Shine Your Li gh t
The Life and Lessons of Madeline Woleg 12 February 1968 - 30 August 2019 Partagez votre lumière La vie et les leçons de Madeline Woleg 12 février 1968 - 30 août 2019
Shine Your Light The Life and Lessons of Madeline Woleg 12 February 1968 - 30 August 2019
Partagez votre lumière La vie et les leçons de Madeline Woleg 12 février 1968 - 30 août 2019
Table of Con ten ts Acknowledgements 1 Madeline: A brief introduction 3 Certificates & awards 4 Madeline’s family 5 Madeline & Franklyn’s children 7 Madeline’s song 9 A community leader and encourager 13 Women’s rights and development 17 Handicrafts, teaching, and women’s enterprise 17 Religion, faith, and spirituality 19 Mota Lava Gateway Lodge 21 Memories of Madeline 23
A c k now ledgmen ts This booklet was produced by Madeline’s family and friends with the support of Associate Professor Naomi Sunderland (Griffith University, Australia), Emeritus Professor Phil Graham (University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia), and Griffith University honours student Mr Joel Spence. Funding for this booklet was provided by the Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre at Griffith University. Naomi and Phil’s travel to Motalava to participate in song writing and community storytelling as part of the 2019 Torba Music and Arts Festival was organised by Mr Sandy Sur (Leweton Cultural Village, Espiritu Santo) and supported by the Griffith University Health Group and the University of the Sunshine Coast School of Creative Industries. Booklet design and formatting by Kayla Harris, descendent of the First Nations Bundjalung People (northern coastal New South Wales Australia) Creative Direction by Rae Cooper, descendent of the First Nations Worimi People (coastal New South Wales, Australia)
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Madeline : A Brief In trod u c t i on Madeline Woleg (Maiden Name: Langdon) B O R N: 12th Feb 1968
D I E D: 30th August 2019
RO L E S IN T HE C O M M U N I T Y Mother - Community leader - Devoted Female Pastor and evangelist (Anglican Christian) - Skilled in Handicrafts - Founder of The Woman’s Society who did outreach and community work - Advisor to Chiefs Teacher and respected elder - Advocate for others (especially women) - On Committee of the French School - Melanesian Church President for 8 years Mota Lava Gateway Lodge Manager & Co-Founder - Worked on the Bible Translation project with Franklyn for more than a year. HO BB IE S Madeline played the guitar and sang daily. She was part of a string band with other women in the Village who used to play, dance and since together. She brought shells and other things from the ocean to weave intricate handicrafts and loved sharing those crafts with other women on the Islands
FAVO U R ITE FOODS Fruits, such as orange, mango and pamplemousse (grapefruit). Pamplemousse was considered a favourite and was always in the home. Madeline always liked proteins with lunch and dinner such as fish, meat, or chicken. She loved to bake and eat fresh bread every morning.
LAN GUAG E S S PO K E N Bislama, Mota Lava, Mere Lava, English and French.
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C ertificat es & Awards • Inclusive Communities Program, ICP certificate. This was a certificate of participation for attending a leadership, communication, conflict, and problem solving, practice planning and coordination workshop under the Inclusive Communities Program (2006) in the Solomon Islands in Honiara, and it was put on by the Australian Government funded under Australian Aid. • A second Inclusive Communities Program Certificate (2008). • Licensed Teachers Induction Course, certifying that a Madeline Langdon of Mere Lava School attended the course organised by the Northern district Education Office (May 1983). It took place in Vanua Lava, Banks. • Conditional Permit to confirm Mota Lava Gateway Lodge as a registered business that met all requirements. • Certificate of Participation from the Vanuatu Department of Forestry and the Vanuatu National Council of Women to certify that Madeline Woleg successfully completed a three-day forestry awareness Course held in Torba Province (February 2007). • Senior Primary School Certificate of grade six completion from Mere Lava primary school, and that Madeline’s examination results were excellent. • Certificate of attendance for a VNCW beginner’s Media Training workshop (February 2007). • Certificate of Attendance for a Women’s Leadership Training for a Diocese of Banks in Torres. It took place in Sola in 2004, and it reads, “this is to certify that Madeline Woleg has attended the above workshop and taking part in all the sessions and activities that have taken place”. • Certificate of Translation Training provided by the Summer Institute of Linguistics in the Vanuatu Christian council. This recognised the completion of a one-year intensive course in translation principles awarded to Madeline Woleg (2001). • 4
