The Grot Spot was the affectionate name we gave a small unit I rented for a year in Brisbane many years ago. It was on the occasion of my 50th birthday when I was probably on the onset of a mid-life-crisis – but didn’t know it. Instead I chose to run away from home to a writers’ retreat. In fact, The Grot Spot. It was a wonderful week in which I did many new things, and met a good many interesting people. But I didn’t write one single word.
Year: 2018
National Apology Day
National Apology Day, 22nd October.
Today is the Australian National Apology Day for all those young children, mostly between 6- 14 years, who were shipped out from England after WW2 on the premise they would have a better life. While a good many were orphans, there were also a good many who were simply disadvantaged by having a single working mother whose care was automatically questioned. At best the children were losing possibly their only living relative, at worst they were used as child labour, and possibly physical and mental abuse.
Not only was this a cruel project, it was insidious in its cover of being a kindly act. The parents and children alike had their lives ruined, and these wasted lives have long been forgotten. So, as our story A Long Time Waiting infers, this National Apology Day has been A Long Time Coming.
While this story is one of fiction, it is based on first hand knowledge of true events. And so, while it may not be a story you Enjoy, we hope it Makes You Think.
While we cannot go back into the past, we can ensure that we do not take those mistakes into the future.
A long time waiting podcast released 30th August is particularly relevant on 22nd September, National Apology Day
Children brought from the United Kingdom from 1940’s through 1970 and put into institutionalized ‘care.’
Where’s Fred?
Where’s Fred? our new podcast is a particular favorite of mine. It has turned up in many formats: first in print as part of the CrimeWriter Queensland books, Perils under the Pandanus, it was made into a short film*, performed on 4DDB FM and is now brought to you as a dramatized reading.
It begins with the words, “I remember exactly when I decided to plan my husband,” so there is not too much doubt about the plot.
*A little later in the month I will ‘spill the beans’ on the film shoot. And no, don’t go looking for it, it never made it to the screen, or anywhere else for that matter. (Although a copy does lie deep in the back of an unused cupboard.) But the story of the making of the film was really very funny, and probably worth a podcast of its own.
Time Gentlemen, Please
Time Gentlemen Please: This story is not really about time, or even Rolex.
There was always an irony in the fact that a Rolex watch was often given to retirees after a lifetime of service to a company. At the very time in his life when time is of far less importance. Even so, in some ways, the watch would represent a man’s life. The Rolex itself, prized for its accuracy, also represents the highest level of achievement.
So why not listen to the story and decide yourself?
The Honourable Thing
The Honourable Thing: While this new episode of fastfictionpodcasts is most certainly a contender for TheSpouseTrapSeries, it may well fit into another series – but we leave you to decide. It covers quite a few marital issues – with a surprising outcome that seems to solve them. Even more surprisingly, perhaps, it is true – well mostly!
Synergy
Synergy: 11m25s Maureen Durney and John Cross
One definition of Synergy is the creation of a whole that is greater than the simple sum of its parts. The term synergy comes from the Attic Greek word meaning “working together”.In the garden Synergy is the growing of compatible plants together to produce a better outcome. However this story is NOT about gardening.
We meet an ageing spinster on one ‘dark stormy night’ which changes her life. It could comfortably fit into our CrimeWithoutGrime series, but it is hoped that some of the things covered will also MakeYouThink. Enjoy.
A long time waiting
A long time waiting has been a long time coming.
It is based on not one but many true stories that began their genesis soon after the second World War.
The United Kingdom struggled to overcome the devastation caused by bombing when thousands of families lost their homes. Children lost parents, and all lost some part of their identity.
During the next fifteen years it is estimated that nearly 150,000 children aged 4 to 14 were rounded up as part of the child migrant scheme. Over 7,000 orphans and children from disadvantaged homes were sent to Australia in order to enjoy a “better life.” In other cases, the parents – many of them single mothers were forced to give up their child for adoption. This was due to poverty or social stigma, with the assumption of neglect. Parents and children were encouraged to believe they were going to better life. Parents were told their children had a better chance in life. Yet few had details of where their offspring were sent.
