Beautiful people: CJ Wello

Our beautiful Koori girls sang and brought down the house. Keep an eye out for them in the future.

The visionaries of Waminda and current CEO of Waminda Faye Worner.

Proudest moment watching my best friend shine <3 You're the bomb sis!

Two months ago I was invited to attend the Waminda Ball that was held to celebrate 30 years of service to the Aboriginal Women on the South Coast in New South Wales. I've known of Waminda for as long as I can remember because my best friend's mother had worked with them for years.

It was a familiar office that we'd call into when walking through town. We would see the same faces and feel that sense of community when walking through the door. When you're a young Polynesian girl growing up in a predominately white community, you find community in a sense of familiarity and belonging and this was one of those places for me. 

As I've grown up and gone out into the world, I've had the good fortune of possessing a loving family, a hefty collection of true friends and a chance to travel and see outside of my community. I seem to come and go on the regular and upon my return I notice that too many things remain the same. Same jobs, same pubs, same people, same story; so much so that I could only ever seem to stomach the place for a good couple of months before getting itchy feet again. 

But when I arrived home late last year, I was eager to be back to rejoin with my Dead or Deadly Sisters. Dead or deadly is a well-being program offered by Waminda to Indigenous women in the community. This program taught me so much about health and well-being. It taught me how to move my body, how to increase strength and how to grow and encourage others to train and make healthier choices. 

Not only do Waminda offer programs led out by local Indigenous women but they are also committed to training their workers. These women are valued and it shows as they are paid above award wages. Waminda offers a whole bunch of SERVICES to the community and are continually growing every year. Services like this don't just pop up over night. Services like this are rare and I'm so proud of the women who continue to pursue the dreams of their Elders who envisioned a service to help Koori women thrive.

It is something that I am honoured to have witnessed. I've watched women walk through the doors and have been transformed mentally into a whole new vibrant life force. I was so caught up in my passion for this particular program that I failed to notice the metamorphosis of my very own best friend. 

The once well-known 'shy girl' -who asked if I could attend school Koori camp with her because she didn't know anyone else- was standing up in front of a room full of Elders and politicians proudly directing guests to their seats. I don't know how the hell I missed this one.

CJ was far from the quiet Koori girl who would only write me letters with the initials of the boys that she loved inside them. She had outgrown the girl who'd preferred not to walk to the school canteen alone. 

She was exactly what she was meant to be. 

A strong, knowledgable woman of culture and apart of Australia's future. She is driving towards closing the gaps of inequity for her people. She is a special soul sister and I'm thankful I was home to witness this. To Waminda and every woman who is apart of this service, thank you. 

I can't wait to see your achievements in the next 30 years.

Big Love,

Mele Falala

Fiesta

Frida vibes for the Mexican Fiesta party with my sissy CJ. 

So I spent last night hanging out with my home crew celebrating the birthdays of two amazing women. Both are working extremely hard towards establishing their careers (one will lead in managing a substantial women's health organisation and the other will soon graduate with a degree in medicine).

Even though the weekdays are jam packed with meetings, study, deadlines and pressure; the weekends usually consists of an opposite agenda. We catch up. Talk shit. Eat, drink, sing and dance. These moments are special because I'm always away from home so I'm usually looking at these photos from some other state. In another 40 days I'll be jetting off to another country to live for a while so I'm consciously trying to be around and connect with as many friends as possible.

 I'm thankful for these people and I'm fully aware that these moments are special and should not be taken for granted. It's special when you have friends that make you both proud and happy.   Happy birthday my beautiful sisters. Continue to strive and make those changes for your community.

The birthday girls is full fiesta-swing!

Happy Birthday Cleone

Mum is wearing my DIY flower foufou.

We decided to make our own version of a mask after being inspired by the Vogue Masquerade Party pics.

My sister Theresa & I also decided to TWIN it to the party. Napolean eyes and Mac lips with bling embellishments  to stay in theme when we decided to take our mask off.

Cleone's dress was 2 different pieces altered by her nephew Jordan Timbery.
Both Theresa & I wore dresses from Target.

