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WA author an inspiration to young writers

24/03/2023. By Carmelle Wilkinson.

Trevor Todd.

Forget the smell of roses or freshly cleaned laundry — for WA children’s author and playwright Trevor Todd, nothing beats the smell of a new book.

The strangely intoxicating scent haunts libraries and bookstores, sending bookworms into a state of euphoria.

“I remember waking in the middle of the night to hold and smell my first published book, Mason Judy,” he said.

“I had an advanced copy sent to me and I’d keep it right next to my bed. I may not have done that for the ones that followed haha, but that first book was a huge sense of achievement.”

Trevor, with his first book Mason Judy, which was illustrated by the late and great Australian artist Robert Juniper.

With 15 children’s books, a feature film, television drama series and a stage play to his name, the 75-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down.

“I wrote my first stage play With Fire in Her Heart: An Edith Cowan Story for the Perth Fringe Festival when I was 71,’’ he said.

“I’m currently working on a First Nations stage play and children’s book, The Island in Time, which explores what happened when Captain James Stirling arrived on the banks of the Swan River.

“The story follows the leader of the Whadjuk Noongar people, Yellagonga and the story of colonisation.”

Trevor said for as long as he can remember he’s had a pencil in his hand.

“I started writing stories in primary school, a passion which was lovingly supported by my mother,’’ he said.

“Writing has always been my happy place.

“I still remember in fourth grade we were asked to write a story for the headmaster, and Mr Woods walked into my class that afternoon and said someone in this class has written the best story in the whole school.

“When he started to read my story aloud that was a real lightbulb moment for me. I felt on top of the world.”

Following high school, instead of pursuing a career in writing, Trevor decided to follow a path more well-worn – teaching.

“My brother had studied teaching, so I thought I’d do it too,’’ he said.

It was while teaching at a primary school in the eastern suburbs for several years that it became evident that this profession wasn’t for him.

“When an opportunity to study at WAIT (Western Australian Institute of Technology) came along I jumped at it,” he said.

“I am eternally grateful and thankful for my time at Curtin. It’s opened so many wonderful doors for me over my career and I am so appreciative. All the things I learned during my degree I’m still making use of, after all these years.”

Trevor at his graduation with his mum.

Born in England, Trevor moved to Perth with his parents and siblings when he was four years old.

The family called Guildford home for many years, and it’s here that Trevor recalls a wonderful childhood playing by the river with his brother and sister and staying out until the streetlights came on.

“I spent a great deal of my childhood reading,’’ he said.

“You would often find me with an Enid Blyton classic in my hand.”

When he was nine, Trevor received an ink pad from his aunt in England, which he used to create a catalogue for his books.

“I placed numbers on the books and then placed them on the bookshelf my parents got me – I had my very own Trevor Todd library.”

Following graduation in 1982 Trevor worked for the audio-visual branch of the education department, where he used to make educational films and television for students.

From there he did some freelance writing, before writing his highly popular children’s book Old Sam, Jasper and Mr Frank.

The book, which was published by Penguin and adapted into a television series, earned him an Australian Writers Guild.

In 1996, Trevor took up an Australian Film Commission Creative Nation Fellowship and travelled to Britain to work at Pinewood Studios, an experience which he said changed his life.

“I was in heaven. It was one of the greatest experiences of my career,’’ he said.

Other incredible experiences included watching his psychological thriller feature film Devil’s Gate in a Scotland movie theatre for the first time and sitting in the audience at the Perth Fringe Festival reciting the lines from his first stage play.

“There is nothing quite like sitting in the audience and hearing and watching people’s reactions to your play,’’ he said.

“The emotions are immediate, and no two audiences are the same.”

Inspired by the colourful and magical world around him, Trevor’s tales are a kaleidoscope of themes and adventures.

“I love variety, I couldn’t imagine doing the one thing all the time. I’ve been very blessed to be able to do that,’’ he said.

“One of my books, 100 Watermelons, came about after a trip to the Boat Shed in Cottesloe with my grandsons.

“We were in the carpark, when we saw a forklift taking a load of watermelons off the back of a truck. It wobbled and looked like the watermelons might fall.

“I thought, I could write a story about this, so I did.”

