Today I am angry

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I am angry. Are you?

Today, I am angry.

I am angry because instead of celebrating a wedding Stephanie Scott’s family and friends are lost in grief and planning memorials. I am angry that a newspaper felt it was acceptable to make a joke out of a Stephanie’s disappearance. I am angry that her family and friends, whilst going through the most terrifying experience of their lives, were treated with disrespect.  I am angry that I am hanging my wedding dress on my front door in the hope that it will show support for Stephanie’s family and raise awareness. I am angry that violence against women is something that requires awareness. I am aware that women will participate in #PutYourDressOut and their motives will be questioned. I did it because I think we need to show solidarity. I think we need to say “Enough”. I think we need to get angry. Read more…

The Motherhood Peace Treaty: because the war never existed and we need to support each other

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The Motherhood Peace TreatyA few years ago the media was awash with stories about the “mummy wars”. It was cartoonish and one dimensional. The indulgent stay at home mothers pitted against the ball-breaking super women who worked full-time. I am not sure if such a war ever existed. I think pitting mothers against each other is nothing but click and comment bait.

This is what I see when I look around at the mothers I know:  Some work full-time, others part-time, some work from home, some are self-employed, some work within family businesses, some are studying, some give an extraordinary amount of time to school governance, some do not do any paid work, some volunteer.  All of them are fantastic mothers. All of them have good days and bad days. All of them are busy. All of them are trying to figure out how to do their best. All of them love their children dearly and would do anything for them. And we all need a bit of support from each other.

So, in the spirit of supporting each other in the school yard (which seemed to be the original battlefield), this is my Motherhood Peace Treaty.  Read more…

The week my husband went away

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the week my husband was away

This awesome vintage photograph was sourced from the State Library of Victoria’s digital image library.


Recently my husband was away on a work trip. This doesn’t happen very often. In fact, the week he recently spent in Asia is the longest we’ve been apart since we were married. (I know, sorry if that made you bring up your coffee just a little). I do not pretend that my week without my love is anything like the months those in FIFO families experience, but it did give me a teeny tiny window into that kind of life.

Here’s what went down.  Read more…

Easter at my parents’ house – in words & pictures

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Easter at my parents' tableMy parents’ house is filled with things. I don’t think they ever quite got the memo on minimalism. Every nook and cranny is stuffed with an interesting object: a find from travels, an antique, a piece of art, treasures created, found, gifted and bought. Every corner tells its own little story.

When Easter and Christmas come along, more things are added. The house overfills.  Read more…

Value, Identity, Motherhood, Career: This months focus

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Value, Identity, Motherhood, Career

This month I want to focus on value, identity, motherhood and career. It’s something I have been turning around in my mind quite a bit lately. Puzzling out this particular rubics cube. What is my worth when it’s not measured by a predictable pay cheque at the end of each fortnight? What is my identity when I can’t quite articulate the answer to the inevitable “What do you do?”  What is my value to a society that views success exclusively in career terms?  Read more…