Life of a Bondi Girl

By Fiona Carpenter

I am the youngest of 3 born in 1966 (back then). Australia was slowly finding its feet since English settlement (in 1788) so still a very conservative era because of that influence. My outgoing personality/nature from an early age was more 'Outside the Square' and as I grew up I noticed it more. Since a t

• Language: English
• Publisher: Writers Book Fair
• Release date: Dec 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9781961390294

Book preview

cover.jpgtitle.jpg

Copyright © 2023 by Fiona Carpenter.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or

by any electronic or mechanical means,

including information storage and retrieval systems,

without permission in writing from the author and publisher, except by reviewers, who may quote brief passages in a review.

Book Ordering Information

Writers Book Fair

99 Wall Street Suite 181

New York, NY, 10005, USA

[e-mail]

www.writersbookfair.com

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 1

I’m sitting at home, aged 51, in Sydney, Australia, gazing through my bedroom window to the sea. It’s January 2018, and I’m watching some yachts sailing past in the distance returning from the Sydney to Hobart Race, yachts I saw leave over a week ago. As I look out, I ponder over the previous six years of my life, deciding the time is right to finalise a book I’ve been putting together for the past six years. One might say, What on earth would she have to write about? To some, it might seem indulgent - part of me agrees, but when chatting to people about events over a half-century for me, many have said, You should write a book! so, here I go!

I blink back to 2010: I was working full-time and decided to compete in the Pan Pac Masters Games, a forum for over 18-year-olds involved in individual or team sports. The competition is held every two years on the Gold Coast, Queensland, where like-minded people who enjoy participating, compete in as many disciplines as they choose. Athletes travel from all over the Pacific and the world to be there for a few weeks of competition, partying, and having an awesome time.

I have always been involved in fun activities or keeping fit in one way or another. At school, I was keen on many sports: swimming, athletics, tee ball, softball, tennis, netball, and hockey, and participating in school and inter-school carnivals. I also played tennis after school at Cooper Park, Lyne Park, and Moore Park and attended many school holiday tennis camps from a young age. Mum played at White City, so I spent time watching her, and each January, attended The Sydney International, which I loved, sitting in the scorching sun-hot stands. At the beach on weekends, I participated in Surf Lifesaving, achieving my Bronze Cross and Star. I jogged and attended aerobic classes in the early 1980s, which I kept up for years to keep fit and strong.

Suddenly, in 1994, at 28 I tripped while jogging; instinctively, I braced against a full fall with my left hand on a thigh-high brick wall, but incurred a lower back bulging disc injury (L4-L5). Instantly, searing sciatic nerve pain shot from my left buttock right down to my foot. Trying to brace against the fall probably made my injury worse; aggravation sometimes rears up even now.

Having heard about their side effects, especially on a long-term basis, I didn’t entertain the idea of taking prescription drugs, and never have. Realising my pain threshold was very good, I was advised to get in the pool more seriously, so I did. I was educated in a back rehabilitation program called Feldenkrais and am so grateful for that. The course taught me to self-manage the injury, aiming to enjoy a physically normal life as possible. As years passed, I have been and am now pain-free most of the time.

After experimenting with stretching, power walking, various exercises and different swimming strokes, I realised freestyle would be the most comfortable, so I started focusing on laps.

Six years later, I registered to swim at The Pan Pac in the 50, 100, 200, and 400 metres. I couldn’t wait for commencement in November 2010. Departure day finally arrived and I flew to Queensland. I was blessed to stay with my great school friend and her family in the most beautiful area of the Gold Coast, relishing a catch-up around the swimming competition.

Up early the next day, I arrived for registration, collected everything I needed, then soaked up the atmosphere and met and chatted with loads of sports competitors in various disciplines - I soaked up all sorts of inspirational stories.

Early the following day, my first event was on! After a power breakfast, I made my way to the Miami pool. The atmosphere was electric, festival-like, and full of excitement. I found a space, settled in, and waited for my race. For four days, it was all about making it to each race on time, swimming as fast as I could, and more! Finally, I did and, at the end of the meet, was five seconds behind the medal winners in the 50 and 100 metres. I was so close, too close to ignore; immediately, I made the decision to come back to collect my medals in a couple of years - little did I know what lay ahead.

On a beautiful February weekday morning in 2012, like any other, I wished my gorgeous sons, 11 and 13, a good day at school from the front door, waving as I watched them for a while. Their school was down the road, so they often walked but only together.

Minutes later, I headed back into the kitchen to clean up after breakfast. Almost reaching the table, I fainted, collapsing to the floor. Unaware how much time had passed, I came to, got up,