Background

I spent a lot of time in the bush when I was a kid. I grew up in south-west Queensland on a sheep and cattle property and first went to school in our kitchen where my mother taught me by correspondence school. My lessons arrived once a week down a dusty track, tossed off the back of a mail truck, in a faded canvas bag. If it rained, which was rare, the mail truck couldn't get down the boggy road, so school was called off, sometimes for weeks.

Then I was off to boarding school in Brisbane. Fresh out of the dormitory, I spent a year on an American Field Scholarship, living in one of New York's bedroom suburbs.

When I came back to Australia, I studied Economics at university for six months and then explored English and Drama and Psychology and Politics... University of Queensland seemed an inspiring place for exploring what life was about in the seventies. And for finding out about relationships. So, I fell in love, ran away to Melbourne, and after a year at Monash University, I found myself studying a three year diploma course at the Victorian College of the Arts for a professional career in the theatre. With three other graduates, I founded one of Australia's first professional community theatres - WEST Theatre Company - in 1979. Creating and directing theatre became my passion for the next sixteen years.

Photo: Ponch Hawks

Eight years into my theatre career I was searching for inspiration, a new way of seeing. I took up a part-time photography course. That's where I discovered writing.

I'd left it to the last moment to finish a roll of film for my photographic class on Monday night. Early that morning I went to the Melbourne City Baths to do my usual lap swimming. I tucked my camera under my arm just in case I found something there to shoot at the same time. A pool full of older women doing exercises in the water caught my attention. Nervously, I asked if I could take some photos of them. Five years later, I emerged with my first book, Put Your Whole Self In. I am forever grateful to these elders for challenging me to write, for sharing their stories and for teaching me to value my own.

I've now written nine books, five of them with Aboriginal storyteller Boori Monty Pryor. There were many Aboriginal people living where I grew up. I knew very little of their culture or stories till much later in life.

meme and boori Photo: Brian Sollors

Working with Joy Murphy Wandin and Wurundjeri people, the traditional custodians of the land where I now live in Melbourne, and writing books with Boori and his family, helped to educate me in the ways of my homeland, giving me a richer understanding of belonging in this country.

At a glance

:Born in a great flood in south-west Queensland.

the tennis team

:Grew up in the great ten-year drought of the same area.

:Went to boarding school in Brisbane at 8 years old. Missed out on extra curricular activities.

: Lived close to New York City for a year on a cultural exchange scholarship. Caught up on extra curricular activities.

: Cut hair very short at Monash University and tagged along with the khaki generation of feminists.

Essendon Policewomen's Marching Band

: Trained as an actor at the Victorian College of the Arts Drama School. Boyfriend suggested finding something to be passionate about.

: Directed theatre passionately for sixteen years, losing many boyfriends along the way, and changing ideas on feminism frequently. Sustained commitment to passion.

directing The Seagrass Story photo: Ponch Hawks

1992: Published first book, PUT YOUR WHOLE SELF IN.

Died in many places at different times but always lived to tell the story.For the rest, refer to her books, short stories, or just imagine.