Hats off to Hmong headgear
Covering our heads is common in many cultures. Christian women traditionally wore hats to go to church, many Muslim women wear headscarfs. But it’s not just…
Letters from Dundee
Since the age of 10, I’ve had a penpal. Does anyone still use that term? Probably not…but that’s what we’ve been, Caroline and I, for all…
A Gold Coast sunrise
Artists and writers often talk about the quality of light in Australia. It’s different to anywhere else in the world; but subtle is not always a…
Feeling literary
Best-selling Australian author Graeme Simsion was kind enough to sign his second book, The Rosie Effect, for me last night. It was the second time I’d…
Teaching youngsters about culture
One of the delights of attending the Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival, held every two years on Cape York in remote north Queensland, is seeing indigenous youngsters…
The Prison Tree
The boab tree has always fascinated me. This strange, bottle-shaped tree has such an unusual form and each one is unique. Australian boabs are found only in…
A Glass Half Full 