A few years ago Dad (our Collingwood patriarch) was at Darwin airport on his way to visit me in Canberra - he spotted Michael Long* and went up to him “Could you please touch my hand Michael” he requested. Michael looks at him with a bemused/perplexed look. “Touch my hand” my father repeated holding up the back … Continue reading Touching Greatness #BackOurBoys
Musings on Mother
Recently the extended clan gathered to celebrate Mum's 80th Birthday - which inevitably led to some "Musings on Mother" "Friends" Mum once said about us kids growing up (something along the lines of): "It was good when you became old enough to play with and entertain each other, and even better when you were old enough … Continue reading Musings on Mother
Big Name No Blanket – Warumpi Band – A Passing Connection
I lived and worked briefly (10 weeks) in Papunya in 1978 and then later on at Galiwinku (Elcho Island) for approx 4 years 1978-1981 doing community recreation work with the YMCA (starting as an 18-19 year old). So the Warumpi Band has (and still does) always held a special place for me linking my formative experiences … Continue reading Big Name No Blanket – Warumpi Band – A Passing Connection
“More Irrelevancies of a Banal and Rambling Nature” – Laos June 2001
Whilst I was living and working in Laos I would note various anecdotes and collate them in emails which were then periodically sent out to family and friends. Below is one such missive. Sunday 3 June 2001 Due to unprecedented public demand (read: complaints about lack of communication) I have decided to take some time … Continue reading “More Irrelevancies of a Banal and Rambling Nature” – Laos June 2001
The Start
We all have stories that we have accumulated over the course of our lives and that overtime in the retelling, have been refined, either consciously or not, with an element of "Never let a few (forgotten or misremembered) facts get in the road of a good story". I heard this sentiment expressed recently as our stories … Continue reading The Start