C3D Stereophotography
"Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it."
A documentary called "A Pom Down Under"..featuring Geoff and Norma
Guest with a cast of many...a must see..touching and honest...a rare
glimpse of Aboriginal Australia and one of it's living legends.
Guest with a cast of many...a must see..touching and honest...a rare
glimpse of Aboriginal Australia and one of it's living legends.
Norma Perrot
Geoff Guest
For the last twenty years and more Geoff Guest and his
wife Norma have taken in countless boys and girls under
their wings at a place called Petford Training Farm situated
west of Dimbulah in far North Queensland. Boys and girls
both black and white came there from outlying Aboriginal
settlements, towns and cities. Some made their own way
there, some were sent by elders, magistrates, social workers,
courts, parents and guardians. The one thing they all had in
common was for varying reasons they had become alienated
from todays societies norms and expectations of them,
indeed, for a small percentage of them coming to Petford was
their only alternative to institutionalisation. Under the
watchful eye and guidance of Geoff and Norma these young
Australians were put through a three month Horseman ship
course where they learnt to catch wild brumby horses, how
to break them in, how to ride and how to care for their
mounts. They were also taught basic English and arithmetic,
personal hygiene and discipline. For many Petford was the
only stable home they had ever known. Away from substance
abuse and other negative influences these people had a
chance to develop,heal and rebuild their shattered lives so
that each and everyone of them had a better chance of
gaining mean full employment and a real chance at becoming
contributing citizens in a society that had by and large turned
their back on them. With very little Government funding
somehow Geoff and Norma managed to keep Petford Training
Farm together and became father and mother to hundreds of
boys and girls that passed through their training programme.
Other farms copied their methods and were inspired by the
results these people achieved. Geoff earned the Order of
Australia award for his services to the Indigenous
communities. He was awarded life membership in Rotary
International for his efforts.
Indeed,just by giving these young people a chance at
contributing to our society, feeding them three healthy meals
a day,keeping them away from substance abuse,encouraging
them to work,train and exercise was enough to accomplish
miracles as far as healing was concerned. Each and everyone
of those youngsters became better people for having
experienced the Petford Training courses. How do you thank
these people for the hard work and sacrifice?
With a change in State Government in Queensland they
stopped all funding, told these people that without proper
Social worker qualifications they were not good at the job
they did, that most people retire at 65 ( Geoff was nearly 70 at
the time ), they made it hard for Geoff and Norma to stay at
Petford Station. The people they helped and indeed can help
are now back on the streets or in institutions. It costs $50.000
per year to keep a person in jail...these people only ever
received a few hundred dollars per person per year that they
helped at Petford. Where is the logic in all this?
Geoff Guest is in his eighties now. Norma needs to travel
from Petford to Atherton Hospital 3 times per week for
dialysis. Are these people bitter? No....they put it down to
life's experience and their fate...Geoff still rides
horses...Norma still cares for anybody that turns up at their
door asking for help
We appeal to the Thinking people who may read
this..please make a financial contribution to help these
people....can even supply you with a DVD Documentary of
their work by arrangement.
wife Norma have taken in countless boys and girls under
their wings at a place called Petford Training Farm situated
west of Dimbulah in far North Queensland. Boys and girls
both black and white came there from outlying Aboriginal
settlements, towns and cities. Some made their own way
there, some were sent by elders, magistrates, social workers,
courts, parents and guardians. The one thing they all had in
common was for varying reasons they had become alienated
from todays societies norms and expectations of them,
indeed, for a small percentage of them coming to Petford was
their only alternative to institutionalisation. Under the
watchful eye and guidance of Geoff and Norma these young
Australians were put through a three month Horseman ship
course where they learnt to catch wild brumby horses, how
to break them in, how to ride and how to care for their
mounts. They were also taught basic English and arithmetic,
personal hygiene and discipline. For many Petford was the
only stable home they had ever known. Away from substance
abuse and other negative influences these people had a
chance to develop,heal and rebuild their shattered lives so
that each and everyone of them had a better chance of
gaining mean full employment and a real chance at becoming
contributing citizens in a society that had by and large turned
their back on them. With very little Government funding
somehow Geoff and Norma managed to keep Petford Training
Farm together and became father and mother to hundreds of
boys and girls that passed through their training programme.
Other farms copied their methods and were inspired by the
results these people achieved. Geoff earned the Order of
Australia award for his services to the Indigenous
communities. He was awarded life membership in Rotary
International for his efforts.
Indeed,just by giving these young people a chance at
contributing to our society, feeding them three healthy meals
a day,keeping them away from substance abuse,encouraging
them to work,train and exercise was enough to accomplish
miracles as far as healing was concerned. Each and everyone
of those youngsters became better people for having
experienced the Petford Training courses. How do you thank
these people for the hard work and sacrifice?
With a change in State Government in Queensland they
stopped all funding, told these people that without proper
Social worker qualifications they were not good at the job
they did, that most people retire at 65 ( Geoff was nearly 70 at
the time ), they made it hard for Geoff and Norma to stay at
Petford Station. The people they helped and indeed can help
are now back on the streets or in institutions. It costs $50.000
per year to keep a person in jail...these people only ever
received a few hundred dollars per person per year that they
helped at Petford. Where is the logic in all this?
Geoff Guest is in his eighties now. Norma needs to travel
from Petford to Atherton Hospital 3 times per week for
dialysis. Are these people bitter? No....they put it down to
life's experience and their fate...Geoff still rides
horses...Norma still cares for anybody that turns up at their
door asking for help
We appeal to the Thinking people who may read
this..please make a financial contribution to help these
people....can even supply you with a DVD Documentary of
their work by arrangement.
You give little when you give of your possessions...
It's when you give of yourself that you truly give
It's when you give of yourself that you truly give
We know you wanted more so here is another Doc, this time Australias 60 Minutes.