STORY TELLING
A FOCUS FOR SENIORS
Men’s Stories
from Douglas Shire
PARADISE
By James Watson
To me I have been blessed with a wonderful life. In my travels round the world
my goal has always been in helping others less fortunate than myself --but in all cases one
must do ones best. In this area, I feel I should like to reach out to those --who need confidence in ---public speaking. I was a stuttering young man, who had difficulty in putting
two words together without stammering. Through my involvement with *Toastmasters *,
of which I have reached the Distinguished level, I have been able to bring many friends
out of the ‘barrier that they were in’.
I was born in Kenya and grandson of a famous Pioneer who was a builder. Some of his
accomplishments was Building a Cathedral in Kampala, in Uganda (In East Africa )-Nemaremba ! My father was naturally born in Kenya. School days in the Colonial days
were great and Grandparents had a large Ayrshire Pedigree Milking property, beside a
large Game Reserve. This was a bonus, as well as a hardship when lions were a nuisance
with the cattle. It was an idyllic life until the locals through the leadership of Jomo Kenyatta demanded self-rule .Being a young 18 year old I was called up for service in the
Kenya Regiment. This took me to Southern Rhodesia and as an officer I served in
the highlands, near Mt Kenya. This was a traumatic time in the field against the Mau Mau
terrorists.
With a young family now in 1968, after independence, it was a requirement that those
remaining in employment in Kenya were Residents. Australia promised to be a land of
opportunity! We set out and have never looked back. We came to Queensland, settled
down and raised three lovely daughters, who married great partners and there are seven
grandchildren --all true Aussies, as well as us of course!
The culmination of my involvement within the Community; I feel is relative to our local
Neighbourhood Centre ,where on arrival in Port Douglas, the Manager (Mandy Stone )
grabbed me and said “we need you –Treasurer” Since then the Centre has been * great
to me *and in fact in 2011 was awarded I was *Volunteer of the Year *.
Am now in my 80's still helping those in this wonderful PARADISE of ours!
Sponsored by
Men’s
Breakfast
&
Workshop
Wednesday’s
8.30am
at:
Neighbourhood Centre
6-10 Mowbray Street
Port Douglas
My Introduction to Port Douglas by Paul – 2001
In 2001 I, together with my then lady friend Elle who was French from Lyon in Southern
France lived in Currumbin quite near the sanctuary – in fact a dozen or so lorikeets often
perched on our verandah as we breakfasted. The living was easy and we were content.
But perhaps we were too satisfied with life. I looked for a different live style so came up
with a plan to move on.
I had always wanted to learn French and write the great Australian novel so I suggested
to Elle we take a packaged holiday to Noumea, capital of French Polynesia, look around
for a cheap cottage on the beach and see what eventuated. I said she knowing the language and being a trained beautician there would be no trouble her finding a position in a
salon whilst I took up a life of an expatriate writer and knuckled down with my typewriter. Alas, after consideration she adamantly declined my offer and said “you’re manipulating me once again”. So I sulked for a few days and to placate her said “where
would you like to go for a few weeks on holiday?”.
To my surprise she replied “Port Douglas”. I agreed and booked return flights to Cairns
and into what was then Rydges Reef Resort now the QT. I recall the first morning there
watching with amazement the Bally Hooley rattle past the front door. The two weeks
passed all too quickly and we both soaked up and enjoyed the laid back ambience of
‘Port’.
On our return down south to our horror we read of the devastation in New York when
the twin towers came down through terrorist action at the World Trade Centre.
So I never went to Noumea or wrote the Great Australian novel but did get to Port Douglas. Now, as often happens Elle and I parted so wanting again to move on decided after
spending some time in Mission Beach to return to Port to retire. A decision I’ve never
regretted.
One did not expect to have ones’ holiday interrupted by such a thing as ‘ground zero’ in
New York but that is what happened to ex President Bill Clinton who was also in Port the
same time we were. Bush Jr sent Air Force 2 to collect Bill and return him to the States
for consultations. Why I’m not sure.
Another thing that came out of this was that I had booked the original holiday through
Ansett on my David Jones account. Ansett went ‘through the hoop’ and DJ’s generously
refunded in full for the holiday. So all in all it turned out to the good.
MARIO’S STORY
I was born in Malta and came to Australia at one month old. I was schooled in Sydney. After school I started work with Sydney Railway as a Clerical Officer.
I fitted in a few other talents along the way. I did some modelling in the 1970’s and
1980’s as well as some hairdressing.
I took up music and started to play with a few bands, playing cover music. As part
of music career the band travelled with cruises going to places such as Singapore,
Fiji, NZ, Bali and Nemea.