Trevor Todd’s popular children’s books – 100 Watermelons, and Feeling Blue which features beautiful photography from Mark Eatwell (a former student of Trevor’s, when he was a primary school teacher).

Over the course of his career, Trevor said he’s never been short of mentors who believed in his ability, including his good friend David Lightfoot – the late Australian producer of Wolf Creek and Babe.

“David was a great guy. He was always happy to have a chat, look over my scripts and lend advice,’’ he said.

“I can still hear him saying ‘mate, you’ve got to smash this by page six’ and then he’d tell me what to do to achieve this.

“Everyone loved David, he was definitely one of the greats.”

Another inspiration to Trevor was Professor Glen Phillips who he met in 1967 at Graylands Teachers College.

“What an inspirational lecturer. There are lecturers you never forget, and he was one of them,’’ he said.

“I’m a much better writer because of him.”

So, what’s Trevor’s advice for budding young writers?

“Keep writing,” he said.

“Pick up the paper and pen or grab your laptop and just keep writing.”

___

This year marks 10 years since the Collection of Carrolup Children’s Artwork returned to WA and @johncurtingallery, under the guidance of the Carrolup Elders Reference Group, became the custodian. 🖤❤️💛
 
Coinciding with the 10th year anniversary, another 10 drawings created by Australian First Nations Stolen Generations children have been added to the Collection.
 
Three of these drawings were donated by Curtin Fine Arts graduate Priscilla Kelly, the granddaughter of Charles Cook who was the Carrolup school inspector in 1950.
 
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the John Curtin Gallery is exhibiting never-before-seen footage of the child artists creating their precious works in the 1940s, after they had been forcibly taken from their families.
 
“Every single work created by the children of Carrolup offers another window into their story and our history with every new connection taking us a step closer to healing and reconciling the past.”
 
- John Curtin Gallery’s Carrolup Manager, Kathleen Toomath
 
The anniversary exhibition, ‘Kalyagool Karni-Wangkiny ([Telling Truth Always) – A Decade of Carrolup’, runs from May 12 to July 9 at the John Curtin Gallery.
 
Learn more about the Carrolup Centre for Truth-Telling via the link in bio. 👆🏽
 
Kalyagool Karni-Wangkiny [Telling Truth Always]: A Decade of Carrolup is made possible by @inside_bhp, @lotterywest, Jeff Elliott, @johncurtingallery, @curtinuniversity, @colgateuniversity, @berndt.museum and the @statelibrarywa.
 
#StolenGeneration #Carrolup #CarrolupCentreForTruthTelling #CarrolupCentre #CarrolupArt #FirstNations #AboriginalArt

This year marks 10 years since the Collection of Carrolup Children’s Artwork returned to WA and @johncurtingallery, under the guidance of the Carrolup Elders Reference Group, became the custodian. 🖤❤️💛
 
Coinciding with the 10th year anniversary, another 10 drawings created by Australian First Nations Stolen Generations children have been added to the Collection.
 
Three of these drawings were donated by Curtin Fine Arts graduate Priscilla Kelly, the granddaughter of Charles Cook who was the Carrolup school inspector in 1950.
 
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the John Curtin Gallery is exhibiting never-before-seen footage of the child artists creating their precious works in the 1940s, after they had been forcibly taken from their families.
 
“Every single work created by the children of Carrolup offers another window into their story and our history with every new connection taking us a step closer to healing and reconciling the past.”
 
- John Curtin Gallery’s Carrolup Manager, Kathleen Toomath
 
The anniversary exhibition, ‘Kalyagool Karni-Wangkiny ([Telling Truth Always) – A Decade of Carrolup’, runs from May 12 to July 9 at the John Curtin Gallery.
 
Learn more about the Carrolup Centre for Truth-Telling via the link in bio. 👆🏽
 
Kalyagool Karni-Wangkiny [Telling Truth Always]: A Decade of Carrolup is made possible by @inside_bhp, @lotterywest, Jeff Elliott, @johncurtingallery, @curtinuniversity, @colgateuniversity, @berndt.museum and the @statelibrarywa.
 
#StolenGeneration #Carrolup #CarrolupCentreForTruthTelling #CarrolupCentre #CarrolupArt #FirstNations #AboriginalArt
...

Have you visited our refurbished TL Robertson Library? 📚💡

The beating heart of our campus, Curtin’s TL Robertson Library’s wonderful new study spaces provide you with the perfect spot to reflect, study, meet and connect. 

