Author Archives: Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

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About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.

The Leper (2)

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

I fitted into my family in the same way I fitted into society. I didn’t. My father was a minister and my mother one of the original Quiz Kids. My “outside world” expected me to be either a goody two … Continue reading →

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The Leper (1)

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

“Mummy I want to go to school.” “You can’t because I’m sick and they won’t let you go to school so that you won’t give the other children the sickness I have.” “But Mummy I’m not sick.” “You just can’t … Continue reading →

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Holidays at Grandma’s House – My First Fashion Purchase

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

We loved going with my Grandfather to the shops at Kingsgrove. Being country children the walk down the street, past all the red brick and tiled bungalows, gave us plenty to gawk at.  Reaching the shops from the rear we … Continue reading →

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Holidays at Grandma’s House – television

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

My Grandmother and Grandfather and aunt lived in Caroline Street Kingsgrove. My Grandma was a very stern looking woman and had lots of rules and regulations. Before our visit she covered the lounge with sheets. I could never understand why … Continue reading →

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I repeated Kindergarten three times.

Posted on August 17, 2013 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

I commenced school very early in life. At three my parents enrolled me at Tamworth Church of England Girls’ School in Kindergarten. As my mother was getting bored at home and because the school required a latin teacher for their higher … Continue reading →

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Every day is different – yet the same. “Except in dreams, neither detail nor colour has ever since been so detailed or coloured: the fine edge of seeing for the first time too early wears blunt. But the first seeing … Continue reading →

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Posted on August 16, 2013 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist | Leave a comment

The Axe Attack

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

My brother and I had been fighting for days, over what exactly I can’t remember, but it would be over something that I wanted that he wouldn’t let me have. I screamed at him whilst he taunted me. We had moved … Continue reading →

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Cutting my First Vinyl

Posted on August 14, 2013 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

Again I was four. I remember our pre-school Christmas Party/Concert, at least the occasion.  Our teacher Mrs McDougal was ancient. Lines made road maps on her face but she was always smiling. When she laughed her huge bosom would wobble up and … Continue reading →

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Six years old again

Posted on August 13, 2013 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

Suddenly I was six years old again. I had forgotten how it felt and fifty years later the feeling came flooding back. The unbridled joy followed by the knowledge  an emptiness and longing was to follow. The indecision as to how … Continue reading →

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Whaling – brief history Byron Bay + Memoir Greenland + New Zealand

Posted on August 11, 2013 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

Whaling became Australia’s first export business in the 1800s, initially catching southern white and sperm whales. When these became scarce, humpbacks became the target. The hunt was initially conducted from small boats, resembling large row boats, putting both man and whale at equal … Continue reading →

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Posted in 2013, Historical Perspective, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments