Riverbank Frank | Public figure
Riverbank Frank
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23.01.2022 MOTHERS Gday facebook friends. Riverbank here coming to you with some poetry recently discovered by admin for my page, Nina Angelo. ‘Mothers’ was a poem I’d written and shared with Nina some time ago. She had scribbled the words down in an old diary. Finding this diary/poem and sharing it with me as I walked to work today had a real effect on me. I love my mum and I’m not ashamed to say, hearing Mothers recited to me by Nina, herself an amazing mother of twins, moved me to t...ears. Guess i'm just a crybaby. When you think about mothers and everything they represent but, I think you can't help but be moved! Hope you like Mothers, facebook friends. Keep smiling, be kind and let love rule!!! Riverbank MOTHERS It’s time To celebrate The mothers of this world Every single one of them Was once a little girl. For a mere male, It’s a thing that really blows my mind, Mothers give so freely Of unconditional love and time. Mothers educate and nurture They set us up for life They kiss all the hurt away They stick when where in strife No one will ever care for you With your mother’s tender love, The only love to compare, Comes from up above Living in a time poor world Where things can move so fast, It’s reassurance to the soul To know a love that lasts. In unpredictable times In an uncertain world Let’s learn how to honour women And every little girl. Let’s stand against sexism Violence and put down, Let’s show the world, Australian men Standing firm on Sacred ground Riverbank Frank Doolan. Mothers Day 2015
21.01.2022 STANDING TOGETHER Hey FaceBook friends Riverbank here with a reminder about where I plan to be this Saturday. My usual Australia day protest 10am-1pm outside of Villawood Detention Centre in Sydneys West, will be happening yet again. ... Recently the government made an announcement about the pending closure of Villawood. It was political grandstanding, smoke and mirrors stuff, something akin to moving deckchairs on the Titanic on the part of a heartless government. Its meant to give the impression that this ‘stop the boats’ government has the refugee issue under control. Nothing could be further from the truth. Recently, Canada beat Australia to the punch, in acting with humanity towards an asylum seeking refugee, while Australian govt officials procrastinated. Dont miss your chance to stand for the stateless. Love my facebook friends. See ya Saturday. Riverbank
21.01.2022 We are here at Villawood. Google maps really confused us today. Birmingham Street is off Christina Road which is off Woodville Road. Just up from Leppington railway station.
19.01.2022 It’s Like A Library Burns Words by Uncle ‘Riverbank’ Frank Doolan I reckon this town is home to some amazing people. Last week, I had the pleasure of introducing two local standouts: Bethany Simons and Uncle Ray Peckham. Bethany was born and raised here but, until recently, has been based in Melbourne. COVID-19 has forced her home and she’s enjoying rediscovering Dubbo. Uncle Ray Peckham is a local elder. Now into his 90’s, he’s the Indigenous Australian man who sits in his g...Continue reading
19.01.2022 HERO’s OF THE WEST Part 2 Gday FaceBook friends. Riverbank here. Was blown away by the response to the Heroes of the West post on my page. It quickly became apparent that lots more people than I are aware of the enormous contribution to community Ron makes and like me, lots feel as if we should do much more to truly recognise Ron. Last Monday morning, I was lucky enough to meet the Member for Bourke Roy Butler, who happened to be visiting Dubbo. Roy was visiting with Sho...oters/Fishers Party leader Rob Borsak. They were both nice guys who fully support Heroes of West project. Roy agreed to attend a future community consultation session with Bourke residents, at which he, Ron, myself and hopefully, Bourke's Mayor Holman put the idea to community. A steering committee to guide the project would be the hoped for outcome of the planned community consultation. At this early stage dates have to be agreed on. Times and a date suited to Ron, Roy and Barry's schedule will be decided on asap. When that happens, community will be advised using local media/social media etc with ample notice. This initiative has to be driven by Bourke residents, so if you are a resident of Bourke and you are interested at all in being a part of this community building exercise, then watch this page. Also if you see an opportunity, then please discuss this issue with other likeminded Bourke people. Its Bourke people who need to give this project purpose and direction. Had a message on my FB page a few days ago from one of Rambo's Kiwi fans, with a manly jumper from ‘87 he hoped to get signed