 2009! Had been feeling a tad left out but am happy again now!)

The rules for accepting the Versatile Blogger award are as follows:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award & link back to them in your post.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Pass this Award along to 15 recently discovered blogs and let them know about it.

Here’s my seven things:

1. I’m a bit of a closet hippy. I love growing my own vegies. I make my own laundry powder, pre-wash spray and household cleaners, and swear by the power of bicarb and vinegar! I’m a big fan of op shopping. And I love reading magazines like Earth Garden and Grass Roots. I’ve even had a couple of articles published in Grass Roots and Australasian Poultry!

2. I’m really uncoordinated. It took me months to learn how to drive a manual car. I have trouble catching a ball. I dance with two left feet. I have trouble following instructions to move in a certain way, so I’d never make a model!

3. I hate vaccuming. I will do almost anything (include bribe my own husband, children or even random visitors!) to get out of vaccuming. Ditto grocery shopping. I don’t get out of household chores completely though. I don’t mind laundry or mowing the lawn.

4. I’m allergic to bananas. Seriously! I used to love them as a child but somewhere in my twenties or early thirties, my body decided that it didn’t. I still remember going to a posh Christmas dinner and getting terribly sick. In hindsight, I’m sure it was the banana in the cocktail I’d consumed before dinner. Bananas give me really bad stomach cramps and violent diarrhea. Too much information I know. Even the minute quantities that are in hummingbird cake or a tin of fruit salad, cause this reaction.

5. I’m dislocated my right knee three times. The first time was when I was 14,  mucking around and trying to waddle like a duck with my feet splayed out. Next time my foot got caught on something when I was 20 and on a dinner cruise (no, I hadn’t been drinking). Then again ten years ago in the middle of the supermarket, shopping with the family. I religiously do special exercises daily, to strengthen the muscles that hold my knee cap, because next time it will mean surgery. Hopefully this will never eventuate!

6. I’ve travelled Australia in a caravan. Back in 2001, we bought a caravan, rented out our house, pulled the kids out of school, and just did it. What an AMAZING experience for our family! Our children were just 4 (turning 5) & 7 at the time, but still talk about it often. We travelled south from Brisbane, spending time in Coffs Harbour, Sydney, Canberra, 3 weeks at the snow, Melbourne, Tasmania, Mt Gambier, Adelaide, Port August, Uluru, the Nullarbor, Margaret River, and Perth before heading back home. Would love to do it again one day with hubby, perhaps when we retire – still gotta do the top end!

7. I hate yoghurt. ‘Nuff said!

My Recently Discovered Blogs (NB all are proudly Australian!):

1. http://www.ascarletropeofhope.blogspot.com – hope and encouragement for anyone suffering from depression. I’ve written quite a few guest posts for this site by Paula, a Brisbane single mum.

2. www.johilder.com - Jo is a Christian who ponders much. I don’t agree with everything she says, but love how genuine and authentic she is.

3. http://blogsteaandme.blogspot.com - Stacie is a wife, mother, daughter, friend and lover of God.

4. http://mmuser.blogspot.com - On the Edge of Ordinary is a blog by Wendy, an Aussie missionary in Japan.

5. http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog – prophetic teaching by Helen Calder.

6. http://justoccurred.blogspot.com – the blog of Australian Christian fiction author, Paula Vince.

7. http://atotalmonet.blogspot.com - Emma blogs about how sometimes she feels like a total Monet – okay from a distance, but a big ol’ mess up close!

8. www.squigglemum.com - Cath blogs with a mother’s heart, a teacher’s mind, and a writer’s hand.

9. www.momentsformum.com - Narelle is the Footprints rep in WA, and offers inspiration and encouragment from one mum to another on her blog.

10. www.stylingyou.com.au - fashion and beauty for the real world, by the beautiful Nikki from the Sunshine Coast Qld.

11. http://blogs.oddsocks.net/ahunt - pull up a chair, make yourself a cuppa and enjoy Amanda’s Musings!

12. www.princesswarriorlessons.com - Gold Coast home-schooling mum Jo-Anne shares her faith and life journey.

13. http://www.theurbanlily.com - a Christian mum negotiating life in the suburbs of Brisbane.

14. http://melchizadekslegacy.blogspot.com – one of my most recent finds, this blog could become a favourite!