Last weekend one of my closest friends celebrated her 30th birthday. It's really crazy to think that we've been friends for so long and I can't really pin point the moment in time where we stopped being friends and transitioned into family, but it has happened. Every 'big deal' in my life has been shared with her and even though I'm usually off galavanting somewhere, time or distance never seems to dull the friendship. 

We share similar world views and we're both still growing into ourselves, learning about what it means to be a woman; and a strong woman of culture and family. We still giggle about the high school things like finding the right man, and who's doing what around our hometown but that's amongst the sharing of wild hopes, deep dreams and aspirations for the future. I've been blessed with plenty of 'sisters' who now live all over the world. I've shared precious moments with them all but this is something in a league of it's own. 

I remember in kindergarten when our teachers gathered us all in the quadrangle in what I would recall as an attempt to get us all together. I was so scared. I was so shy. There was no one there like me. A swarm of people, but no one there like me. Then amongst a sea of faces I found her. That girl who was a little bit like me, and looked as scared as I felt. That was the first time I met Cleone Wellington and we've been legit ever since. 

Happy Birthday Sis. 

I delight in your accomplishments and success and I look forward to the next 30 years of sisterhood. 

Big Love,

Falala Mele.

Beautiful People: Marlene Longbottom

January 26 marks the celebration of Australia Day. Every year Aussies get out their Australian-flag beer stubbies and generally celebrate with a barbecue breakfast/lunch or at the beach if there is one close by. This holiday marks the day in 1788 when Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the First Fleet of eleven convict ships from Great Britain and the first governor of New South Wales, arrived at Sydney Cove. 

Some Indigenous Australians find it hard to celebrate this day as it marks the start of what some would call 'Invasion Day'. I think it would be great to change the date of Australia day to mark another occasion in Australian history that both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people can celebrate wholeheartedly. Perhaps May 27th, to mark the referendum that demonstrated a shift in views and identified that 90% of the voting public supported the inclusion of Australian Aboriginals in the Australian constitution. 

All politics aside, I love Australia. I love that we are a diverse and beautiful country. I love that when people are sick, they are able to receive medical care. I am committed to helping the people of this nation with my God-given talent and abilities and no matter how far I travel, I have yet to find a place that I would trade it for. 

With this in mind, I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce you to Marlene Longbottom. She is the first person to be featured on Beautiful People and she is the perfect representation of the good in my country. 

The Beautiful People category was created to share worthy and inspiring stories and people that you should know about. We often get bombarded with so many images of what we should be and we forget how to walk a brave and honest journey. I hope these people inspire you because they have inspired me. 

Marlene Longbottom is a remarkable Aboriginal woman who has reignited her passion to live with integrity and honor through CrossFit and it's a change and process that has effected every element of her life and the way in which she lives it. Her CrossFit journey commenced in September 2012 and aside from racking up things like a 122 kg dead-lift, she has lost 30 kg and has managed to find herself amongst it all.

The single mother currently has a Masters in Tropical Medicine by research and is working towards her PHD. Marlene works as a researcher with the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health in Brisbane and when she's not there, you'll most likely find her training dirty at her local 'Box'. 

I was lucky enough to catch a few moments of time after a Waminda Aboriginal Women's Health well-being exercise class last Thursday. She was back in town for Sorry-Business (the funeral of her Grandmother) but was kind enough to give her time, if it meant she can help someone else. 



Describe a significant person to you in 7 words.
I'll have to describe my Crossfit Coaches Di and Brendan.
Committed, consistent, persistent, role-model, get shit done.

6 words that should be used daily.
Respect, love, persistence, honor, integrity, dignity.

5 words to sum you up at this point in time.
Tired, sore, but I love it.

4 things that everyone should experience.
Crossfit because it will change your life.

3 places you would like to visit.
USA but I will be heading over this coming July to watch the CrossFit Games and to visit a few boxes while I'm there. Rome and Hawaii.

2 goals you want to achieve.
To reach my goal weight (23 kg to go).
Represent my community in CrossFit.

Marlene's hands are looking pretty good now, but when they're torn from lifting, she wears them with pride.

