THE PLEASURE OF TURNING THE CLOCK BACK Cars were rare in the small coastal town where I spent my early years. When we free range kids noticed one heading our way the cry “Car! Car! Car!” would go up and the gang would rush to the road to stare as it tonked past. We savoured a breath of exhaust fumes, a welcome change from our fresh sea air. They were the immediate post war years as the nuclear and second Elizabethan ages blended with the Cold War and the end… Read more CAR FREE – CARE FREE: Roger Garwood →
The introduction and first use of Voluntary Assisted Dying laws in WA in July 2021 is encouraging wider discussions about death. Two Fremantle Writers – Danielle Haigh and Terry Finch – share experiences of the importance of grieving as a part of life. Our aim is to make these discussions less taboo. If you would like to share your experiences please send them to editors@fremantlewriters.com.au Resources for more information health.wa.gov.au http://www.legislation.wa.gov.au healthywa.wa.gov.au Laura’s Choice, ABC iview Better Off Dead podcast with Andrew Denton Incurable podcast. Rhonda Bjelan and her son… Read more LESSONS OF DEATH →
It’s Australia Day 2016. I’m in a Margaret River Airbnb on the second day of a 10-day holiday with my American friends when my sister calls from interstate telling me Dad has been admitted to the High Dependency Unit (HDU) of the local hospital. I’m panic-stricken; although I know no one lives forever, I can’t imagine my world without my father in it. Somehow, in spite of my racing pulse and sweaty palms, I manage to stay calm and ask if I need to get to Perth and on a… Read more DAD: Terry Finch →
“Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it.” – Haruki Murakami Debates related to Voluntary Assisted Dying challenge mindsets and inspire us to question established ideas and whether they are relevant. Life can do that as well. Our family had a six-year experience of grief, beginning with the loss of my father-in-law Ron in early 2013 and concluding with Mum’s death in 2019. It was relentless in its teachings, but not all sad. There was laughter and plenty of love along the way and grief you… Read more SIX YEARS TO SAY GOODBYE: Danielle Haigh →
Colin Nichol remembers a friend from another world. Once upon a time in a faraway magical place of ancient walls and castles, fortresses and secret tunnels, I stayed with friends who had a dog and a cat. We lived together in a large apartment on the edge of the city centre and everyone except the animals spoke German, French and the local dialect, sometimes all of them at once. The animals spoke only French. The cat was named Patate, the city was Luxembourg, capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg,… Read more A ONCE UPON A TIME CAT: Colin Nichol →