Madeline ’s Family Madeline and her husband Franklyn Woleg shared a deep love and friendship and a marriage filled with respect and admiration. Madeline was not born on Mota Lava but Mere Lava. Because of her deep love for Mota Lava you would never know the difference and if you did not know you would think she was born and raised in Mota Lava. Mota Lava was a place where Madeline married her husband Franklyn and resided later in life. Franklyn and Madeline first met when he was renting a flat in Port Vila amongst Mota Lava people. One day a friend who was an evangelist by the name of Renold Boric, a good friend of Franklyn’s at the time, visited him at his flat. That night Franklyn received a Bible and prayed for his future wife to come. In the area that he lived there were about eight girls. One day Franklyn’s friend visited to tell him about one of the girls whom Franklyn had noticed. Franklyn told his friend “She will be my friend and will also be my future wife.” Franklyn and his friend continued praying for Madeline to become Franklyn’s wife. One weekend Madeline’s brother went to the centre which opened the way for Franklyn to talk to Madeline. Franklyn then went to Madeline’s Aunty and asked, “can I take her to church?” Madeline’s Aunty answered “yes, those girls never go to church,” so Franklyn took Madeline to church and afterwards they went to Franklyn’s Uncle’s house for lunch. They had lunch together and Franklyn told Madeline that he wanted to be her friend and then for her to be his wife. Franklyn explained to Madeline he was an evangelist who loved Jesus and had been praying for a wife. Franklyn told Madeline that he would like to be her friend, “Is that ok for you?” he asked. Madeline responded with “I was praying for a husband that loves Jesus.” Franklyn did not know if Madeline was telling the truth or not but thought that at the time, he was very handsome and that is what led to her response. Madeline told Franklyn that she was praying for a guy who loved Jesus and would be her future husband. Franklyn responded, “thank you very much.” That is where their relationship began to blossom.
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Madeline married Franklyn in Port Vila and they had their only daughter and eldest child Beth there. When Franklyn’s father got sick and had to have surgery, they chartered a flight from Port Vila and returned to Mota Lava. That was because, as the first born in the family, it was Franklyn’s responsibility to take over the family property. Family friends of the Woleg family have said that one reason Madeline had the chance to shine her light so brightly is because she always had Franklyn helping her, giving her that platform. Since Madeline’s passing, Franklyn has taken opportunities to stand up in the Anglican church, the Seventh Day Adventist church, and other churches to encourage the men to support their wives to use their talents and abilities to shine for the betterment of the churches and community. Others in the community believe he has earned the right to stand up and say that because it is exactly what he did for the entire time that he was with Madeline. M AD E LIN E & F RA N K LY N ’S C H I L D R E N Madeline and Franklyn had six children including one daughter and five sons. Madeline’s eldest son Kenyon describes his mother as a creative and loving woman. She had the ability to act as both a mother and a father when Franklyn could not be home, by taking on the responsibilities of both parents. Madeline was seen as a positive influence and role model to her children in helping to shape and manage their own homes. This was because her children had seen and learnt how things should be done. An example of this was tutoring her children not to solely depend on their parents but to develop their own skills to be independent and to be able to generate and provide for their families. Madeline and Franklyn’s children include Beth (born 1986 in Port Vila), Kenyon (born 1988 in Port Vila) Hicks (born 1990 Mota Lava), Yougi (born 1992 Mota Lava), George (born 1995 Mota Lava), and Chris (born 2000 Mere Lava).
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Madeline ’s Son g Madeline was always caring toward other people. She was well loved, perhaps because she herself loved people of all races and backgrounds openly and with a warm heart. She was known to love all enemies. Both local people and visitors to Mota Lava were always welcomed by her. Madeline was motivated by loving people. She was the kind of person who would not let a language or cultural barrier get in the way because she believed in practicing hospitality and she believed in loving the person that was in front of her, whether it was a guest or whether it was someone from her own Island. Madeline was not afraid to talk to strangers. The more she did that, the more she became comfortable talking to different people. She went through so many workshops and so much training that exposed her increasingly to new people. She also ran the Gateway Lodge and had many guests who she would welcome with open arms. The love for Madeline in the community was clear after she passed. There were a record number of offerings made on the month of her death with substantial amounts of rice, flour and packets of sugar given in offering for her family. Madeline’s family and some close friends gathered to write the song below after her death in August 2019. It encapsulates the lessons, faith, and love that Madeline passed onto her children and shared with many others during her life.