15. http://hillsongcollected.com - an ongoing collection of thoughts and stories from the leadership and key team of Hillsong Church around the world.

It all depends. Is it for business or professional development purposes? What’s the venue like? Are meals and refreshments supplied? Who is the speaker? Is it a topic you’re interested in, even passionate about? I’ve been to a few conferences in my time, usually those for Christian women, or that are writing related like Faithwriters last year, the annual Word Writers Fair, and the Christian Magazine Editor’s Conference I went to in Manila in 2009.

I don’t have a problem with churches or ministries charging a fee if they are hosting an event. We’ve run a couple of Footprints events over the years, like our 10th birthday celebrations in 2008 which you can read about here.

Insurance can be a killer (as we at Footprints know only too well!). Then there’s the cost of venue hire, catering, advertising and promotion, speakers/entertainment, decorating …  

I do draw the line though if I feel a Christian event has become a profit making affair (unless the organisation is upfront about fundraising for a particular group or cause).

I’m a big believer in keeping Christian events (and products – like Footprints of course!) as affordable as possible, so that they are accessible to all.

I struggle when the price seems a bit steep – not just financially, but ethically and morally. How do Christians/churches justify charging exorbitant prices (as some do) when there are families struggling to put food on the table and pay their electriity bills? Folk in our city with nowhere to sleep tonight? People starving in Somalia?

It does seem lately that some Christians / churches / ministries have placed too much emphasis on slick, professional events, celebrity speakers, 5 star luxury, glossy colourful  media and advertising, all the trimmings carefully colour coordinated with stylish accessories.

There is a saying in the blogging community that ”content is king”. THAT’S what counts whether we are talking about a blog, a book, or a Christian event. In fact, I’d like to take the concept one step further and say that JESUS IS KING, and content is queen!

At Footprints we may not be the slickest, glossiest, most colourful Christian publication. But (and I know I’m biased) I do believe our content is just as good as, if not better, than others. That’s because it’s written by talented writers (ahem!), and real, ordinary women, about things we can all relate to. 

When thinking about the COST of any Christian event or product, what we need to ask ourselves is what is the VALUE. Cost is earthly and temporary. Value is eternal! 

So how much would you pay? If it will inspire, encourage, equip or empower you – then if you can afford it - GO FOR IT!

This week I was contacted by a ”very big and famous publication” for ideas on famous Aussie Christians that they could interview for an upcoming piece (no, not me, sadly). What they were after was a list of Aussies who are household names – and who happen to profess to be Christians. They knew of the original “Australian Idol” Guy Sebastian and the latest “Masterchef” winner Kate Bracks - but could I help them find any others?

I love a challenge like this so instantly put on my detective’s hat! First, I referred back to an article I wrote for Footprints way back in 2004 on Aussie celebrity Christians. Some of it was still useful but it was interesting to note how many had disappeared from the limelight (I guess there’s a lesson in that for all of us!) … for example, Kate Garven (actress in “Home and Away”, who spoke of her faith with women’s magazines when they covered her 2004 wedding), Tim Harding (from the original Hi-5 line-up), Deborah De Jong (interior decorator on TV show “Changing Rooms”), and former Miss World Australia, Nalishebo Gaskell (who shared on her faith and how her crown enabled her to help others, in an interview with “Evangel Now!” magazine).

THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS

I was fortunate to meet and interview Colin Buchanan for a Footprints article, way back in 1998 – what a scoop for our fledgling magazine!  Colin has released several children’s gospel albums including “Follow the Saviour” and “Practise being Godly”, but is perhaps best known for his role as a presenter of “Playschool” on the ABC and Disney’s “Playhouse”.

Well known singer and actress Marina Prior has also spoken openly of her faith with women’s magazines such as the “Australian Women’s Weekly” and “Christian Woman”. According to her autobiography “Not Quite Ripe” Debra Byrne is another singer and actress, who has made a decision to follow Christ.

Over the years, reality shows have discovered a number of Aussie Christians who are very good at what they do – apart from the aforementioned  Guy Sebastian, ”Australian Idol” has introduced us to the talents of Paulini, Guy “Mutto” Mutton, Dean Geyer and Stan Walker, to name just a few.

