Wandering the world

I've always been fascinated by Eastern Europe and life behind the Iron Curtain, particularly in East Germany. I visited Berlin in the mid 1990s, only a few years after the Wall had came down. Two to one is the first film I have seen that explores the economic and social challenges of Germany's reunification. I saw it with my movie buddy, MH, during the 2025 German Film Festival. Two to one | Released in Australia April 2025 | Viewed May 2025 | Directed by Natja Brunckhorst |

I feel it's important to start this review of three books that I have read in recent months on Palestine by giving a little context and making my standpoint clear. I freely admit that I previously had only a basic understanding of the history of Palestine, the formation of Israel, and of the events that shaped where we are today. I have a degree in History and I have always thought of myself as a social historian. I have a passionate interest in the impact on people of import

I'm at a stage in my life where I can read social, geographical and political history texts for pleasure - the nerd that I am - rather than for academic studies. I'm embracing the opportunity to enhance my understanding of the world and how we got to where we are now. I can see that this shift to non-fiction has also come about as the latest offerings from several of my long-standing favourite fictional authors have been less than stellar. I recognise, too, that I am filling

I was fortunate enough to meet Professor Chelsea Watego, author of Another day in the colony, at a reconciliation symposium I attend in Cairns in March 2025 as part of my work on the Australian government's mental health in education initiative. Professor Watego gave an insightful and unapologetic presentation at the symposium and I eagerly lined up afterwards to buy her book and have it signed. The book is not an easy journey for a non-indigenous reader, but it's a powerful