By Brian John Pollock. Victoria, Australia You can hear the author reading this story by clicking the below arrow: THE BEGINNING I’ve built several wooden boats over the years, the last being a small dinghy in 2018, when I was a sprightly seventy-two. I’d dreamed of building a bigger boat, but it remained just that… Continue reading The Boat That Didn’t Float
Tag: Brian John Pollock
The Day My Number Came Up
By Brian John Pollock. Brighton, VIC From the moment my birthdate was drawn out of the Army conscription barrel in 1965, my life changed direction. In June 1966, I was in a bus with fellow conscripts heading for recruit training at Puckapunyal army base in Victoria. Recruit training was reasonably uneventful once you got used… Continue reading The Day My Number Came Up
YOU’LL NEVER SEE THE WHITES OF THEIR EYES
By Brian John Pollock, Brighton, VIC In 1966 I was called up for a two year stint of National Service in the Australian Army. After six months basic training I was posted to C Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment. I spent the next 18 months as a crew member of a Centurion tank. I served in… Continue reading YOU’LL NEVER SEE THE WHITES OF THEIR EYES
Ode to Wooden Boats
By Brian John Pollock, 77. Brighton, VIC For some people it might be fishingOr visiting places remote,But for me the ultimate pastimeIs building a wooden boat.It started in my childhoodBuilding boats out of scraps of wood,My father would take me to the beach to float themKnowing full well they never would. But that was never… Continue reading Ode to Wooden Boats
Patio Contemplation
By Brian John Pollock, 77. Brighton VIC “Out on the patio, we’d sit”Is an iconic Australian song line,A lyric conjuring powerful imageryFor Australians, so sublime. A simple pleasure for manyTo sit alone contemplating life,Out on the patio, glass in handTemporary respite from trouble and strife. For me serious contemplationIs best done outdoors, Perhaps it’s because it… Continue reading Patio Contemplation
Ode to Bondi Beach
By Brian John Pollock, 77. Brighton VIC I’m a twenty-something male, hale and heartyAnd like most people my age enjoy a party.I live in the greater Sydney LGAAnd go to Bondi beach nearly every day. I go to work and pay my taxesI’m not one of your anti-vaxers.I’m waiting ‘til the jab queues start to… Continue reading Ode to Bondi Beach