'‘When you look behind you, you see the future in your footprints*’
From family folklore, I had a mind of my own very early. This became obvious when I found myself between a very adept older sister and a very cute, well-behaved younger sister. I needed to be noticed. I trust I have softened my stance since then, despite still feeling the need to make my opinions known.
Second-hand clothes made up most of my wardrobe when young, so I was happy to make my own clothes as the years went by. At no time in my life have I been a doyen of fashion.
‘Junior Age’ printed children’s writing on Thursdays and, as far as I remember, there was sometimes a ninepence reward. I haven’t stopped writing! Articles for Women’s Network and Grassroots magazines, various church papers and magazines, the odd book, and finally ‘As time goes by’. There have been a few ninepences along the way but mostly just a sharing of my thoughts.
My final year at High School and also while at university consisted of a class room of boys with a few girls and, hence, I found it easy to have both male and female friends along the way – from walking up the Belmont hill with Bill Grosvenor to having a cup of coffee with Graham Jensen.
Growing up, we were encouraged to be reasonably independent in our choice of interests and in the fulfilment of them. Despite Hobart, Ballarat and Geelong being home while I was growing up, and seven years in Melbourne studying and working, I was happy to be a small-town girl from then on.
This involved the challenge of finding friends, group activities and, later on, some paid work. If these things were not already available in the small town we were currently living in, the option was to initiate something yourself. This resulted in a Brownie Pack, a Hello Group, a singing group, a multi-cultural group and some Indonesian teaching resources.
The footprints are indeed an indication of the person I became.
And when I remember the footprints of our children and now look at their present lives, I can certainly see the correlation and am delighted to do so.
Carmyl Winkler
May 2024
Second-hand clothes made up most of my wardrobe when young, so I was happy to make my own clothes as the years went by. At no time in my life have I been a doyen of fashion.
‘Junior Age’ printed children’s writing on Thursdays and, as far as I remember, there was sometimes a ninepence reward. I haven’t stopped writing! Articles for Women’s Network and Grassroots magazines, various church papers and magazines, the odd book, and finally ‘As time goes by’. There have been a few ninepences along the way but mostly just a sharing of my thoughts.
My final year at High School and also while at university consisted of a class room of boys with a few girls and, hence, I found it easy to have both male and female friends along the way – from walking up the Belmont hill with Bill Grosvenor to having a cup of coffee with Graham Jensen.
Growing up, we were encouraged to be reasonably independent in our choice of interests and in the fulfilment of them. Despite Hobart, Ballarat and Geelong being home while I was growing up, and seven years in Melbourne studying and working, I was happy to be a small-town girl from then on.
This involved the challenge of finding friends, group activities and, later on, some paid work. If these things were not already available in the small town we were currently living in, the option was to initiate something yourself. This resulted in a Brownie Pack, a Hello Group, a singing group, a multi-cultural group and some Indonesian teaching resources.
The footprints are indeed an indication of the person I became.
And when I remember the footprints of our children and now look at their present lives, I can certainly see the correlation and am delighted to do so.
Carmyl Winkler
May 2024
*Topic suggested by Graham Jensen
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