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M A D E L I N E ’ S SO N G LY R IC S CHORUS These are my words I am Madeline This is my song and my dream You are my life I am Madeline Love everyone that you meet V E R SE 1 Remember take care of your home Remember to love those you know Welcome all strangers with warm heart and hand With love then your garden will grow CHORUS These are my words I am Madeline This is my song and my dream You are my life I am Madeline Love everyone that you meet V E R SE 2 Remember that people aren’t stone Make bread and share light in your home Bring shells from the sea and make treasure with me Teach others and share what you know
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CHORUS These are my words I am Madeline This is my song and my dream You are my life I am Madeline Love everyone that you meet V E R SE 3 Encourage your daughters and sons To work hard and to love everyone Remember bring peace to your neighbours and friends Shine out your light like the sun CHORUS These are my words I am Madeline This is my song and my dream You are my life I am Madeline Love everyone that you meet I will be with you I will be with you I am still with you
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A Commun ity Leader an d Encour a ger Madeline was a servant leader who led by quietly serving others. She did not seek out the spotlight, but she wanted to elevate others. She particularly wanted to help elevate other women. Madeline would lead and mentor in things such as how to make beds in the bungalows, how to invest money, and was very intentional about that work. It can be extremely hard to become something that you cannot see if you do not have somebody who went ahead and showed you this is what it looks like. Madeline was a person who would say, “This is how we do it. This is how it can be done.” She would mentor by example. Madeline was known as an advisor to the Chiefs within the community. People say she had the ability to help guide a Chief when they would go astray. An example of this was when the Chief would talk harshly or strongly towards people of the community during meetings. Part of Madeline’s role as an advisor would be to guide the Chief to learn how to give respect and learn to talk in a courteous manner toward others in the community. This was seen as helping to guide the Chief and bring out the best in them in their role. Madeline contributed a lot in the wider community. An example of this was through her involvement in church and especially her work through the Women’s Society for which Madeline was the founder. Creating the Women’s Society changed the life of many women. Madeline worked very closely with them and kept encouraging them to respect their husbands and prayed for them if they were not allowed to come and join. She believed her faith in God and prayers would slowly change the heart of husbands in many situations and allow women to attend the group. Around 2003, Madeline called a meeting after a church service St Barnabas Chapel, Ngerenigman Village, Mota Lava. There she called for women to stay back while men, boys and girls went for a walk around the outside. There were about 45 women present there that morning. Madeline explained the importance of having a place for women to come together. Another woman who was listening raised her hand and said she agreed with Madeline.
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The Women’s Society was soon established and a president, secretary, treasurer, and members where approved. In the beginning it was not easy for Madeline to progress her heart’s mission. This was because she was not from Mota Lava. Also, many women did not feel free or may have experienced violence and did not have other women to confide in or give them support. But women on the island soon began to respond to what Madeline was trying to achieve in creating a Women’s Society. Madeline was known to encourage women in the community to take on roles within their household that were normally seen as men’s work. Madeline would encourage women to take responsibility to get things done. Franklyn gave a classic example when Madeline asked him to put up a sign to attract tourists. When Franklyn did not do this Madeline took it upon herself to get it done. This is a trait that encouraged other women in the community. Women would often come to Madeline with issues such as savings, a dispute, or relationship problems in the home. Franklyn remembers a wife of an Anglican priest who needed help. In that situation the wife of the priest sought help from Madeline. It was common that women who experienced violence in the home would come to Madeline for help. She was a mentor, teacher, and supporter for many. Women could come to her, and she would be that person of peace who would give them advice and counsel. And they would always go away better for having spent time with her. Madeline took pride in the way she dressed which was about being creative and clean with the clothes she wore. Because she was a role model, she was smart with clothes and how to present herself. Eventually, because of this, many other women who respected and associated with Madeline began to apply this to themselves.
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Women’s Righ ts an d D eve lopmen t Madeline was a passionate and dedicated advocate for women’s rights and development. Madeline would do her best to find ways for people to express and use their skills. She would encourage people to be proud of their talents and learn from each other. An example of this was the way Madeline encouraged people to work with shells, make a wood carving, or take time out to watch someone weave a basket with rope.
H andicrafts, Teach in g, an d Women’s En ter prise Madeline was known as a very hard-working woman who was skilled in making handicrafts made from shells and offerings collected from the sea. Madeline tutored other women on the Islands to make handicrafts and develop women’s enterprise and income. Alongside making handicrafts, Madeline would teach women how to budget and use profits from their sales to buy items that would improve their lives. An example of this was when she had completed one of her shell weavings, Madeline was able to take women through the process she used for collecting, storing, and making and then how to sell them. Profits were used to buy essentials such as a power bank so that phones could be charged, and people were able to communicate with their families in Port Vila and overseas.
