With Michael Winkler (fourth from left), author of Grimmish and son of Carmyl, in attendance visiting us from Melbourne, individual members shared reflections on their year of memoir writing.
In summary Ray’s ‘life changing moment’ was an unexpected job offer whereas Heather’s was fallout from an Irish bomb explosion that resulted in a fourteen hour entrapment in a London subway. Bev’s ‘lost and (not) found’ story highlighted the burning of most of her undergraduate lecture notes while she was overseas, while Kathy’s significant focus has been the writing up of her mother’s story. Phil’s highlight over the year has been his participation in and contributions to memoir writing, particularly when he lets loose with his tongue-in-cheek creative bent.
‘One moment this year’ was the Diwali festival and Carmyl and John offered delightful perspectives not covered by the Benalla Ensign. For Carmyl, it was an invitation by her Indian neighbor to a very personal Diwali and, during the onshore festival, John and his wife Sally, were immersed within the light show as they paddled their kayaks across the lake.
Commencing our ‘Right Here Right Now’ stories, Delphina again entertained us with a convincing set of arguments, together with a colorful t-shirt, that no matter how many books one might possess, ‘if it is books, it is not hoarding’. Phil also entertained with his whimsical meditation on getting older, while Neville convinced some of our members, especially this author, that we were indeed getting older as we struggled to comprehend his meditation on time and space.
Kathy, ‘right here, right now’ reflected on the ‘disappearing’ volunteer and concurrently acknowledged her need to let go some of her roles. That would be so if she was to ‘write a book, paint, garden and spend time having a coffee or two with her best friend’.
Also, on volunteering and in the ‘here and now’, community minded Barry shared concerns about regulations currently impacting on small rural volunteer based non-profit organisations. Bev wrote in response to Barry’s story, describing how it had put her into ‘editorial mode’ leading her to research and better understand the issue herself.
With many active volunteers from smaller rural non-profit organisations present, a feisty discussion followed! This was received in good spirit and rewarded with what we might regard as a benediction from Ray.
Ray’s reflection on life without a mother was both emotionally engaging yet also offered insights into personal resilience. Ray’s joy is his family, and his shared wisdom will live on in his children and grandchildren.
Thank you Bev, for a very engaging, entertaining and rewarding year.
Graham Jensen
In summary Ray’s ‘life changing moment’ was an unexpected job offer whereas Heather’s was fallout from an Irish bomb explosion that resulted in a fourteen hour entrapment in a London subway. Bev’s ‘lost and (not) found’ story highlighted the burning of most of her undergraduate lecture notes while she was overseas, while Kathy’s significant focus has been the writing up of her mother’s story. Phil’s highlight over the year has been his participation in and contributions to memoir writing, particularly when he lets loose with his tongue-in-cheek creative bent.
‘One moment this year’ was the Diwali festival and Carmyl and John offered delightful perspectives not covered by the Benalla Ensign. For Carmyl, it was an invitation by her Indian neighbor to a very personal Diwali and, during the onshore festival, John and his wife Sally, were immersed within the light show as they paddled their kayaks across the lake.
Commencing our ‘Right Here Right Now’ stories, Delphina again entertained us with a convincing set of arguments, together with a colorful t-shirt, that no matter how many books one might possess, ‘if it is books, it is not hoarding’. Phil also entertained with his whimsical meditation on getting older, while Neville convinced some of our members, especially this author, that we were indeed getting older as we struggled to comprehend his meditation on time and space.
Kathy, ‘right here, right now’ reflected on the ‘disappearing’ volunteer and concurrently acknowledged her need to let go some of her roles. That would be so if she was to ‘write a book, paint, garden and spend time having a coffee or two with her best friend’.
Also, on volunteering and in the ‘here and now’, community minded Barry shared concerns about regulations currently impacting on small rural volunteer based non-profit organisations. Bev wrote in response to Barry’s story, describing how it had put her into ‘editorial mode’ leading her to research and better understand the issue herself.
With many active volunteers from smaller rural non-profit organisations present, a feisty discussion followed! This was received in good spirit and rewarded with what we might regard as a benediction from Ray.
Ray’s reflection on life without a mother was both emotionally engaging yet also offered insights into personal resilience. Ray’s joy is his family, and his shared wisdom will live on in his children and grandchildren.
Thank you Bev, for a very engaging, entertaining and rewarding year.
Graham Jensen