Throughout its 51-year history, TL Robertson Library has seen many changes, with a total of 15,000m2 of refurbished space and more than 800,000 books and thousands of online resources, you’re bound to find your place. 

That’s not all, if you’re a Curtin grad you automatically receive a complimentary one-year Curtin alumni library membership. 

Get your free library membership via #GraduatePerks in the link in bio. 👆

#CurtinUniversity #CurtinAlumni #CurtinLife #TLRobertsonLibrary #Library #Membership #Education #University #Graduate #Perks #Education #HigherEducation #Perth #PerthLife #PerthisOk

Have you visited our refurbished TL Robertson Library? 📚💡

The beating heart of our campus, Curtin’s TL Robertson Library’s wonderful new study spaces provide you with the perfect spot to reflect, study, meet and connect.

Throughout its 51-year history, TL Robertson Library has seen many changes, with a total of 15,000m2 of refurbished space and more than 800,000 books and thousands of online resources, you’re bound to find your place.

That’s not all, if you’re a Curtin grad you automatically receive a complimentary one-year Curtin alumni library membership.

Get your free library membership via #GraduatePerks in the link in bio. 👆

#CurtinUniversity #CurtinAlumni #CurtinLife #TLRobertsonLibrary #Library #Membership #Education #University #Graduate #Perks #Education #HigherEducation #Perth #PerthLife #PerthisOk
...

Curtin graduate and @pwc_au Consultant Simonne Brown (Acctg & Finance 2022) struggled with social anxiety until she found her passion for volunteering. 💛

The thought of managing groups of people and communicating seemed incredibly daunting for Simonne, but since getting involved in Curtin Volunteers! she has dedicated more than a thousand hours towards improving the lives of many West Australians.

In celebration of National Volunteer Week, Simonne shares how volunteering set her up for success in her career. 👇

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒖𝒑 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒓?

“It helps you stand out from the crowd. As someone with social anxiety, managing groups of people and all the communication was at first a daunting prospect to take on. I knew these were areas I needed to improve in to succeed in my career and life in general, so I am incredibly grateful to have had these opportunities to develop my confidence and skills in a safe environment.”

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒏?

“The most impactful moment would have to be volunteering with Cystic Fibrosis WA. As part of the John Curtin Leadership Program, we helped organise a bridge climb to raise money for vital research into cystic fibrosis. Knowing you are helping a cause that has such a big impact on those living with the condition is incredibly rewarding.”

𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒓?

“A lot of people expect volunteering to be boring but that really isn’t the case. There are so many opportunities out there, I’ve helped host silent discos, toasted marshmallows around a campfire, caught a charter flight to the Leonora Golden Gift, just to name a few.”

Update your details via the link in bio for future opportunities to get involved with Curtin and give back to your community. 👆

#CurtinGrad #VolunteersWeek #VolunteerAppreciation #NVW22 #Volunteering #GivingBack #MakeADifference #CareerAdvice #CareerDevelopment #Community #YoungLeaders #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment

Curtin graduate and @pwc_au Consultant Simonne Brown (Acctg & Finance 2022) struggled with social anxiety until she found her passion for volunteering. 💛

The thought of managing groups of people and communicating seemed incredibly daunting for Simonne, but since getting involved in Curtin Volunteers! she has dedicated more than a thousand hours towards improving the lives of many West Australians.

In celebration of National Volunteer Week, Simonne shares how volunteering set her up for success in her career. 👇

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒖𝒑 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒓?

“It helps you stand out from the crowd. As someone with social anxiety, managing groups of people and all the communication was at first a daunting prospect to take on. I knew these were areas I needed to improve in to succeed in my career and life in general, so I am incredibly grateful to have had these opportunities to develop my confidence and skills in a safe environment.”

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒏?

“The most impactful moment would have to be volunteering with Cystic Fibrosis WA. As part of the John Curtin Leadership Program, we helped organise a bridge climb to raise money for vital research into cystic fibrosis. Knowing you are helping a cause that has such a big impact on those living with the condition is incredibly rewarding.”

𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒓?

“A lot of people expect volunteering to be boring but that really isn’t the case. There are so many opportunities out there, I’ve helped host silent discos, toasted marshmallows around a campfire, caught a charter flight to the Leonora Golden Gift, just to name a few.”

