I’m grateful for my friendships:

In the past week I have been spending quality time with some of my dearest friends and I am truly grateful to those who share my life’s journey with me. I'd like to pay special respects to:
1) KEVIN AND WARREN: I met my favourite boys when I was on the board of Gadigal Information Services, and from the first meeting we just – as they say – hit it off. We all love to laugh and have a similar approach to living life. This week we shared a lovely meal at my fave beachfront restaurant, Pavilion Cafe. A big congrats to my darling friends on their 20th anniversary and to Kev specifically on the release of his first novel Drama Queens with Love Scenes. You can view the book trailer here.
Above is a photo of Warren and I and below is the happy couple together at Maroubra Beach.

2) ALI: I met the lovely Ali when I was on the board of the Australian Society of Authors and she was the personable membership secretary. I think it was about a decade ago and I’m not sure how we became such good friends, but it wasn’t long before we were hanging out with co-ASA staffer Julie (see below). The three of us would meet regularly, taking turns to choose a different restaurant while we caught up. Ali and I also had a standing commitment to meet at the Sydney Writers’ Festival each year before she became a mum. Of course, everyone’s lives change over time, we all get busy and our days get more and more hectic. I’m grateful that last Friday, Ali came up from Wollongong for a slumber party with her gorgeous girl Josephine, and our friend Julie. We enjoyed watching Love Actually, the prefect film for chicks to watch on a Friday night. I’m also grateful for one of Ali’s more famous quotes in the press: ‘Anita has the best legs in Australian literature.’

3) JULIE: My dear friend Julie is a deadly graphic novelist and comic writer (check out her website Black Mermaid) as well as a genius cook. And you all know my skills in the kitchen are generally limited to microwaving eggs and putting chilli in baked beans for something gourmet. Well, I can tell you now that Julie mentored me brilliantly on Friday night as I prepared a very difficult mushroom risotto. I’m grateful that she not only forced me to push the boundaries in my cooking experiences but also for being patient with me. God knows, I wasn’t patient with waiting for stock to cook and then the rice to absorb it. I’m grateful more so for Julie’s similar approach to life to me, perhaps it’s because we are both Leo Princesses, love Lindt Macarons and appreciate shopping for accessories.

4. SONIA: Dear Sonny and I met at the Aboriginal Student’s Centre at the University of NSW back in 1992. She had landed a job there and I was an ex-student who dropped into say hello one day. We somehow became friends and a few times a year Sonny comes to visit. We eat chocolate and other yummy things, go and see Mum, catch up on all the gossip and watch a film. Last night we watched The Taming of the Shrew – Shakespeare Retold it was hilarious! I’m grateful that after nearly two decades Sonny and I can still just hangout and never get bored.
Above is a pic of Sonny and I. And below we have my gorgeous niece Audrey with us. Audrey loves the camera!

5. RAIN PEBBLE: Clearly, that’s not her name but seeing as she refers to me as Dr Sandy Beach, then I’ll refer to her as Rain Pebble here. Do you know those friends you have that seem to lift your mood with a simple, quick phone call? Well Rain Pebble is one of those friends. I’m grateful that this week I had a couple of quick chats that reminded me of the value of taking a few minutes each day to catch up with the people you care about.

What I’m grateful for November 24:

