I first met Don after I had been summoned to Bruce Gyngell’s office at Ch9 in Willoughby.  I had been working as a production Assistant for Bob Raymond on the early morning  “The Today Show” with Diana Ward fronting in Sydney and Mike Walsh in Melbourne – and it just received its marching orders.

Bruce Gyngell quietly asked me if I would like to work on “The Don Lane Show” and of course I was thrilled – work on a live top rating programme – yes please! He then mentioned that Don tended to lose his temper and and swear at his staff, and could I cope with that?  Could I cope?! I had arrived in Sydney in 1968 as a “ten- pound- pom”,  married an Aussie, so this was no time to turn down work.

I have just received my first real rejection …yes…on my arrival in Bali. I asked Deborah Gabinetti, casting  person from the Bali Film Center,  if I could be an “Extra” on the Julia Roberts’ film “Eat, Pray, Love” being filmed somewhere nearby – either Padangbai or Ubud.  Deb expressed surprise..

”Why, you know what film sets are like!”

“Yes” I said lamely “ but I’m in another country” even more lamely.

The Xmas season here in Ubud, Bali – stifling hot one minute, pouring with rain the next was stress –free, no shopping or cooking! The Hindus do not utilize our Holidays- Xmas Day was like any other -and yet several shook hands with me to wish me a Happy Xmas.

This time of year traditionally makes us all the more intensely aware of people who are in poverty, have no choice of where they live, what they eat, and what their survival occupation is. To me poverty is lacking fresh water, sanitation, some form of shelter and food every day, and the choice to get a job or move to another country.