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Esther Murray is a longtime Manningham resident and a dedicated member of our community, currently serving as Co-President of Rotary Manningham City. In retirement, she has joyfully embraced a new chapter — turning her lifelong experiences and creativity toward writing. We are delighted to celebrate Esther as Manningham’s newest published author.
In her own words
As a Registered Nurse trained in Ireland, it was a privilege to spend twenty years working in the Northern Territory, especially alongside Aboriginal communities. My husband John and I arrived in Darwin in November 1974 — just weeks before Cyclone Tracy struck. So much unfolded during our two decades in the NT that I eventually felt compelled to capture even a small part of it on the page.
My book is a work of fiction, but it is grounded in real places — Milingimbi, Jabiru, and Darwin. It follows the journey of Mary, an Irish nurse working on Milingimbi Island, and her friend Amanda from Newcastle in the UK. Their time on the island brings extraordinary experiences: murder, drugs, dangerous wildlife, missing persons, romance, and encounters with the NT Police Special Squad.
I wrote this story while living in Doncaster East and attending the U3A Manningham Creative Writing Class, led by the wonderful tutor Richard Davis. I learned so much through that class, and it played an important role in bringing this novel into the world.
My book is now available on Amazon. I hope you enjoy reading it.