1. BOOKS IN HOMES: I’m thrilled to be a volunteer Ambassador for the Books in Homes programme in Australia. Being part of an initiative that puts books into the hands of Australian students who may not otherwise have ‘their own’, is amazing. Yesterday I was at La Perouse Public School and saw the joy on the faces of every single student as they received their BIH backpack. So excited were they, that the teachers could hardly get a word in afterwards. The programme is successful because of those organisations who sponsor individual schools like the LPPS.
2. South Sydney Junior RLC: A bucketful of gratefulness to the SSJ Rugby League Club who sponosr the La Perouse Public School Books in Homes Programme. I was delighted to meet both Mr Keith McCraw (President of the SSJRLC) and Mr Spyro Spyrou, a Director of SSJRLC. You too can get involved as a sponsor or volunteer by clicking this link http://www.biha.com.au/pages.php?menu_id=02
3. ACCEPTANCE: I’m grateful for finding acceptance on an issue that was causing me trauma – which in lay, terms translated into me eating more chocolate than necessary for one woman in one day! Only problem is I don’t have any excuses now!
4. FILING: I kid you not, today I am grateful that I spent some hours filing: contracts, permissions, bookings, old research notes – my life! I can now (almost) see my desk and my office is prepared for the huge 2011 that awaits me.
5. CRANBERRY JUICE: It goes great with vodka and cointreau! Or just by itself. Either way, I’m grateful for whoever squashes them all onto juice I can buy at the supermarket. Thanks heaps.

Today’s pics taken at LPPS with permission.

What I’m grateful for this week...

1. RA BOOKCLUB: I made my book club debut on Friday, and what an exciting coming out it was! I arrived at RA headquarters in Old Parliament House and a room full of cupcakes prepared by BC member Melissa (pictured above). I had to focus on discussing Manhattan Dreaming while dozens of cakes sat in front of me begging to be devoured. Is this how all book clubs work? If so, then I’d be pleased to visit your book club soon! But let me warn you, the hospitality bar is VERY high. I’m grateful to Kylie (pictured below) from RA for organising the event, and all the staff (also pictured) who came along, having read the book, or soon to read it. I understand it was their first meeting also. If you’re on Facebook, you can join the RA page here. Oh, and you can join my page here...





2. ACT ARTS: Kudos and gratitude to ACT Arts who coordinated with the ACT Writers’ Centre so I could run some writers workshops this weekend. My job involved getting the creative juices flowing with emerging writers, but also to give some one-on-one consults to help set writing deadlines and offer advice on getting published. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share my writing and publishing experiences and knowledge, but more so, I’m grateful for the inspiration I gained myself from the enormously talented future novelists, poets, non-fiction and children’s book authors. At the end of day one, I just wanted to start writing the character profiles of my next book. Alas, I was actually too exhausted to do anything following an intensive day of other people’s creativity.
3. NMA: Thanks also to the National Museum of Australia who hosted the workshop and provided a stunning venue on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin – as well as some of the best scones ever. Yes, writers need lots of sustenance! Special mention of Leanne Dempsey, Coordinator of Audience Development & Public Programs for her assistance in making it all run smoothly. If you can’t get Canberra to visit the stunningly emotional and historically significant exhibition Yiwarra Kuju- The Canning Stock Route then be sure and check out the NMA website in coming weeks where you can read reviews of the exhibit written by workshop participants.


4. SSYC: I’m proud and privileged to be have been appointed the new Patron of South Sydney Youth Services. The organisation’s vision is ‘A strong, connected community that values its members with opportunities and justice for all’. I first worked with SSYS back in the 90s when we did workshops with Koori youth in Minda, Reiby, Yasmar and Mt Penang. In those days there was a small office with an enormous workload and only five staff running various programs. The organisation has grown immensely in the past 15 years, now with over 30 staff, they will soon be in their new building on the same site at Waterloo Oval. This week I visited the building site with SSYC CEO Shane Brown and met the site manager Mick, from Project Corp Australia. We’re aiming for an opening in the first half of 2011. See pics of Shane and Mick above. Moi and Mick below.

5.ZUMBA: I didn’t think I could do it, and I was far from excellent, but I attempted the one, two, three Zumba thing at the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence this week. It really is addictive and I can’t wait to get back there because it’s such a great workout, I don’t feel so guilty when have ice-cream for dinner afterwards!