I got married in 1996 and travelled around Australia. We decided to settle in Port
Douglas and build our home. Once settled I started volunteering with the Port
Douglas Neighbourhood centre. I’ve been here four years now and the rest they
say is history.
Richard William Stoker
Rick, an identity in his own right in the literary world is a welcome addition to the Douglas Shire. Rick was born and raised in Sydney leaving school at 16 with an Intermediate
Certificate.
On his retirement, Rick was invited by his son Nathan and wife Courtney to live near
them in FNQ, and so he landed here. With time on his hands, he wrote a 2,000 word
and other articles for the Port Douglas & Mossman Gazette which they published. He
moved over to writing articles for the e-newspaper, Newsport.
He then wrote the ‘sometimes humorous’ 700 page horror story ‘Bats of Prey’ which is
about saving the South American and Las Vegas, and taking a bus trip from Venezuela,
down through Brazil and into Argentina.
Since moving here, Richard has also written an historical fiction, feature film screenplay
‘Ships in the Night’ which follows the life of CMDR Dacre Stoker, the captain of Australia’s famous submarine, the AE2.
In an effort to get a literary agent, Rick travelled to England in 2012, to attend the London International Book Fair and while there he also attended the launching of the book
‘The Lost Journal of Bram Stoker’. This coincided with the centenary of the death of his
Great Uncle Bram, and was held in the offices of a publishing house on the Thames
River.
Asked if his experiences driving taxis gave him ideas for writing short stories or perhaps a
novel or three, Rick answered “Yes, mostly from driving night-shift”.
Asked if he could relate one now, he said “There are many I could never relate because
the ‘Northbridge Mafia’ would be after me, and others may displease the WA Police.
Asked if he had anything in the pipeline, Rick answered, “Yes, a light-hearted screenplay
about the taxi industry and a follow-up to that, and a novel about a futuristic courtroom
drama…..and…..”.“And…..?” I repeated.
“My ex-wife is a cousin of Juni Morosi, the oldies may remember her from the mid ‘70’s
newspaper reports. I could write the true story.
FIELD’S STORY
As a young boy growing up, one hears the family stories of the past, but little bits and pieces
hung on. Grandpa Dixon was a gold miner, somewhere in the country and mother with her
brothers and sisters grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Brighton. They also had an indigenous nanny who would speak to Grandpa in dialect that I could not understand. Her name
was Polly.
Years went by nothing came forth so I got a copy of my grandfather’s death certificate. It said
20 years W.A. Oh shit I thought he may have nocked somebody and got 20 years in the nic.
So in 1984 I, along with a friend who was a linguist, travelled to Alice then Ayers Rock. In a
two weeks stay I met a lot of influential people. The elder of the Rock told me grandfather
was there, the first time with 2 camels. Second trip, 1 elder, 1 wagon, 2 horses and 1 dog.
“Good” I exclaimed “where did he go?” He stood up, pointed the finger north. Yes. Well
that could be anywhere across the top of Australia.
Over the years I had been to Cairns many times and I had a few friends in Cardwell. In the
finish I was getting frustrated so I decided to put my goods and chattels in storage. I purchased a 5x8 trailer, loaded my possessions up and drove to Merimbula NSW putting everything in storage at the cost of $150 per month in 2008. Then I drove to Cairns and stayed at
Yarrabah, lived on the beach, got attacked by three young men. Not long after that incident
good information sent me to Wujal Wujal where I met Errol Wallace who, directed me on to
this parents’ property at Shifton’s Flat. Peter and Marilyn Wallace knew we were connected
somewhere. I stayed there for months and became a woofer for a person out of town. On
one property then another, quite some time actually.
In 2011 I moved down to Port Douglas. My mother was in a nursing home suffering with dementia. Dad was OK at this stage but my daughter’s partner had cancer. It was easier to live
in Port and travel to and from the airport as opposed to Cooktown. Andy passed away, then
mother. Two years later Dad went also. Whilst this was happening I had moved back to Port
Douglas, Dougies Backpackers, where I’ve stayed off and on for years now. Almost 3 years in
Port Douglas.
Port Douglas is the most enthusiastic town I have lived in for donkey’s years. Dougies is full
of beauty queens most of the time. Coles, Target, every business in town and IGA are full of
vibrant bubbly people. Port Douglas Shire is a shining example that others should follow.
One of the cleanest towns I have ever lived in. Being an older person I require medical treatment to repair this de-composing body I cart around. Can’t trade it in, nobody wants it. The
medical centre I attend is just around the corner from the fish & chip shop at 4 Mile. New
Horizons, “Brilliant Establishment”.
