Samantha Turnbull Writer, mother, anti-princess

Jellyfish in Byron Bay

The non-hipster-mum-on-a-budget guide to Byron Bay

I’ve lived in ‘the Bay’ for about 15 years. That means I’m nowhere close to being a local… never really will be, but my kids are born and bred (they’ll just have to cop their mum being called a ‘blow-in’ – yawn).

I love it here, but have to deal with almost daily slandering of the place from colleagues and family who live in surrounding towns.

One relo called it ‘Nimbin by the sea’ at Christmas lunch… but I wasn’t sure if he meant it as a criticism or compliment, because the dude was actually from Nimbin himself.

I get why some people loathe it – it’s expensive, it’s busy, it’s a bit of a scene… but it’s not all of those things all of the time.Read More

Jellyfish in Byron Bay

The non-hipster-mum-on-a-budget guide to Byron Bay

I’ve lived in ‘the Bay’ for about 15 years. That means I’m nowhere close to being a local… never really will be, but my kids are born and bred (they’ll just have to cop their mum being called a ‘blow-in’ – yawn).

I love it here, but have to deal with almost daily slandering of the place from colleagues and family who live in surrounding towns.

One relo called it ‘Nimbin by the sea’ at Christmas lunch… but I wasn’t sure if he meant it as a criticism or compliment, because the dude was actually from Nimbin himself.

I get why some people loathe it – it’s expensive, it’s busy, it’s a bit of a scene… but it’s not all of those things all of the time.Read More

Australian Poetry Slam

Poetry slam NSW finals – take two

This will be my last blog for a fortnight or so as I knuckle down to write a new poem.

I travelled four hours south to Kempsey last week for the local heat of the Australian Poetry Slam. I couldn’t go in the heat at Byron Bay because I was the feature act after winning last year… and I wasn’t entirely sure I was up for making the effort to head to the mid north coast… but now I’m glad I did.Read More

Poetry slam

Me – the slam poet

Know what I love about being 30+?Read More

My little prime minister-lover

Julia Gillard became Australia’s first female prime minister when Libby was a few months old.Read More

A happy belated V-Day

‘Raise your hands if you, or someone close to you, has been assaulted.’Read More

cocktails

The stories behind the boobs

A topless bar has just opened in my famous little town.

It’s not a place I plan to frequent, but its opening has raised a lot of questions about whether something so ‘Gold Coast’ belongs in the Byron Bay CBD (not far from the beach, a kids’ playground and other ‘family friendly’ venues).

This blog isn’t about that. It’s about the women who work there.Read More

Joanie MacKenzie

A sad day for our family

One year ago today our family suffered its biggest loss.

I was pregnant with my son when my mother-in-law, Joanie, died.

It was, and still is, a shock.

Getting to know you

Hi there, and welcome to my new blog.Read More