Today, former “Perfect Match” hostess Kerrie Friend is a Christian and popular inspirational speaker. Journalist Leigh Hatcher has shared openly about his battle with Chronic Fatigue – and also about how his Christian faith has helped him.

Dianne Wilson was a presenter on Nine’s “Body & Soul” program, but is perhaps best known as an author of the best-seller “Fat Free Forever” and other books.

ART AND LITERATURE

Tim Winton is another author, of over a dozen books including “Cloudstreet” and “Dirt Music”. Winton was brought up in a Christian home, a “faith he maintains and which is subtly threaded through much of his work” (“Australian Women’s Weekly”, October 2002).

Carolyn Donovan’s name might not be familiar to Australians, but her face certainly is. As a model, she has been the face of Millers (and I’m sure that’s her in the Vanish OxyAction ad but haven’t been able to confirm it!). She has also written two books ”Journey of a Princess” and “Chooks in Stilettos” to encourage other women in the Christian faith. (You can read more about Carolyn here).

Ken Duncan is renowned internationally for his panoramic photographs of God’s awesome creation.  He has written about his faith in several of the  ”Australian Stories” books published by Strand. 

Artist David Hart (son of Pro) is also a Christian.  I had the privilege of interviewing David for the “Evangel Now!” magazine several years ago.; while Heather Blacklock is an indigenous artist whose story appears in Carolyn Donovan’s book, “Journey of a Princess”.

WIDE WORLD OF SPORT

Footballers often get a bad rap, which makes those who are “different” all the more extraordinary. Consider Jason Stevens, who played Rugby League for Australia. In 2002 Jason released a book “Worth the Wait: true love and why the sex is better”, encouraging young people to save sex for marriage, and  the difference Christ has made to his life. He has since married fashion stylist Rebecca.

Shaun Hart, former Brisbane Lion, amazed viewers of the opening game of the 1999 AFL season.  When the Lions’ head trainer had a heart attack, Shaun prayed even after medics had pronounced him dead.  After six minutes, the trainer miraculously survived.  He later underwent surgery and made a complete recovery.  Shaun “knows – and believes in – the power of God and prayer” (“Signs of the Times”, Nov 2001).  

Other Aussie Christian sport stars include champion windsurfer Allison Shreeve; golfer Aaron Baddeley; swimmer Jessicah Schipper; Deb Lovely-Acason, Olympic weight-lifter; former jockey Darren Beadman and tennis great Margaret Court.

Betty Cuthbert, Olympic medallist, was quoted in the “Sydney Morning Herald” in 1996.  “A lot of people think born-again Christians are loopy … I wish they would take time to find out what it means.”

LET’S GET POLITICAL

Former Prime Minister John Howard and deputy Prime Minister John Anderson have openly spoken of their faith in Christ, as has former treasurer Peter Costello.

OUTSTANDING AUSSIES

Peter’s brother Tim Costello is CEO of World Vision in Australia. Although not necessarily household names, there are a number of other Aussie Christians who have achieved great things in various fields – Glenn Stevens, governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia; Hugh Evans, founder of the Oaktree Foundation; Hugh Mackay, psychologist, social researcher and writer; and Erica Bartles, former journalist turned blogger and media commentator.

Each of these celebrities is to be commended for trying to give our society positive role models in their chosen fields, and for their witness to the media and the public in general. 

However, we should never forget that like any of us, they may not always make the right choices – so let’s pray for them that they will continue to grow in God, and be strong ambassadors for Christ!

As you can see, this list will be ever-changing and evolving – if you know of any other famous Aussie Christians, would love to hear about it!

A lot of people don’t “get” what it is we are trying to achieve with Footprints magazine – and have been doing ever since we started nearly 14 years ago. Which means that they also don’t “get” the magazine itself (by subscribing)!

(Ahem … If you are a regular reader of this blog, can I ask a favour, would you consider subscribing? The fact you’re a regular visitor here gives me the confidence to say “I know you’ll love it!” and – it’s only $16 per year for 4 issues. Okay, sales pitch over!)

