I wrote my father’s eulogy 14 months before he died
I wrote my father’s eulogy 14 months before he died. At least in part. It was a poem. I wrote it to let him know how much I loved him, while there was still time. I shared the poem with … Read More
My father’s World War II army service: Completing the puzzle
Most of what I know about my father’s World War II army service I’ve learnt since his death in 1999. My father rarely spoke about his wartime experiences. Growing up, I knew very little about what he actually did during … Read More
Welzow angels: The reunion in Cottbus (Part 2)
This story is about a three-day sojourn my husband and I had in January last year at Welzow, the home of one of our “snow angels” (Silvia). It’s the second part of a two-part series. The first part, Snow angels … Read More
Four of six Lowe Family siblings fall victim to tuberculosis
In Victoria between 1907 and 1923, four, possibly five, of the six siblings of the Lowe Family died after contracting tuberculous. All were young adults, in the prime of their lives. The first, in 1907, was a female, 23. The … Read More
Donald William Beaumont: A grandparent I thought I knew
Some of us have the privilege of meeting and getting to know our grandparents. I was fortunate to meet all four of my grandparents and to get to know each one, to some extent, even from afar. This story is … Read More
My mother’s 1949 spiced meatloaf: Home cooking in post-war Australia
Recently I tried my mother’s 1949 spiced meatloaf recipe. It’s a good example of home cooking of that era. I used her old mechanical meat mincer to produce the mince for the meatloaf. The mincer worked perfectly, and the meatloaf … Read More
Thelma Baker’s Honey Pie
In my recipe collection, I have an old-fashioned honey pie recipe. It’s the only recipe in my collection attributed to “Thelma Baker”. Every time I make this sweet pie, I think of her and thank God I had the pleasure … Read More
The Moura café and a family history puzzle
Last year I discovered images of a Moura café in my late father’s slide collection. These images date from the early 1970s. The collection also includes images of several other sites in and around Moura. As I reflected on that … Read More
My mother’s years in the WAAAF (Part 2): Rockhampton
This story is an Anzac Day tribute to my late mother, Evelyn Proposch (nee Beaumont), who was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) during World War II. It’s the second part of a two-part series. The … Read More
Why my father’s 1952 letter means so much to me
In your family archives, do you have an old letter or two? I do. One is a 3-page letter dated 13 March 1952 my father wrote to my mother, brother and me. I would recognise my father’s handwriting anywhere. Seeing … Read More
How to tell your father you love him
Do you find it difficult to tell your father that you love him? Do you want to tell him while there is still time? This was my problem, 19 years ago. My father was in his late 70s and terminally … Read More
Easter in Germany: Sorbs, Wends and Easter eggs
Have you heard of the Sorbs or Wends? Who are they? What is unique about these people? How do they celebrate Easter? What is special about Sorbian (or Wendish) Easter eggs? This story introduces you to the Sorbs and Wends, … Read More
Fruity Baked Pork Rashers
Fruity Baked Pork Rashers is about pork and how Australian meat preferences have changed over the past 50 years or so. It features an easy recipe for cooking pork rashers, which you’ll find at the end of the post. The … Read More
How can one describe a death as precious?
In 2011 I had a revelation. It was Saturday 29 January. I knew I would be preoccupied the next day, so I decided to do Sunday’s Bible reading on Saturday evening. The set passage was Psalm 116. As I read … Read More
Fail-Me-Never Steamed Pudding
This post, which features Fail-Me-Never Steamed Pudding, is all about puddings. It includes puddings my grandmother and mother made as well as my favourite puddings. Fail-Me-Never Steamed Pudding is one of my favourites (as you will discover). I remember my … Read More
