Making good.....

Is it just me or does everyone think it feels great to admit your mistakes, be brave and move on?

You might have heard the ads on (92.7) Mix FM for Accord Homes, looking for some help building a charity home.

There was an unfortunate incident a couple of years ago – a work place accident on an Accord Homes site resulting in serious injury to a contractor and his employee.

Part of Accord Homes so called punishment for that accident, is an enforceable undertaking - that is, they have been ordered to spend some money in the community….

Accord Homes could quite easily have just written a cheque – allocated the money to a community group and put the whole thing behind them.

But anyone who knows Peter Flaskas (one of the owners of Accord Homes) knows he would never do that. Instead, the plan to join with local subbies and suppliers in building a fully furnished home to be sold, and the proceeds given to Integrated Family and Youth Service (IFYS).

Accord Homes is providing capital and project management…they’d love help with a block of land – and any donations of goods or services to build the house will be gratefully accepted.
If you’d like to find out more, contact Accord Homes 5443 7079.

Irritated?

Is it just me or is everyone not really annoyed by the people they work with?

Mark is the only person I work really closely with – and while he sometimes brings egg salad to our (very small) studio – on the whole, he’s not too bad.

A leading recruiting company has done a survey and listed the top ten most annoying office habits.

1. Office drummers – people who like to tap tap tap….

2. The Foghorn phone voice – I’m not sure I’m guilty of that – but I have heard the odd office door slam when I’m around people trying to talk on the phone…

3. People who wear too much perfume – we don’t have one of those – but I think we’ve call copped a whiff in the past…

4. What about Key smashers? People who hit their computers too hard? Seriously, if you’re whinging about that, you’re a wuss…

5. People who are paid for nothing. I hate work avoiders – but even more I hate delegaters. Everyone’s got their job to do - don’t come up with new crap for me – I’m busy….

6. Apparently we hate people who come to work sick. Not me, I actually love a trooper – call me crazy but I’m much more annoyed by people who have time off…

7. Smelly lunches…

8. Annoying Ringtones…. (no comment…talk to Nokia…I only use it because it’s loud…)

9. Space invaders – that’s colleagues who can’t keep their stuff on one desk…

And finally…..

10. Ink pink…you stink! The most annoying people at work are the smelly ones….fair call.

Peak Oil.....

Is it just me or does everyone think the rest of our lives are going to be dominated by oil - or the lack there of?

There are plans for a local growers market on the Sunshine Coast - a very sensible plan to sell produce locally, rather than trucking it away so we can truck it back at ten times the price. The Labor party is battling over the cost of fuel too – that’s because absolutely everything we do and buy is about the cost of fuel.

I believe in 'peak oil'; that oil is a finite resource and the more we depend on it, the quicker it will go.

The concept of peak oil has been around a while – those who like to drive their V8’s have called it greenie scaremongering.

Recently the CEO of Shell oil, a Dutchman named Jeroen van der Veer, admitted we are headed for trouble.

Mr van der Veer told all his staff, 'Shell estimates that after 2015 supplies of easy-to-access oil and gas will no longer keep up with demand.'

Governments are famous for taking the path of least resistance – despite being fully aware we’re heading for a crisis – they consider it too risky to tackle the hard questions.

There is a project called ‘The Blue House’ in Yandina - the people behind The Blue House project dream of a community that is completely self sufficient. Call them alarmist – but the people behind the Blue House project believe the day will come that their model will be the only thing between Australians and total chaos.

I know lots of people don’t believe in Peak Oil – they think it’s some greenie conspiracy to steal away their quality of life. I just point to the headline - $2.00/litre for petrol by Christmas.

Big decisions...

Is it just me or is everyone grateful for kids who just fight and refuse to clean their room?

Over the weekend, the Victorian family court granted a twelve year old girl the right to a sex change procedure.

A gaggle of experts testified that the girl, who can’t be identified for obvious reasons, suffers gender dysmorphia…that is, despite the fact she was born a girl she doesn’t identify herself as such, in any way.