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Religion, Faith , an d Spiritu ality Madeline was compared to Barnabas (meaning son of encouragement) in the Bible. This was because of Madeline’s ability to encourage people to find peace and resolution. An example is that when there is conflict between groups of women, Madeline created peace between the two parties, sometimes they had tears together and then things return to normal. The profits from handicrafts were used to support her outreach work throughout the Islands. Madeline was extremely hard working when it came to supporting, giving, and evangelizing the word of God into people’s lives. Madeline was a Melanesian Church president for eight years. She was regarded in this position as a Chairlady who was high up in the Church of Melanesia. There was a time that Franklyn remembered when Madeline was congratulated by the Bishop for doing an excellent job as Chairlady following an Anglican church meeting that was held with the Archbishop in attendance. Madeline was a friend and advocate of Bible translation project since it was brought to Mota Lava. She worked for more than a year as part of the translation staff and was beloved by Steve and Irene Beale, who were the first translators to come to Mota Lava and to begin the project. Madeline and her husband Franklyn continued to be strong advocates for Bible translation in the community. Historically, Mota Lava has been a difficult place for women. Because of this Madeline had a real heart for women in the Church, especially because the Bible set an example and picture for people to see that there is a light and not to hide that light or keep a “candle under a basket.” Madeline encouraged everyone to set their light up high so that everyone could see it. Madeline prided herself on setting an example and shining a light so the world can see it. Madeline wanted to encourage people as she loved God’s word and she loved the Lord. She was always taking wisdom from God’s word and applying it into action. Madeline had an incredible heart as a woman who was filled by her love for God.
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Madeline was seen as a person who wanted to love the person who was in front of her. She was inspired by Bible passages such as Proverbs 31 which talks about this exemplary woman, the exemplary wife and mother. Madeline did that by being industrious, thinking about the importance of the grounds that her family was living on, providing food for them, and creating sources of income. Those all parallel with the Proverb 31. One of Madeline’s favourite texts from the Bible was when Jesus visits Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42). In this story, Mary chooses to listen to Jesus and the word of God rather than help her sister Martha who was busy preparing food and doing other things at the time. For this reason, Martha was upset, but Jesus pointed out to Martha that Mary was right in choosing to listen to the word of God and how this was the only thing of importance. This is how Madeline chose to live her life, by saying that we should be like Mary and listen when people are speaking the word of God. Focus on this and leave worrying behind. Madeline would always listen and act on what she learnt in church.
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Mota L av a Gateway Lod ge Mota Lava Gateway Lodge was created as a vision of Madeline’s for which she was a Manager and Founder. Prior to living on Mota Lava, Madeline worked for Solace Hotel in Port Vila (Efate Island), where she had gained a lot of skills and knowledge of the hospitality industry and working with tourism. When Madeline and Franklyn returned to live on the family property in Mota Lava, she knew that beach bungalows could help generate additional income to support the family. Mota Lava Gateway Lodge that was created in the early 2000’s. Madeline’s vision was to see lots of tourists staying in well-built accommodation on the property. Madeline believed that services to the property such as good water and electricity were important. The Beach Bungalows had multiple uses as a guest house for travellers (an example is archaeologists and travellers) and a caring home for the sick. Then, with Madeline’s leadership, it became Mota Lava Gateway Lodge. Madeline was able to help support school fees and education for her children with the extra income. Mota Lava Gateway Lodge now attracts all kinds of people, especially tourists from overseas. Anyone who comes to Mota Lava has a home. Tourists give feedback that helps the family to continue improving the accommodation. Madeline created a positive environment at the Lodge, and this generated a lot of referrals for people wanting to stay. After Madeline’s passing, the family are committed to improving and keeping the standard of the Lodge high as she would have expected, including hands-on maintenance to keep the property clean and tidy. Marketing is also something that George has studied to help bring in new and creative ideas to help the Lodge to continue to grow as a family business. As a businessperson, Madeline reminded her family that they need to creative in many aspects, something they continue to strive to do.
