Category › General
A Small Tale
October 11, 2024
To tell you the truth, I’ve felt a bit embarrassed about Misha. I never thought that I was the kind of person to have a designer-breed puppy, and an “apricot” coloured one at that! Most of my previous dogs have come from dog shelters as adults, and have been a mix of unknown breeds. All…
Climate Emergency?
October 3, 2024
In September 2014 there I was, second row back, marching and shouting for climate action. That same year, I poured all my frustration into writing a short story about Australia’s indifference to the climate crisis. Ten years on, although the political protagonists are no longer Tony Nero and Julia Caesar, I believe that my short…
A Shit Sandwich
September 26, 2024
If I handed you a salad sandwich with a thinly-sliced piece of dog shit in it, would you eat it? And then, if I took the dog shit out of your sandwich and passed it back to you, would you eat it after that? Of course you wouldn’t! Dog shit is disgusting. For me, meat…
Thor the Wombat
September 13, 2024
Thor is a very unusual wombat. In spite of his hypermasculine name and his size, he loves a cuddle! This wombat is lucky to be alive. When he was tiny and nestled within a pouch, his mother was killed by a car. He managed to survive, and was fortunately discovered not long afterwards. The poor…
Sitting Beside Bushfire Survivors: A Personal Account
September 5, 2024
I was one of the lucky ones. Some of us who lived in St Andrews on 7 February 2009 escaped the Black Saturday inferno simply because the wind changed and took the bushfire to others instead. I didn’t lose my house or possessions; I lost no family members. There are many stories of those who…
Not Your Standard Love Story
August 29, 2024
At the start, I confess that I was more enamoured with my new (and first) bikini. It was gorgeous, with a pink floral print and a ruffle that adorned the top and straps. Murray, on the other hand, was extremely annoying. On the beach, he was always parking his towel way too close to mine,…
Beginning a New Chapter of My Life
August 1, 2024
Five weeks ago, a little Groodle pup moved into my life and home. Absolute chaos has ensued. Misha has survived numerous falls on her head, and has made it to thirteen weeks of age, with no obvious signs of brain damage. My house and I have survived her razor-sharp teeth, also with minimal damage so…
Loving Alan Marshall
July 25, 2024
Today I want to pay homage to one of Australias greatest storytellers, Alan Marshall. I ask you, is there anyone out there who DIDN’T enjoy reading I Can Jump Puddles? For me, this book continues to withstand the test of time, and my numerous re-reads as a child and as an adult. And have you…
Changing The Story
July 18, 2024
I can’t begin to tell you how proud I felt in 1989 at the launch of my first published novel, An Uncommon Friend. Perhaps you can see it in my face. For the story I was so keen to share, had been transformed into a book that could be read by others everywhere! It was…
Has the Sun Already Set on Nikki vs Jess?
April 1, 2024
I write this on April Fool’s Day, not to play any joke on you, but instead to tell you that the joke is on me! For I’ve discovered that I’ve been an absolute fool. As you know, I launched my new novel Nikki vs Jess in December last year, and since then, I’ve been doing…