Basically, when she looks in the mirror, she sees a boy. Simple as that.

And the family court agreed – granting the girl the right to a sex change operation, a new birth certificate, passport and medicare card.

Now I’m no expert, but I’ve known a couple of sexually re-assigned adults – and in my experience, the operation is no recipe for happiness. People who make that choice just exchange one type of limbo for another.

I'm not saying she wouldn't be better off re-assigned, just that it's unlikely to be everything she hopes.

For the record, the girl's father and his family intend to appeal the decision of the family court, saying that while they are not against gender changes and all of her family will stand by her no matter what…they don’t agree the treatment is warranted in this case.

I don’t know the girl – but I do know this – I am glad no-one asked me to decide my entire future at the age of 12.

Lock up your daughters. Please.

Is it just me or does everyone think there is no such thing as a fine line between art and child porn?

Last night police raided a trendy, mainstream art gallery in Paddington Sydney, seizing photographs by Bill Henson, featuring naked 12 and 13 year-old girls.

You can see the photos on the net if you like – they are nothing like art – they are the saddest thing I have ever seen.

Dark, sombre photos, featuring little girls completely nude. If the subjects were adult, I might think the photos were beautiful. But they’re not – the wide eyed, frail and vulnerable nudes are children.

There seems to be an explosion at the moment – every so called 'Hollywood' parent seems happy to make their little girl famous for getting her gear off. They might be kidding themselves that it’s art…but it’s not…take one look at the photos from Bill Hensen – I have no doubt they will be saved straight to favourites on every pedophile computer in the world. It honestly makes me want to cry.

Every time a 13 year old gets her gear off, and someone defends it as art, we break down the taboo…and in no time at all they lose the capacity to shock. And before long, we move the bar a little lower.

Cover up your little girls – there is heaps of time for them to be models and actresses and objects of desire for strangers.

It’s not prudish..it’s basic protection.

One world, one God?

Is it just me or does everyone suspect there might be just one God?

I’m Catholic and I love God very much. I don’t subscribe to every thing the Catholic Church has to say – but I’ve got my reasons for staying in the fold.

Those reasons are between God and me.

I don’t know if it’s considered blasphemous, but I think I’ve believed in one God all my life; same mountain, different path to the top. Something like that.

It’s only recently when Australians became nervous about Islam that I have tried to make sense of that thought.

Put simply, I suppose I just don’t think God is as interested in rules and divisions as man appears to be.

Religion has been a brutal tyrant in His name, and I consider that the worst sin of all.

Muslim extremists are completely out of step with God and the Quran, in the same way IRA bombers are out of step with God and Catholicism, and the Oklahoma bombers were out of step with God and the Pentecostal churches.

There is a new movement called One World One God, I don’t know much about it and I don’t have any faith that we’ll all eventually sort out our differences, but I like to think someone is trying.

I’m baring my little Christian soul for a reason by the way. A friend of mine has just been appointed the interim head of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils.
Haset Sali is his name and he’s one in a million.

I’m sure he’d hate me to tell you, but I first got to know Haset through his generosity. Every now and then on the air at Mix FM we tell the story of someone doing it tough. Haset is often the first person to donate.

He’s also one of the best known blokes I know, in business, in Alex, at the gym, in politics, even in Shepparton, Victoria, where I used to live, everybody knows Haset.

To be honest, I hope he becomes even more famous. As the author of a new book, “The Holy Quran Simply: A Simple English Translation” and as a high-profile moderate Muslim leader.

I’ve always respected Muslims. Equally, I’ve had doubts and fears about what sort of messages might be hidden in the Quran.

In everything, however, I believe what unites us as humans is a lot more significant than what divides us, so in honour of Haset’s appointment, I thought I’d investigate the obvious similarities between mainstream, warring, religions.

A very small step on the road to peace.