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Me morie s of Madelin e The stories below were shared during a storytelling circle with some of Madeline’s friends and family members. They show the breadth and depth of her love and impact on others’ lives. AARO N Aaron is an Anglican pastor who worked on Mota Lava with Madeline and Franklyn. Aaron remembers many positive stories about Madeline. He remembers one story where he was in Port Vila working with Franklyn. Aaron remembers asking Franklyn about his wife and how she was doing. Right about the time of that conversation Madeline rang her husband and he noticed how Franklyn’s face lit up. This showed how much Franklyn cherished his wife and how the two had an incredibly special relationship and worked as a team. Aaron describes Madeline as a visionary who had a unique ability to see potential in what could be done. With Franklyn and her family’s support they would make those things a reality which made Madeline a role model for her family, village, and Mota Lava. Aaron remembers the community response when Madeline passed away. He said that he had never seen anything like it during the time he had been in Mota Lava, with incredible support from the community where everyone came together. People from across the Anglican Church and other denominations came together. Aaron said there was a clear sense that Madeline was loved and cherished by everyone in Mota Lava, that they all saw her in the ways described in this book: that is, as a leader, encourager, and as a peacemaker. B ETH Madeline’s daughter Beth describes her mother as a loving and caring woman. Beth has strong memories of her mother’s ability to mediate and bring peace when couples would have problems in their homes. Madeline would be someone that people in conflict would seek as she had the ability to calm the situation. By calming situations, Madeline had the ability to encourage people to return home safely with their children and for resolution to occur in the home.
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FR AN K LY N Franklyn is Madeline’s beloved husband. Franklyn says that he thinks what made him a good husband to Madeline was the way he was taught from his mum, dad, and grandfather. They always told him that before you have a wife you must have house, cooking facilities, appliances, and a bow and arrow to catch fish. Another thing is you must learn to do before having a wife is to know how to do the gardening, cook for yourself and how to wash pots. Learning to wash and buy her clothes were all things that Franklyn was taught from his mum and dad. Eventually when he grew up, I went to Sydney, so he was able to do his own washing. He could also manage himself well because of what his parents had taught him and the other boys. This is something Franklyn will always keep in his heart and mind. Franklyn has found a lot of men that have wives will never buy their wives clothes. When they go to Port Vila to do the shopping other men have told Franklyn that you are different from us. He asked, “why am I different from you?” The response was “we can’t buy our wives clothes because when we go to the shop others might laugh at us.” Franklyn replied, “you should buy your wives clothes … there is nothing wrong with that.” Franklyn remembers that Madeline rarely grew angry. One of the only things that would make her mad, though, was too much joking around. She always told Franklyn “We should only say things that are true.”
GEO RGE George is one of Madeline’s sons. He remembers that his mother was extremely good at managing food and money for her family through the good times and the bad. An example was when there were not any biscuits for breakfast. In those times there was a feeling that there was no more money to buy food. Then come lunch or afternoon George and his parents and siblings would sit as a family and eat well because Madeline had provided a meal for them. There were times when the community only had a small amount of food. Always in these times Madeline shared everything between people. This is because she was giving to all people. George also remembers that his mother would say “people aren’t stones” and that her children should travel and grow. That sentiment is shared in Madeline’s Song. • 24
KENYO N ’ S M E M O R I E S Kenyon is Madeline’s eldest son. He remembers her as a very caring mother. If one of her sons went away to another island or country, she always made sure she would stay connected. If one of her children had not called in about a month, she would always check in to see if her children were ok. “Her heart is with every one of us when we are away, even when it was expensive to call, she would find a way to contact me” he said. To Madeline her children were her heart. M O N ICA’ S M E M O R I E S Monica is an ethnomusicologist from France who met Madeline around 2018. Monica describes Madeline as a powerful woman with a lot of status and respect, who knew how to make people respect her. When Monica arrived on Mota Lava not knowing anyone at the time, Madeline gave her lunch and spoke with and told her she is family and welcome here (Mota Lava) and can really feel free. This is another example of how she welcomed and was generous with people. YO UG I’ S M E M O RI E S Yougi’s is one of Madeline’s sons. He remembers his mother always saying “any clothes that you wear, you don’t have to throw them away. If you buy something new fold up the old clothing them and store them in a box. Leave it there for months or even years. Then if you need some new clothes, open the box and there will be some new clothes there for you again.” That was Madeline and a way that she encouraged her children not to waste clothing. Yougi tells that if there were people in need, Madeline would take some of the stored clothing and give it to them.
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Ce sont mes mots je suis Madeline C’est ma chanson et mon rêve Tu es ma vie je suis Madeline Aimez tous ceux que vous rencontrez N’oubliez pas de prendre soin de votre maison N’oubliez pas d’aimer ceux que vous connaissez Accueillez tous les étrangers avec le cœur et la main chaleureux Avec amour alors votre jardin grandira Rappelez-vous que les gens ne sont pas de pierre Faire du pain et partager la lumière dans votre maison Apportez des coquillages de la mer et faites un trésor avec moi Enseignez aux autres et partagez ce que vous savez Encouragez vos filles et vos fils Travailler dur et aimer tout le monde N’oubliez pas d’apporter la paix à vos voisins et amis Fais briller ta lumière comme le soleil