About Ros
I have now lived more than half my life in Australia and feel blessed to call it home. Not always so! It took me almost three decades to feel ‘alive’ here and develop a sense of belonging. Intriguingly, it was the connection to the Australian outback, more specifically its space and sense of place, that captured my spirit. More on that later…
Born and bred in the UK, my first introduction to Australia was before and after working two years in Papua New Guinea, as a volunteer teacher in the 1970s. It was an intensely formative experience, which I fully realised after revisiting this incredibly diverse country in 2017. In the mid 80s, I emigrated to Sydney, Australia with my husband and eldest son.
Family commitments reigned while I explored what gave meaning to my life. Given our own migrant background the family became involved and committed to the Asylum Seekers Centre of NSW, a wonderful place of welcome and support for those living in the community and seeking asylum.
Surprisingly, it was the July 2007 bombs in London which decided my next direction. Travelling across London on that fateful day compelled me to act in a positive and constructive way. It resulted in two interfaith prayer compilations: Mosaic (ABC Books, 2008) and A World of Prayer (Orbis, 2012). Both were designed to foster greater understanding and mutual respect for the world’s religions. I truly believe we are all members of one human family who share the divine nature at the deepest level of the Spirit.
These books deepened my own spirituality and led me to join Eremos a forum for exploring spirituality in Australia. I met some delightful people and became a Council member participating and organising different events including ‘Eremos into the Desert’ expedition .
Appreciating desert spirituality opened my eyes to the paradox of the desert: its apparent desolation yet abundance of life; its capacity for solace but unforgiving harsh nature. It also led to a continuing interest in Aboriginal spirituality and Aboriginal justice related issues such as supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart. In 2020, I joined the Women’s Reconciliation Network.
My third compilation was about death. Triggered by my mother’s sudden death in Australia whilst holidaying from the UK, A Matter of Life and Death: (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2016) presents 60 unique voices who share their wisdom and experiences on death. Contributors revealed that, beyond the heartache and the mystery, death can teach us how to live our lives.
Compiling this book has led me to embrace life more fully. I enjoy volunteering as a biographer for terminally ill people as well as sailing and learning the classical guitar. Daily meditation is a natural rhythm and bookmark to my day, the silence allowing my spirit to grow.
Occasionally I write about things that are important to me - places, pilgrimages, and points of interest. Writing helps me make sense of them. You can read them here.
