Comments on: Toni Tapp Coutts – life in the Top End (and win a copy of Border Watch!)

By: Ian Geer

Ian Geer — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 05:37:21 +0000

G’Day, Toni,
Great to read about you, and your success – I guess your tutor (when you was just a little, lovely ankle-biter) may have something to do with your great insight which you have today.
I haven’t had a look at Bill’s entry on the net, yet, but I an writing about my last sixty years of my life – much of which I spent in the NT. I had a lot of time for Bill and what he achieved at Killarney.
You may remember me – after all I left a little bit of me at Killarney (my ring finger). Have you kept in touch with Jan – I would like to contact her, again.
Lots of love to you, and best wishes.
Ian Geer.

By: Toni Tapp COutts

Toni Tapp COutts — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:53:05 +0000

Hello Peter
I am writing a small bio on Bill Tapp to go with an exhibition at the Katherine Museum. If you google his name you will find quite a bit of info. Very interesting man and so glad he was part of my life despite the alcoholism etc. Just add to all good character building stuff. TTC

By: Helene

Helene — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 22:44:16 +0000

Peter, I think Toni is writing a book about her dad which will be out in July.

Sounds like you have some wonderful memories to share. Can we look forward to your book coming out soon?

By: Peter Cook

Peter Cook — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:18:58 +0000

One sunny day a smiling fellow appeared on our back lawn. He had just moved to Nielsen Park(Vaucluse)-he was a “new boy” at Scots College and a mate of my young brother, Boris (Boss). I think his Dad was a scientist. As cast my mind back to those very happy days I see Billy Tapp as one of those real Australians. A friendly, gentle and very sincere chap. He was a good friend but I don’t know whether he kept in touch with Boss(making films in Papua-was drowned in Pacific 1965).
In 1948, Andy McCullough and I turned up at Mataranka after our effort to see as much as possible of our homeland before departing for overseas. We jumped “rattlers” to Alice, worked on building sites, with road gangs, airports, lumber and salt mines etc. “Hardly the way to travel” some folks said but what a wonderful surprise to meet the tall Jackeroo outside the Mataranka hotel. And what a great time we had! Bill took us around in an Elsey Station ute, and we explored, swam and spoke of old days, old friends and the old school.
The ground at night seemed alive with little people all whispering,dancing,squeaking-it was our first night in the tropics after months in the desert.
I am writing about that memorable journey and by fate have reached the night “road train” to Mataranka, I had a page about
June Tapp taken from SMH-can’t locate just now. I would love to know about his rise and inevitable fall, I think of him as a great Australian. Any books?? All good wishes, Pete. (Peter N. Cook)

By: Jenn J McLeod

Jenn J McLeod — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:15:03 +0000

I love the ‘and the winner is’ thingy and seeing my name. LOL That’s about as close as I’ll ever get to seeing my name in print, I think LOL. I’m in edit hell now. But you’ve made my day Helene. And Toni, I’m off to the Territory next week (on your site I mean LOL) That’s after my Emmy entry is in the mail.

By: Helene

Helene — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 01:21:47 +0000

Thanks, Toni. Love the title of your webpage – Toni’s Territory!

Will keep an eye out the Northern Territory writers and of course see you in Darwin at WordStorm, May 2010! Looking forward to that event enormously!

Cheers
Helene

PS – Sandy, your perseverance is noted! xxx

By: Toni Tapp COutts

Toni Tapp COutts — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 23:44:40 +0000

I see I have put wrong web address. (There is no AU) Havent done anything on my webpage for years so will get it updated and more info on it when I know how. lol. http://www.toni.coutts.com

By: Toni Tapp COutts

Toni Tapp COutts — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 23:27:26 +0000

Thank you everyone for being part of this blog. What a great way to share stories. I think I am hooked and may start my own. NO…better get back to writing! Maybe my sister Kate and I should do a book of shared stories as I am the eldest and she is the youngest in the family. There is 18 years between us so our memories and experiences, coming from the same home are very different.
Wishing you every success with Borderwatch Helene. What a fantasitc achievment. I went to the ‘Territory Read Awards’ in Darwin last Friday (just a 600km round trip) Winner was Maria Munkara “Every little Secret’ about growing up on a mission. Keep your eye out for it, it is written with great humour and depth. Winner of the Angus and Roberston Writing Award for writing for young people, was my good friend Leonie Norrington with ‘The Devil You Know’ Some of you may know Leonie from ‘Gardening Australia’ where she presents a section on tropical gardening. wishing you all a Happy Valentines Day and a year full of roses. TTC

By: Sandy

Sandy — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 22:27:40 +0000

Congratulations Jen! Obviously I’m going to have to go ALL the way to Cairns and beg Helene to sign a book for me. (Or two, or three…)

By: Helene

Helene — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:35:46 +0000

So after much deliberations (that involves putting the names in my daggy old garderning hat) the winner is Jen J McCleod!

Jen, send me an email to heleneyoung01@gmail.com and a copy of Border Watch will make it’s way south to you!.

Thanks for dropping by everyone. My next guest blogger will be Tanya Sarianti, a north Queensland artist. I’ll be welcoming her in the first week in March.