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Posts by Jason O'Neil

Writing…? Nah, Passion

Apr26
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Jason O'Neil

I felt compelled to write. About what? I’m still not sure. I think I shall write about writing, as it is an important part of my life and impacts the lives of everyone on this planet.

I love to write, and I write because I love. When I write I take ideas that only existed in my head and bring them out into the world for all to see. Through writing I can inspire, motivate and entertain others while still satisfying my need to express my thoughts and feelings. Sometimes, when I’m writing in my journals, I do only the latter. READ MORE »

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ANZAC Day & Other Things Words Cannot Explain

Apr25
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Jason O'Neil

I attended my first Dawn Service today. I awoke before 0430 and rendezvoused with my fellow Parkes High students at 0510 in time for the start of this iconic ceremony hosted all over Australia, New Zealand, and those lands on which our brave soldiers have stepped foot on. ANZAC Day is one of those things that brings together millions of different people who all share this common feeling of pride and thanks. Unity through diversity. That’s the best way to describe it. READ MORE »

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My Journey: Critical Atheist to Passionate Christian

Apr24
2011 4 Comments Written by Jason O'Neil

I’ve been holding out on posting about this for the past few days, but today’s the day. It’s Easter Sunday, I cannot think of any better day to make a post about the beginning of my new life with Jesus.

I know a few people who would be very interested to hear this story, hopefully it might even inspire some of them to get saved. I also know that some of you may be as I was, and find this topic entirely off-putting, but please hang in there and just listen to my story. This is a long one, so please, please bare with me. READ MORE »

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Ngandhi Ngadhu?

Apr21
2011 4 Comments Written by Jason O'Neil

Cultures CollideWhen I turned 13, I was given a didgeridoo with my name and a gulaangga (frog) burnt on it. That same year for Christmas, I finally received the gaming PC of my dreams that I saved so long for and even built myself. I love both of these things very much, but I’ll give you one guess as to which one I use the most.

I am Wiradjuri. Yindyamarradhu. Marrumbangdhu ngurambangdhi, dhaagundhi (I respect. I love my home, my land). There’s no denying my “Aboriginality”. No amount of European DNA could ever remove that which is in my heart, that which is a part of my soul. READ MORE »

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Friendship

Apr20
2011 2 Comments Written by Jason O'Neil

Some of your eyes may have glazed over already just from the title, but bare with me. I promise to touch on a non-mushy subject tomorrow. I was watching a kid’s movie today (hey, they always have the best morals) and it got me thinking. So for now, Friendship it is!

Friends are necessary for human survival. Without other people to interact with, we just go crazy. Friends are particularly important to young people, they’re the people you learn with, laugh with, cry with and sometimes fight with. They’re the people you do life with.

FriendshipI’m fortunate enough to have a great friend group at school and a few terrific close friends. My “bro” and I have a unique relationship. We annoy the crap out of each other at times, but we’re always there to support our bro whenever they need it. We make crazy plans, we have inside jokes, we keep track of each other’s lives. READ MORE »

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Positivity

Apr19
2011 2 Comments Written by Jason O'Neil

Unfortunately, despite all the advances in technology, wealth and things to do, a staggering proportion of teenagers today are struggling with depression. Perhaps its the impact of the society we live in, where teenagers are all feeling the pressures to perform academically, to conform to what is seen as “normal” in the media, and to be well-liked in their peer group.

I thought I would write a little about ways I stay positive in this high-stress world that we live in. If it can help even one person out there, it will have been worth it.

PositivityI have a goal. I want to reach an ATAR of at least 96, meaning I’ll need to work exceptionally hard over the next two years to get the best HSC Result possible. Now, if one were to judge my potential based purely on the fact that I go to a public high school in a country town that is ranked below-average, one might think that near impossible. But the reality is that in the end, it all comes down to the student. In the same way, no matter how highly the odds might be stacked against you to reach your goal, it all comes down to your own determination. READ MORE »

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What Being in Youth Parliament Means to Me

Apr18
2011 2 Comments Written by Jason O'Neil

I’m still running off the hype and excitement from Training Camp, so it makes sense to talk about what being in the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament really means to me.

I represent the people of the Dubbo Electorate. Narromine, Dubbo, Peak Hill, Forbes, my hometown of Parkes and everywhere in-between. It’s my job to reflect the views of everyone in my electorate in everything I vote for and debate for/against when I’m in parliament come July, and it’s a job I’m very happy to do.

The Electorate of Dubbo

The Electorate of Dubbo

I have always believed in the power of people to change their circumstances. All throughout history there are moments with global implications that were all started by a group of people who just wanted to see a change. This nation is run by the people. We elect who we think will best represent our views and, in a perfect system, they do exactly that. READ MORE »

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The Voice for a Generation

Apr17
2011 6 Comments Written by Jason O'Neil

YMCA NSW Youth Parliament

I have the privilege of being a part of the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament representing the Electorate of Dubbo. It is an apolitical initiative in which youth from all over NSW participate, representing their electorates and working on one of ten committees to formulate a bill.

These bills are then debated in parliament and, if passed, they are submitted to MPs for consideration. As well as producing Youth Acts which provide solutions to problems identified by youth from a youth perspective, the parliament also serves as a forum for Youth MPs to make the views of themselves and the youth of their electorates heard. READ MORE »

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