Last Friday I got up veeerrrry early in the morning, and drove ‘home’ to Corrigin (I divide my time between there and here, in the Southwest, because school for the Murphlets and work for me are here, and work for my beloved is there). Anyway, I digress. My journey this time had little to do with my beloved, though I was lucky enough to have coffee with him as soon as I arrived and before I got down to the business of the day – lunch. And what a lunch!
Dining Divas was organised by a committee of local amazing women, for local amazing women, and featured three amazing women (one almost local and two less local) as speakers. As part of Corrigin’s centenary year festivities the lunch was a celebration of friendship, fine food and fun, and with 150 women in attendance, there was lots of noise and laughter. But there was also a really inspirational program of speakers.
Caroline Robinson, from Narembeen (just down the road) was the 2011 Rural Woman of the Year and a perfect opening speaker, not only sharing her own experiences but also reminding us of the importance of supporting and seeking out the support of other women. Estelle Blackburn,currently from Canberra, spoke about her experiences helping John Button and Darryl Beamish overturn their wrongful convictions – inspiring us with her determination to right an injustice. The final speaker for the day was Una Glennon, who travelled from Perth her husband Dennis and shared her journey through grief, and beyond.
I was lucky enough to be the MC for the day – a new experience for me – and one which terrified me beforehand. It was a real honour to be able to introduce each of these women, and to get to talk to them personally as well. It was also wonderful to catch up with friends and to meet new ones as well.
It was an exhausting day but I came home inspired. I want to be hard working like Caroline, a fighter like Estelle and strong and dignified like Una.
This Friday I’m at home, alone, which is as it should be, as Friday is my writing day. And I have written this morning, sending off revisions on my next verse novel to my editor. But even home alone I manage to get inspired. Today it’s because a beautiful teacher, Miss Doran, sent me this link. Thank you Miss Doran and Year 3/4 . Sometimes writing can be lonely, or frustrating, or draining, or all of these things at once. Sometimes writing about hard topics makes me sad. But when I hear that a class of students has read and enjoyed my book , and maybe even benefitted from it I am inspired to keep writing.
And so I do.
What inspires you?