by Ron. Was able to put Wayne in touch with Ron. Bet it made his day, week, year!!! The point of sharing that story with my FaceBook friends is to show how Ronny Rambo ain’t just western NSW, NSW or Queensland. In reality Ron is international. Ron would also have fans in the UK, having spent a season or two wowing the poms at English club Castleford. Imagine having visitors at the unveiling of Davidson bust and Rambo statue in Bourke, from the United Kingdom and New Zealand? It could happen. I believe strongly in the power of people. Peoplepower will win the day in this instance and Bourke people at that. Your call, Bourke people. I'm with you all the way. In the words of brother Mahatma Ghandi, dont dream the change, be the change! Heres hoping!!! Whatever eventuates Facebook friends, please remember, in these covid times that where possible, we all need to act with kindness and patience. As brother Archie sings FaceBook friends, let love rule!!! Riverbank
19.01.2022 FUTURE PROJECTS LOOKING GOOD. Gday facebook friends. Riverbank here with another yarn from my recent past. Tuesday the fourth of June dawned wild and windy in Dubbo, or at least on the riverbank. As I heard on the radio of snow overnight and currently falling on the mountains, accidents, road closures and the like, I remembered my promise to Arwen and thought, there goes my Sydney trip...I’d promised Arwen I’d attend a presentation night at her school, McKellar Girls High ...Continue reading
18.01.2022 The pen is mightier Gday FB friends, Riverbank here wanting to share some great news with you ( some good news from Australia’s Guantanamo, Manus Island). Not much good news comes out of that place. It is in my opinion a national disgrace, a national shame which we will bequeath future generations of young Australians. People will ask in the future how a supposedly civilised country like Australia treated people so badly. ... I’ve heard talk about the economic debt we will leave our children in this country. What about the moral debt? What we are doing on Manus Island and Nauru is mostly hidden away from public view. The voices of the oppressed however, can never be silenced and in this instance, they scream out to me from the hellish confines of what is little more than a tropical island concentration camp. The words of my Iranian / Kurdish brother have rung out and the message is loud and clear. People are people in spite of ideology, race or other factors we may invent. We all need each other, life touches life and before the advent of ‘stop the boats’ governments, the people in this country were the care and share people. How do you think we survived so long? We go back further than you think, further than any city streets. As a proud Wiradjuri man from Central Western NSW, I salute my Iranian / Kurdish brother and his literary efforts and I honour my stateless refugee brothers and sisters and their struggle. I say, from an indigenous viewpoint, welcome, Australia has called you down under and one day in the future you will experience this beautiful country and true freedom. Maybe I’m a dreamer but I’d like to think that one day I’ll be able to sit at my fire on the riverbank outside of Dubbo and share stories with my Iranian / Kurdish brother. Onya bread, See you when you get here. Be kind FaceBook friends and speak out against the injustice Australia practices daily against stateless refugees. Riverbank.
16.01.2022 Hello and a happy birthday Sunday to Riverbank Frank Doolan from me, Nina his friend and admin. Having known Frank since 1983 it’s been an amazing journey for him. He has grown into the wise, kind and respected elder that he is. Happy birthday my friend. God bless you. Power on, you’re making a difference. With love Nina***
16.01.2022 Josho Simpson. Can u send josh simpson the following message to his page for me, please. Hey brother, heard we lost my sister, my partypal and my dear, dear friend isobel last night. Sooo sorry to hear bro!!! Erambie mission is poorer for her passing. Put the eagles on the stereo crank it up and have a bundy and coke for me please bro(easy on the coke) and remember a woman who was the life of the party-any party!!! In mourning with the cowra simpsons, bro. Your pain is my pain!!! Love and respect. riverbank frank
15.01.2022 GDay Facebook friends. Riverbank here wishing to share my latest project in the community. I am certain 'Heroes of the West' is going to prove to be one of the best things I have been involved in. Its a project involving my home town of Bourke in far western NSW. It took me some time to convince my mate to let it happen. I'm the people's poet, and when we lose somebody in our community, I'm often asked to write a poem honouring the dear departed. Trouble is everybody but th...Continue reading
