Using PhotoStory 3, the lady had made a DVD about her family that was set to music and could be played on her home DVD player. She was very proud of her work and it was shown all around town and enjoyed by many. Today, she asked for help to change the story.
Her sister-in-law had died of shame by her own hand. She had been a good worker at the local store and was in her early thirties. She had been caught taking money from the store and most people believe she had been humbugged into it. It is called humbugging here when people pressure other people to do things. Often it is as simple as asking for smokes. At other times it is much more serious.
It seems that there was some serious humbugging about money. The sister-in-law had a good job and did not need the money so it seems very likely that she was pressured into taking it for someone else. She was caught and the penalty is always dismissal. Without severe penalties, there would be a lot more stealing and it is likely no locals would get jobs.
The shame was too great for her and she paid the highest price possible. Life can be cheap here.
We have heard stories of people who give up work because they are humbugged too much by those without a job. That is one of the consequences of high levels of unemployment. Those with a job get a hard time from others who need money to survive too. Things here cost about twice as much as they would in Brisbane but the average money available to each person is quite low. As schemes such as no work, no pay begin (including work for the dole) there will be even more pressure on people with jobs.
Tomorrow, I will talk on the phone with the lady who made the DVD as we have the original version of her work and can delete the photos of sister-in law. You show respect for those who have passed here by not looking at photos of them - at least until the sorry time is over. We will burn a new DVD and send it back so the joy of the workshop can continue while respecting the deep sorrow of the loss.
There may be many more of these. We will leave the program and the original work with people so they can change it themselves as they need to. Some will put the DVD away until the sorry time is over. Others will make the changes. For some though, the DVD may be put away for a long long time as there are too many passings.
On a personal note, my cousin Robert will be buried tomorrow. Robert was about 13 when I can first remember him. I was about 3 then. He is a part of my special childhood memories of wonderful times spent at the beach at Uncle Gordon, Aunty Patsy and Robert's home. They were always wonderful times. Uncle Gordon was a beautiful gentle man who spent his last 22 years in a wheelchair. I was privileged to sit by Aunty Patsy as she faded away in hospital. I would love to be able to see Robert off tomorrow but it cannot be.
Vale Robert and thank you for your contribution to my childhood. That is a time never forgotten and you will forever be an important part of it.
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