There’s a lot to be grateful for this week:

1. OPRAH TIX: What a way to start the week. I woke up at 5.30am on Monday to find an email telling me I’d won tickets to the December 14 taping of Oprah and the Opera House. I have to admit it took a minute for it to sink in, but when it did, WOAH! Another degree closer to the Queen of broadcasting! I am so excited, and the envy of too many friends. I’ve never seen so many blackfellas a shade of green before. As a result of the lottery win I also got on the Channel 10 news that evening. If you wanna check out the excitement, you can watch it on-line here. (just scroll list and click ‘Oprah Lottery Winners’) I've been pinching myself every day. I must be the luckiest girl on the planet this week, really.
2. THE LATE SESSION: I’m grateful for the opportunity this week to be part of taping a new program for SBS called The Late Show. Over ‘dinner’ with academic and commentator Waleed Aly, literary hero Tom Keneally (pictured below), deadly muso Lior, cheeky comedian Akmel Saleh and filmmaker, Josie Emery we discussed the issue of ‘identity’ - our own and the national. An interesting experience, you can watch it late night come January 2011.

3. CLEAR CONTENT: I’m incredibly grateful to work with Josh Goodswen and the deadly TV production house Clear Content on a number of potential TV projects. This week I’m grateful they put together my show reel http://vimeo.com/16712362 for me. Thanks guys!
4. DANCING QUEENS: I don’t get out much, as you can tell by my blog, so when I do, it’s a bit of a treat. I was grateful for such a treat on Friday night when I donned my dancing shoes, grabbed a couple of Female Faborigines and headed to the dance-floor at the Bristol Arms Retro Club. A couple of hours busting moves to Vanilla Ice, John Mellancamp, Salt’n’Peppa and Boy George meant my skinny Koori ankles and stilettoed feet both had dancing hangovers on Saturday morning. But it was well worth it. What a workout. Can’t wait for the next dancing queen session.
5. EDITING: I know I sometimes complain about editing when I’m working on novels, but the truth is I love the process of making my work better. The past two days I’ve spent in the office working on final edits of Paris Dreaming which is due for release in April, 2011. I’m, grateful that Random House Australia has always provided me with some of the best editors in the industry. Having said that, I’ll also be grateful when this particular process is over so I can start the new novel, set in Brisbane.

I'm grateful for Australian women writers...

1. MARGO LANAGAN: Tonight I had dinner with Margo, and little did I know (clearly I’ve been living under a rock) that the woman I was wrestling the last piece of tandoori chicken from, was actually the #1 World Fantasy writer. That’s right. Margo has recently won her FOURTH World Fantasy Award for her novella Sea Hearts, published in the X6 anthology by Australian small publisher Coeur de Lion. I knew Margo was a deadly writer having published numerous collections of short stories and novels, but really, I didn’t know I should’ve curtseyed when I entered the restaurant. Needless to say, I let her have the chicken, goodness gracious, she needs all the protein she can get to keep the brain producing all those stories. Kudos to you Margo, my #1 fantasy friend... so to speak!
The pic above has me declaring the #1 status of Ms Lanagan.
2. GEORGIA BLAIN: I first read Georgia’s novel Closed for Winter lying down Maroubra Beach. I loved it and it has been doing the rounds of neighbours and friends since. I haven’t yet seen the movie but aim to when I have a quite night to myself. In the meantime, I’d just like to say I’m grateful for the fashion inspiration Georgia also offers me. She can take a pair of curtains and transform them into the grooviest dress. Not sure what I can do with my venetian blinds though! Georgia and I also share a similar special relationship with our mothers otherwise known as Queen Anne and Aunty Elsie. The pic below is of Georgia, Rosie Scott and I at dinner tonight.

