‘This story’s right, this story’s true, I would not tell lies to you’.
These are the opening lines of Archie Roach’s song ‘Took the Children Away’ and the poignant introduction used by David Sly, journalist, writer, author and editor, in a compelling interview with the man himself at Adelaide Writers Week 2020.
Every day since taking the chance to begin freelance writing in 2015, has been a learning experience. For everyone who’s had a desire to write, it takes a leap of faith into uncharted waters and everyone’s reasons on how and why they decided to jump into the business of writing are different. For everyone though, there seems to be a common thread which is the satisfaction of having work printed, seeing it in black and white, and in my case an added thrill when photos are accepted for publication and the ultimate accolade, when they make the cover of a magazine. To be able to hold what you’ve written in your hands in the form of a magazine and knowing that possibly hundreds even thousands of other people are seeing and reading your work is quite mind boggling and satisfying.
The upcoming February issue of Liquid Life and Leisure magazine has a story with very personal significance to me. The story is about supporting communities in their recovery from the devastating bushfires that hit many areas in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia over the summer of 2019 / 2020.
I was glad to be asked to write a piece on this subject, to add to the support that is already out there and in particular to help one of the areas impacted in South Australia, the Adelaide Hills. In mid-2019 I moved from the town of Woodside in the Adelaide Hills, a place where I had lived for more than 30 years. It was where my children were born, attended school, and joined sports clubs. As a family we were very entrenched in the town, as anyone who has ever lived in a rural community knows. It was a big decision to make the move but the timing felt right and we now live in another lovely small community close to the coast, but obviously keep in close touch with many hills friends still.
The carefree fun of caravanning holidays is something that never leaves you, no matter how much older you get it seems. There’s something about eating and living outdoors, especially with a group of friends that have known each other for a long time, which brings out the fun times and the child in everyone.
The 26th of January is currently recognised as Australia Day, a day to celebrate all things we love about Australia, the land, the lifestyle, the diversity, the nature and animals and the people that make this country the place we call home. I say currently recognised, as one day the date may change, a contentious issue for some.
A very Merry Christmas to anyone reading this and thank you if you’ve been following my blog this year or supported any of the magazines that I have been fortunate enough to have had stories published in. On The Road magazine has continued to feature some of my stories and I’m grateful to the Editor / Publisher Gregg Haythorpe and Deputy Editor Sue Wyeth for supporting Aussie writers.
I’ve long been a fan of street art and often go in search of it, especially in cities where it’s easier to find lots of pieces in a concentrated area. You can however find walls in suburbs, towns and the odd standout single piece like silos or water towers adorned with spectacular artwork all around Australia.