Update your details via the link in bio for future opportunities to get involved with Curtin and give back to your community. 👆

#CurtinGrad #VolunteersWeek #VolunteerAppreciation #NVW22 #Volunteering #GivingBack #MakeADifference #CareerAdvice #CareerDevelopment #Community #YoungLeaders #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment
...

Stuck on a Mother’s Day gift? Curtin nutrition graduate Julie Meek’s Chocolate Bliss Balls are guaranteed to make any mum’s eyes light up. ❤️🤤
 
The best bit is these healthy sweet treats are packed with plenty of natural vitamins and nutrients. Even better, they can be prepared and devoured in a matter of minutes. 🙌
 
Ingredients:
9 Medjool dates
2 tbsp cacao powder
2 tbsp desiccated coconut
160g raw hazelnuts or other nut meal
1 tbsp chia seeds
 
Method:

1. Start by seperating the seed from the dates.

2. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blitz for a few minutes until combined and sticky. As needed, mix in a splash of water to keep the mixture moist.

2. Make tablespoons of the mixture into balls, refrigerate and enjoy!
 
Stuck on how to serve it? These bliss balls can be paired perfectly with your morning coffee or afternoon tea. ☕️

Did you give it a go? Make sure to tag us to get featured on our Instagram stories.
 
If you’re a #CurtinGrad with a delicious recipe to share? DM us for a chance to get featured. 📩
 
#CurtinGradCookOff #mothersdayrecipes #mothersday #mothersdaygiftideas #healthymealsprep #healthysnacksonthego #healthysnackideas #perthtodo #perthisok #perthfoodie #lunchrecipes #nutrition #foodstagram #healthyfoodideas

Stuck on a Mother’s Day gift? Curtin nutrition graduate Julie Meek’s Chocolate Bliss Balls are guaranteed to make any mum’s eyes light up. ❤️🤤
 
The best bit is these healthy sweet treats are packed with plenty of natural vitamins and nutrients. Even better, they can be prepared and devoured in a matter of minutes. 🙌
 
Ingredients:
9 Medjool dates
2 tbsp cacao powder
2 tbsp desiccated coconut
160g raw hazelnuts or other nut meal
1 tbsp chia seeds
 
Method:

1. Start by seperating the seed from the dates.

2. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blitz for a few minutes until combined and sticky. As needed, mix in a splash of water to keep the mixture moist.

2. Make tablespoons of the mixture into balls, refrigerate and enjoy!
 
Stuck on how to serve it? These bliss balls can be paired perfectly with your morning coffee or afternoon tea. ☕️

Did you give it a go? Make sure to tag us to get featured on our Instagram stories.
 
If you’re a #CurtinGrad with a delicious recipe to share? DM us for a chance to get featured. 📩
 
#CurtinGradCookOff #mothersdayrecipes #mothersday #mothersdaygiftideas #healthymealsprep #healthysnacksonthego #healthysnackideas #perthtodo #perthisok #perthfoodie #lunchrecipes #nutrition #foodstagram #healthyfoodideas
...

The WA School of Mines Alumni welcomed a stellar group of young graduates at its annual Graduates Dinner in Kalgoorlie last week. 🎓
 
Congratulations to Curtin graduate Will Vaisey and Sandrine Symons who took out the WASMA Gold and Silver Medal for Mining and Metallurgy, and all the high-achieving silver medallists.
 
It was a special night for the new alumni who were fortunate to hear Curtin Engineering graduate and @macaltd General Manager (Mining) Josh Redmond share his incredibly moving personal and career story.
 
We look forward to seeing what this talented bunch of grads do next! 💫
 
📸: Remote Digital Imagery
 
#CurtinUniversity #CurtinAlumni #WASM #WASMMECE #WASchoolofMines #ScienceandEngineering #STEM #STEMgraduates

The WA School of Mines Alumni welcomed a stellar group of young graduates at its annual Graduates Dinner in Kalgoorlie last week. 🎓
 
Congratulations to Curtin graduate Will Vaisey and Sandrine Symons who took out the WASMA Gold and Silver Medal for Mining and Metallurgy, and all the high-achieving silver medallists.
 
