Caroline Reid Writes

photo: Trentino Priori A few weeks ago I went to Goolwa for a crack at the Goolwa Poetry Cup, my 3rd year competing in this event. I always feel kinda awkward posting about this stuff because I come from a family/generation/culture that didn't go in for talking up personal achievements. It was perceived as bragging rather than celebrating. But I'm older now and see things differently. I won, dear reader. I am the 2019 Goolwa Poetry Cup Champion. Hazaar! I've never won a trophy cup before, unless you count the little one I was awarded by the swimming club in Kalgoorlie back in the 80s for being most consistent (or something) which means I didn't get better nor did I get worse, I just kept turning up. Wait, maybe writing and performing is the same except I give more of a shit about writing and performing so getting better is something I strive for.  I figure a win for a middle~aged woman who only recently discovered the power and pleasure of spoken word...

photo credit: Rose Mackenzie 2019 has a been a big year on many levels, so I dunno about you but I forgive myself for the scant blogging. Here's a brief rundown: I secured some funding to work with the incredible Toni Jordan as a writing mentor. But as luck would have it, the very first month I began working with Toni a spot came up in an Aged Care home for my mum. She'd been on a waitlist with two care homes for almost a year and I'd made phone calls a few weeks prior to see if there was anything available only to be told my mum's appplication had been lost and I'd need to reapply.  I panicked (#understatement) because I knew my mum's ability to live independently was fast deteriorating  due to Alzheimer's Disease and I didn't know how much longer I'd be able to manage her life while living 2700kms away. Long story short, the lost application seemed to work in our favour (#agedcareguilt) because Mum was offered a placement within weeks. This...