This week I have written the story of a woman who has always lifted my spirit and offered me a fresh view of possibilities. By the first Friday of April, I expect to be in Cambodia in a brief return to Battambang and beyond. Please notice that I am a day early with this posting; my challenge will be to have the posting from Cambodia no more than a day late!
The audio for this week is about Battambang back in the time of war.Archives of Audio Recordings and Photos – click here
Writing for Raksmey Audio and Photos – click here
Under The Fig Tree
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this site may contain names, images and/or voices of people who have since passed away. We wish not to cause any offence.” I met her under the fig tree where, in 1997, friends gathered in the backyard of the small house in Thornbury. She would…
To Be a Teacher
In a far distant time, in this city of Melbourne and State of Victoria, there was a high-pressure campaign to recruit teachers. The year is 1950. Joan Healy is 15 years old. She travels to her secondary school my tram. Standing in the crowd, strap-hanging, this tall, shy, awkward young girl is at eye level…
For Peace Sake
War-torn Battambang town in the early nineteen nineties was a place of violence. Weapons of war were everywhere. Early one morning as I sat sipping my usual cup of coffee at the little tin table near the market a Cambodian boy, perhaps 16 years old, slumped down beside me, put his AK 47 and rocket…
Stories and Musings 