Richard William Stoker
Rick, an identity in his own right in the literary world is a welcome addition to the Douglas Shire. Rick was born and raised in Sydney leaving school at 16 with an Intermediate
Certificate.
On his retirement, Rick was invited by his son Nathan and wife Courtney to live near
them in FNQ, and so he landed here. With time on his hands, he wrote a 2,000 word
and other articles for the Port Douglas & Mossman Gazette which they published. He
moved over to writing articles for the e-newspaper, Newsport.
He then wrote the ‘sometimes humorous’ 700 page horror story ‘Bats of Prey’ which is
about saving the South American and Las Vegas, and taking a bus trip from Venezuela,
down through Brazil and into Argentina.
Since moving here, Richard has also written an historical fiction, feature film screenplay
‘Ships in the Night’ which follows the life of CMDR Dacre Stoker, the captain of Australia’s famous submarine, the AE2.
In an effort to get a literary agent, Rick travelled to England in 2012, to attend the London International Book Fair and while there he also attended the launching of the book
‘The Lost Journal of Bram Stoker’. This coincided with the centenary of the death of his
Great Uncle Bram, and was held in the offices of a publishing house on the Thames
River.
Asked if his experiences driving taxis gave him ideas for writing short stories or perhaps a
novel or three, Rick answered “Yes, mostly from driving night-shift”.
Asked if he could relate one now, he said “There are many I could never relate because
the ‘Northbridge Mafia’ would be after me, and others may displease the WA Police.
Asked if he had anything in the pipeline, Rick answered, “Yes, a light-hearted screenplay
about the taxi industry and a follow-up to that, and a novel about a futuristic courtroom
drama…..and…..”.“And…..?” I repeated.
“My ex-wife is a cousin of Juni Morosi, the oldies may remember her from the mid ‘70’s
newspaper reports. I could write the true story.
FIELD’S STORY
As a young boy growing up, one hears the family stories of the past, but little bits and pieces
hung on. Grandpa Dixon was a gold miner, somewhere in the country and mother with her
brothers and sisters grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Brighton. They also had an indigenous nanny who would speak to Grandpa in dialect that I could not understand. Her name
was Polly.
Years went by nothing came forth so I got a copy of my grandfather’s death certificate. It said
20 years W.A. Oh shit I thought he may have nocked somebody and got 20 years in the nic.
So in 1984 I, along with a friend who was a linguist, travelled to Alice then Ayers Rock. In a
two weeks stay I met a lot of influential people. The elder of the Rock told me grandfather
was there, the first time with 2 camels. Second trip, 1 elder, 1 wagon, 2 horses and 1 dog.
“Good” I exclaimed “where did he go?” He stood up, pointed the finger north. Yes. Well
that could be anywhere across the top of Australia.
Over the years I had been to Cairns many times and I had a few friends in Cardwell. In the
finish I was getting frustrated so I decided to put my goods and chattels in storage. I purchased a 5x8 trailer, loaded my possessions up and drove to Merimbula NSW putting everything in storage at the cost of $150 per month in 2008. Then I drove to Cairns and stayed at
Yarrabah, lived on the beach, got attacked by three young men. Not long after that incident
good information sent me to Wujal Wujal where I met Errol Wallace who, directed me on to
this parents’ property at Shifton’s Flat. Peter and Marilyn Wallace knew we were connected
somewhere. I stayed there for months and became a woofer for a person out of town. On
one property then another, quite some time actually.
In 2011 I moved down to Port Douglas. My mother was in a nursing home suffering with dementia. Dad was OK at this stage but my daughter’s partner had cancer. It was easier to live
in Port and travel to and from the airport as opposed to Cooktown. Andy passed away, then
mother. Two years later Dad went also. Whilst this was happening I had moved back to Port
Douglas, Dougies Backpackers, where I’ve stayed off and on for years now. Almost 3 years in
Port Douglas.
Port Douglas is the most enthusiastic town I have lived in for donkey’s years. Dougies is full
of beauty queens most of the time. Coles, Target, every business in town and IGA are full of
vibrant bubbly people. Port Douglas Shire is a shining example that others should follow.
One of the cleanest towns I have ever lived in. Being an older person I require medical treatment to repair this de-composing body I cart around. Can’t trade it in, nobody wants it. The
medical centre I attend is just around the corner from the fish & chip shop at 4 Mile. New
Horizons, “Brilliant Establishment”.
My Introduction to Port Douglas by Paul – 2001
In 2001 I, together with my then lady friend Elle who was French from Lyon in Southern
France lived in Currumbin quite near the sanctuary – in fact a dozen or so lorikeets often
perched on our verandah as we breakfasted. The living was easy and we were content.