Did you know “Allah” is the Aramaic word Jesus used when praying to God? In Hebrew the word is “Eloh”, meaning the same thing, God.

One Islamic website claims the prophet Moses revealed the Torah, the prophet Jesus revealed the gospel and the prophet Mohammed revealed the Quran.

All three prophets appear in all three books. Even the scarves worn by Muslim women are worn in respect of Mary, mother of Jesus.

Then, there’s Lent and Ramadan, the fact Islam has a Lord’s Prayer, and even the Ten Commandments can be found in the Quran.

In fact, large tracts of the Quran can be found almost word for word in the Bible. I’m not sure about the Torah, but I’m willing to make a bet. I don’t know exactly when the wires got crossed, but I believe with all my heart that at some point we all agreed.

Above all else, and regardless of any horror perpetrated by their followers, all three faiths preach peace.

Obviously, this issue is a lot more important than I could ever give it credit. I’m just very proud of Haset and look forward to leaders like him bridging the gap.

And, on that note, I’m going to leave you with my favourite Haset quote.
He said, “God does not belong to us, nor the Christians, nor does God belong to the Jews. It is we who belong to God.”

Godspeed my friend.

Sneaky spend...

Is it just me or does everyone get very nervous about the sly spend?

Bob Jane and his ex wife, Laree are in court – generously allowing Australia a glimpse of life in the fast lane.

Apparently Laree likes to shop – Bob claims she has 41 credit cards and was unable to keep within her 800 thousand dollar a year allowance. In a year, according to Bob and his lawyers, Laree racked up 1.5 million dollars in credit - then took out a mortgage on the house to pay it off.

That’s a sneaky spend.

My dad once told my mum that we had no money, we were on a 'credit squeeze'. After breaking the news to Mum, he sat all the kids down and explained that he had big plans for the business and we had to reign in the spending to prepare.

I am not kidding – the very next day he went to Perth and bought a boat – a 17 foot Westerberg – so quite a big boat in fact. Dad’s been dead 20 years and I think Mum’s still getting over the Westerberg.

I used to work with a bloke called Neil whose wife just turned up at the office one day with a new car. I know I’m a little 1950’s housewife, but in my tiny world, new cars are more a bloke’s thing.

I’m not saying I’d be happy if John sneaked off and bought a new car without telling me – but there’s a lot more chance he’d do it than I would.

I was blown away by Neil's wife - very proud of her though - and proud of Neil too, because while he was shocked, he took it really well and agreed she got a really good deal.

Boo Hoo Boomers!

Is it just me or does everyone love a sweeping generalisation? Without them, there’d be no breakfast radio, that’s for sure.

Australia’s most famous demographer Bernard Salt wrote a very provocative article yesterday about baby boomers bleeding the nation dry.

Baby boomers are people born after their dad’s got back from WWII. People born between 1946 and 1961 – people raised on the sheep’s back in Australia – the generation that has earned the most from the property boom – the generation that could buy a newsagency for a couple of thousand dollars, put in the hard yards and walk away a millionaire, with no nasty debt or multinational competition.

And Bernard Salt says they’re the most selfish generation Australia has ever seen.

Mr Salt wrote his article in response to the protesting pensioners getting their gear off in Melbourne this week.

He says the generation before baby boomers is ‘the frugals’ - people born in the 1920’s and 30’s, surrounded by catastrophe: they were born between world wars with a Great Depression thrown in for good measure. The generation we could all learn from.

Unlike their children, Frugals aren't motivated by money or status and they are largely happy in retirement. Bernard Salt claims the Frugals make little or no demand on the national budget because most of them are grateful for the pension. They never expected nor received a cent for free.

Boomers, according to Mr Salt are about to show us exactly how selfish they are. He claims no matter how much money they have to retire on, it still won't be enough. And, unlike their Frugal parents, boomer retirees will be whining long and loud for the next 20 years about how hard done by they are.

(I submit this from the safe haven of 'generation x', whatever that means....feel free to discuss....)

