Peninsula inspiration for the author’s words for the first time

Through Tony Duboudin

RETURNING to his home village of Flinders after more than 20 years in Western Australia was the catalyst for Robbie Freia, above, to finish his first book.

“I remember driving on the peninsula when I returned to Victoria in 2017, the contrast of blue sea, green trees and the wonderful smell of black dirt. I also remember thinking how did I been able to leave this place that felt so much like home to me,” she said.

Freia had returned to Victoria to care for her sick sister and had reconnected with Flinders where her mother was born; her grandparents’ house where she spent much of her childhood, still stands in Cook Street.

Freia started writing her novel The Willow in 2015, but circumstances led her to put it “on hold”.

“It was Flinders and the sense of community that helped me get back to finishing the novel,” she said.

The Willow covers the period from the 1950s to the 2000s. It is the story of an “average” Australian, Joe, and his family. Joe lives his life in Western Australia and travels to this state. Her journey highlights a changing society and the impact of war, particularly on Australian participants in Vietnam and their families.

Freia points out that the novel is not a story of the Vietnam War but is just as much about the social injustice of the time. She notes that there are many expert books available on the war itself, such as Michael McKernan’s recent novel The Long Shadow.

As examples of injustice, she cites women forced out of their jobs when they got married; girls encouraged to take up typing and cooking rather than math and science; boys being ridiculed if they wanted to learn to cook; and the sons being idolized and the men having to be tough and not show their feelings.

Freia’s concern for the continued well-being of veterans and their families is reflected in the fact that a percentage of every book sale will go to the Australian Federation of Vietnam Veterans.

The Willow is available at robbiefreiathewillow.com.au, Petersen’s Bookstore, Hastings and Farrell’s Bookshop, Mornington as well as online via Austin Macauley, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Contacts for information and assistance on Vietnam Veterans: openarms.gov.au, vvfa.org.au and vvaa.org.au

First published in the Western Port News – February 2, 2022