How Will You Be Remembered? by Ian Thomas
When I was about five years old a serious ear infection led to mastoiditis, a life threatening malady. This meant a rush to the hospital, emergency surgery, then follow-up operations to clear the bone of infection. I was in hospital for weeks then at home for a long convalescence. It was during this latter period […]
In the Army Now by Ian Thomas
Early in 1955 I was drafted into the Australian Army to undergo my National Service Training, or Nasho as we called it in the ranks. My fellow inductees and I assembled at a pick up point in Brisbane and were bussed to a camp called Wacol out in the badland boonies. The second we stepped […]
Welcome to Provence – Richard Carroll
Vaucluse – Vallis Clausa – “Closed Valley” We walked out of the station sniffing the air. It was the end of April and the Provencal sky had a whiff of mistral about it; luckily the cold north wind that blasts down the Rhone valley to assail Avignon was not blowing. It had been 12 years […]
Elephant Heaven – By Margie Riley
Margie Riley, has just had the most amazing present from her son – and I really do mean amazing! You can read all about it in her account of this most incredible present she received in which a number of family memories were raised and then a visit to an elephant sanctuary to finish it […]
Namibia – Africa For Beginners
Generally when we had holidays or breaks from our work at the Luanda International School, Lotty and I went and wandered around in Angola, since we wanted to come to grips with this fascinating and complex country while we had the chance. But on one holiday, several of our colleagues asked us to join them […]
A Welcome Stranger – By Richard Carroll
The straps of my backpack dug hard into my shoulders as I trudged zombie-like in the sweltering heat. I was hitch-hiking across the island of Crete and had been dropped off in a small village miles from anywhere. A number of houses and sheds nestled the main road, but motorists hardly seemed to notice their […]
A Litter Of Antechinus Babies In A Car Glove-box
Introducing Denise Ravenscroft, who enjoyed the wonderful experience she describes below. You may not be aware of what Denise and her husband are doing, but if you check out her Facebook group or her website you will discover that they are seriously active as conservationists. Links at the bottom of this page. _______________________________________ Why my empty […]
Luanda – My First Days There
Some years ago, my wife – Lotty – and I worked at Luanda International School in Luanda, the capital of Angola, which had just finished a 30 year civil war when we arrived there. Before we arrived in Angola we had been told all manner of horror stories about Luanda and Angola. About how […]
Living In The Country – Killing A Pig
My brother, who lived for a long time in Portugal, sent me this account of his experience many years ago of how he experienced a formal pig killing one day. By the way, he also worked for some years as a Flying Dentist, based in Cairns. “Do you like living in the country?” asked my […]
TALE OF A BOOK – How An Old Book Came To The Right Person.
TALE OF A BOOK Judith Hall We have had our in our possession for some years a small soft cover book about the history of Coorparoo and Stones Corner. We’re not entirely sure how we acquired it, but possibly it was at one of the RNA book sales. I have a friend who lives in […]
