I still remember my first glimpse of the Mooloo property we’d purchased. We’d laboured up the winding dirt track, which narrowed as we moved to the crest of the mountain in our Morris Oxford Panel Van. Through the back window panels my attention had been riveted to the left side of a road that seemed to my young eyes to disappear into an empty void … Continue reading Jump in Sandy!
We children soon tired of unpacking after moving to the Mooloo property in 1949. My Brother Barry and I began pestering parents Eric and Maude for permission to explore our two hundred and seventy acre new property home. With usual parental caution to be careful we were released from tedious work and were soon on our way to the initial grand tour. First port of … Continue reading Flicker
Lost Heritage – The Christmas Bell (Blandfordia flammea) From the dream time of this southland till the settlers made their way To the Wallum* lands along the Sunshine Coast, In their season glorious wildflowers formed a carpet overlay, Things of wonder that the tribesmen valued most. Recent settlers soon discovered that their fragrant Christmas bell Was of value to the Brisbane … Continue reading The Christmas Bell
Elizabeth looked at her new born daughter Gyargyike with a mixture of happiness and concern. It was 1942. She and Andrew had only been in the royal city of Szekesfehervar Hungary for a brief time after fleeing from their ancestral home in Lugos, Romania. In the changing borders of Europe this Hungarian family had found themselves on the wrong side of the new border and … Continue reading Gyargyike
Sitting in the shadows as they watched the corner store In unmarked police car two of them were there Waiting for the woman they’d instructed just before They were watching as the passers by did stare The woman had been dressed up in a modern teenage way It was not the style she’d wanted to be dressed But it was the way to catch him … Continue reading The Internet Lie
Maude darted a nervous grin at Eric as he climbed in behind the wheel. There was a lot riding on this trip. Their three kids were already complaining about being stowed into the back of the van, even though they’d provided cushions for them – they had to accept the old 1949 Morris Oxford van wasn’t the most comfortable mode of transport. They just hoped … Continue reading The Hills of Home
“Tonight we go to the big dipper!” Eric beamed with joy as his children whooped and danced around the room in excitement at this announcement. “We’re going to the big dipper! We’re going to the big dipper tonight!” The children sang as they danced. The family was visiting with Grandparents Adam and Fanny at their retirement home in Margate by the sea, a distant suburb … Continue reading Watch My Form!
Mother stood attentive Blossom knelt beside her bed A startling conversation now in store, Blossom listed her activities in everything she said While Father watched her smiling from the door Blossom blessed her friends and animals and sundry others too And Mom and Dad were mentioned in conclusion The sunny day, the playground and the neighbours that she knew Her earnestness for certain no illusion … Continue reading A Child’s Prayer
While I walk by the sea, turn my gaze to the sky Watch the storm clouds approach from afar, And I watch the sea rage, white caps sending their spray While the ships hasten crossing the bar There’s safety in there as all fishermen know, There’s a shelter away from the gale. And their anchors hold firm while the stormy winds … Continue reading Storm
I’d been assigned to visit educational institutions receiving grants for development purposes, and report to donors all was well with their funded projects, before a continuation of grants could be approved. I was familiar with my next location. My first visit had been on similar assignments ten years previous. In earlier days primary mode of travel through the country was by river ferry or deshi … Continue reading Squandered Resources
