LIFETIMES

At 3

Carmen Miranda

Brisbane, 1949

London snow, 1961

Monash, 1979

Paris, 2007

Now, the Book!

Lifetimes
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I realise now that all of my work life experiences have built on each other, even that of my first job of secretary, when I was 14, correcting Mr F’s spelling at National Mutual Insurance in George Street, Sydney. I cared about words. Quite a lot later, I enrolled at night school and studied for university entrance, encouraged by a wonderful teacher, Otto Edwards. I was accepted into Arts at Monash and in 1979, graduated with my BA (Hons.). Secretary, English teacher, writer, journalist, educator. And I prepare beautifully typed itineraries, learnt during my time at the Tasmanian Government Tourist Bureaux in Challis House, Martin Place. It delights me to see the building is now the home of Armani.
 

Background
 
Gough Whitlam’s Labor government enabled me to go to university and become a teacher. Much later, I took a short evening class in journalism which led to a sideways career shift. For several years I wrote about philanthropy in Australia at a time when it was a mystery to many. Then, founding donors were simply names on plaques. A revival in the sector, with the setting up of what became Philanthropy Australia, led to an awareness and celebration of what a great inspiration well designed, thoughtful philanthropy can be. I wrote short histories of several philanthropists and became editor of the Journal, Philanthropy. With my move to Bermagui, I turned to journalism, writing about people, places and travel. My most recent publication is my own life story, Lost and Found.
 

Early Life
 
I was born in Durham, England, and came to Australia as part of a ’10-pound Pom’ package with my mother in 1949. I was six years old when I arrived. As Carmen Miranda, I won the Fancy Dress prize on the s.s. Ormonde, which led to my lifelong  pleasure in the fun of dressing up and an early appreciation of how good it is to travel. It improves with time.