JUHI Courage Consulting’s Post

🌟 Holiday Reading Update 🌟 This holiday season, I’m diving into an area close to my heart: culturally respectful funeral, cemetery, and crematoria services. My reading pile is full of research papers and reports exploring themes of belonging and identity in regions shaped by migration and exclusion. One key thread I’m following critiques whiteness—not just as a skin colour but as a set of values and practices that sustain privilege. It’s a necessary lens to unpack how "normal" is constructed in these spaces. I’ll also reflect on Sunshine Coast Council’s festive season signage in cemeteries, raising broader questions about belonging and exclusion. For example, using national symbols like the Australian flag during office hours speaks volumes about how identity is mediated through mobility and place. This is a rich, complex topic, and I’m eager to see how the research aligns—or contrasts—with our lived experiences. 💭 Photo explanation: The festive season signage is installed at some cemeteries managed by the Sunshine Coast Council (see image in the comments). This raises questions about how symbols like the Australian flag mediate identity and belonging. On National Sorry Day 2023, no flag was raised at Kulangoor Cemetery, where the office is located. Yet, just months earlier, on 13th December 2022, the Australian flag was flown at half-mast in respect of police officers who died on duty. It’s challenging to reconcile these contrasting practices when understanding how people can fully celebrate their culture. #CulturalRespect #Belonging #EndOfLifeCare #CriticalReflections

Open question to #KonradPutzier. How does a city with a declining population of 276K, a horrible crime image, and decaying buildings attract over 10 million annual visitors who support the city's arts and entertainment? Can any other city even come close to attracting visitors 33 times its size?  Maybe Mr. Konrad should have written an article about St. Louis's P.R. Problem. Then, explain how St. Louis can overcome its P.R. Problem instead of repeating the same story all urban cities face today. Then again, I'm just one of ten million people enjoying all St. Louis offers.  #WSJ #STL https://lnkd.in/gJFz6J6r

Now that we're in the warmer seasons, for people who are lucky enough to have a garden in their property they will likely be spending a lot more time there, whether it's hosting a barbeque with friends and family or children taking to the outdoors for play. Our latest Citylets article provides useful information on how to take care of your garden to prevent dispute claims at the end of the tenancy. ➡️ https://ow.ly/Qe7q50RSh4q

Fire safety in religious buildings protects more than structures—it preserves heritage and saves lives. Discover how modern systems integrate seamlessly, offering security without compromising aesthetics. Learn to safeguard your sacred space today. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g3yZgSfJ (412) 331-3939 #ReligiousSafety #FireProtection

👉 Collaboration at its best! together we always achieve more 🤝 St Peters Church, Ipswich is situated in the middle of a large estate and is at the heart of the community. Edith Mason (Community Connector) identified there was an opportunity for the church to support the community better if it had a fully functional kitchen where they could offer hot food and drinks and a warm welcome space.   Supported and coordinated by Operations Manager Phillip Turner and Emily Scott Assoc. CIPD several Sanctuary suppliers were contacted, Rexel, Magnet, Travis Perkins Managed Services plus contractors AP Construction, Top Flight Electric to see if they would support in completely renovating the kitchen.   They all agreed, and only 3 weeks later, there was a brand new, shiny, fit for purpose kitchen completed, that will support the local community and how brilliant to see that all the hard work by those above has supported so many and is a real hub of the community.   ‘Having a kitchen, we can use to prepare food from will transform what we are able to do to support the community. Up until now we have been limited to cold pre-packaged food. Now we can serve warm soup, cook meals and we are planning on starting cooking and baking classes.   We care about the whole person at St peters and now with the kitchen we can do that better. Thank you so much for transforming this tired underused space into something that will benefit a lot of people’ (Reverend Mervyn, St Peters Church, Ipswich) #communityengagement #socialvaluematters #supplychain #procurementwithpurpose see less

Discover the heartwarming initiatives of Security Properties Residential's Site Team, including Backpack Giveaway Events, Community Gardens & Beehives, and a Reading Program. 🤩 Head to our website to learn more about these impactful programs! 😊 [Image description: Three photos showing kids walking with backpacks, a community garden, and a set of books. The image caption reads "Site Team Initiatives Backpack Giveaway Events, Community Gardens & Beehives, Reading Program."] #CorporateInitiatives #SecurityPropertiesResidential #SecPropRes #ApartmentLiving #PropertyManagement #MultiFamily

