From USA to small rural Australian community…
Christine Doan and interesting biography
Bios. They’re usually a long, sometimes boring, list of accomplishments. I do have a few stunners but I don’t really want to list them. Great for bragging rights but are those also the moments of growth, expansion, curiosity, deeper meaning? Maybe, maybe not.
Deep meaning
Deep meaning at age 12? I had an awakening experience. Maybe call it spiritual? Maybe recognition of how awful and empty my wonderful ‘golden’ childhood felt to me for the first time? Oddly it wasn’t only about ME–shortly thereafter I proclaimed my first “Pollution Resolution” for the planet. Lotta good that did Gaia! Opening to environment.
Those 60’s yes I was there!
Can’t talk about teenage years happening in the revolutionary 60’s without talking drugs; what a mind blow! Some of us figured out that LSD was for amazing hallucinations, peyote buds were for a better stone with hallucinations thrown in but MESCALIN, mescaline was for connection. Essential points to ponder so as not to fritter away the feelings at a dumb ol’ party or even exciting happening. Had to be with a close friend, in the right bit of nature, at the right moment. Not partying—but connecting: to friends, to nature, to self. Opening to connection.
Travelling and open to new horizons
At 20 I turned my back (loaded with backpack) on California communes (never washed so many dishes in my life), protests (I do love a bullhorn and a TV camera), even mescaline (sigh….) and flew west. Set foot on the ugly concrete of Sydney airport. Small, hideous, unimpressive back then but something about my foot and Australia meeting for the first time, even through bitumen, was totally enlightening! I knew I belonged here! Opening to intuitive guidance. Opening to Place.
The ownership journey in Oz!
Bought an overgrown dairy farm. Oz dirt was so dirt cheap then! Opening to doing something ridiculous.
Some of the more adventurous highlights
Took time to travel, even run a refugee camp in Somalia. Opening to how many expressions of humanity there are.
Planted a lot of trees. Inspired others to do the same. Opening to Purpose.
Learnt a few languages. Opening to how differently we all think as individuals and groups/nations.
Built or led a few businesses and community groups. Opening to taking a risk.
Repeatedly succeeded but saw how much I had to learn to work with others to make things happen. Opening to People
Repeatedly fell flat on my face—sometimes literally (horses!), often ungraciously! Opening to disappointment, frustration, pain.
Went to endless courses, retreats, adventures. Opening to learning new ways of relating–to others and to self. Opening to something better than drugs?!?!
Met a lot of people, high-lifes and low-lifes, kept on pushing for the next experience, freaky or banal, dreamt up dreams too big for me. Opening to discriminating to make good choices.
Health and the perspective it provides
Fell prey to a chronic illness. Not easy, after a long life of ridiculous energy and outrageously robust health. Not so easy and still working on opening to frailty, fragility, empathy.
Bumped into 2 old friends after a hiatus. Dear Darren and Rowan. Opening to PeoplePurposePlace.
Recognising the need for a change in the method of commerce, I embarked on a partnership with Darren Finlay and Rowan Blizzard, who share a forward-thinking mindset. Together, we are focused on addressing human needs to remain connected and cared for within a home.
We developed People, Purpose, Place, a not-for-profit entity that facilitates people who are currently excluded from or not adequately catered for by the housing market to form a household that promotes optimal individual and communal outcomes. The People, Purpose, Place solution is a game-changer for those traditionally left out of the housing market
We believe People, Purpose, Place can make a difference. We feel compelled to try, and we invite you to join us on this journey in the service of others…
Come and join in with Rowan Blizzard, Darren Finlay, Christine Doan, Russell Lowry and our passionate team to make the change that we are all seeking.
Return to About Us
