January 26: Reflect. Respect. Celebrate.

January 26. For some a day to celebrate the opportunities of living in a free, multicultural societyFor others a chance to reflect on their own citizenship and what it means to be AustralianFor many, January 26 is a day of sadness, mourning and a reminder of colonisation (National Australia Day Council) For the first time …

The Schools’ Patriotic Fund

Image by Bec T - pixabay A few days ago Australians commemorated Anzac Day. It is a time to remember those who have sacrificed their lives and their physical health and mental wellbeing in the pursuit of peace and freedom. There are numerous books, both fiction and non-fiction, that pay tribute to the soldiers and …

Gaia 2022: The Yield by Tara June Winch

Yield itself is a funny word - yield in English is the reaping, the things that man can take from the land, the thing he’s waited for and gets to claim. A wheat yield. In my language it’s the things you give to, the movement, the space between things. (The Yield - Tara June Winch) Profoundly …

Australian Women’s History – Notorious Australian Women

A few months ago I started a short series on Australian Women’s History. After completing the first three parts, Come In Spinner, Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence, and the Memoirs of Tilly Aston, life kind of hit, and part four has been languishing on my to-do list ever since. My original idea was to explore women …

Historic Toowoomba – Heritage Churches in the City Centre

Not something we'd ever see in Toowoomba! It is not surprising to find old churches regularly listed on historical walks. With their gothic arches, steep roofs and stained glass windows they are incredibly beautiful buildings and even when they are no longer being used as a worship centre, they can make interesting homes, galleries and …

#BookSnapSunday – Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence

I am finally picking up the series I started a few weeks ago about Australian Women’s History. March was dedicated to the contribution and experiences of women throughout history.  Generally the history of women has been ignored and neglected, so Women’s History Month is a chance to set the record straight. Of course, it has …

Glengallan Homestead

In December Bec and I took a drive down to Warwick chasing sunflowers, but we made time to call in to Glengallan Homestead. The homestead has an interesting history as well as demonstrating a unique approach to restoration. Originally built by pastoralist John Deuchar in 1867, it boasted marble mantlepieces, crystal chandeliers and a curving …

Being Australian

Today is the 26th of January. It is also known as Invasion Day, Aboriginal Day of Mourning, Survival Day, Australia Day. It means different things to different people. Some see it as a commemoration of the arrival of the First Fleet. For Indigenous Australians it is a painful day as they remember the impact of …

#BookSnapSunday – Remembering Babylon

More and more now he was haunted by those sheets, seven in all, he had not forgotten the number, that Mr Frazer had folded and put into his pocket, and which he had never seen again; till he was convinced that the only way to save himself from so much racking, and despair and sweat, …

#BookSnapSunday – Australian History

  Since the beginning of Covid 19 my reading has taken a downward spiral. Despite all the extra time spent at home I seem to have had less time for reading rather than more. Being naturally introverted, I initially relished the idea of having a valid excuse for staying home and thought of all the …