Penny s a freelance journalist based in Hobart.
After beginning her journalistic career with the Queensland regional daily, the News-Mail, in her hometown of Bundaberg more than 30 years ago, she moved to Hobart in 1991 to establish a media office for the Archdiocese of Hobart. Through Catholic Media Tasmania, for more than 14 years, she held responsibility for media liaison and promotion on behalf of the Archdiocese, its agencies and organisations and/or editorship of the award-winning, diocesan publication, The Standard.
In more recent years her interests have turned towards the internet and her own business, PAGE 56.
In 2006, she edited the web-based independent Online Catholics, and currently she edits pathways, the monthly e-journal of Catholic Religious Australia, the peak body for Religious women and men in this country.
She is an occasional writer for National Catholic Reporter (USA) and is a keen and published photographer.
Earlier this year, her second book, Around the Kitchen Table with the Missionary Sisters of Service was published by the MSS. Her first book, One Man's Yes to God, a tribute to the founder of the Missionary Sisters of Service, the late Father John Wallis, a priest of the Archdiocese of Hobart, was published in 1992 by the Sisters to mark Fr Wallis' 60th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood.
A member of the St Francis Xavier parish community in South Hobart, Penny's leadership of the choir reflects her love of music and liturgy while her active involvement in Hobart's Spirituality in the Pub (SIP) organising committee reveals a passionate interest in spirituality and a animated and energetic Church.
She also has an enthusiasm for David Austin roses, reading and travel - and her family and friends.
Vale Terry Monagle - Editor
of Voices
Terry Monagle died on July 10 2008 after a long
struggle over four and half years with inoperable prostate cancer. Terry
was diagnosed shortly after the launch of his first book,
Fragments, Moments of Intimacy and last year completed a
second collection of essays,
Claws of Fire, Seeking the Whispering Friend.
Over the same period he was also able to complete a biography of Fr Bob
Maguire and edit our online newsletter, Voices.
Terry was one of those few writers who saw the world as mystery and was
able to communicate this to his readers. In his last collection, several
of his essays provided Christian reflections on his diagnosis, the
impact on his family and humorous pieces such as getting two graves for
the price of one at Tarradale where he and Eileen had a country retreat.
As Michael McGirr wrote at the time, Claws of Fire is a 'brave,
intimate, searching and passionate book. Terry Monagle looks things
right in the eye...He brings tenderness and a generous spirit to both
life's confusions and wonders.'
We will miss this tenderness and generous spirit. Eileen remarked he has
made his final journey; he has now met his whispering friend.
To Eileen and his daughters and his wider family, we offer our deepest
sympathy and warmest embrace. May he rest in peace.
The staff at John Garratt.