A good life at any age
26 August 2026 | Life-Style
Yesterday, I lived like a 40-something. Scuttling puddles and robotic people, I made my way to Federation Square to attend a Conference called Living Cities, organized by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation. I was very excited to join the cool squad of architects, Futurists and urban designers exploring the future of our cities.
I woke at 4am too excited to sleep. Planned my smart, artsy and effortless wardrobe so I could engage in the pretense that this 77 year old goes to international conferences most days of her week, instead of curling up with the cat in bed by 9pm. I arrived early at the EDGE theatre and after 3 coffees and with a yellow Lanyard strung around my neck, I joined the in- crowd. It felt so good! Stylish deconstructed, black clothed people, a plethora of man-buns and chai lattes wandered into the auditorium.
Networking was rampant and conversations like ” Yes, just back from Copenhagen for a few days and then off to Berlin next week! ” But the one I overheard and liked most was,” We had a big off-site with the Directors yesterday which was excellent. We explored ideation, collaboration and insistent thinking.” I think that means they talked about ideas, working together and thoughts that just won’t go away. Like a chocolate craving!
But it wasn’t all posturing and preening. with a series of keynote speakers and workshops we explored questions like these…..
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“I’m writing s memoir” sounds so grand. It makes me squirm. I’m not Winston Churchill nor Jacinda Ardern. Perhaps I should use ” Life story” instead? I’ve reported before on the perils of undertaking such an epic task. It’s 3 years now that I’ve thrashed around in the dark ocean…
22 September 2026 | Life-Style
Yesterday, I lived like a 40-something. Scuttling puddles and robotic people, I made my way to Federation Square to attend a Conference called Living Cities, organized by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation. I was very excited to join the cool squad of architects, Futurists and urban designers exploring the future of…
26 August 2026 | Life-Style
After weeks by the beach I’m super calm, overly meditated and ready for some city energy. Transition is a funny thing and I quite like that small window where I arrive in Melbourne’s mayhem in my own little private bubble of quiet, distanced observation of the human race. Melbourne’s seasonal…
4 August 2026 | Life-Style
This article explores the topic of suicide by older adults and may be distressing to some readers. ” Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” Victor Hugo Three people I know have chosen to suicide in their later years. I’m not talking about Voluntary Assisted Dying…
26 August 2026 | Living Well
Had my brain just screamed chocolate today, it would have been a good day! But today my brain screamed chocolate, cake, ice-cream, wine, cashews, more wine, cheese and large helpings of everything! ” You need a treat. You’ve been eating so well, limiting alcohol and you’ve lost 4 kg. Great…
19 January 2026 | Living Well
Mention Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro and Oprah in the same sentence and the mind goes into overdrive. The judgement noise around the use of injectable weight-loss drugs is LOUD. Taking away drugs from those who really need it ie Diabetics, was probably the first judgement call. Then there’s- only people with…
12 December 2025 | Living Well
Instagram ‘s a funny thing. As I scrolled and liked my way through the day’s posts I came across Retiring_Not_Shy and smiled. Clever. Funny. A woman who models my kind of clothes. Months pass and I post a shout-out for people to be interviewed for my book 50 Faces: 50…
16 August 2021 | 50 Faces 50 Lives
This week I met a remarkable man. Let me set the scene. It’s my first interview in over a year for my Ageing Well book. For the past year a Covid world made meeting people a risky business. So today I’m as excited as a kid at Christmas as I…
26 March 2021 | 50 Faces 50 Lives
I published this article after an interview with Petrus Spronk in November 2019..it seems like light years ago! It was one of the highlights of the research for my book and I’ll never forget encountering the creative mind in all its purity and the outstanding talent of this great artist….
19 February 2021 | 50 Faces 50 Lives