Recent Alumni lunch and talk. May 30th
Synopsis of Howard’s presentation
A Stranger in My Own Land
Dr Howard Goldenberg – doctor, writer and philosopher
Howard Goldenberg was born in Australia and has lived here for most of his professional life as a general practitioner who regularly works as a relieving doctor in the outback and has worked with refugees on Palm Island as well as in the Christmas Island Detention Centre.
He is a writer of two non-fiction works, My Father’s Compass, A Memoir (2007) and Raft (2009) about his encounters with Aboriginal Australians in the outback.
On his father’s side, he is descended from the most famous Jewish scholar in 18th Century Europe, the Gaon (genius) of Vilna, and on his mother’s side from Cyril Coleman, pearl diver, polo player and one-stringed concert violinist, of Broome. Howard enjoys long distance running and has run 36 marathons.
His talk was enjoyed by about 30 Alumni members and guests, who heard about his encounters with Aboriginal people in many remote parts of the country. His efforts to understand their beliefs and traditions and their way of life were movingly described. He told the audience that shaking hands with them might cause distress as handshaking is usually only part of “sorry business” after one of their tribe has died.
He read several excerpts from his book “Raft” with stories of specific events and encounters with indigenous people.