Looking at the other Christian women’s magazines on offer, I have noticed many seem to be headed up by a pastor or pastor’s wife (rest assured there is absolutely NO chance of my darling hubby wanting to become a pastor and I refuse to get rid of him, so that option is closed to me!). This means they have the wholehearted backing of the pastor (their husband!) and the church; as well as some pretty influential connections in other church leadership roles … which leads to being able to have big names writing for and endorsing them, a natural “in” with church and ministry organizations that purchase advertising … so they have a bigger budget … and it’s easier for them to get it into other churches and women’s conferences and … the list goes on.

Jealous – moi? You bet I am! That’s because I believe so much in what God can do and is doing, through the pages of Footprints!

To be brutally honest, often when we have tried spruiking Footprints to various churches and their ministers, we usually meet with a very lukewarm reception. In fact often they look at us as though we have rabies! They just don’t seem to ”get” what Footprints is all about.

Maybe people in full time ministry are just so used to random wackos coming up with all sorts of weird and wonderful ideas, that they become jaded. So it’s hard for them to see that what might look like a weird and wonderful idea has run successfully for over a decade! Or, maybe they think Footprints is just a money making thing and we are trying to feather our own nest?

So what is it exactly that I think churches and pastors and Christian leaders AREN’T getting about Footprints? Think of it as a GIFT. Our gift to the body of Christ. The small subscription fee we charge is purely to cover costs. WE are a not-for-profit ministry staffed ENTIRELY of volunteers. We do this for LOVE (of God, and His girls), not money! Here’s just some of what I wish more people (especially ministers) understood about us:

• That we offer a valuable resource to not just support them in nurturing the women in their congregation, but it’s a great evangelism tool as well!
• That our magazine is by ordinary women, for ordinary women. Women don’t just relate to us, they interact with us! They chat on Facebook, email us their prayer requests, share their testimonies in the magazine …
• That we’re a lot more affordable – currently $16 per year for four issues compared to around $40, which is a lot easier to find when you are counting every cent!
• That we specialised in encouraging and uplifting Aussie women.
• That we have a unique reach to the many disenchanted Christians who no longer have anything to do with a local church.
• That we are also gladly received and read by many who are isolated by illness, disability or distance.
• That sharing Footprints with others, shows others you care!

It’s an ongoing dilemma. How can we ensure that people “get” Footprints (in both senses of the word)?!

Would love to hear your thoughts and ideas – and even MORE so if you are a pastor or a pastor’s wife!

I wish you could see how beautiful and glossy they are – this pic really doesn’t do them justice. Inside you’ll find the story behind Footprints, as well as info on our two books “Clues to your Calling” and “Decadence”, an invitation for writers, and of course, how to sign up to our great mag!

But the catch is – they’re no good just sitting here in the Footprints office.

We need to get them out into the community, so that more people can learn about our wonderful little mag! This is where YOU can help!

If you would like some brochures to pass on to your church, ladies group, playgroup, school, family or friends, all you have to do is ASK! Write or email us with your name and address, along with how many brochures you think you could use.

And to thank you for helping us, we’re running a special comp. Each person who requests some brochures will go into the draw to WIN a copy of “Climbing Mountains: one young woman’s journey through breast cancer” by Stacey Charbachi  and “God’s Poetry: the identity and destiny encoded in your name” by Anne Hamilton. What do these two books have in common (apart from being a great inspirational read, of course!)?

Both of the authors are subscribers to Footprints! Oh, and both books are available from our good friends at www.lightthedark.com.au.

 The competition closes on 31 July – so make sure you order  your brochures today, to go in the draw to WIN!

“Five books that changed who I am” … wow, as Wendy says, where on earth do I begin?! There are literally hundreds that have impacted me over the years! But here are five that immediately spring to mind:

• “The Folk of the Faraway Tree” by Enid Blyton. The first chapter book I ever read, as a seven year old (the picture of the cover below is from the edition that won my heart) – it inspired my lifelong love of reading. I went on to devour hundreds of Enid Blyton books (fortunately I had a mother who encouraged reading and purchased them regularly, because they were banned from school and local Council libraries) … before moving on to Milly Molly Mandy, the Bobbsey Twins, Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, and Sweet Dreams Romances as I grew older. 

• “What Happens When Women Pray” by Evelyn Christensen. My friend Nicola put me on to this book when she asked me to become her prayer partner. This book (and being a prayer partner) was pivotal in my Christian walk, and renewed my faith. I have been walking with the Lord ever since! 

