“If my son has the opportunity to interact with young people from other cultures, he’ll learn they’re just the same as him,” said the mother.
As a result, that young boy is growing up with an open mind and acceptance of other people, so by the time he’s an adult he won’t see the sense of warfare against people he considers friends, despite their colour, race or religion.
“It’s one way of helping to end wars in future,” she said.

“Rural life still good?”
“Rural? You mean beach life?” I responded during a recent online chat. “It’s very laid back.”
Life in Coolum Beach (approx population: 7200) is still leisurely, despite the installation of a third set of traffic lights in town - I’m still getting used to our relatively new roundabout on the main street.

I don’t mind getting my hands dirty. As a teenager I regularly pulled apart my bicycle and changed the seat, handle bars and flat tyres.
These days, I occasionally poke around in the dirt in my few scattered pot plants on the deck; however, kneading a ball of dough into a respectable-looking chapatti is quite a different challenge.
For starters, I'll need a frilly polka dot apron.

_“No, that doesn’t sound right.”
We stop, mid-song.
“Let me hear your note again,” says Yvonne, blowing her pitch pipe.
We hesitantly sing our part, waiting for someone else to take the lead.
“Tenors,” she says, coming over to our section, “You’re singing the Altos’ part!”

“Do you like to sing?”
“No,” I replied.
“Oh…well, there’s a great community choir in Coolum, if you’re interested. It’s a good way to make new friends.”
“Thanks, I’ll think about it.”