2 - Training For Life

Summary

That's also my philosophy that we need to work at staying in tune with our Higher Being, be it God or our ancestral spirits or whatever … As you are ready so the way is revealed … When I finished my studies, I decided – and I'd never considered it before – ‘I'd like to teach on the Sunshine Coast and get away from Brisbane for a while’. And when I was ready, I put out my message to God, and the universe reciprocated. I made a phone call, drove up for an interview, and had the teaching job I wanted, all in a week. Here I was, a single parent with three kids living on my own and off we went! No accommodation, knew no one, never been there before.

(Kerry)

During the time the marriage bar was in force, young women had to imagine their futures as a choice between becoming a wife and mother or working. These opposing paths are neatly captured in the alternative Phylis was offered by her father. In grade seven, she was taking care of her younger sister and managing the house. He said: ‘Okay, you can either go on or you can have this new pair of shoes’. Phylis chose the shoes which were a ‘beautiful sort of forest green suede’ with high heels, and found a job as a clerk.