Reality
The reality, for some of those children, was a childhood of servitude and hard labor. They were sent to foster homes: on remote farms, at state-run orphanages and church-run institutions. They were often separated from siblings. Some were subjected to physical and sexual abuse.
Oranges and Sunshine
In 1987 the English social social worker Margaret Humphreys learnt of the truth of this program and let the world know. In 2010 the film Oranges and Sunshine starring Emily Watson was released, and became a triumph in the box office. However it is only now that the children, all now in their seventies and eighties are being recognized as victims and compensation considered.
A long time waiting is a complex story which sits comfortably in the CrimeWithoutGrime, MakesYouThink and even TheSpousetTrap series.
National Apology Day, 22nd October.
Today is the Australian National Apology Day for all those young children, mostly between 6- 14 years, who were shipped out from England after WW2 on the premise they would have a better life. While a good many were orphans, there were also a good many who were simply disadvantaged by having a single working mother whose care was automatically questioned. At best the children were losing possibly their only living relative, at worst they were used as child labour, and possibly physical and mental abuse.
Not only was this a cruel project, it was insidious in its cover of being a kindly act. The parents and children alike had their lives ruined, and these wasted lives have long been forgotten. So, as our story A Long Time Waiting infers, this National Apology Day has been A Long Time Coming.
While this story is one of fiction, it is based on first hand knowledge of true events. And so, while it may not be a story you Enjoy, we hope it Makes You Think.
While we cannot go back into the past, we can ensure that we do not take those mistakes into the future.
The Russian Samovar
The Russian Samovar – MakesYouThinkSeries.
It is said that old age is not for wimps, but the alternative is equally unappealing. So the only thing to do is adopt a positive attitude, gather your resources, and make the most of what you have. This is what Mildred Peebles did, with surprising results.
The Russian Samova covers many modern issues within its 13 minutes of air play. Family relationships, old age isolation, loneliness, friendship – all of these elements are touched on briefly. The original story was actually used as a teaching tool for students in social and welfare studies. Their focus was elder abuse. That may be a little strong but you may like to make your own comments.
Oh, and by the way, as you can see they are a form of teapot, and found in various forms all over the Middle East. They come in many shapes and sizes, but for the most part are not only intriguing, but can be very beautiful in design as well. A quick look in Google Images will give you some idea of the diversity.
16 – and such a long way to go
First – an admission. This was written quite a long time ago. In fact the internet was not the friend or monster it is nowadays. Even so, while the age of the son (or daughter) may be a year or so younger, there is every likelihood mothers still undergo many of the same agonies experienced in this little monologue.
Monthly Update
Over the last four weeks we have submitted four podcasts out into cyberspace, and although by some standards our subscribers are still small, it is a list that is steadily growing.
With the dawning of a new month we will be making a few changes. First the logo will change. It will be simpler and more appropriate to the many platforms on which our podcasts may be found. Your comments and reviews are still welcome, especially the nice one. And of course we would love you to like our new look facebook page,
Listed below are the four podcasts released during the last month.
As you can see from the covers there is a good deal of variety in the stories although all fit the Crime genre. Night Fever is a cityscape of a lonely woman, possible unrequited love, and a horrendous conclusion. While Touche (Tooshay –when an adversary wins an argument) is also set in a city, with an equally horrendous end, our key player is a different type of protagonist, and hopefully considered a likable rogue. Guest House Ghost Story has created quite a stir with comments, as well as quite a few people from overseas taking up the suggestion to use it as an English learning platform. And finally, our last release, The hand, a complex murder/manslaughter/mystery – with the inevitable twist.
A BIG thankyou to those subscribers who have been with us since the beginning of our twelve week journey. And a BIG welcome to those of you who have found us more recently. And a BIG ask that you help us spread the word.
We look forward to bringing you more thoughts, adventures, ideas and experiences. Happy listening.