Deliverance country?

Is it just me – or does everyone think it’s completely acceptable in Australia to bag the town you grew up in?

Former Labor leader Mark Latham grabbed a headline this weekend by claiming in a newspaper column that Kevin Rudd used to be "fond of telling people that once you leave Brisbane and cross the Pine River you can hear the sound of banjo music". Hell has no fury like a leader scorned and all that.

I love the place - and if our Kev used to crack gags about Nambour in the old days – I’m not offended in the least. For a start, just because someone says something, doesn’t make it true.

Lots of people like to say that Queenslanders are red necks, that we live in a cultural vacuum. It doesn’t make it true. In fact, it usually makes me laugh.

I've lived in every state of Australia except SA and Tassie....I've spent a bit of time overseas and I've been on the coast exactly ten years.


I've never really thought about the cultural merits of any place I've lived.

What I read, the movies I watch, theatre I see (which is very little), music I enjoy, conversations I have and food I eat is completely up to me.

Where I choose to live has never really had any impact on my cultural life.

In a place as big as the Sunshine Coast, if you can't find like minded people to hang out with (and sit around discussing how culturally superior you are to the rest of us) then I reckon you're just not trying!

Domestic Violence Hurts....

Is it just me or does everyone think children raised in violent homes are probably the most troubled adults in Australia?

How we deal with violence is getting better – but there’s still a long way to go.

I’m taking part in an interactive workshop at Maroochy library today – hoping to raise awareness for domestic violence month.

Awareness is great, but practical help is even better. I heard today about a new law in New South Wales – which seeks to understand how domestic violence is perpetuated.

Trialled successfully in Campbelltown and Wagga, the hard line law is about to rolled out across the state – and hopefully the nation.

Basically, it works like this....People accused of bashing their partners will have just seven days to plead guilty or not guilty.

Right now, the perpetrator gets to drag things out. Slow down court proceedings – make sure the bruises are gone – see if he or she can’t talk the victim around – then, with a bit of luck, enter a plea of not guilty....and the arresting officers throw up their hands in despair.

Just by forcing perpetrators to plead within seven days of the crime – so far, in Campbelltown and Wagga – guilty pleas have risen by 65.8 per cent – 65.8 per cent!!!

That's a quick turnaround, less time wasted in the courts and 65.8 per cent more recorded convictions. 65.8 per cent more people forced to answer for their actions.

Like shooting their own people in the head....

Is it just me or was everyone completely unaware of a cyclone in Burma, exactly four years ago this month?

According to the United Nations, at the time, roughly 140 people died and 18,000 were left homeless. Roughly.

What about a tsunami later that year? Didn’t hear about that? Me neither.There is basically no media in Burma – or Myanmar - not media the way we know it, anyway.

Myanmar is a military dictatorship, run by a committee of generals, or Junta. The average wage in the country is $1,900 a year. What that buys is anyone’s guess, but rest assured the vast majority of the nation’s 55 million people are desperately poor.

We know the ruling generals deal in forced labour camps for children, that education is largely only available until the age of nine and that upwards of 3000 entire villages have been burned to the ground in the past 10 years as punishment for civil unrest.

Late last year, Buddhist monks in Burma began what is known as a Saffron Protest. Quietly and peacefully, the monks began to march, in their saffron robes. At first, the Junta reacted slowly, doing little more than firing on protesters and carrying out beatings.

Then, late last year the monks stepped things up, withdrawing all ministry from members of the military. That is, they began refusing to pray for or with members of the Junta.

Six months later thousands of monks are officially listed as ‘missing’, monasteries are patrolled by government troops and at least one eyewitness claims to have seen injured protesters being burned alive in a crematorium on the outskirts of Rangoon.

Why haven’t we heard about it? For the same reason thousands are being left to die this week. Because Burma is a shut shop.

The ruling generals allow no information in or out and since the nation largely only deals in heroin and rubies, the rest of the world has so far struggled to care.

