During  a period of youthful travels throughout South East Asia in the late seventies I discovered the sultanate city of Solo, Central Java. Captivated by its refined culture I returned to live for a year to explore the customs while following a traditional form of meditation called Sumarah. This experience cemented a lasting connection with Java, its people and way of life.

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Picking up threads to create a new life, after a career in the Australian fashion industry, I returned to Java–this time Yogyakarta, Solo's royal sister city. I was fortunate to reside with a local family for the next ten years, honing my skills as an English teacher while learning Indonesian. 

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In Yogyakarta I studied both Indonesian and Javanese at Wisma Bahasa language school. Embraced by the ebullient staff as their English language consultant, I was delegated the role of hosting cross-cultural workshops for Australian volunteers and young diplomats from around the world. This opportunity to share my knowledge of Javanese society and traditions was both a privilege and a joy.

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As an avid reader I immersed myself in Java's history and literature, and once, to my unexpected delight, met the prolific and much loved Indonesian author, Dee Lestari. 

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My love of stories that steal the reader away to different cultures, inspired me to write The House in Bausasran. I believe in the power of stories and the written word to enhance, to connect, to heal and even change the course of lives.

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In early 2017 I returned to Australia and moved to the Sunshine Coast hinterland where I renovated a rundown cottage. I've re-established into a warm-hearted community but still spend a large part of my life liaising online with friends, teachers, students and translators in Indonesia.

 

When I'm not busy writing you'll find me either tending a garden patch filled with organic chard, cucumbers, chillies, tomatoes and kaffir limes–all destined for my Javanese daughter-in-law's spicy dishes–or creating bear stories for my two small granddaughters.

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I haven't completely abandoned my fashion background and still thoroughly enjoy turning batik fabrics brought back from Java, into bespoke bags or designer garments for friends and family.

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