Thursday 17 July 2008

Fountains and young boys

Fountains are always hold a strong attraction for young boys. Hassan and Mahommed and their dad, originally from Senegal, were having a really fun time playing at the Archibald Fountain. Their joy was infectious. (Dad was happy for me to photograph his boys).

Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney claimed the day the pope arrived in Sydney that western nations need to populate or perish. He claims that "No western country is producing enough babies to keep the population stable, no Western country..."

Australia's population is growing. Thanks to lovely young people like Hassan, who was born here, and his family who have made Australia their home. So what does Cardinal Pell really mean? Does he mean white Catholics aren't having enough babies?

Australia is a far, far better place for its multiculturalism than it ever was before. Sure there's occasional conflict, but tell me a society, even heterogenous where there hasn't been conflict - Us'es and Thems?

George is also a "climate sceptic" (an interestingly divergent view to that of his pope), which makes his views even more interesting. Does he discount population pressures as a problem, or maybe he's just concerned about population growth in non-western countries?




16 comments:

  1. To see children playing and having fun is always make us happy aren't we? You captured their joy very well.

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  2. The children are priceless in this photo as is the father. I forgot to even look at the fountain.

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  3. This is a wonderful album of photos of happy people. Australia obviously is a healthy place for them to be. Many thanks for your recent visit to my blog, Sally, and I appreciate your warm comments. I guess my housesitting plans for Australia need to put on hold for awhile.

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  4. belle série de portraits, avec cette chaleur les enfants sont attirés par les fontaines ;o) ils ont l'air très coquin ;o)

    beautiful series of portraits, this heat with children are attracted by the fountains ;o) they look very nasty ;o)

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  5. I just adore this series Sally. They are all so HAPPY! Great.

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  6. How are you coping with so much excitement right now, Sally? Back at work? WYD? Behind-the-Times George Pell? All too much? Then imagine yourself back in the apricot or cherry orchard....that should do it.
    PS What gorgeous kids...and I don't care what anyone says, these kids are Australia's future.

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  7. Beautiful series, Sally, I'm often too nervous to ask people if I can take their photo.

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  8. Good story, Sally - wonderfully passionate. And the images of the boys and their father are delightful and exuberant!

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  9. Hi Sally!
    Wonderful pictures, lovely post. Of course there is always a Pell to trouble the scene. Murphy's law... ;)
    Blogtrotter

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  10. Great shots of the children. Best tell the pope not to bother with another visit.

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  11. This is a wonderful sereis of images. You can't fake a child's wonder and joy at small things that please. Father and sons are so
    lovely in this image. Wonderful portraits, and so natural.

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  12. This is a wonderful sereis of images. You can't fake a child's wonder and joy at small things that please. Father and sons are so
    lovely in this image. Wonderful portraits, and so natural.

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  13. Those two boys are just gorgeous! No wonder their dad looks so happy, with two such fine sons!

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  14. Makes me want to take off my shoes and find a fountain!

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  15. During my year in Randwick my little Aussie grandson played many a time at this fountain. Thanks for the lovely happy photos of these kids to remind me.

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  16. Fabulous follow up to Happy Young Faces.

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