• “The Bible” – of course! I have been reading it pretty much every day for the past 16 years (see #2!) and am constantly amazed at how much God speaks to me through it. I find it inspiring, challenging, thought-provoking, relevant, wise, comforting and so much more. 

• “Single Christian Female” by Sarah Carter. Sarah was a 20-something youth pastor, who was tired of feeling that as a “single Christian female” something was missing in her life. She wanted to encourage others in similar circumstances, and didn’t let the lack of Christian publishers in Australia stop her – she had something to say, took a leap of faith, and self-published! Her book and example inspired me that self-publishing did not necessarily mean second rate … I have self-published two books myself since then, “Clues to your Calling” in 2003, and “Decadence: treat yourself to 10 years of Footprints” in 2008. (This month only you can purchase “Clues” for just $10 including postage! If you are interested, please email me.)

• “Stop Walking on Eggshells” by Paul T Mason & Randi Kreger. I still clearly remember being about to shelve this book (when I worked in a library), but was mesmerised by the title. You see, I had long said that if I ever wrote a book about my childhood it would be called “Treading on Eggshells” – because that is what it felt like, being raised by my mother. As I read the back cover, the tears began to pour down my cheeks. At last, I had a name for what was wrong with my mother. And even better – it wasn’t my fault! I’d grown up knowing she had manic depression (bipolar disorder) and as an adult had read up on this condition, but nothing seemed to fit what I’d experienced. ”Stop Walking on Eggshells” is subtitled “taking your life back when someone you care about has borderline personality disorder (BPD)”. The publisher describes it as “a self-help guide that helps the family members and friends of individuals with BPD understand this self-destructive disorder and learn what they can do to cope with it and take care of themselves. It is designed to help them understand how the disorder affects their loved ones and recognize what they can do to get off the emotional roller coasters and take care of themselves.” I learnt that there is just no pleasing somebody with BDP, that they blame anybody but themselves for what is wrong with their lives, and that the boundaries are constantly being changed. No wonder my childhood was so confusing. Reading Stop Walking on Eggshells was tremendously liberating for me, and finally helped me to make sense of my childhood trauma. Wow, heavy!

And now … I tag Narelle, Amanda, Lilian, Joanne and Paula . If you ladies want to have a go, the rules are below. As for the rest of you, what book or books would be on your list?

• Tag between three and five people
•  link back to this post
• call the post “five books that changed who I am”
• enjoy!

Now please remember that Miss Two had only recently been taken out of nappies. So when I saw her sitting on one of the potties, I immediately thought, “Oh no, she hasn’t!”

OH YES, SHE HAD!

My face was bright red as I hurriedly picked her up and helped her pull up her knickers. A couple of older ladies walking past had a good chuckle at our dilemma. I must admit, I also was choking back laughter! Screwing up my courage, I picked up the pot (fortunately it had a lid on it) and approached the Service Desk for assistance.

There are a few simple lessons we can learn from Miss Two’s little adventure at the shops that day.

First of all, when Miss Two felt her calling she ACTED ON IT. And it’s the same with us. When you get that feeling, don’t just cross your legs and sit on it, hoping it will go away or come back at a more convenient time. You know what you need to do – now do it!

Secondly, we can be reminded about the importance of the little things. Miss Two was only small, and she didn’t know much about the world yet or what she was supposed to be doing in it, but when she saw a potty she knew what it was for. She took the little thing she DID know, and did it! She practised. Like Miss Two, we need to practise and develop our skill and talents too.

And if you enjoyed this story, and would like to read and learn more about finding AND following God’s will for your life, then you’ll love my book ”Clues to your Calling”. For the month of June 2011 only it is on special for just $10 including postage, anywhere within Australia! 

To order your copy, please email editor@footprintsaustralia.com or go to www.footprintsaustralia.com/resources.html. “Clues” is suitable for women from high school age right through to one hundred, and may just be what you – or your daughter – needs!

Hopefully most of you will have received the latest issue of Footprints (#54, Winter 2011, with Louise and furry friend Cinnamon on the cover). The Footprints Team and I spent a very enjoyable (and chaotic!) afternoon together on Saturday packaging the magazines for mailout, before sitting down for the more “formal” part of the meeting, where we receive reports from our accountant and editor, as well as discuss content for upcoming issues, promotional activities, etc.