It was a special night for the new alumni who were fortunate to hear Curtin Engineering graduate and @macaltd General Manager (Mining) Josh Redmond share his incredibly moving personal and career story.
 
We look forward to seeing what this talented bunch of grads do next! 💫
 
📸: Remote Digital Imagery
 
#CurtinUniversity #CurtinAlumni #WASM #WASMMECE #WASchoolofMines #ScienceandEngineering #STEM #STEMgraduates
...

We are so proud of the Curtin graduates named winners at this year’s @wabusinessnews #40Under40 Awards. 👏
 
Congratulations to Congratulations to @moonsailagency Co-Founder & Creative Partner Matt Nankivell, @summerstartouristparks General Manager James Corbitt, MTGA (Mining Technicians Group – Australia) Managing Director Michael Hansen, Chargebay Director and Teck Global Managing Director David Zucaro.
 
The awards recognise and celebrate WA’s leading entrepreneurs, innovators, and future business leaders under the age of 40.
 
We look forward to watching this stellar bunch of graduate’s kick even more goals in the future! 💫
 
Want to stay connected with your fellow #CurtinAlumni doing incredible things. Update your details with us via link in bio. 👆
 
#CurtinUniversity #CurtinGrad #BusinessNews #40under40 #perth #perthbusiness #waleaders #leadership #wabusiness #business #community

We are so proud of the Curtin graduates named winners at this year’s @wabusinessnews #40Under40 Awards. 👏
 
Congratulations to Congratulations to @moonsailagency Co-Founder & Creative Partner Matt Nankivell, @summerstartouristparks General Manager James Corbitt, MTGA (Mining Technicians Group – Australia) Managing Director Michael Hansen, Chargebay Director and Teck Global Managing Director David Zucaro.
 
The awards recognise and celebrate WA’s leading entrepreneurs, innovators, and future business leaders under the age of 40.
 
We look forward to watching this stellar bunch of graduate’s kick even more goals in the future! 💫
 
Want to stay connected with your fellow #CurtinAlumni doing incredible things. Update your details with us via link in bio. 👆
 
#CurtinUniversity #CurtinGrad #BusinessNews #40under40 #perth #perthbusiness #waleaders #leadership #wabusiness #business #community
...

Meeting for the first time when they were kids in their hometown, Curtin soon-to-be graduates Patrick Catambay (Mechanical Engineering & Finance) and Chelsea Barth (Finance & Financial Planning) pretty much grew up together. 🎓💘
 
After Patrick asked for Chelsea’s number during a fireworks show, the pair went on two coffee dates and their relationship has blossomed since.
 
Although they didn’t share any classes together at Curtin, Chelsea and Patrick will never live down the funny moments they spent studying in the library armed with copious snacks and endless laughs.
 
An exciting future ahead, the duo plan to travel the world and undertake graduate roles at the end of the year.
 
When it comes to successfully balancing a relationship while studying and working, the pair agree that open communication and setting aside quality time together will help keep the relationship strong.
 
Want more heart-warming graduate stories? Check out #CurtinCommons via the link in bio. 👆
 
#CurtinUniversity #CurtinAlumni #CurtinLife #Graduate #Stories #CoupleStories #CoupleGoals #Memories #Perth #perthgram #highereducation #university

Meeting for the first time when they were kids in their hometown, Curtin soon-to-be graduates Patrick Catambay (Mechanical Engineering & Finance) and Chelsea Barth (Finance & Financial Planning) pretty much grew up together. 🎓💘
 
After Patrick asked for Chelsea’s number during a fireworks show, the pair went on two coffee dates and their relationship has blossomed since.
 
Although they didn’t share any classes together at Curtin, Chelsea and Patrick will never live down the funny moments they spent studying in the library armed with copious snacks and endless laughs.
 
An exciting future ahead, the duo plan to travel the world and undertake graduate roles at the end of the year.
 
When it comes to successfully balancing a relationship while studying and working, the pair agree that open communication and setting aside quality time together will help keep the relationship strong.
 
Want more heart-warming graduate stories? Check out #CurtinCommons via the link in bio. 👆
 
#CurtinUniversity #CurtinAlumni #CurtinLife #Graduate #Stories #CoupleStories #CoupleGoals #Memories #Perth #perthgram #highereducation #university
...

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