Offla's Children - Wilson, Helena; Ban, Paul; Ban, Liz
19,99 €
inkl. MwSt.

Versandfertig in 1-2 Wochen
payback
10 °P sammeln
  • Broschiertes Buch

"Offla's courage and resilience has inspired and comforted us throughout our lives. This is how we remember him." So concludes this poignant story of Zoltan Ban, a post-war Hungarian refugee living with mental illness, who desperately struggled to keep his young children after Jean, his English-born wife, died of breast cancer in 1963. Offla, as his children affectionately called him, was a highly intelligent, resourceful and eccentric man who demonstrated extraordinary determination to maintain the bond with his children while they grew up in State care in a church-run children's home in…mehr

Andere Kunden interessierten sich auch für
Produktbeschreibung
"Offla's courage and resilience has inspired and comforted us throughout our lives. This is how we remember him." So concludes this poignant story of Zoltan Ban, a post-war Hungarian refugee living with mental illness, who desperately struggled to keep his young children after Jean, his English-born wife, died of breast cancer in 1963. Offla, as his children affectionately called him, was a highly intelligent, resourceful and eccentric man who demonstrated extraordinary determination to maintain the bond with his children while they grew up in State care in a church-run children's home in Queensland. This memoir by Offla's children, Paul, Helena and Liz, expresses strong emotion leavened with humour. They invite us to see through each of their eyes how their different inner worlds unfolded within the outer world of institutional life and against the historical backdrop of events such as Billy Graham's crusade, the Cold War and man landing on the moon. Beautifully crafted, and superbly augmented with extracts from the moving letters of their mother, and official files of agencies such as the International Red Cross, the Department of Immigration and Queensland child welfare, this is a profound story of the survival of a family
Autorenporträt
Helena Wilson has a raw honesty gained by resilience, strength, and leadership skills growing up in the sixties and seventies as a State Ward in Queensland. She was born into a humble household of immigrant parents. Circumstances led her and her siblings to be placed into the care of the State until they attained the age of 18 years. Her many friends and extended family describe her as smart, dynamic, warm, honest, forthright, loyal, generous, fun-loving, and positive. She was born with the ability to see and make the best of circumstances. Helena is a risk-taker especially if it involves a bit of fun. Helena has experienced a wide gamut of life both professionally and personally. Her travels have seen her connect with her relatives in Hungary and to live with her husband and children in Papua New Guinea where she embraced the lifestyle, volunteered in local schools, communities, and charities. She has managed a boarding house for high school students, taught English and Business Office procedures, and organised several business forums and events in Papua New Guinea as Corporate Services Manager of the Australia PNG Business Council. Her 27-year relationship with the 'land of the unexpected' and its people has left its mark in her heart forever. Her biggest achievement is being a devoted wife of 44 years, dedicated mother to three loving sons, and a grandmother to an adorable boy. Helena initiated the writing of her family memoir, wrote many drafts, and researched government files. She feels everyone has a story worth telling and has great pleasure in being able to share hers. She now lives in what she calls paradise on the Sunshine Coast with her husband, golden Labrador, and a cat.