The topics? ‘Community’ (April’s topic)- “Write about a community you participated in, taking this opportunity to write about a slice of your life’s journey which may be of interest to your family. It could be a community in which you felt a really ‘good fit’, a community which changed you, perhaps even a community you were glad to leave behind. Share your reflections in 500 words. ” 'Community' can be a geographical unit - a region, a town, a neighbourhood, a street, but it can also relate to a 'community of interest' you belong or have belonged to.
The alternate April topic is ‘Anzac Day’ – The Brief - 'Looking back over your lifetime, write about your memories of Anzac Day and its place in the cultural rituals of your family and the communities in which you have lived, moving from the personal to the political if you wish. “A chance to reminisce about memories of Anzac Day (or Days) which have stayed with us over time”.
‘Long Lost Friend’ (May’s topic) – “Have you ever come across a long-lost friend years after first meeting them? Tell us about the time when you first knew them, how you lost touch and the major changes in your life since, how you met them again, and your reflections on doing so. Are you still in contact? Explain what has happened since you came across them again.” (‘long lost’ could also be a family member).
The alternate May topic is ‘A Friendship Tested’ - "A true friend is there through thick and thin, but not all friendships survive under pressure. Tell us about a time when a friendship was put to the test. Did it strengthen your relationship, or push it over the edge?"
Bev Lee