But perhaps we were too satisfied with life. I looked for a different live style so came up
with a plan to move on.
I had always wanted to learn French and write the great Australian novel so I suggested
to Elle we take a packaged holiday to Noumea, capital of French Polynesia, look around
for a cheap cottage on the beach and see what eventuated. I said she knowing the language and being a trained beautician there would be no trouble her finding a position in a
salon whilst I took up a life of an expatriate writer and knuckled down with my typewriter. Alas, after consideration she adamantly declined my offer and said “you’re manipulating me once again”. So I sulked for a few days and to placate her said “where
would you like to go for a few weeks on holiday?”.
To my surprise she replied “Port Douglas”. I agreed and booked return flights to Cairns
and into what was then Rydges Reef Resort now the QT. I recall the first morning there
watching with amazement the Bally Hooley rattle past the front door. The two weeks
passed all too quickly and we both soaked up and enjoyed the laid back ambience of
‘Port’.
On our return down south to our horror we read of the devastation in New York when
the twin towers came down through terrorist action at the World Trade Centre.
So I never went to Noumea or wrote the Great Australian novel but did get to Port Douglas. Now, as often happens Elle and I parted so wanting again to move on decided after
spending some time in Mission Beach to return to Port to retire. A decision I’ve never
regretted.
One did not expect to have ones’ holiday interrupted by such a thing as ‘ground zero’ in
New York but that is what happened to ex President Bill Clinton who was also in Port the
same time we were. Bush Jr sent Air Force 2 to collect Bill and return him to the States
for consultations. Why I’m not sure.
Another thing that came out of this was that I had booked the original holiday through
Ansett on my David Jones account. Ansett went ‘through the hoop’ and DJ’s generously
refunded in full for the holiday. So all in all it turned out to the good.
MARIO’S STORY
I was born in Malta and came to Australia at one month old. I was schooled in Sydney. After school I started work with Sydney Railway as a Clerical Officer.
I fitted in a few other talents along the way. I did some modelling in the 1970’s and
1980’s as well as some hairdressing.
I took up music and started to play with a few bands, playing cover music. As part
of music career the band travelled with cruises going to places such as Singapore,
Fiji, NZ, Bali and Nemea.
I got married in 1996 and travelled around Australia. We decided to settle in Port
Douglas and build our home. Once settled I started volunteering with the Port
Douglas Neighbourhood centre. I’ve been here four years now and the rest they
say is history.
PARADISE
By James Watson
To me I have been blessed with a wonderful life. In my travels round the world
my goal has always been in helping others less fortunate than myself --but in all cases one
must do ones best. In this area, I feel I should like to reach out to those --who need confidence in ---public speaking. I was a stuttering young man, who had difficulty in putting
two words together without stammering. Through my involvement with *Toastmasters *,
of which I have reached the Distinguished level, I have been able to bring many friends
out of the ‘barrier that they were in’.
I was born in Kenya and grandson of a famous Pioneer who was a builder. Some of his
accomplishments was Building a Cathedral in Kampala, in Uganda (In East Africa )-Nemaremba ! My father was naturally born in Kenya. School days in the Colonial days
were great and Grandparents had a large Ayrshire Pedigree Milking property, beside a
large Game Reserve. This was a bonus, as well as a hardship when lions were a nuisance
with the cattle. It was an idyllic life until the locals through the leadership of Jomo Kenyatta demanded self-rule .Being a young 18 year old I was called up for service in the
Kenya Regiment. This took me to Southern Rhodesia and as an officer I served in
the highlands, near Mt Kenya. This was a traumatic time in the field against the Mau Mau
terrorists.
With a young family now in 1968, after independence, it was a requirement that those
remaining in employment in Kenya were Residents. Australia promised to be a land of
opportunity! We set out and have never looked back. We came to Queensland, settled
down and raised three lovely daughters, who married great partners and there are seven
grandchildren --all true Aussies, as well as us of course!
The culmination of my involvement within the Community; I feel is relative to our local
Neighbourhood Centre ,where on arrival in Port Douglas, the Manager (Mandy Stone )
grabbed me and said “we need you –Treasurer” Since then the Centre has been * great
to me *and in fact in 2011 was awarded I was *Volunteer of the Year *.
Am now in my 80's still helping those in this wonderful PARADISE of ours!
Sponsored by
Men’s
Breakfast
&
Workshop
Wednesday’s
8.30am
at:
Neighbourhood Centre
6-10 Mowbray Street
Port Douglas
STORY TELLING
A FOCUS FOR SENIORS
Men’s Stories
from Douglas Shire