3. ROSIE SCOTT: While Rosie does not like me referring to her as my Elder, and I certainly would never call her ‘Aunty’, I am grateful to my long time friend – playwright, novelist, essayist and anthologist – for all the wisdom she provides on life and literature. I’d like to be a lot more like Rosie when I eventually grow up
4. KATHRYN HEYMAN: Kathryn and I first met at the Byron Bay Writers’ Festival in 2003 over a few glasses of red. The rest is history, and some of should remain ‘unwritten’. But what I love about Kathryn, aside from her novel The Accomplice, is that she is teaching me how to be a better listener. I’m grateful to her for taking the time to talk to me, A LOT, so I can practice the art. It really is a skill I need to develop. The fab Kathryn is below with Margo and moi.

5. LISA BELLEAR: My dear tidda passed away in 2006 but I wanted to mention tonight that I was grateful to know her, spend time just hanging out, share writing platforms with her at festivals and conferences, and be part of her passion for photography. I’m still unhappy that someone pinched my personal copy of Lisa’s poetry collection Dreaming in Urban Areas, but I’m pleased to see that Vagabond Press has published a retrospect of Lisa’s poems titled Aboriginal Country, edited by Jen Jewel Brown. I hope to see you all at the Friend in Hand Hotel in Glebe on December 12 for the launch.

What I’m grateful for in Sydney this week...

1. MY JOB: I’ve spent the last few weeks traipsing around the country-side talking to school kids and parents, teachers and librarians, Rotarians and readers. The only reason I’ve been able to do that is because I am writer by trade – ok, and a damned good entertainer and speaker! Seriously, when trying to encourage students to consider writing – in any form – as a career, I tell them that this year alone, being a writer has taken me to: New York, Atlanta, Paris, Barcelona, Brisbane, Perth, Alice Springs, Adelaide, Melbourne, Mudgee, Deniliquin and Kingaroy. I am grateful that for the hard work of the past 20 years has paid off and that I have the writing life I have. And for those who claim it’s an isolated artform, I don’t know what they are talking about! I’m talking to people all the time!
2. MY BED: Seriously, I slept in seven different beds over twenty nights and the only one I had a decent doze in was my OWN. The next best thing to my own bed is the Sofitel but unfortunately, they don’t have one in Deni or Kingaroy. I am ALWAYS grateful to get back to Matraville, to my own bed, to my six pillows and doona. There is, as they say, no place like home.

3. MY SMARK KIDS: An element of my writing job this year was working with thirteen amazing gifted and talented Koori students in south western Sydney. Together we created characters, settings and short stories. We wrote book reviews and biographies and collectively we / they produced their first anthology of writing. I was so proud to be part of the project and to attend the launch on Wednesday night at Casula Powerhouse. Pics today include me with students and Natalie Pierson, the Twugia Project Coordinator.

4. MY FRIENDS: I’ve had a wonderful week catching up with friends over food (naturally), on the phone, via Skype and email. I’m grateful EVERY day for the richness of my life that comes from staunch, loyalty, reliable, witty, passionate friends, who also like to eat!
5. MY ABILITY TO BALANCE LIFE: I’m grateful that over the years my life-coach / business coach Geraldine Star has helped me reach a place where I can manage a healthy professional and social life. Ok, so I did spend time in the office both yesterday and today, but next Friday I’m having a Moet lunch and getting the hair done! It’s all about balance, isn’t it
6.MUM'S EGG SANGERS: They're the best!

What I’m grateful for in Kingaroy...

1. CAPTAINS PADDOCK VINEYARD: One of the areas local wineries, Captains Paddock was the most impressive place to wake up each morning and chill at the end of the day! I had a split level cottage with a ‘booie monster’ sculptured fireplace, digital TV and vineyards on my doorstep. I walked the rows of vines but the spider webs freaked me out so much I had to change my daily exercise routine by strolling to the Bell Tower restaurant each morning. My hosts at CP - Maryanne and Peter - were so hospitable it was like having dinner, coffee and an afternoon bevy with my own family. Their dogs Zell and Merlot were like siblings and made me feel safe by sitting by my door. I have to recommend a few things from the menu: sticky date pudding, prawn korma, scones with Shiraz jelly. As for the wines, try the rosetta (a blend of merlot and chardonnay) and for a real treat go the 2007 Last Syrah!