The decision to raise our prices was confirmed once again, as our accountant showed us that the real cost of mailing out a single issue is approximately $3.80 -so while we were charging $12 for 4 issues a year, we were actually making a substantial loss on each subscription!

Fortunately, we make a small income from advertising in each issue, but we see this as a mutually beneficial arrangement – while ministries and businesses support us by purchasing advertising, they are blessed in return by being able to get their message to their target audience at a very affordable price!

And it has to be said, we greatly appreciate any donations, particularly when it comes to being able to bless those who love our magazine, but don’t have the finances to pay their own way. (Although I have noticed, that often times once these readers get back on their feet financially, they are the first to send a donation to bless others!).

All this talk about finances has been a very roundabout way to get to my point – which is – why do we have a print magazine when it a. costs so much; and b. so many other publications are now online only as the web has soared in popularity (eg Christian Woman, Indulge E-magazine).

The reason is simple. We believe that, despite the increased cost, there is a very real need for a “real” magazine that women can hold in their hands, and browse through at their leisure. As one reader commented, “I sit in front of a computer all day at work. The last thing I want is to read for pleasure on a computer!”

Personally, I have found that I am less likely to read Christian Woman since they went digital only.

Here at Footprints, we are also very aware that if we went online only, many readers would miss out altogether. Not everybody is computer literate (particularly in the older generation), or in a position to afford a PC, laptop, Ipad, or whatever.

However it does bring a dilemma, because there ARE others who have adapted to the online environment so well that they find they just don’t read magazines and the like anymore UNLESS they are online! “I don’t have much time to read magazines – I read too many blogs! …  Are you going online? If you go emag – I’d be more likely to read again” as one former subscriber recently commented.

What to do? Do we offer an online version – which could easily be free – for those who prefer their magazine that way? Or would that make our paid-up subscribers feel cheated? Should we charge a small fee for an online subscription? What is the way forward? E-publishing is the way of the future (take a look at this article from Girl with A Satchel) – how can we embrace it?

Would love to hear your thoughts!

Over the past 13 years, Footprints magazine has published articles on hundreds of topics, to entertain, inform, and inspire Australian Christian women. In Issue 33 (Autumn 2006 – pictured), we listed just a few … how that list has grown in just five more years! (newer articles are in italics)

A

anger management, alcohol, addictions, angels, anorexia, Avatar, Asperger’s Syndrome, abortion, Adam & Eve

B

Bible versions, babies, beauty, Bible College, budgets, blessing others, breast cancer, bullying, bipolar disorder, boredom

C

counselling, career choices, craft, finding the positives in cancer, calling, changing churches, creche, celebrity Christians, chronic pain, the Crocodile Hunter, coping with change, colourwise, climate change, cooking,

D

dreams, depression, decorating, Dead Sea Scrolls, dads, death and dying, domestic violence, the Da Vinci Code, disabilities, dinosaurs, disasters

E

Easter, empty nest, evangelism, Easterfest, education, evolution & creationism

F

finances, forgiveness, fashion, feminism, fear, feng shui, friendship, flirting, faith, finishing strong, fasting

G

grieving, gifts, good books, goal setting, gratitude, guilt, grace, God-incidences

H

hospitality, Hillsong, home schooling, Harry Potter, healing, home management, honesty, homelessness

I

infertility, inspirational authors, insomnia, identity, image, intelligence

J

jealousy, joyboxes, journalling, jokes, jewellery for Jesus

K

kids, kindness

L

laughter, luck, love languages, Lord of the Rings, loneliness, life begins at 50, love & marriage 2nd time around

M

missionaries, marriage, meditation, MOPS, making memories, miscarriage, the Matrix, Mardi Gras festival, music and its many benefits, menopause, Michael Jackson, making your misery your ministry

N

names and their meanings, New Year’s Resolutions, saying “NO”, New Age, new people at church

O

Outback Christians, offensive ads, op shopping, orphans overseas, old age, optimism, Oprah, ordinary people

P

prayer, Promise Keepers, PMS, purity rings, passion in marriage, pastor’s wives, politics, pester power, PKs (preacher’s kids), peace, poverty (as a gift), parenting, pottery

