With our collapsing democracies and imploding biosphere, it’s no wonder that people despair. The Austrian psychoanalyst and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl presciently described such sentiments in his book Man’s Search for Meaning (1946). He wrote of something that ‘so many patients complain [about] today, namely, the feeling of the total and ultimate meaninglessness of their lives’. A nihilistic wisdom emerges when staring down the apocalypse. There’s something predictable in our current pandemics, from addiction to belief in pseudoscientific theories, for in Frankl’s analysis, ‘An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal behaviour.’ When scientists worry that humanity might have just one generation left, we can agree that ours is an abnormal situation. Which is why Man’s Search for Meaning is the work to return to in these humid days of the Anthropocene.
By Aeon. Cross-posted from Alternet - What Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy Can Offer in the Anthropocene
Bill Crews documentary A War of Compassion screening in Sydney tonight 3 March ...
Daily Telegraph-27 Feb 2020
For almost half a century Bill Crews has devoted his life to those living rough on the streets of Sydney, abandoned youth and anyone in need of ...
SORRY WE ARE SOLD OUT. A gritty two hour documentary on the mind, spirit and turmoil of the remarkable Rev. Bill Crews. His lifelong fight for those in need. Any profits from the night go to Exodus ...
ONE-OFF DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE SCREENING TUESDAY 3 MARCH 2020
Rev Bill Crews: the spirit and turmoil of a remarkable man
Rev Bill Crews: the spirit and turmoil of a remarkable man
A new documentary A War of Compassion chronicles an amazing journey of over 40 years, from the streets of Kings Cross, to the homeless of Ashfield, to an untested future.
The inspirational, straight-shooting founder of the frontline charity, the Exodus Foundation, has been on the ground and on the streets with the homeless and needy for almost half a century.
At 75 and an Australian living treasure, his own War of Compassion faces a personal and spiritual crisis. Having battled through the past, he struggles through the present and wrestles with his own sanity and the future of those in need. Filmed over six years, we see his fights against non-believers, the church, bureaucrats and even his own organisation. Ultimately it’s his compassion that shines through. “I try to lift people up and give them the full honour they deserve,” says Crews.
Advertising legend and racetrack rogue John Singleton has been a supporter of Bill Crews for decades. Once again, the larrikin entrepreneur is seen, helping his mate when it matters. “You can’t help but follow Bill’s lead: he’s the most selfless bloke I have ever met in my life,” says ‘Singo’.
The filmmaker Warwick Moss is likewise a fan and a follower – with a palpable ‘but for the grace of God’ connection to Reverend Crews and Singleton.
All appear in the film.
All appear in the film.
“I had fewer assets than many of the homeless people we filmed,” says Moss.
Six years ago he was broke and went to Singo for advice. With characteristic Aussie humour, he was sent to see Bill Crews, whose Exodus Foundation cares for the homeless. Moss began filming straight away – but soon realised Crews was the bigger story.
Inspired by the lifelong War of Compassion waged by the remarkable Bill Crews, this film is an important chronicle of a unique man at yet another cross-road in his life.
SCREENING
A Premiere Screening of ‘A War of Compassion’ will be held at Event Cinemas George Street Sydney on Tuesday 3 March 2020 at 6pm.
Running time 2 hours – with an intermission break.
It will be attended by community leaders and politicians along with homeless and needy guests.
A Premiere Screening of ‘A War of Compassion’ will be held at Event Cinemas George Street Sydney on Tuesday 3 March 2020 at 6pm.
Running time 2 hours – with an intermission break.
It will be attended by community leaders and politicians along with homeless and needy guests.
Singo sings Crews’ praises
A former Fort Street High footballer, better known as adman John Singleton, was busy this week delivering his five-point plan to save rugby. Next week he’ll be devoting some of his legendary energy to a different cause: the red carpet premiere of the documentary about his mate Reverend Bill Crews, in which he also stars.
A few years ago the 78-year-old advertising legend was approached for advice by actor Warwick Moss,
who had fallen on hard times. Singo sent him to Crews, whose Exodus
Foundation cares for the homeless. The foundation's free Ashfield eatery
Loaves and Fishes was set up with the ad man’s largesse following a win
at the racetrack. Now Moss has made a film about Crews, the 75-year-old
national treasure, which will premiere on Tuesday at Events Cinema,
George Street.
Filmed over six years, A War of Compassion, follows Crews and offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at his relationship with Singo. “You can’t help but follow Bill’s lead: he’s the most selfless bloke I have ever met in my life,” says Singo.
Imagine if we were all like Bill Crews - ABC Religion & Ethics
Rev. Bill Crews – The Exodus Foundation
Bill Crews. Rev. William David Crews
was born in England in 1944 and educated in Australia. He studied
Electrical Engineering at the University of NSW under a scholarship
provided by A.W.A. and then worked with A.W.A in microelectronic
research studying the properties of silicon.
Bill Crews | Harm Reduction Australia
Bill Crews.
It was in 1970 that I first began working with drug addicted people in
Kings Cross, Sydney, Australia. So, for the past 45 years, I have been
working, ...
Bill Crews - Home | Facebook
2018: ENTREPRENEUR John Singleton can't wait to tuck into some roast turkey and crack bonbons with family and friends this Christmas.
But what excites him most about the day is the opportunity to give back. "Singo" will spend Christmas volunteering at his Loaves And Fishes Restaurant in Ashfield, where he will also donate 1000 hampers and 1000 food vouchers to those in need.
