I hope that you had time to enjoy the beautiful weather on the weekend and have quality time with your family. My family visited our grandparents in Toowoomba so that my husband could run his 100^th Parkrun alongside his 75yo father, who reached his 250^th Parkrun milestone. It was a great occasion to come together and also to celebrate Father’s Day. 

The Fathering Project last week named The Australian Fathering Awards for 2023, awarding Dodzi Kpodo as the Community Father of the Year. His fathering story is an inspirational journey from Africa to Australia as a refugee. Now married, working, and living in Coffs Harbour, he has a blended family with his own son, step-son, and is guardian to his younger sister. He has overcome personal challenges and adversity to also become a community leader, helping to bridge the cultural divide within the community with organised events. He also coaches his son’s soccer team where he is able to nurture and impart important life skills to a younger generation. He leaves these words of advice, “Be kind to yourself, for the love and guidance you give your children will shape their future. It’s a reminder that the lessons of patience, respect, diligence, and kindness are the legacies we leave for the next generation.”

You can check out the other winners of The Australian Fathering Awards, including Hamish Blake as Father of the Year, at www.thefatheringproject.org This evidence-based organisation began out of the University of Western Australia with the aim to promote positive fathering behaviours and fathers’ engagement with their children, providing a great set of resources and programs. I encourage you to check out the website.

Blessings, Chappy Jenny

Email – jennifer.bennett@suchaplaincy.org.au

Facebook and Instagram – Community_Chaplain