Only the past goes fast, even for poets, musicians and thespians. With all our goals and plans, it is still when we look back—at what we’ve done, who we were with, and where we’ve been—that we try to thread these beads of memory into a living story, a necklace of sorts. A story we fashion into the very clothes we wear, shaping who we are as we brave the world… or not. 

Memories of studying music and drama at the Elder Conservatorium of Adelaide, and drama at Adelaide University. Memories of travelling to the Northern Territory as an Artist in Residence. Of moving to Alice Springs to work as a Lecturer at Batchelor Institute. Of founding italk Studios—to use storytelling and animation to share important information, in any language. And memories of travelling to Iceland to perform Underworld Theatre. 

My mother, Mildred, died at age 102 in pretty good health and fine spirit. My daughter, Beatrice, was born in the bathroom of our home—Garden Palace Studio, East Side, Alice Springs—where I still live. Beatrice is now 32. Only the past goes fast.