June’s session began with a thought-provoking review by Carmyl of Kate Grenville’s recent memoir, Unsettled and a reference to Jacinda Ardern’s recent memoir ‘A Different Kind of Power’ precisely fitting memoir as ‘the narration of our lives in our own terms’.
Photobooth images from the RMIT Gallery’s Auto Photo: A Life in Portraits exhibition led into our icebreaker, where members, in pairs, shared memories of photo booths, first cameras, roaming photographers, and photo shoots.
‘My Other Life’ proved a popular theme, revealing sides of ourselves rarely seen. In Rhythm of Life, Anne reflected on her lifelong love of dance, from childhood ballet classes in Euroa to line dancing and Zumba today. Max recalled his football days in the Longwarry Seconds, while Kathie wrote about her other life as a farmer, sharing how childhood stays on relatives’ farms sparked dreams of “marrying a farmer, playing guitar, and riding horses”.
Tom’s story about his deep love of music stirred memories of ‘Andre Kostelanetz’ and others, while Ray’s account of mature-age study struck a chord with many. James’ reflections on golf and June’s unique sport in the hills near Taminick highlighted the therapeutic value of these pursuits. June described returning refreshed to ‘the real world, where we work, eat and sleep to survive the rat race’, while James called golf ‘an anchor’ amid life’s ups and downs.
Jan, who had worked in offices most of her life, wrote about realising her dream of owning a café. Her Toast Office Coffee Shop thrived in Bridge Street and even won ‘Best Pies in the North East’ from The Weekly Times, despite local competition.
Carmyl’s reflections on her ‘Other Life as Writer’ featured a striking editorial she penned for the Geelong High School magazine in 1953, tackling issues still relevant today. She concluded “I wonder what I would write as a seventeen-year-old today?”
In response to the topic ‘How can I stop from …’, Heather shared her love of collecting things she might use one day, while Neville’s journey to quit smoking—easier said than done—resonated widely.
Robyn’s Memories Treasure Chest reflected on the allure of her grandfather’s wooden ‘Ditty Box’, containing later-discovered treasures including war medals and cherished letters; and the second-prize winning Melbourne Cup sweep tickets found tucked in her grandmother’s drawer.
The session ended on a light note with Barry’s ‘I Was There’ tale, which included a children’s tug of war with a Kenworthy truck!
‘My Other Life’ proved a popular theme, revealing sides of ourselves rarely seen. In Rhythm of Life, Anne reflected on her lifelong love of dance, from childhood ballet classes in Euroa to line dancing and Zumba today. Max recalled his football days in the Longwarry Seconds, while Kathie wrote about her other life as a farmer, sharing how childhood stays on relatives’ farms sparked dreams of “marrying a farmer, playing guitar, and riding horses”.
Tom’s story about his deep love of music stirred memories of ‘Andre Kostelanetz’ and others, while Ray’s account of mature-age study struck a chord with many. James’ reflections on golf and June’s unique sport in the hills near Taminick highlighted the therapeutic value of these pursuits. June described returning refreshed to ‘the real world, where we work, eat and sleep to survive the rat race’, while James called golf ‘an anchor’ amid life’s ups and downs.
Jan, who had worked in offices most of her life, wrote about realising her dream of owning a café. Her Toast Office Coffee Shop thrived in Bridge Street and even won ‘Best Pies in the North East’ from The Weekly Times, despite local competition.
Carmyl’s reflections on her ‘Other Life as Writer’ featured a striking editorial she penned for the Geelong High School magazine in 1953, tackling issues still relevant today. She concluded “I wonder what I would write as a seventeen-year-old today?”
In response to the topic ‘How can I stop from …’, Heather shared her love of collecting things she might use one day, while Neville’s journey to quit smoking—easier said than done—resonated widely.
Robyn’s Memories Treasure Chest reflected on the allure of her grandfather’s wooden ‘Ditty Box’, containing later-discovered treasures including war medals and cherished letters; and the second-prize winning Melbourne Cup sweep tickets found tucked in her grandmother’s drawer.
The session ended on a light note with Barry’s ‘I Was There’ tale, which included a children’s tug of war with a Kenworthy truck!
The theme for July’s session is ‘Change over time’. The topics – ‘My first (or last) …’ ‘My first (or last)…. (car, boyfriend, job, broken heart*, pet ….) – it’s up to you! OR ‘Communication’…or other changes over time…’ Reflect upon ‘change over time’ in communications (or another area of interest and importance to you), describing your observations and experiences of these changes and their impact on you over time.
Bev Lee