14.01.2022 Great interview with my good friend Riverbank Frank on Sunday night on ABC.
10.01.2022 SISTERS ARE DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES Gday Facebook friends. When Nina showed me a story written by my niece Rachel I was so happy for Rachel, I asked Nina to put it up on my page to share with my Facebook friends. My reason for doing this is to honour Rachels achievement, and to hopefully inspire other young indigenous women to never give up on their dreams. ... Love ya Rachel, love ya Facebook friends. Stay safe, be kind and let love rule!!! Riverbank 4 years ago as a single mother to 2 young children, I packed up and moved from Dubbo to Meanjin (Brisbane) to begin my studies at university. During this time I commenced university full-time. In my second year I began as a Data Officer Intern at Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council. Juggling being a Mum, university and work, whilst challenging at times, I was supported by some really amazing people. Today I graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science (Public Health) and have been accepted to study a Master of Biostatistics at the University of Queensland. I called my Grandmother to share the news with her, she congratulated me and she cried. For my Grandmother these types of opportunities never existed. My Grandmother is a Wiradjuri woman, born and raised on the Talbragar mission (Dubbo). Life was far from easy for her but she dedicated her life to ensuring Aboriginal people had these types of opportunities and for that Im grateful. Whilst it is a time of celebrating my achievements, I also reflect on my privileges that have come from the continued fighting of my people for equality and justice. I am honoured to be where I am today because of those that have come before me and those today who continue to pave the way to make my journey easier Rachel
10.01.2022 STANDING WITH THE STATELESS ONCE AGAIN. Gday facebook friends. Riverbank here with news from my Australia Day stand outside Villawood in support of incarcerated asylum seeking refugees and their children. Yesterday's peaceful protest was my fifth year in a row. If you had asked me during my angry Aborigine years about the plight of refugees, Id have reacted very differently. At best Id have laughed at you, at worst, I may have wanted to fight you. Anger and frustration at yo...ur own situation can do that to you. Then an amazing Lebanese educator/community worker, Paula Abood educated me as to the real story about refugees. Paula had worked extensively with migrants, (esp migrant women) and had real insight into the Australian migration story in recent times. Its not a pretty story at all. Paula's influence grew in me a real desire to fight this injustice, and to date it hasnt abated and shows no sign of doing so. The fact that my father and many others like him were part of whats now known as the Stolen Generations and that we're still locking up innocent children, is what drove me to begin my Australia Day protest in support of asylum seeking refugees in Australia. Villawood will be closed down this year and Im not sure what I’ll do next year. Rest assured facebook friends, I will do something. Failing to protest would make me feel as if I condone the heartless role of successive Australian governments in advancing the human misery of stateless refugees. I dont! I have to say a big thanks to all who have stood with the stateless over the years. Some have been with me at Villawood since I first made my stand. These include community artist, OAM and child of survivors of the Nazi concentration camps, Nina Angelo, farmer's son and good mate Chris Ryan, journalist Monica Tan, Central Coast community worker extrordinaire, Danielle Habib and the members of Grandmothers Against Detention. Cowlishaw, community worker mentor and legendary Western Sydney parish priest, Father Paul Hanna, legal young gun Kushaal , architect/academic Catherine Donnelley and many others. I apologise if I haven’t named you! No offense intended people, you all mean sooo much to me. All those named lead busy lives and yet they found the energy needed, and the drive to keep turning up to speak for the voiceless. I admire respect and fair dinkum love your conviction and courage in the face of it. Thank you, thank you thank you!!! People such as yourselves to me, represent the Australia we could and should be. Long may you run! To date I’m unsure what i will do next year. I will however do something rather than nothing. My next action on behalf of the stateless will be to attend the Palm Sunday refugee support march in Sydney. Hoping I see some of my facebook friends at that rally! Meanwhile facebook friends, remember to act with kindness and love in the face of it. Its the only thing that will save us from ourselves. Best wishes for 2O19. Riverbank
08.01.2022 I would like to do this slowly
08.01.2022 Hello, friends of Riverbank Frank, Its Nina here, Franks admin and long-time friend. As he has not been writing too many posts lately I thought I would take this opportunity to wish Riverbank Frank Doolan a very happy birthday today. He doesnt say much and most of you would be unaware that it is his birthday. He also doesnt do FB but people show him any posts of interest. Soooo I would like to wish RBF a very happy birthday. Keep inspiring and putting so much love and caring into the lives of others, whatever age, colour, faith or culture. We are all one. I celebrate you today Frank. Have a good day. Nina***
04.01.2022 CELEBRATING WITH THE SONG MAN Hey FaceBook friends. Riverbank here, coming to ya all from the beautiful Central West of New South Wales. It is a million dollar day out here and now I know why. Today is the birthday of a man I call the Songman. John Schuman, the former Redgum frontman is celebrating and yeah, I'm celebrating too. Everybody knows who John Schuman is. Well they do when I mention I Was Only Nineteen. ... John Schuman wrote wrote and sung that Australian classic. Is there a better anti war song.....ever??? Got to meet a man I’d admired so much a few years back. He was in Bourke a few years ago supporting the RUOK anti suicide movement. John gave a free concert for the community which locals packed out. Seeing him up close was heaven. Meeting him the next day was even better. These days John and the vagabond crew are playing out of Adelaide although lockdown has no doubt put all that stuff on hold for the moment. Still, I hope my songman brother, from the city of churches, in my opinion Australia's best songwriter, a bloke who came before Paul Kelly, I hope my brother has the best birthday ever! The song I wish to share with facebook friends is a recent composition and collaboration between John and Shane(Goanna) Howard called ‘Times Like These’. Happy birthday brother. Love you John! Love you, FaceBook friends! Be kind and let love rule!!! Riverbank https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T576Bo06waI
