The really weird thing @HenryX is that I have been hurt and isolated and had to compromise a long time because of growing up in poor areas with uneducated Aussies (New and Old Australians). I hit the books and felt safer there, became "professional" and could make many meaningful changes in my life, but still suffer from being socially isolated and "on the margins". The ones who never made good, love to play the cut the tall poppy and I have put up with it even tho I do not like it, cos its the Aussie way, and at least those 2 knew my brother and sister who had suicided. They also use that to hold me in place. They both drink a lot, have very loud aggressive personalities and are very very very gradually growing up. I do not cut them off as it is not something I believe is a good thing, even tho that has been done to me.
The ones who espouse similar beliefs usually have no idea of the life I have lived and I fall prey to casual judgments. I do not take them personally anymore, cos they are just way off the mark, but still I suffer the exclusion.
My support worker has no lack of English, but it is very formal, without Aussie vernacular. He is very confident in his education, has masters and is doing doctorate. Study and working part time plus busy family life He is the age of my oldest daughter. Sadly all my biological family relationships have been distorted and damaged by lots psychosocial issues. He also has a good sensitive heart and soul and has courage, only been in the country a few years with his little brood. So working out how worried to be about our famous poisonous snakes and spiders. I have seen sad stories in the news about newcomers losing lives in our outback and ocean areas, so I share how to make the most of the beauty and wilderness, while gaining understanding of the risks. There are many cultural differences, but we have hewn out a beautiful relationship. He did not know about our camping culture, so I explained about national parks and other camping ground facilities etc and how to manage with littlies. That we gradually increased our camping equipment etc ...that I can loan him stuff if needed. 4 littlies through covid lockdown is a challenge. So getting out and about this summer will help. With La Nina it should be not so dry and fingers crossed not many fires.
Hugs my lovely Sane lady friends who have helped me feel better connected to Aussie culture. Helps me cope with my way out bogan people whom I met when I was 10. Best of a wild lot.
@Zoe7
They rubbish me about teaching values.
@Snowie @oceangirl
They rubbish me about conservationist values.
@Faith-and-Hope
They rubbish me about artistic values. I can only cope with limited contact.
@Shaz51
But in their own weird way they mean well .... (just 2 people from another family in the flats) just knowing he had a crush on my little sister, means I forgive them everything else. Nobody else even had one story to tell me or one phone call to support me. Suicide is a very socially tricky thing. Embarrassment and shame is huge. My big extended family ... disappeared ... desperately climbing social ladders ....Marginalisation ... has a lot of aspects .... not just a long word ...
