After studying English and Education at the University of York, I have taught in the Channel Islands, Scotland, the Bahamas and Australia. After emigrating to Australia with my wife Sue in 1977 I have taught in Geelong, Melbourne, Portland in South West Victoria. I was predominantly an English teacher but for the last 26 years a Principal.
Since retiring Sue and I worked for a year in an indigenous boarding school in the Tiwi Islands.
I only started writing on retirement, largely inspired by a local writing group, 'Write on Bellarine'. Sue [ who paints] and I enjoyed a month as Artists in Residence in Launceston, Tasmania in 2013.
Apart from writing I enjoy cooking, outdoor activities and all sports. Currently I play a lot of golf.
We have three adult children and 3 grandchildren.
Sometimes the frostbite still tingles
And the memory clicks into gear
After 44 years I still hear the shadowy scream
As Simon flew batlike over my head
...
A new baby
No
More than a new baby
A special bundle of genetic miracles
...
Dare you compare it to a country walk?
Dismissed by some a sadly wasted day,
But this of course is ill informed, the talk
Of those ne’er to have shared the joy of play,
...
Moss, trillions of microscopic leaves,
Carpets rocks and leaves
In the sheltered depths of snake gully.
...
I sat, tense, with increasing horror,
and my mind returned to
my childhood days in the church choir
when, every Sunday,
...