1 piece of advice.

As women, we tend to put our families first and our health suffers. I was in a toxic relationship for a very long time and I was allowing someone to place value and worth on myself. Now I try to honor myself as a woman by knowing my value and what I'm working towards so it does not matter what other people say. 

Aim to be persistently consistent even if it hurts. I set aside at least an hour a day to get up and train and I'm connected to support communities and I encourage others on their journey. People often see the cosmetic changes in my appearance but they don't see the internal changes of my body and mind. I am growing stronger everyday and I'm not letting stress get to me. It's not about only doing CrossFit, but just to find your passion and to work towards it, that way you're living with integrity and working towards being the best person you can be. I ask myself, what legacy am I leaving behind for my son, my and community? What past of history am I changing? 

So what legacy are you leaving behind for your family and the world? 

Marlene is in the process of starting a blog, but you can follow her on instagram @marlenelongbottom

Big Love,

Falala Mele.

Dan Sultan

 Dear Readers,
Let me introduce you to my celebrity crush. Mr. Dan Sultan.

An Indigenous singer/songwriter/ actor and all round cool dude (in my opinion anyways).

I first saw Dan appear in the movie Bran Nue Dae(a musical inspired and written by an Aboriginal man from Broome in Western Australia). While the film looks at Indigenous issues in sometimes a "light hearted" manner, it struck a chord with me as to how accurate its portrayal of certain issues were; especially for the Western Australian Indigenous peoples. I worked in W.A. for almost two years with Indigenous students and my class (well the entire school) couldn't get enough of Bran Nue Dae and in particular Dan Sultan's song "Black Girl".

Anyways before I rave on forever I was so very delighted to hear that he would be performing at the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Land Rights Celebrations.
I made sure I trudged through the mud to get a front row seat!

 Can I just say that he is an AHHHHMAZZZING performer. He is raw and his voice is just mesmerising. He sang my favourite song from Bran Nue Dae and he sang one of my all time favourite songs "Your Mine" by Richie Valens so beautifully that it brought tears to my sister's eyes.
I also admire the fact that he makes an effort to support Indigenous events and the indigenous communities nation wide.  So I was totally shy but I had to walk up all confident and ask for a photo.

I got to wear my $3 vintage oversized cardigan. I <3 it, that's my sister Theresa with our friends Teesha and Eliza

 I'm not sure if I have made this clear but Wreck Bay is a beautiful Aboriginal community on the South Coast of NSW. This is the place where I take most of my beautiful beach shots. I grew up here and it's always nice to come back and see all my old childhood friends and family. It was such a special night.

I was also proud as punch to see some of my old students perform their Land Rights Rap. Repping Jervis Bay Public School and their awesome performance.


Big Love,


Falala Mele xo

school ootd

So Im awake and its 5:30am in the morning.....why is it that when I plan to wake up early for exercise my eyes are bolted shut and it feels like I haven't had any sleep at all? Maybe its because I have 3 little house guests over. Its so fascinating working with Aboriginal kids... the amount of self autonomy they have is great some days....but then some days I'm like "Where the hell is your Mother?" and for my some of these little grade 1 kids...the answer is jail or in the communities living a life that doesn't really centre around the focus of THEIR child..... it makes me so mad.....and you wouldn't believe how wonderful these kids are....and how excited the get over a slice of cheese with a tomato sauce smiley face or a cup of Milo.

But back to the reason why I am awake....I got up and went to check on the three boys....because I wanted to see if they were okay...... and I was like.....how can their Mothers not have the same urge??? Anyways..... they are fine....I'm awake....so I guess its a WIN WIN huh? I have enough time to post this outfit! This is the kinda practical and comfortable stuff I wear to school each day......the skirt is the $2.50 one from Kmart, the top was free (I had bags of clothes that were donated and we were supposed to take them to another Aboriginal community but we couldn't fit it all so I found some cool stuff that I could have) the flats are really old also....I try not to bring too much stuff out here because it's too much to take home....and now that I only have 2 weeks left here.... I'm glad I didn't bring too much because I think I will be leaving a lot of it behind.