2. CROW FM: I’m grateful to Corky at Crow FM who welcomed me into the studio only to be grilled by three students from Kingaroy State High School – Brenten, Jake and Marlo. See pics below of us near the Crow FM van and outside the building. We had fun talking about books, writing, life, growing up and food!


3. PEANUTS: Of course, anyone who goes to Kingaroy has to indulge in what the region is famous for – the nuts! And EVERYONE will tell you the best place to buy your nuts is the Peanut Van I purchased the hickory smoke (the most popular nut according to the vendor), the Mexican delight (they apparently taste like tacos) and chocolate coated chilli nuts. I have to say that for a town that has had an annual Peanut Festival for the last fifty years, I was surprised there wasn’t a giant peanut to be found, like the Big Merino in Goulburn or the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour. All I could find was this peanut (see pic below) only a couple of feet high at the Kingaroy Heritage Museum. I like nuts so I’m grateful I got the best in Kingaroy.

4. MULTI-TASKING: I’m grateful for the ability to multi-task. As you’ll by the pic below, I seemed to have mastered the art while in Kingaroy. Here I am sitting on the veranda of the cafe at Captains Paddock (my cottage is in the background) on the phone, checking emails, drinking my morning coffee and eating scones with Shiraz cream, all at the same time! Don’t really need to do much else do I?

5. RELAXATION: I’m grateful that I found one of the few places where I can truly relax. I was given some tips by Zell the day I arrived. Check out the pic below where he is teaching me how to just lie back and chill. After intensive days in the classroom, I did just that. Just not outside on the grass of course! I was grateful to be able to relax so fully at the end of every exhausting day.

6. KINGAROY STATE HIGH SCHOOL: I’ve saved the best till last, and I want to say now how grateful I am to the dynamic Narelle Knapp and the staff at KSHS for the invitation to run workshops, give author talks, yarn with teachers and parents and meet the local community. I only got to travel to Kingaroy because of the school’s invitation and it was an enriching experience for me and hopefully, also for the students.

What I’m grateful for in Deni...

1. YARKUWA INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE CENTRE: First and foremost I am grateful to the staff and board of Yarkuwa for inviting me to be part of their Wamba Wamba / Perrepa Perrepa Cultural Week celebrations. I was there for story-time with primary school kids, most of whom turned out to be the most delightful kids I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. I even got to yarn with a few toddlers who were so gorgeous I momentarily considered motherhood. Then I had a facial and a nap and snapped right out of it. I was also privileged to give the speech at the Nyerna: Deniliquin Reconciliation Group dinner at Deni RSL. What an inspiring gathering of people. Kudos to Jennifer Townsend and her team for pulling it all together. Overall congratulations to Carlee Rundell-Gordon and everyone at Yarkuwa for a memorable week for locals and visitors alike. Pic above is with Carlee.
2. DENI-ITES: I am not exaggerating when I say that the people in Deni were nearly ALL incredibly kind, generous, hospitable and friendly. There seriously must be something in the water there – oops, I was told not to mention the water – but you know what I mean. The kids were all noticeably well behaved, and the adults beyond helpful. I felt welcome from the minute I arrived by chariot from Albury Airport. With that in mind, I can’t believe I took so long to find my way to Deni. Special mention must be made to my minders Steven Ross and Debbie Flower who provided an endless stream of hysterical commentary.
3. UTES: Did you know that Deni is the ‘ute capital of the world’? Well neither did I. But it is. And I had only just missed out on the world famous Ute Muster that attracts 25,000 plus ‘friggers’ (apparently this is the term used by locals to describe those who attend) from across the globe. It’s hard to imagine what it’s really like so I may have to return to experience it for myself. What I see though, is the public art in Deni that has been created to honour the ute. See pics below of the ‘ute up a pole’ and the ‘mosaic ute’, and yours truly at the entrance to the utemuster site. Just FYI because I know you’re desperate to know: ‘On October 2, 1999, Deniliquin wrote itself in to history claiming the Guinness World Records title for the largest parade of legally registered utes in the world with 2,839 utes taking part. Since then the Festival has reached new heights with over 7,000 utes counted at the Festival in 2008.



