Australia, my new home
I’m an Irish Registered Nurse. In 1973, along with my husband, I emigrated to Australia. We were keen to work in the Northern Territory so moved from Sydney to Darwin in November 1974, just a few weeks before Cyclone Tracy. What an introduction to the vagaries of the Top End weather this proved to be. Fortunately, I survived the horrors of the cyclone and very quickly understood that a tropical storm is nothing like a storm in Ireland!
Nursing in the Top End
My goal of nursing in the Northern Territory was to work with Indigenous communities. I achieved this experience and my life was enhanced by working alongside many Indigenous people in areas such as Darwin, Alice Springs and Yuendumu. Here I learnt many wonderful things about their cultural groups and their distinctive way of life.
In 2024, after 56 years spent working in health, I retired.
My literary journey
For some time now I have lived in Manningham and have joyfully embraced a new chapter. It has always been my dream to write. To be a published author was my goal. I had the topic – the writing and sharing of my times living, working and learning within the Indigenous communities – I just needed to know the how and the why. Voila! Along came the U3A Creative Writing class led by the wonderful tutor Richard Davis. This class under his tutelage had some fantastic members who helped me work through my barriers to achieve my dream of writing and completing my first novel.
I’m proud to say that in January 2026 my novel The Milingimbi Adventure was published and has been released in the UK, Ireland and Australia. It is available on Amazon.
It’s a fictional thriller set in the remote areas of the NT and includes friendship, dangerous native animals, missing persons, drugs, murders and, of course, romance. All the ingredients to make up a fast and pacy read.
I thank U3A’s Richard Davis and his creative writing class as it has played such an important role in bringing my novel to the world.
Esther Murray
Member, Creative Writing Class