User:Youniversity of Rushworth

Youniversity of Rushworth
In 2009, Andre commenced the Youniversity of Rushworth and appointed himself as the Vice Chancellor. The Youniversity of Rushworth refers to itself as the first spin doctoring youniversity in the world. In 2009 the first honorary spin doctoring degree (BDS – Bachelor of Spin Doctoring) was awarded.

Rushworth is a heritage goldmining town located some 180 kms north of Melbourne.

On the occasion of the 150th celebration of the town of Rushworth, Andre wrote the lyrics and co-operated with his wife Jane in the writing of the music to Rush to Rushworth.

This song was published in 2003 and was sung for the 150th anniversary on the Senior Singers float in the procession. It shows Rushworth then and now in a very positive light. It goes without saying that not everyone cares and not everyone takes time to talk and share. However, putting a positive spin on your town of residence is mostly a good idea. Rushworth has much to commend it.

Rush to Rushworth
There where ironbark forests grow A town was founded so long ago Where gold was found, the load was big Thousands came to search and dig Refrain Rush to Rushworth, work your claim Hope will thrill you once again Rush to Rushworth, place of old Place that’s known for hidden gold. Waranga goldfields, Rushworth, Whroo Sing their praises all day through Bring your children, let them grow Where true country riches flow Rush to Rushworth and to Whroo The air is clean, the forests too Where at night the skies are clear To make the moon and stars appear Due to wise Willoughby and Horne No Eureka here was born Bravely facing 10,000 men No need here for a Kelly gang Where Waranga’s claims were made Lots departed, some folks stayed Place of people, place of gain God does smile on you again Waranga sings, Waranga sighs The Goulburn River gives it life Waranga water, a place of gold A place where some tall tales are told The real riches in this place A people touched by matchless grace Hearts that care and hands that love To bring a blessing from above Rushworth is that people care Taking time to talk and share Country living at its best Place of work and place of rest. A friendly smile, a friendly word Are Rushworth’s riches, have you heard? A place of peace, a place of gain God has blessed you once again. Refrain (2x) Rush to Rushworth, work your claim Hope will thrill you once again Rush to Rushworth, place of old Place that’s known for hidden gold RUSHWORTH! RUSHWORTH! RUSHWORTH! Copyright: Lyrics Andre P F van der Linden Music: Andre & Jane van der Linden April 20, 2003

Andre van der Linden
Andreas (Andre) Paulus Franciscus van der Linden was born in The Hague, Holland, on 3 December 1940, the tenth child in a family of eleven. At age 19 he migrated to New Zealand where he qualified as a primary (elementary) school teacher and a speech therapist. In 1964 he won the Christchurch competitions society aria contest. In this contest he sang a German lieder song, an English folk song and an operatic aria.

He married organist/pianist Jane Marie Pidgeon in 1967 and they subsequently had four children. Paul is currently a high school teacher, David is a senior project engineer, Phil is the senior pastor of an Assembly of God in Donvale, an Eastern Melbourne suburb, while Andrea is the general manager of a medical practice specialising in plastic surgery.

Apart from fulltime work as a speech therapist and high school teacher, Amdre spent five years at the Homai College for the Blind in Manurewa, New Zealand: three years heading up the deaf/blind department and two years as acting deputy principal. He also taught in a couple of high schools (secondary colleges).

On top of full-time work, he and Jane were involved in some 13 years of unpaid part-time Pentecostal church pioneering in New Zealand, prior to taking up a full-time pioneering pastoral position in Glen Waverley (now City of Monash) in the State of Victoria, Australia.

Apart from primary teacher and speech therapy qualifications, Andre also qualified with BA in education and philosophy at The University of Auckland. He subsequently qualified at the Melbourne College of Divinity (affiliated to Melbourne University) with a BTheol and a supervised research Master of Ministry degree. Andre did a Doctor of Ministry through distance learning. Ministry refers to applied theology. Andre is a small ‘t’ theologian and a Jesus follower outside the institutionalised church.

In Australia, Andre pioneered and pastured a number of independent pentecostal churches. In 1998 he resigned from pastoral ministry and became active in advancing the Jesus faith outside the local church context. He spent over seven years battling with the Australian television media to see them respect Christian sensitivities. He believes that the Christian faith is the most persecuted faith in Australia. During these years he and Jane provided unpaid leadership to a number of house churches until 2007. Both Andre and Jane believe in community involvement. Jesus served us so that we may serve others in His name.