A natural disaster as big as Cyclone Nargis, however, is a little hard to ignore and therefore very inconvenient for governments like the Myanmar junta.

For a long time worldwide aid agencies have been looking for an excuse to get ‘in country’, they were hoping this would be their chance - but it’s not looking good.

Earlier, I mentioned the Tsunami of 2004. Following that disaster, Myanmar’s generals made the World Food Program wait two weeks before its workers could even visit the affected areas.

Almost four years later, Indian meteorologists were warning of Cyclone Nargis as early as April 26. As predicted, the cyclone made landfall in Myanmar on May 2 — which, by the way, was the eve of World Press Freedom Day. How’s that for tragic co-incidence?

Despite the repeated warnings from India, the people of Burma were completely unprepared for the catastrophic winds of Nargis, simply because they never even knew they were coming.

Internet is banned in Burma. All television and radio is state-owned and controlled by the government. Censorship is so deliberately slow that daily papers cannot operate.

A French disaster expert has called the junta’s refusal to accept help for its people a crime against humanity. He says: “It’s like they’re taking a gun and shooting their own people.” The French government is calling on the UN to enact the 2005 resolution “responsibility to protect” and just barge into Burma, taking aid to the people without the government’s permission.

In the past week tonnes of medicine, food and shelter materials have been flown to Burma, for all we know, it lies rotting on the docks.

Foreign experts in sanitation, nutrition and medicine have either been prevented from entering the country or turned back by armed police when they try to move out of Rangoon.

As we go to print, there are claims of another cyclone heading directly for the Irrawaddy Delta.

The world finally does care what happens.

Perhaps the greatest tragedy of all, is that the people of Burma will never know how much.

First, do no harm....

Is it just me or does everyone hope the choices they make are good ones?

I love seafood – in the past couple of years I’ve become a bit of a nazi about only buying local stuff – but I’ve worried that if I don’t slow down on the Moreton Bay Bugs there might be none left for generations to come…I really like them…

Last night I went to the launch of the commercial fishing industries EMS – that’s their environmental management system – ensuring the security of local fish stocks…forever.

Every day’s a school day, we know that, but last night I learned some really interesting stuff!

Commercial fishermen are violently opposed to the Traveston Dam – that’s because the ocean needs to be flushed and oxygenated by fresh water. Thanks to the drought we’re already experiencing something called hypersalinity in the south east, which is obviously very bad for fish stocks. Damming the Mary River could spell disaster.

It’s been easy to blame professional fisherman for falling fish stocks – but it’s rarely that simple. Our local guys have proved they’re doing everything they can to be sustainable - and I think we should all celebrate by going out and buying fat juicy environmentally sustainable local prawns….

And if you want to find out more about the EMS - check out www.qsia.com.au

Underbelly is exactly that.....

Is it just me or does everyone love Australian drama?

John laughs at me – but I’m a big fan of 'All Saints' – I’m apparently the only person who liked 'Canal Road' and I’m still mourning the death of 'Last man standing'.

'Underbelly', though, is my favourite thing that’s been produced for a while…..

I'm no expert, but I think Australia loved it because it actually happened – it’s an insight to a world we’d only heard about in the news.

When criminals in Melbourne started gunning each other down at kids footy matches – and in their driveways with five year olds watching – we wondered how it could happen.

I don't know about you, but that's why I liked 'Underbelly' so much – it showed me who these people were – why they were the same as me – and why they weren’t.

Having said all that, I reckon we need some perspective.

This week, I was thoroughly sickened by the parading of Mick Gatto across every news service – convincing us what a great bloke he is…

Carl Williams is serving a 30 year sentence for murder – which, as we all know, means he could be back on the streets as early as next year. If he gets his own cooking show on channel nine….or becomes a crime commentator….or even once gets touted as a celebrity and paraded at Melbourne fashion week….I’ll know we’ve finally gone mad in Australia.

