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Ch. 1 – A Street of Houses – 1983

Ch. 1 – A Street of Houses – 1983

After landing in Melbourne, I ticked the box on the immigration form to indicate I intended to remain permanently in Australia. The customs official showed no interest, he scribbled something on the card and shooed me through to the arrival hall. My first impression...
Ch. 11 – Crossing the Ditch (Epilogue)

Ch. 11 – Crossing the Ditch (Epilogue)

Our divorce was finalised in NZ in November 1982. Early in 1983 I was getting restless and began weighing up my options. Rosie had purchased a new house in Invercargill and was getting on with her life. The two youngest children were with her while they finished their...
Ch 9. Fiji 1979 – 1980

Ch 9. Fiji 1979 – 1980

Six months into my contract, I was beginning to understand there was a hierarchical structure influencing all aspects of life in Fiji. The Fijian Great Council of Chiefs FGCC, made up of ethnic Fijians of chiefly rank, held sway over both the country’s political...
Ch 8. Uluisaivou Corporation Fiji 1979

Ch 8. Uluisaivou Corporation Fiji 1979

Our first year was over, we had helped to make a difference with the people, but the concept of developing a large western style cattle ranch was to my mind unproven, problematic even. I had 12 months left to develop a plan that would turn things around and I was far...
Ch 7. Fiji – One Year On

Ch 7. Fiji – One Year On

We’d now settled in, and I’d returned from NZ with my leg mending but still in plaster. I couldn’t ride a horse but there’d been ample time for me to reflect on what was going to work and what wasn’t. Our family had been made welcome by both the people of Uluisaivou,...