About me
Backpacking through Africa in 1984 heralded a turning point in my life. My career as a physiotherapist was put on hold to travel. When I arrived in Greece, later on the same trip, I was enchanted the moment my ferry from Italy docked in Patras. I decided to live in Athens for seven months and started to learn the Greek language.
It was while I was living in Athens that I became serious about writing and did a course in short story writing with the London School of Journalism by correspondence. In the days before emails, Zoom etcetera. I had to post my manuscripts to England and wait for the tutor’s mailed reply with their feedback.
After Athens, work as a physio for two years back home gave me some means to continue following my dreams. I returned to Greece, living in Thessaloniki this time, for two years from 1987 until 1989. An intense Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course in London qualified me to teach English to bring in some money.
Writing has always been a part of my life. I wrote a book as a teenager (not published!) However, when I was offered a Primary Healthcare Research, Evaluation and Development (PHCRED) fellowship through Monash University in 2009, I launched into an academic career. I completed my PhD by publication focused on optimising the mobility of older people in residential care in 2014. (Still writing but writing of a different kind). I cared deeply about optimising older people’s independence and dignity.
But my true passion has always been creative writing. An award in what was the Allan Marshall Short Story competition (now the Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Writing) in 2015 gave me heart, but there was more academia in me. After completing a BA, majoring in modern Greek and philosophy, my honours year morphed into a master’s philosophy degree.
Finally, I will leave the academic world behind. I am ready and will have plenty of time to write creatively once again!
My Passion
I’m inclined to say that I have no goals; that I am a follower of opportunities. But I acknowledge that those opportunities do not always arise without some effort on my part. Perhaps its a combination; applying effort in certain directions – more and more, ones that inspire – but also embracing the continual – sometimes unexpected – unfolding of life.
I am a project person rather than someone with goals. And there is a streak in me that must see a project through to its end. There are no obstacles; just challenges. Setting up my personal website is one such project (in process!). My memoir is my current writing project. I would like to see it published. I would like to convert my award-winning short memoir from 2015 into a publlished form; and my book of poems. There will be pages on this website showcasing them in the not too distant future. I wanted to teach Modern Greek language at University of the Third Age (U3A). I now do that (see the Nillumbik U3A website). I wanted to have a cohort of fellow writers to meet regularly. I now have that; I coordinate a Writers’ Workshop, again through the Nillumbik U3A, where the idea is for everyone to have a project, or to work towards finding what will inspire their own project process. No pressure!
One of my main goals, now I think about it, is to be relaxed, present and aware at all times. This is what my spiritual teacher encouraged. Challenging! The other is to enjoy life and to ensure that I do no harm in the process. Wishing nothing but the best for others seems to make my own life more joyful!
Like many, I love travel and the outdoors. I care deeply about people and am passionate about person-centred health care. However, two other passions have been constant throughout my life; a curiosity in matters spiritual (for want of a better word) and writing creatively. These passions are complementary; writing can be hard work (except when I’m in a flow) while my spiritual path helps me maintain an even keel, seeing what really matters in this one life I have. Within this mix, where I cannot say what I am most passionate about, relationships are central; my family, close loved ones, friends and others with whom I collaborate.
My Goals
I’m inclined to say that I have no goals; that I am a follower of opportunities. But I acknowledge that those opportunities do not always arise without some effort on my part. Perhaps its a combination; applying effort in certain directions – more and more, ones that inspire – but also embracing the continual, sometimes unexpected, unfolding of life.
I am a project person rather than someone with goals. And there is a streak in me that must see a project through to its end. There are no obstacles; just challenges. Setting up my personal website is one such project (in process!). My memoir is my current writing project. I would like to see it published. I would like to convert my award-winning short memoir from 2015 into a published form; and my book of poems. There will be pages on this website showcasing them in the not too distant future. I wanted to teach Modern Greek language at University of the Third Age (U3A). I now do that (see the Nillumbik U3A website). I wanted to have a cohort of fellow writers to meet regularly. I now have that; I coordinate a Writers’ Workshop, again through the Nillumbik U3A, where the idea is for everyone to have a project, or to work towards finding what will inspire their own project process. No pressure!
One of my main goals, now I think about it, is to be relaxed, present and aware at all times. This is what my spiritual teacher encouraged. Challenging! The other is to enjoy life and to ensure that I do no harm in the process. Wishing nothing but the best for others seems to make my own life more joyful!