I loved 'Underbelly' - but in real life these guys are (or were) dumb, violent, exploitative criminals. And they should never be allowed forget that.

Happy Anniversary to me xx

Is it just me or has everyone been in their job 10 years?

Today is the 10th anniversary of my first morning on air at Mix Fm on the Sunshine Coast…

Back in 1998 I had a six year old and three year old and a one year old.

I was on air with Peter Lang and Justin Vievers – and the coast was a slightly slower place.

It’s a bit hard to remember exactly what was different, but these are a few of my memories – I’d love to know yours…

The radio station was in the Curry Street Nambour, Moreton Sugar Mill was alive and well.

The Sunshine Coast University was brand spanking new – the Sunshine Plaza was a lot smaller – there were significantly less coffee shops.

Chancellor Park wasn’t really there I don’t think, and Mooloolaba was still pretty sleepy…the Mooloolaba Pub was still party central, but plans were on the table for the Outrigger and Landmark buildings.

Surf Life Savers were really famous ten years ago – Kerri Thomas and Steve Pullen were the biggest news in town.

Chris Vermuelen was a kid at Yandina …

The thing I remember about it most though – it looked exactly like it does today. The sun was shining absolutely everyday – the water was blue and warm and I knew that my family and I had just got really lucky…

Thanks for having me.

The power of positive thinking....

Is it just me or is everyone the epitome of Mortgage Stress at the moment???

A couple of months ago we bought a FANTASTIC beach shack at Alexandra Headlands at auction.... got a bargain…90 day settlement, thought we’d be no worries of selling in time....

We basically have about five days to go before we NEED to sell to make the June 13 settlement date on Alex and we can't seem to take a trick....

So I'm putting it out there.

The weird thing is, despite fact we're cutting it mighty fine - I'm still not worried, mostly because I know it's the right thing for us to do - and because I believe in the power of prayer!!

My friend Kerry recently told me about something called the 'spirit of intent' - when enough people want and pray for something, it will happen....so I'm asking for help.....

My basic philosophy is this - if everyone prays that a new family will be just as happy in our house as we have been (very bloody quickly)....or some rich investor snaps up our units and makes a motza.....

If it would help your positive visualisation to actually see the houses, go for it!

Thanks xx


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Long suffering Mama xx

Is it just me or does everyone think Mother’s Day is really important?

Lots of kids are selfish – I know I am. We expect our Mum’s to be available whenever we want or need them – and because they love us they usually comply.

Over the years – most Mum’s give up a hell of a lot – maybe it’s time – maybe it’s financial sacrifice – maybe your mum has the smallest meal because there isn’t quite enough to go around - and sometimes, completely against their natural instincts, mothers record radio promo’s for their daughters breakfast show.

For those of you not on the Sunshine Coast - that is what my Mum is up to this week. Mix FM has built a mother's day comp around Mama - and she had to record an ad! How popular do you think I am. "Caroline, this is ridiculous...I've never once made you come into my work and do my job!!!' (If I mentioned cleaning dunnies at the caravan park, I'm sure it was under my breath....)

Anyway, mum is amazing – my quality of life is all about my Mum. Everything is easier everyday because she helps me – and this is how I repay her!!! So if you're chatting on the phone or you bump into her at Bilo or Target this week – for God’s sake – don’t mention that you heard her on the radio…

Walk safely to school!

Is it just me or does everyone believe passionately that every little bit helps?

Today is walk safely to school day – it’s a great idea to keep kids fit and reduce our reliance on oil guzzlers.

There’s a school on the sunshine coast that has set the standard on walking to school.

Last year, Our Lady of the Rosary at Shelley Beach participated in walk safely to school – then got really excited and came up with a monthly car free challenge.

The class with the smallest number of people coming to school by car wins money from the P and F.

