Two of my articles were published in The Beagle online newspaper; and BayPost/Moruya Examiner/The Independent online and print newspapers in July as part of the Eurobodalla Fellowship of Australian Writers 'Write Place, Write Time' series.
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Following publication of a ‘Letter to the Editor’ when I was 14, my parents referred to me as the “writer of the family”, although fulfilling my creativity in story-telling tended to mean I was assigned to writing family Christmas newsletters!
 
Early 2007, with the encouragement of the psychic community, I gathered my notes on ethics around paranormal and psychic phenomena, and a manuscript eventually emerged ready for a publisher’s consideration. I’d made phone calls to publishers to gauge their interest. Then everything stopped as a rapid decline in my health occurred. Chronic pain intensified, complicated by reduced cognitive abilities from reactions to medications. My world was turned upside down. What does a word mean, or the context of a sentence? How do I comprehend what seems like a garbled conversation, when even the words in a story are a blur? This was my new life, sounds attacking me, confusing me, robbing me of vitality and hope.
 
To my surprise a publisher contacted me, just before Christmas 2010, and asked would I be interested in having my work published – huge panic. Yes! But how? Slowly, and with lots of support from my husband, as well as practical help from a fantastic editor, Ethics of a Psychic Reading became a reality in July 2012.
 
My next foray into the written word soon followed with a request from the Fellowship of Australian Writers (FAW) in 2013 for stories with the theme ‘Sydney’. My desire to encapsulate my mother Patricia’s memory of her childhood overcame my fears, and set me on a journey of discovery. 1500 words seemed daunting, but receiving feedback from the Eurobodalla FAW (EFAW) day group which I had recently joined, my collection of words towards a story about my mother’s early days as a child living near The Rocks in the 1930s started taking shape. In May 2013 the EFAW night group was established, for writers who wished to exchange critique towards publication of factual or fictional novels, opening an opportunity for me. Even though I still couldn’t understand the meaning of words, nor comprehend structure, or character interactions, I worked better with feedback if it was written rather than verbal so I didn’t need to rely on memory. Conversations with my mother became richer with detail extending beyond those early years. My journey of discovery was two-fold – gradually turning around dysfunction through developing speech and writing skills; and importantly getting to know my mother, her impact through – unintentional – leadership and as an inspiration to family and others throughout her life.
 
From a delightful insight into Patricia’s childhood my desire grew to know more, beyond the adventure of fun and exploration. Snippets of information, a chance word, a smile over a cup of tea, Patricia spoke of hopes, challenges, respect, and achievements. Each month the Eurobodalla-FAW night group gave me a set of questions to ask her. I saw the child who grew up in a loving family where education and strong values of kindness were important; the dilemma of being a female, an emerging young woman and the societal expectations that were placed on her. I saw a quiet rebellion forging a powerful determination when obstacles challenged her – not afraid of proving that she was equally skilled working within male-dominated industries; a woman who melded an executive position and family from only a couple of years after the Australian Marriage Bar was lifted, eventually encouraging family-friendly and diversity practices within the workforce for herself and others until her retirement.
 
I never knew that a glass ceiling existed for women as both parents’ mantra was “you are capable of doing whatever you want to do”, and Mamma led by example. After eight years, researching and writing the book, I self-published What Glass Ceiling? Patricia Julianne Evans (nee Morris) a memoir.
 
This is the story of Patricia, an extraordinary Australian woman whose determination and courage against discrimination from the 1930s onward became an inspirational leader for future generations. Patricia has since been accepted into the National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame, included in ‘Herstory’, an educational database on women’s achievements, and recognised by BORAL for 2021 International Women’s Day. As BORALS’s first female accountant in 1949, Patricia was featured on the company’s 75th anniversary poster for all their employees.
Patricia’s motto:
“never underestimate what you can do in life” was ever present for herself, and inspirational for everyone who came in contact with her.
Patricia Evans 1927-2022 Rest in Peace

Suzanne Newnham is the author of Ethics of a Psychic Reading and What Glass Ceiling?; writer and contributor to numerous journals and anthologies; health advocate for chronic pain management; and researcher into chronic pain using Tai Chi, Qigong, and meditation. Her current project is family inspired social history – 180 years of pubs on Moruya Waterfront Hotel Motel site with a request for stories, anecdotes, family history, photos, and/or documents from everyone to include in this look at a social icon in the community.

For all Suzanne’s publications, information, and purchase: https://www.suzanne-newnham.com
Moruya pub project:https://www.suzanne-newnham.com/books--articles.html
A copy of my first article is located at:  https://www.suzanne-newnham.com/-blog/write-place-write-time-1

Warning: Name of deceased First Nations man mentioned.
All Australians have a chance to recognise the Voice of traditional  owners, the
custodians of country for 65,000 years. There are already many advisory bodies
to Parliament, and this would also be one of them. For those who are frightened of change, change happened in 1788 - for the people already living here. For those who feel this referendum doesn't go far enough - this will be the first step towards equal Voice in a Treaty: a formal written agreement.
https://lens.monash.edu/@politics-society/2019/12/06/1378508/william-cooper-visionary-indigenous-campaigner-in-a-league-of-his-own
ref to 1938: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/46494808

The Voice is needed until discrimination is no more; it is needed until the First Nations truth-telling has as strong a place as the colonial history; it is needed until First Nations people become truly of equal standing, with equal opportunities, and safety.
The Voice is not new. 1938 a petition for recognition was sent to Parliament after William Cooper first started advocating in 1933, and established the Australian Aborigines' League.