4. THE CROSSING CAFE: Not sure how I managed to get The Crossing Cafe mixed up with ‘the courthouse’ but there was some confusion when I was trying to meet up with Steven. Once sorted, I enjoyed the most stunning breakfast of pan fried mushrooms on bruschetta, with spinach and Meredith feta, and the best coffee in town. I can’t do it justice here, so you’ll just have to check it out yourself. Apparently, it’s the place everyone is on the weekends also!
5. DENI NEWSAGENCY: I’m told my book signing at the Deni Newsagency was the inaugural for the local business. I’m grateful to owner Mark for inviting me into his space to meet locals, sell a few titles and ease my way out of down from there. Also thanks to Matt from TAFE who purchased a book for his daughter. There are still a few books left at the newsagency if you happened to have missed out.



6. 2QN’s PAUL DIX: I’m a huge fan of community radio and I was humbled to be invited into the studio with Paul Dix on Radio 2QN. Paul is the longest serving breaky announcer in Australia at the one station and in 2008 celebrated 50 years in radio. It was great to meet Paul, having done a phone interview with him in 2008 when I released Avoiding Mr Right. I’m grateful that he was keen to have a yarn and also plug the cultural week I was there to celebrate.
7. RED RIVER GUMS: What stood out for me most in Deni, aside from the above, was the sense of peace I felt there. I could’ve roamed the parks and along the river all day but I had to work of course. When I did get the chance to stroll I took in the lushness of the main park in town situated conveniently behind the Multi Arts Centre where I was working. I hugged a big red river gum tree – its part of the eucalyptus family. Sometimes a girl just needs a hug, eh?

Some more things I’m grateful for in Hervey Bay:

1. HERVEY BAY LOCALS: I’m grateful to all the locals from Hervey Bay who came along to the RSL club to have a yarn with me on Wednesday, 13 October. Thanks also to Aunty Marie Wilkinson for her generous and warm welcome to Butchella country. I was in wonderful company as seen in today’s pic by Jocelyn Watts of the Fraser Coast Chronicle.
2. JOB SMART: So generous were the locals, that after my speech Robert Garland from Job Smart handed me a donation for the La Perouse Public School. The money will go towards art supplies for our wonderfully talented students. I handed it over today and everyone is VERY grateful.... and excited.
3. GLENDYNE EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTRE : I’m grateful for the opportunity to visit Glendyne with Josie Montano and yarn about writing, storytelling and following dreams. As I stood there talking to both Murri and non-Indigenous students, I was reminded of the joy of working with young people.
4. JEFFREY: I’m grateful for meeting Jeffrey at Glendyne. He wants to be a boxer and I have no doubt whatsoever that he will reach his full potential and all his life goals.
5. HERVEY BAY LIBRARY: I love libraries; I always have, even before I had books of my own in them. Now I have even MORE respect and gratitude to librarians. I really enjoyed my time at the Hervey Bay library where I had the opportunity to talk about the research for Manhattan Dreaming.
6. KEBAB BOY: Apologies for the title, but I cannot remember his name – although he did tell us. Here was a young man confronted with three starving women – two crazy Kooris one irresistible Italian – and yet he was so devoted to mixing a ‘special hot sauce’ for the ‘special hot Commissioner’ that he wasn’t flustered at all by us. Our brief culinary encounter was another reminder of the polite young people in Hervey Bay. Oh, they have great kebabs also.

What I’m grateful for on Fraser Island...

