Book Review

I was in Russia during the Hitler invasion, deeply in-love with a handsome soldier who was fighting for my country. 

At least this is how Paullina Simons made me feel while enthralled in her novel 'The Bronzed Horseman'. If you're looking for a book that you literally can't put down, where you find yourself dreaming of what will happen next and you actually start to ask yourself how you would feel and what you would do in the character's situation, this stunning Russian romance novel is right for you. 

It's mesmerising from the start to the finish, bringing alive the story of an intimate and impossible romance between a young Russian girl and a Red Army soldier triumphing over the devastation of their country at war. 

I have just finished this book and I consider it quite sad that I'm currently having withdrawals from not being able to immerse myself in this heart wrenching story, instead I have to endure my boring reality of assessments and car parking blues. Not to worry though, of course this amazing author has written a sequel “The Summer Garden” and soon enough I shall once again be able to indulge in the land of fiction. For now, here’s an enticer so you understand what I’m talking about and don’t leave this page thinking I’m some kind of desperado in search of a soppy love story. Enjoy!

Frances Whiting

Frances Whiting: Sunday Mail Columnist 

As you know by now, I am a journalism/public relations student. Yes that’s right, I’m willing to throw myself into a dying industry with no jobs and no opportunities.  It seems as though all my lecturers focus on lecturing us that this isn’t the case at all, and to be honest, I don’t know whether that is comforting or daunting. However, a certain Frances Whiting shed a glimmer of hope for me. I actually believed her, she made me feel that my choice of degree could lead me somewhere successful in life.

 The former primary school teacher and crèche manager currently has her own column in The Courier Mail that has been providing smiles and laughs courtesy of her witty and wise writing style for an astonishing 16 years, that’s basically my whole life plus a mere three years. Frances is also a feature writer for Qweekender magazine, where she explained she writes for readers that want to feel something, and want to change something in the lives. After years of ‘shit kicking’ in the form of real estate write ups and hard news stories, Frances followed her passion and became a feature writer. I asked her how exactly she made this transition, and her answer was simple, passion, enthusiasm and perseverance; qualities that I really need to start acknowledging. 

There was something about Frances that really comforted and motivated me.  The message she kept reinforcing throughout the conference was that to be successful, one needs to find their own voice, find a unique way of doing things and stick to it.  For example, in Frances’s column in the Courier Mail, she spoke of how she is personal, but never intimate. She explained how loyal readers feel they know her as a person, one fan even thought he was chummy enough to discuss her weight and hairstyle.... but yet she never shares anything that she wouldn’t feel comfortable discussing socially in real life. This is what she referred to as a “safe” space, as once you have an online or media presence, you need to develop a barrier between your writing and your intimate life.

Overall, I say good on you Tony, for asking Frances to come and speak to us. Not only did the media conference restore faith in my desired career, but it also reminded me that what ever I choose to do in my life, I have to enjoy it, because like Frances mentioned, I’m the furthest thing from a heiress and will therefore spend an insanely large chunk of my life working. So lets hope one day I can truly say I love what I do.  Unfortunately for now, stationery orders, petty cash and tax returns just aren’t cutting it... but hey I have to pay rent somehow. 

To experience Frances's witty yet wise writing style have at look here

Robert Mukombozi

“I was lucky to keep my sanity.” This is the sentence that really made a shiver run down my spine.  I walk into my public relations lecture to find an incredible man standing at the front of the room. A man who has been captured and exploited for doing his job, for following his passion. A man who sought asylum after coming across his name on a hit list, Robert Mukombozi was waiting to enlighten our young, naïve and sheltered minds about the world of journalism and communication. From the very moment Robert started talking I was encapsulated, his excessively calm and somewhat modest composure amazed me.  Robert’s presentation began with a previously recorded interview, where Robert shared intimate details of his journalism career in Rwanda, creating an image of the conflict that occurred between his involvement in his profession and the Rwandan government. The interview saw Robert explaining multiple times that career expectations and pressures challenged his self-morals, but he always knew when to draw the line. At the conclusion of the presentation I felt honoured and enriched.  It’s truly remarkable that a man that has been through so much was willing to come and share his experiences with a group of novice communication students.

Robert Mukombozi shares his experiences with UQ communication students