Back in time

I am an Australian artist, poet, Granma, actionist, who has worked for over thirty years in the arts and with the indigenous people of Australia.
During my time in the Noosa Shire, I was first president and one of the original founders of the very successful Noosa Regional Gallery. In 1991, I received my OAM for both my work for the arts and my work with indigenous people - In March 2003 I returned my OAM to the government in protest against our involvement in Iraq.

Early 2000, knowing nothing about the Internet, suffering from chronic back trouble, and also knowing my days of working, where bending and lifting were required, were coming to an end, I decided to set up a website. I wanted to sell indigenous products and found an amazing webmaster in England, Christopher, who offered to teach me his craft via the Internet. But, alas, I quickly acquired the name “Drongo” for the many mistakes I made. I’m glad to say Christopher never gave up on me.

November 30 2000, my third grandchild Caitlin Jean was born. Next day as I looked at her for the first time, I realised my son, Jay, his wife Cherece (Caitlin’s parents) and all our families would do everything to keep her safe and happy. I also realised it was not her family who would be deciding her future but the world leaders. Thinking about the decisions made by some so-called world leaders frightened me so much:

I made a promise to Caitlin there and then - I would work the rest of my life to make it a better world for her and all children by the year 2015.

Meanwhile, networking with people around the world, I found Yahya Sayed, from Afghanistan, a young graphic arts student now in Pakistan. Yahya had made a very powerful short film about Afghanistan. He wanted to make one of my poems into a little film.

July 16 2002, I wrote that poem - One Mind One Voice

...next...... One Mind One Voice poem