1. KOOKABURRUS: I’m an urban chick. I like lots of people and cars and shopping malls. I like the heartbeat of the city that comes from millions of people on my doorstep. And anyone who knows me knows I’m more of a people person than an animal person. And to be honest, I don’t generally like being woken in the morning by foreign sounds like kookaburras banging their beaks against the reflection on glass doors of my holiday-house veranda. BUT, I admit that I was genuinely grateful for the opportunity to chat to a kookaburra on Fraser Island as my new feathered friend [pictured above]. I think he /she was concussed when he let me stroke his feathers.
2. SIGNORA BOLOGNESE: Our chef from Bris-Vegas, otherwise known as author Josie Montano made cups of tea, fruit pladdas (that’s Josie-speak for ‘platter’), toasted sangers and best of all she came armed with chocolate truffles and books for all. I’m grateful for all her positive energy but also her support for an afternoon nanna nap.
3. BIG KEV: I’m grateful to Uncle - as I call him out of respect - who toured us around the massive island. Did you know Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world? Well it is - 123 Kilometres long, 240 metres high and 184 000 hectares in size. Kev played tour guide and we’ve visited Mackenzie’s Lake, Eurong, Central Station, Lake Wabby and Sandblow.

4. FOUR WHEEL DRIVING: I had a 4-wheel drive for nine years a while back, and never once did I take it off road. It was one of those small funky-white vehicles with a short wheel-base, easy to park and great on fuel consumption. I only had it because I wanted a soft-top. So, hitting the sandy tracks of Fraser Island in a ‘real’ 4-wheel drive was a new experience for me. And WHOA! Talk about rough and tumble. I’ve got discs misplaced, need a hip-replacement, have whiplash and seat-belt marks across my chest. Let’s just say I’m grateful for whoever invented the sports bra!
5. DE-BOGGING BACKPACKERS: I’m not a fan of backpackers, but I do try to do some community service each day. Mine on Fraser Islander was supervising the de-bogging of backpackers on a driving track on Fraser Island. It was a little bit scary as sand flew all directions and bumper bars looked like they might detach themselves from vehicles, but Signora Bolgonese was there with a pladda to calm everyone’s nerves, and The Commissioner smoked cigarettes to calm all our nerves.
6. ELI CREEK: I’m grateful to the two young boys who walked Signora Bolognese and I down Eli Creek, the largest creek on the eastern beach of Fraser Island. Famous for pouring up to four million litres of clear, fresh water into the ocean every hour, walking amongst the eels was one the most adventurous things I’ve done in a long time.
7. MAHENO WRECK: We saw a rusty boat on Fraser Island too. It was once a luxury passenger ship for trans-Tasman crossings and a hospital ship during the First World War. The big boat was being towed from Melbourne to Japan for scrap metal when it was caught in a strong cyclone in 1935 and she – why it has been given the female gender I’m not so sure - eventually drifted ashore and was beached on the eastern shores of Fraser Island. What I’m really grateful for is that we didn’t hit a backpacker running in front of our vehicle wanting to get their photo taken in front of the wreck. Of course WE managed to get OUR photo taken!
8. DINGOS: I was grateful to see the local native animals in the flesh, some with a little too much flesh for my liking, and I desperately wanted to feed them although it’s illegal to do so. I heard stories that the sandy coloured wild dogs on the sandy island used to just roam amongst the tourists at the Kingfisher Bay Resort back in the day, before the dingo proof fence. I reckon that’s how it still should be.

9. EUROLIE : OK, so I’ve found the place I want to set / write the next novel. Here at Eurolie! The perfect setting for creative inspiration. If you’re planning a trip to the Fraser Coast, I recommend this holiday rental for honeymooners, families, and believe it or not, it makes the PERFECT writers’ retreat!! Be sure and tell the owners Anita sent you! And for a small fee I’m sure Signora Bolognese and The Commissioner can be part of your entourage. I always want them in mine!