Two years ago, we held a totem pole ceremony ahead of the demolition of our old building at 320 East Hastings. We needed to safely move the totem pole that lived in our old dining hall for 12 years. It was carved by Bernie Williams (Skundaal), of the Haida Gwaii Nation, and other First Nations carvers. Staff worked together to help move the totem pole to its storage place until the new building completes in fall of 2025. Today, in the days leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept. 30), Rev. Lauren Sanders, Indigenous Spiritual Care Chaplain, looks back on our totem pole ceremony and how it reflects the work of truth and reconciliation. “Truth-telling and truth-listening happen together in an open dialog. The vulnerability of both the truth-teller and the truth-accepter is the beginning of trust. Only from that trust can reconciliation be built. Not all of us can be the truth-tellers, but all of us are called to be truth-listeners. I know this goes against everything society has taught us: ‘We take turns.’ ‘A conversation is when all parties have a turn.’ ‘Dialog needs open lines of communication.’ This is not how truth and reconciliation works though. When we took the totem pole down, not all of us could carry it. We needed some folks holding open doors; some folks communicating about the stairs, road, sidewalk conditions; some folks stopping traffic; some folks who unscrewed the thing in the first place. The focus isn’t ‘I stopped traffic, rather it is ‘the totem made it safely from one destination to another’ because we worked together. Some of us did the hard work of carrying the totem pole. Most of us did the supporting work of listening to the needs of the carriers. Really hearing what the people who carried the totem needed made the work of carrying a little easier. This is the work of truth and reconciliation.” #NationalDayforTruthandReconciliation #DTES #TruthTelling #Reconciliation

With over 75% of Australians choosing cremation and the population expected to reach 37.9 million by 2050, cemetery boards nationwide are exploring ways to reduce the carbon emissions and pollutants from cremations. Our advocacy to the Queensland Government is underway. We are making the case for a public crematorium in the Sunshine Coast Council region that can significantly lower emissions while offering culturally respectful cremation practices. Stay tuned for an update in the final 2024 newsletter. We ask the industry 'peak body': What’s the risk if you don't engage the community? Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association, we challenge the engagement processes that exclude the public from discussions about managing public infrastructure. There are interactive ways to share relevant data and research with stakeholders that align with lived experience context experts, requiring thoughtful and careful planning. A link to The Sydney Morning Herald article can be found in the comments. To contact us, email funeralssc@gmail.com. #SustainableFunerals #SustainableCreamtion #SustainableCemeteries #PublicEngagement #CulturalRespect #EnvironmentalSustainability #CemeteryReform #CommunityConsultation #PublicInfrastructure #FuneralCareReform #EndOfLifeCare #Changemakers #SunshineCoast #Queensland #Australia

Cemetery Citizens is out! You can read an excerpt from the Introduction now Adam Rosenblatt dives into the ethical quandaries and practical complexities of cemetery reclamation, showing how volunteers build community across social boundaries, and expose injustices that would otherwise be suppressed. #newbook #excerpt

🏡 Happy European Neighbors’ Day! Let’s Fence Off the Drama and Build Bridges Instead! 🌉 A few days ago, we celebrated European Neighbors’ Day, a perfect occasion to recognize the diverse tapestry of communities around the world. As a fence manufacturer, we know a thing or two about boundaries, but hey, let’s not fence ourselves in too much! 😉 In the spirit of fostering camaraderie and good vibes among neighbors, here are a few friendly reminders: Chat Over the Fence: No need to shout across the hedge or rely on carrier pigeons. Take a stroll, wave hello, and maybe even share a cup of sugar. Who knows, you might discover your neighbor makes a mean lemonade! Respect the Property Line: Just like a well-built fence, boundaries are essential. Let’s respect each other's space and privacy while keeping the lines of communication open. Neighborhood Watch, Not Stalk: While keeping an eye out for each other’s safety is commendable, let’s leave the detective work to Sherlock Holmes. No need for binoculars and trench coats! Fence Upgrade, Anyone?: If your fence is looking a bit worse for wear, perhaps it's time for an upgrade. Our team is here to help you build a boundary that not only keeps things secure but also adds to the charm of your neighborhood. So here’s to European Neighbors’ Day, where fences are for marking boundaries, not dividing communities. Let’s raise a toast to friendship, unity, and maybe a bit of friendly banter over the garden fence. Cheers! 🥂🏘️ #EuropeanNeighborsDay #FenceHumor #fence #fences #fencemanufacturer #FenceEtiquette