Liza Neil, a parent at the school, tells me that one month they managed to clear the staff car park – absolutely every teacher walked to school and won the money! But apparently it’s the year 3’s who hold the crown – they’re saving up the money each month for a trip to the movies…

Today is a big celebration at OLR – the first anniversary of their green challenge. Liza says the most exciting aspect of the car free challenge is the spectacle - at 8 o’clock this morning between 2 and 3 hundred children and parents, siblings and dogs came streaming up the hill in a joyous cacophony…she says cars don’t stand a chance…

There are so many good reasons to walk - health, tackling childhood obesity, reducing carbon footprint…and just because it’s really good fun….

You can never be too thin....

Is it just me or does everyone think anorexia nervosa is the most bewildering illness?

My family was hanging out at Mooloolaba this week, parked next to a huge family group, obviously celebrating a teenager’s birthday.

The birthday girl was about 16, and emaciated. She was tall and bottle blonde, wearing a tiara bought by her loving family, and shorty pyjamas she was struggling to keep on her heartbreakingly bony hips. Her tiny thighs looked ready to snap like twigs.

There was clearly no lack of family support; the extended group was in the park to show her just how precious she was. They were laughing and playing, and no doubt working like demons to keep the party swinging.

It’s still not known why people get anorexia. What we do know, however, is that it’s a curiously Western disease, most common in teenage girls and certain employment groups like models and ballet dancers.

I knew three girls who suffered the disease when I was a teenager. One of them was my friend’s older sister, who literally starved herself to death over three years. Her bones became brittle, she lost the ability to walk and eventually her organs shut down.

The other two girls I knew were both perfectionists by nature. I remember when my friend Denise first stopped eating it just made me cross, because I resented how she flaunted her self control, shaking her head if we dared to eat chocolate or finish our lunch while hers sat unwrapped and untouched on the quadrangle tarmac.

These days anorexia nervosa affects around one in 10 girls and lasts about seven years.

Researchers at the University of Western Sydney have released a book based on four years of conversations with the families of 24 sufferers.

The book, Inside Anorexia, found in all 24 cases, the parents and siblings of the starving teen carry as many scars as the sufferer. Marriages have broken down, fathers have been forced to give up work and brothers and sisters are rebellious or withdrawn.

As a school mate I found Denise’s illness frustrating. Her obsessive behaviour was boring. While shamefully we continued to gossip about her, as friends we eventually withdrew our support. It’s terrible to imagine how that must have compounded things for her beautiful mum and dad.

Inside Anorexia tells the story of Hannah, who would peel and steam one frozen carrot at a time, weigh it, have three tiny mouthfuls, turn the plate 45 degrees and have another three mouthfuls.

When the carrot was gone, she would repeat the routine with another carrot from the freezer.
“It nearly drove us bonkers,” her mother said. “It would take her up to 2½ hours each night to eat … 200 calories. It was mind-blowingly annoying. And we’d have to have the exact products in the right part of the fridge or she’d throw a hysterical screaming fit.”

The study found obsessive compulsive disorder is often apparent in anorexics.
One mother talks about how initially her daughter became fixated on dog hair in the house, constantly vacuuming and sweeping, yelling at the dog for dropping hair on the floor and even blocking doorways with furniture to stop the stressed dog moving about the house. That was just before she stopped eating.

Australian Story this week featured the tragic tale of Channel 10 newsreader Charmaine Dragun. Her mother says the passing comment, “Pretty girl, pity she’s got such a fat arse,” as Charmaine walked past a building site was the trigger that ultimately resulted in her daughter’s death.

Tragically, so called “high achievers” like Charmaine are a large proportion of those who suffer anorexia nervosa, people who have advanced self discipline and a strong desire for perfection.

According to the authors of Inside Anorexia, schools and parents can accidentally encourage anorexia by placing too much emphasis on self discipline, competition with others and the importance of being thin.

Combine that with a couple of “fat arse” comments and it’s a potent, deadly cocktail.
Inside Anorexia is published by the University of Western Sydney and available on-line for $36.95.