“Love my Saturday SMH ritual - pen in one hand, G&T in the other. What more could you want on a sunny afternoon.”Credit: Angela Monticon
Into the Void
Concerning the story in Good Weekend [March 25] about the disappearance of a sloop named the Southern Maid back in September 1973. I came to Yap, Micronesia in June or July 1974 as a Peace Corps volunteer. I trained on Yap and then on Ulithi Atoll. I was a teacher on Fais Island between 1974 and 1975. By the way, Fais is probably the closest island to the Mariana Trench. The main town on Yap is Colonia and seemed pretty relaxed, and I remember some pleasant evenings at O’Keefe’s Oasis, a club-bar named after a captain O’Keefe. There is a 1954 film starring Burt Lancaster called His Majesty O’Keefe. In 1974, Yap was a territory of the USA with a US Post Office and US currency in use. At the time, I was told a story about some people who were sailing being arrested on a remote island because they weren’t supposed to visit such islands without permission. I can’t remember any other details. I also heard stories about an anthropologist taking Micronesians back to the US to educate them and that he had connections to the CIA.
Jay Lamb
Mount Martha, Vic
The Dictators’ Daughter
What a moving story about Monica Macias’s life and dictator fathers [March 25]. Living in one’s country of birth being ruled by a dictator is soul-destroying. When Robert Mugabe came into power in the 1980s, our family were determined to give the “new” Zimbabwe a go, but by 2000 we realised it was impossible to stay. We saw so many injustices taking place: friends murdered, homes and land confiscated, so we made the big decision to emigrate to Australia. How fortunate we have been that this country has been good to us, and we are now accepted as Australians and live free from fear and danger. Monica Macias says she would love to return to North Korea. I however, have made Australia my home and Zimbabwe is my past life. I will never return.
Felicity Rooney
Sale, Vic
Two of Us
Thank you for the beautiful story about the two Ukrainian friends [March 25]. When war and horrible things happen far away, the average person often doesn’t know how to help. This story shows that simple kindness – and drawing parties and play dates – goes a long way towards making newcomers feel welcome. Half of Australians were immigrants once; it is our obligation to pay our good fortune forward.
Shira Levine
Caulfield, Vic
Your article on the Ukrainian girls was certainly heartwarming, but not new. That was also my 1950s boyhood and that wave of immigration. I was fourth-generation Australian, but my classmates were from Europe, with all the stories of their voyage out. We have had other waves since.
Roderick Smith
Surrey Hills, Vic
Reflections
Like Paul Connolly, I share a buzz of excitement when I successfully fix a broken something [March 25]. In our throwaway world it feels good to have the nous and practical capabilities to extend an item’s lifetime. I encourage others to follow Connolly’s lead, do some googling, watch videos on YouTube and give fixing a go. Alternatively, repair shops are popping up all over the place. Join a community of fixers. Keeping stuff out of landfill is certainly something to be proud of.
Amy Hiller
Kew, Vic
My now deceased Dad was a brilliant writer but hopeless at any DIY chores. Over the years I saw my poor mother trying to be encouraging of his efforts to paint the house and fix simple electrical appliances but to no avail. However, he did manage from an assembly ‘kit’ to put together shelves, only to find when done that they were upside-down. They remain so to this day! My Mum, on the other hand, since living alone has astounded our family. In her 80s she’s fixed curtain rails, lights that have tripped, the vacuum cleaner and washing machine and says it is all mind over matter. She notes that reading the instruction booklet before starting does help!
Vickie Mavros
Sale, Vic
I can relate to Paul Connolly’s dad. My late husband Ron was always painting and decorating -- walls, doors, ceilings. Every time my dad (poor inept soul) offered to help, Ron would use any excuse to decline. I miss them both, they had a lovely relationship nevertheless.
Myra Fisher
Brighton East, Vic
Upfront/Spotlight
While I’m worried about climate change, I’m not sure I’ll invest in a “Bug Out Bag” survival kit [March 25]. A scented candle, a caviar cooler and a stubby holder won’t be much help. A “Snuff Out Bag” full of good climate policies to snuff out fossil fuels is what we need.
Ray Peck
Hawthorn, Vic
ONLINE COMMENTS
Pirates, a drowning – or something else? The enduring mystery of Sid’s disappearance
Thoroughly interesting and good read [March 25]. True life provides many rich and bitter-sweet stories. Apropos
A wonderful article. More please. Lucia
Two of Us: After Tania arrived from Ukraine, Nadia helped make ‘Australian school’ less scary
What a beautiful friendship – full of kindness, care, self-awareness and most importantly, fun! Sarah Hudson
So lovely to read a positive and heart-warming story for a change. Thank you, Tania and Nadia, for sharing your story. DJ
Part of the reader prize for the best letter written in March.
READER PRIZE
The winner of the best letter in March will win a mixed case of 16 bottles from Naked Wines, together with four Plumm crystal glasses. RRP$524.
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