"To think on Christmas Day that some people have no food, in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, it's impossible not to do something," he said.
"So we're putting on a Christmas lunch for those in need.
"We're giving out hampers too, with essentials like baked beans, milk, spam, socks and jocks, all the simple things people take for granted." Mr Singleton co-founded Loaves And Fishes with close friend Reverend Bill Crews in 1989 and ever since the pair have been passionate about helping those in need.
"Singo's a good man. Decades ago, he won big at the races," Rev Crews said. "He asked me what I'd do with the money. I said I'd open a soup kitchen. So the next day, he did just that." Thousands of people are expected to attend this year's Loaves And Fishes Christmas lunch, but the day is about far more than just a free meal.
"We get people who are very lonely, disturbed, disabled and needy," Rev Crews said.
"People who have nowhere else to go. We all come together and you end up making friendships for life." Mr Singleton said he has been amazed by the generosity of all those involved. "It brings the best out in everyone, it inspires people to do good acts. "Every little bit helps."exodusfoundation.org.au
2013: Friends and foes of SINGO
Jennifer Sexton
In the great tradition of the lovable Sydney troublemaker, John Singleton has had a lifetime of dust-ups and love-ins, with horse trainer Gai Waterhouse the latest to cop his explosive temper. Jennifer Sexton looks at the friends and foes of the man who put the ocker voice in advertising and went on to make a $320 million fortune, including a $100 million horse stud
FRIENDS GINA RINEHART: The world's richest woman met Singleton as a girl when he used to share barbecue chickens with her dad Lang Hancock. He describes her as "fair, reasonable, lovely and very polite", and knows nothing of the "cold and ruthless" person portrayed through her court fight with her children over money. They've recently joined forces to get her a seat on the Fairfax board
GERRY HARVEY: Best mates for 40 years, the relationship has survived big business deals such as the co-ownership and then split of the Magic Millions, as well as dust-ups over Singleton wanting to marry Harvey's wife, Kate Page. "Thankfully, she's taken my side," Harvey says
RAY HADLEY: Apart from the talkshow host's opposition on refugees, Singleton loves Ray and the feeling is mutual, with the pair regularly signing off phone calls by saying: "I love you mate"
REVEREND BILL CREWS: The Exodus Foundation minister has had visits from Singleton in his hallmark Bentley, drunk from the races and wanting to donate his winnings. Crews has counselled Singleton through some regrets in life, assuring him God does love him, just like he loved King David, "the biggest bugger in the world"
OTHER FRIENDS MARK CARNEGIE: Investment banker and business partner on pubs, Banjo advertising, Fairfax and last year's failed play on Qantas
RUSSELL TATE: Boss of majority Singleton-owned Macquarie Radio Network
ALAN JONES: 2GB talkback host
JACK COWIN: Hungry Jack's founder
BOB HAWKE: Former prime minister
FRIENDS WHO WERE FOES GEOFF DIXON: Inherited Singleton's advertising company at Ansett and quickly got rid of him. Singleton threatened to "throw him out the window", saying on television: "The only good thing about Geoff Dixon is his wife." As marketing boss at Qantas, Dixon rang Singleton: "If we can get the knives out of each other's backs, would you be interested in looking at the business?" The patched-up partnership gave birth to the Still Call Australia Home campaign and they now share investments in pubs and made a thwarted play on Qantas, selling out for $18 million in January. Dixon is now part of the Singleton inner sanctum, so close that it has cost Dixon another mate, Qantas boss Alan Joyce
KERRY PACKER: The two went to war over Singleton's advertisement for a women's magazine that attacked Packer's Australian Women's Weekly, dubbing it "weakly". The billionaire publisher told him on the phone: "If you want to stay in business, drop it. It's not a threat, it's just good advice." He got Singleton's advertising accreditation withdrawn and put him out of business for a month, before the two patched it up over beer and Fantas. Before he died, Packer told Singleton: "There are only two people I trust to manage my estate, and that's you and Lloyd Williams. I am going with Lloyd because you drink too much." FOES ARI MERVIS: Boss of SABMiller whom Singleton blames for halving the sales of Bluetongue, the Aussie beer Singleton bought into in 2006 and poured his marketing heart into
SIR MARTIN SORRELL: Media mogul spectacularly fell out with Singleton over their joint venture in the marketing empire STW Communications Group. Singleton accused Sorrell of being more interested in dudding him than making money and is still unable to stop swearing whenever Sorrell's name is mentioned
ALAN JOYCE: Qantas boss
SAM CHISHOLM: Media executive
PERSONA NON GRATA EDDIE HAYSON: Brothel owner and gambler whom Singleton met about a decade ago, but refused to associate with because of his line of work. Insiders say Singleton "blew up" when he discovered Hayson was part of the chatter about the health status of More Joyous prior to the horse running second-last in last weekend's race that triggered the feud with trainer Gai Waterhouse
John Hatton, Bill Crew were at the symposium with Stephen Hill at the Temple on Easter Monday in 2019
John Hatton, Bill Crew were at the symposium with Stephen Hill at the Temple on Easter Monday in 2019
Nan Tien Temple | Southern
Paradise
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We can Make A Difference, we
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A Conversation with an
Australian Living Treasure (Part I) - Kellie Tranter
Imagine if we were all like
Bill Crews - ABC Religion & Ethics