Category Archives: Biography

Lives of ‘Gratified Activity’: A quest to unpack the inspirations & motivations of a family of ‘Awakened’ women in settler-colonial South Australia.

Posted on 1 December 2024 by sheg4184

My title comes from the words of South Australian suffragist Catherine Helen Spence, who once described herself as a new woman, awakened to her sense of responsibility to both family and community, that ‘the world may be glad that she … Continue reading →

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Christina & Her Sisters

Posted on 12 September 2022 by sheg4184

These eight, somewhat startled-looking women were all born during Queen Victoria’s reign, in the colony of South Australia. Meet Annie and Clara, Edith and Grace, Lily and May, Christina and Kathleen. All sisters. There was a ninth sister, Alice, but … Continue reading →

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“Go For Launch!”

Posted on 26 August 2016 by sheg4184

Last night was a very special night, and I am still feeling somewhat euphoric. Euphoric and ecstatic, exhilarated and enchanted, thrilled and giddy and elated. I know I probably sound slightly hysterical, and usually my One & Only saves me from … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Food & Wine, Lifestyle, Philippines | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A Modern Fairytale or Cycling Down Memory Lane

Posted on 20 August 2015 by sheg4184

Once upon a time, in a country far, far away – a country as wet as the Philippines but colder – a tall, dark, handsome prince arrived with his fair princess in the land of the leprechauns in search of … Continue reading →

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Mother’s Day in Manila: saccharine or sincere?

Posted on 14 May 2013 by sheg4184

…yet though you dance in living light, I am the earth, I am the root, I am the stem that fed the fruit, the link that joins you to the night. ~ Judith Wright from ‘Woman to Child’ This year … Continue reading →

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Freedom

Posted on 20 March 2013 by sheg4184

As our teenage sons baulk at the various house rules we attempt to enforce, I grapple with the idea of them emerging into a world without parental control, and I often find myself contemplating the parenting of today compared with … Continue reading →

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Of Birds and Beasts and Beaches

Posted on 30 December 2012 by sheg4184

My first morning back in Australia I woke up to the feel of a warm breeze on my skin, the sound of magpies warbling, the scent of eucalyptus on the air and the sight of the hazy purple of jacaranda … Continue reading →

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Walking in the Rain

Posted on 8 August 2012 by sheg4184

When a new friend in Manila asked me to go walking with her at 5.30 a.m., I was aghast. Good heavens, I thought, if I am even conscious that early, I am still hunched over my English Breakfast tea,  trying … Continue reading →

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Body Language

Posted on 8 November 2011 by sheg4184

Today I had to give my fifth speech for Toastmasters International, a club for learning to become a better public speaker. I had it all planned and prepared, and then this morning, over a cup of coffee, I opened the … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Philippines | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Signposts

Posted on 26 August 2011 by sheg4184

Hi! I am a travelling spouse! I recently discovered this label in Manila and it mostly fits perfectly. On a bad day, though, it can make me feel horribly dependent and I begin to wonder who I am when I … Continue reading →

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