Two of my articles were published in The Beagle online newspaper; and BayPost/Moruya Examiner/The Independent online and print newspapers in July as part of the Eurobodalla Fellowship of Australian Writers 'Write Place, Write Time' series.
Leadership, social history, Patricia Evans: a woman before her time inspiring new generations.

From 2013, Suzanne Newnham researched her mother Patricia Evans’ pioneering story, to inspire future generations. Patricia has been recognised for her achievements: Hall of Fame; Herstory educational database multiple recognition by BORAL including 2021 International Women’s Day. In 2021 What glass Ceiling? Patricia Julianne Evans (nee Morris): a memoir was published.
 
These days we tend to take for granted that women fulfil all kinds of roles and responsibilities, but in 1949 becoming BORAL’s (Bitumen and Oil Refineries Australia Limited’s) first female accountant was a big deal at a societal level. For Patricia, whose motto was "never underestimate what you can do in life", it was just another stride forward in demonstrating that she was equally skilled working within male-dominated industries.
 
This didn’t mean there weren’t obstacles and discrimination but these were overshadowed by her independence, desire for learning, and making the most of opportunities when they presented. From a young age having seen her parents embrace diversity and inclusion, she emulated their values, and wasn’t afraid to be a voice. Patricia tells amusing anecdotes when her shortened name, Pat, was used and the confusion when not a man but a capable woman presented herself and her work. A believer in “can the person do the job?”, she was insistent that a woman, man, disadvantaged, differing cultural heritage, or homosexual, was no excuse not to employ them. Patricia helped others break the glass ceiling, empowering them to realise their abilities.
 
Patricia was a natural story-teller. Her work revolved around facts and figures However, memories for other detail creates insights into the past: from 1940s and 50s, walking through grimy factories, to sitting in the splendour of polished oak boardrooms; smelling intoxicating lanolin-soaked wood in wool-stores, or pungent rubber of the sandshoe factory; to 1970s gleaming glass and modern buildings overlooking the harbour.  
 
Suzanne considers herself lucky that she is from a long line of strong, resilient, and practical women: her mother Patricia, grandmother Phyllis, 1920s to mid-1973 financially capable, unafraid of male-dominated banking and real-estate traditions; and great-grandmother Lizzie with her thriving bridal-trousseau business from 1896 to 1937.

Patricia Evans 1927-2022 Rest in Peace

Suzanne Newnham is the author of Ethics of a Psychic Reading and What Glass Ceiling?; writer and contributor to numerous journals and anthologies; health advocate for chronic pain management; and researcher into chronic pain using Tai Chi, Qigong, and meditation. Her current project is family inspired social history – 180 years of pubs on Moruya Waterfront Hotel Motel site with a request for stories, anecdotes, family history, photos, and/or documents from everyone to include in this look at a social icon in the community.

For all Suzanne’s publications, information, and purchase: https://www.suzanne-newnham.com
Moruya pub project:https://www.suzanne-newnham.com/books--articles.html

Today 17th March is a poignant day. I keep in mind your motto: Never underestimate what you can do in life. Mamma - a beautiful, inspiring, loving mother, I miss hearing your stories, hearing your laughter and seeing your smile, the 2am cups of tea and watching 'Overboard' yet again.
A year ago ... the number of times I've gone to ring you with some exciting news or just to say hello; the visits to Canberra; but you're not there. It's another St Patrick's Day, a day which was special to you, the start of your new life in Canberra in 1976, and the day you left. Mamma, you're in my heart always

I'm honoured that you entrusted me with your life story and so proud that What Glass Ceiling? was published so that you could read it, and send to your family and friends. That your friend read to you on your last day chapters from your book fills me with joy and comfort.

This sample theme with fancy font looks interesting, I'll have a look. On opening the theme the layout was uninspiring, however, on trying to revert back to the original this new one remained. A few attempts later it stubbornly held fast. The previous was no longer accessible in theme back-up. An upgrade in the past was all it took to remove a site that I'd been told was 'full of personality', 'absolutely beautiful'. For years the compliments had flowed like water. Now not only was the name with its beautiful font and shadowing no more, but the Magellan Cloud background had disappeared.

With articles to write and send before submission deadlines, the last thing I needed was to completely re-design a website. Grieving struck. I was in denial that this could have happened as I was so careful about backing up my website. Realising I couldn't update the site with some exciting news, finding the time to replace the nondescript theme staring back at me had suddenly been made priority. Anger seethed that my website imagery no longer existed, and feeling a loss of my online identity; the talking to, shouting at, and bargaining with my inanimate laptop were all futile. The offending not-my-theme resolutely stuck to my screen. Searching for options, my shoulders slumped as a foreboding depression grew, coupled with the frustration that I had to find time to completely redesign my website.
It seemed ages before the fifth stage of grieving - acceptance - was to become apparent.

After nine years, I'm taking the opportunity to create a new look, rebrand, with emphasis on my books; a new look website has emerged.

1949, at 21 years of age, Patricia was the first female accountant with Bitumen and Oil Refineries (Australia) Ltd. In 2021, Patricia was guest speaker for BORAL's professional women's group - WISE. Given a BORAL bear following her talk it soon became a treasured reminder of an exciting part of her life.
Patricia's memoir What Glass Ceiling? is available in print and e-book.

In time for Christmas and the New Year the e-book is 50% discounted between 16 Dec to 1 January 2023 via Smashwords:  What Glass Ceiling? Patricia Julianne Evans (nee Morris) a memoir

Discounted from $US6.99 to $US 3.49 (approximately $5.10 Australian dollars)

Signed print copies are available for postage within Australia through https://www.suzanne-newnham.com/store/p1/books--articles.html