Q

quiet time habit, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, quotes of note, caring with questions, quilts

R

recovering from abuse, romance, road rage, robbery, random acts of kindness, reading

S

suicide, SIDS, Santa, solo parents, Schoolies Week, singleness, September 11, submission, the Secret, school chaplains, super heroes, serving God, self-harm, stress, scrapbooking

T

travel, temperaments, television, teens, tsunami, tragedy, testimonies, Titanic, tithing,

U

un-birthdays, unsaved husbands, UFOs, unemployment, unequally yoked

V

Valentines for life, violence in society, voting, vacations, vision

W

witchcraft, watching your words, warm fuzzies, worship, witnessing, wisdom for women, winning over worry

X

eXorcism

Y

Y2K (how long ago it seems now!), young people, the Year of Jubilee

Z

zodiac

If you have been thinking of writing for us, but are feeling dismayed that your chosen topic has already been covered in this list, take heart – it has been many years since some of these stories have been published and it could be time to tackle them again, from a fresh angle! Don’t forget to check out the Writers Guidelines page on the Footprints website, or email our editor for her current Wishlist of subjects and themes at editor@footprintsaustralia.com.

Or perhaps you remember some articles that we haven’t listed here … or you have an idea for a future story idea! Don’t be shy, leave a comment!

Anybody who knows me and my love affair with magazines will know that  “Paper Giants: the birth of Cleo” was must-see TV in my book!

My favourite scenes by far were the staff meetings where the group brainstormed article and feature ideas. How I would love to be able to do that as part of an excited and enthusiastic group! Unfortunately I’m pretty much on my own when it comes working on and brainstorming the content for Footprints, so I *loved* seeing the creative energy and enthusiasm they generated!

It was a bit of a walk down memory lane too – Art Director Andrew Cowell (Ian Meadows) was a dead ringer for my Year 3 teacher, from the shoulder length hair to the tight body shirts and bell bottom trousers! Not to mention the women’s fashions and hairstyles. For as long as I can remember the 70’s were the decade that style forgot but it really didn’t seem that bad as I saw the young Ita (Asher Keddie) strut her stuff in outfits very similar to ones I remember my mother and teachers wearing!

And then there was the music, and snippets of original footage from Aussie history – the opening of the Opera House, the rise and fall of the Whitlam government.

Kudos to Asher Keddie and Rob Carlton for their brilliant portrayals of the iconic Ita  Buttrose and Kerry Packer … right down to Ita’s trademake lisp, and the exact shade of nail polish we remember from her editorial photos of some 30 to 40 years ago.  

Of course this show wasn’t about the origins of just any magazine, but about “Cleo”, so naturally there were some risqué and raunchy scenes that I personally could have lived without …  

Ita Buttrose has long been one of my personal role models/heroes. My first ever submission to a magazine was to the “Australian Women’s Weekly” while Ita was at the helm, and although she declined to publish it, she did take the time to send me a personal letter encouraging me to continue to follow my writing dreams. How I wish I still had that letter!

When you think about it, there are a number of Aussie women in magazine publishing who have become household names as well as Ita. To me, Lisa Wilkinson WAS “Dolly” back when I was in that demographic … or think of Jackie Frank (“New Woman” in the 90′s, and today “Marie Claire”), Dulcie Boling (“New Idea” in the late 70′s) and Nene King (“Woman’s Day” in the 80′s).

Ita’s story is particularly special to me as she proves that a lisp is no impediment! Growing up, I also had a lisp (itself a dreadful word to pronounce, when saying “s” is the cause of so much angst). I’m not sure if I still have it – but I’m still careful to enunciate or even avoid certain words like “suspicious”. I even endured teasing about the way I answered the phone when I worked for the “Superannuation Office” 20 odd years ago! I love how in the “Paper Giants” (and I believe also in real life) Ita is portrayed as a very confident woman, and doesn’t allow her speech impediment to stand in her way or distract her from her goals. No wonder I find her an inspiration!

If you missed “Paper Giants”, I hear the ABC is re-screening the show this Sunday. It has been the ABC’s highest rating program to date in 2011 averaging 1.34 million over both nights (www.cessnockadvertiser.com.au).

I’m curious … have you ever noticed that I have a lisp?