Big Love

Falala Mele

Jailhouse rock

I had such an amazing experience travelling out to the Jigalong Community last weekend and I haven't really had time to reflect and post on it. I guess there is no better way to get your mind thinking than 14 hours on the open desert road.

I was asked to attend a funeral with a friend; whom I teach with as she is the daughter of a Pastor and they lived in the community for a few years. It wasn't just a normal "stay for a few years" type gig. Her Dad was so respected by the community members that they entrusted him with their "men's business" tools and knowledge.

What also happened is that they became "skin" to this community and its people. She has cousins, aunties and uncles and all of which look at her the same way.

The previous week she drove to Newman to pick me up and passed her Martu Daddy at the service station. She was informed that her "sister" had sadly passed away in prison.

And so we returned the week later in order for Dayle to pay her respects. I was excited as I hadn't seen my students in almost a month. I know you're not supposed to have favourites but everyone does and one of my special girls comes from that community so I was excited to see her.

I was called outside of the house to be greeted by Miss Joan and her mob (being all her grannies that she cares for) and it was such a nice feeling to be missed and met by these people again. We quickly started to exchange stories of funerals (we both had family funerals recently) and holidays and the high school trip to Sydney and as we walked to the shop I would hear "MISS CARMELLLLLL!" as more and more students were surprised to see a teacher in their home community. Best feeling ever really...... them running up to you for a hug..... and looking for the same reciprocation they extended towards me..... I had students run up to me that had only attended school for like 2 days and they wanted hugs, and kisses too.

As the weekend went on I became quite sad and how much prison is accepted and dare I say it, expected. What I mean by expected is that it boys (more so than girls)  kinda grow up, they commit (mostly) petty crimes and eventually end up in the big house and being there is not that out of the ordinary, and having your Dad or Mum there is not odd either and spending your teen years in juvie is kinda common.

My beautiful kids, they easily know more than 3 people who have been or are in jail, and some have parents and or immediate relatives in "lock up".......... I dunno I guess I'm really disturbed by it.... being a teacher you kinda aim to change or influence world views of the children so that they expect something better.....and it just got me thinking.... what can we do to make it a little better? what can we do to bring about a change where jail is not the norm.....the old people, they got up and spoke..... "this is not right, old people shouldn't be burying young people... its all mucked up and around the wrong way.......theres more to life than just drinking". It was as if they were pleading to the young ones to find a different way........

this person...... she died in jail.....her brother came to the funeral from jail in chains and when the kids were taking me around Jigalong they wanted a photo cause they were playing "lockup"........ this is what they see and know...... how are we going to change this? how am I going to change this?

Goodness..... kinda serious huh....

Much Luv,

Falala Mele

one school and two funerals

So first week back at school was SAAAALOOOOOWWW! For those of you who don't know me... although I think you all do :P I am a teacher for a grade 3,4 & 5 class out in the remote desert of Western Australia... and my students are all Aboriginal kids bar one.... so these kids come from fairly traditional communities and for anyone who has ever worked with Indigenous Australians; you know what happens during funeral time.

Come rain, hail or shine, it doesn't matter if it's your great great uncle's cousin who passed away, you must attend the funeral. So I return to my school with all but 6 students in my class. Wiluna has a funeral and so does Jigalong. Have you ever watched Rabbit Proof fence? Well my kids are from that country..... My housemate is not back either :( Stupid rain delayed the planes from Sydney.... but at least she gets extra time with the family....

So as for the clothes.... well.... out here I kinda don't get to dress up as much :( Its really country here and there really isn't many events or places to dress up for.... but I will still post up outfits that I wear around here.... one of my new girls said to me today "Miss it's like you come from New York or something"..... lol I WISH JELLYFISH!

This is what I wore today. It has been a favourite top of mine since I purchased it during the July holidays... I brought it from Big W when I was shopping with friends.... I think it may have been $30 or somewhere around that mark....... Hope you are all having fun dressing up or down; whatever the situation may be.... and a special shout out to my lovely friend Miss Magenta who is also in teacher clothes mode. Miss you all <3

Falala Mele