: About Me

I am a young at heart 44 year old woman, who grew up in Sydney Australia, and now lives on 25 beautiful bush-covered acres in a rural area on the Mid North Coast between Grafton and Coffs Harbour. I moved here 8 years ago because I always felt like a country girl, and just as I thought, I fitted right in to the country way of life. Let your spirit run free!

I have a 21 year old son and a 5 year old granddaughter who live in Sydney, and I live here with my 4 beloved dogs, and 13 tree frogs of 3 different species.

I have been lucky enough to have met my soul-mate, a wonderful man, who loves me for who I am and lets me be myself. I've also been lucky enough to have found my soul-dog, a gorgeous 3 legged Mastiff x Ridgeback I adopted in 1999when she was 18 months old,from the local pound who refused to euthanase her because of her beautiful nature. I named her Toru Waewae Kuri (Maori for 3, leg, and dog) but I just called her Tori, and she, and only she, pulled me through me some very deep, very dark times. I was devastated to lose her last year to cancer - she truly was one in a trillion, and there's never been another dog like her, and there never will be.

I love animals and own a non-profit rehoming service for domestic pets. It operates mostly word-of-mouth and I've never turned a needy animal away. I love comedy and would have loved to have been a stand-up comedian; and I love forensics and true crime and would have loved to work in the Forensics industry; and I love to sing, and although I can hold a tune, I don't think it will lead anywhere- life is too short! I will fullfil one dream though, and that is to work in the industry of Architecture.

My passion is ...

Animals - I love ALL animals and I loathe when they are mistreated. And architecture - I'm currently enrolled full time in an Architectural Technology Diploma course. I also love to sketch, but unfortunately, early onset osteo-arthritis in my right shoulder prevents me too often.

I know too much about ...

True Crime & Forensics - This is also another passion of mine. It just absolutely fascinates me.

My parents always told me ...

I can do whatever I set my mind to.

My childhood ambition ...

To be a vet.

My favorite memory ...

Our holiday house at Gorokan. I had the very best times of my childhood holidaying in Gorokan, a tiny country town that at the time, had no kerbs & guttering, dirt roads, a beautiful lake at the end of the road, a bakery where we could get fresh bread in the mornings, and one corner store where we could return our soft drink bottles for a refund.

Why I write ...

Writing is a wonderful form to express yourself, which most often comes straight from the heart.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

True crime & forensics - I read something every single night, Stephen King - I have all his books. I watch a lot of true crime/forensics documentaries, and I love horror movies, thrillers, and comedies. My favourite TV shows are Lost, Desperate Housewives, all the CSI's, Kath & Kim (Australian version - sorry USA, but your version was just downright painful), and Red Dwarf, amongst many others. I have a broad taste in music, but particularly love The Chemical Brothers and Crystal Method.

My first job ...

As an office assistant with a road-train trucking company based in Northern Territory, Australia.

My best moment ...

The births of my daughter, son and granddaughter. I was also very proud to win an Award In Excellence for Screen Printing when I came 3rd in my year, despite not finishing my practical assignments, and being only able to attend tech for the last 4 days of Term 4 due to an accident where I was kicked by a horse and almost lost my life.

My inspiration ...

I aspire to complete my Architectural course and design the most amazing, uniquely different, and awesome houses my imagination can create.

Politics, News & Issues > Justice System Is the death penalty an effective crime deterrent?

29 of 84

I live in Australia where the Death Penalty was banished many years ago, so it's not really an issue that arises here, unless a particularly heinous crime, such as the murder of Anity Cobby, is committed, and then there is a call for it to be re-instated. When I was younger I strongly believed in the Death Penalty - I thought that if these people chose to commit the type of crime that attracts the Death Penalty, then they deserved to die. After all - they are aware of the consequences and they still choose to commit the crime. But then I read about Timothy Evans, who was executed in the UK...

More..

• Helium Charter Member