Latest news with #Frawley
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Book review: Oona Frawley brings readers on a raw exploration of the past
Writing a memoir is brave. In novels, writers find ingenious ways of talking about themselves, using proxies and high drama to replay difficult moments in their lives. But the memoirist must dispense with all these bells and whistles, and confront unvarnished realities head on. In This Interim Time, however, Oona Frawley is less interested in talking about herself than her parents: Irish actors who emigrated to America and led their only child on a peripatetic bohemian adventure. Frawley — whose debut novel Flight was published in 2014 — was born in the US and raised in New York, but moved to Ireland in 1999, had a family, and settled down. As a writer, she became obsessed with imagining her parents' lives before they had her, their childhoods and courtship, the complex reasons for their flight. As both are now dead, Frawley feels able to tackle the thorny subject of her father's alcoholism, his struggles as an actor, and her mother's reasons for enduring dysfunction for so long. As a child in Manhattan, Frawley has pleasant memories of a cosy apartment complex on the East River, filled with warm and colourful neighbours. As the child of wandering parents, she is obsessed with houses, safe places, the tenuous concept of home. 'Beautiful houses,' Frawley explains, 'always evoke in me an indefinable longing.' She speaks movingly about a childhood doll's house that became, in miniature, a refuge: 'I disappeared into it: There are details of those rooms I recall more vividly than my childhood apartment.' To complicate matters, Oona was the daughter of wistful immigrants. As a consequence, 'I would always be the child who heard of 'home' as something far off in place and time'. 'This Interim Time', by Oona Frawley, shares descriptions of a man haunted by the childhood loss of his mother and sister, a struggling actor who lived in his performances. She shares an amusing memory of her realisation that acting was a precarious business. Her father was 'not always successful — not even mostly successful. He and his friends discussed bombed auditions so often and with such relishing of detail that when I was seven I decided the theatre was not for me… There were guffaws and much hilarity when I told them that I would be a writer.' She turned out to be an elegant one: On a journey to Mayo with her young children, she describes 'breaking the journey at Strokestown so they could empty their legs of some of the eagerness to arrive'. Switching constantly between the present and the past, Frawley contemplates the mysteries of acting, and recalls the way her parents would communicate emotionally while reading lines. There is a slide from a film they made together, which becomes an icon of recollection. 'They were beautiful and marked by lost glamour in the way that parents can be when you see them as having distinct lives, because they are not you…' After her father's funeral, she has regrets about 'the bitter disappointment that kept me from delivering a eulogy'. At that point, she says, she 'was angry with him, resentful of his drinking, protective of my mother whose life had been so changed by his alcoholism'. There is a tragic quality to her descriptions of a man haunted by the childhood loss of his mother and sister, a struggling actor who lived in his performances, and 'in some ways felt homeless without a role'. Frawley is painfully honest throughout, and speaks with raw candour about the experience of motherhood, the horror of a miscarriage, the early deaths of family and friends. There was a cloud, too, over the circumstances in which her parents had left Ireland: A home gambled away, a job lost through drinking. Frawley's relationship with her mother appears to have been strong, and perhaps her primary reason for writing this memoir was to reconcile the contradictions in her father's character, his kindness and carelessness, and find a way to forgive him. She succeeds, I think, and in the process has created a beautiful, delicate, skilfully-meandering book.
Herald Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
SECA signings: clubs lock in recruits in Longmuir and Woolnough shield divisions
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News. South East Cricket Association (SECA) clubs have revealed their latest signings and leadership structures. Reigning Longmuir Shield premiers Bentleigh Uniting has snagged a Geelong premiership star, while Mackie, Chelsea Heights-Aspendale Gardens (CHAG) and Omega make strategic moves to bolster their ranks for the upcoming season. LONGMUIR SHIELD LIONS BOLSTER SQUAD FOR TITLE DEFENCE Reigning premiers Bentleigh Uniting has secured all-rounder Seaver Cowley, fresh from his match-winning performance in Thomson's Geelong Cricket Association grand final triumph. Cowley's 33 and impressive 5-52 off 20 overs showcase the firepower he brings to Bentleigh Uniting. The Lions have also retained their core, with team of the year gun Craig Short, Jacob Gray and Liam Manakis all recommitting. This blend of fresh talent and established stars sets Bentleigh Uniting up for a strong title defence in the upcoming season. Uniting has also picked up teenage wicketkeeper-batsman Phil Galanopoulos, brother of captain-coach Lukas Galanopoulos. He joins from Prahran, bringing his Brighton Grammar School experience to the Lions' den. WOOLNOUGH SHIELD FRAWLEY RETURNS TO LEAD MACKIE'S PREMIERSHIP PUSH Sam Frawley has recommitted to Mackie, signing on as captain-coach for another season. The former Pearcedale paceman's decision comes after a stellar debut campaign that saw him claim the prestigious SECA Woolnough Shield Player of the Year award. Frawley's impact was undeniable, with a terrific all-round performance of 29 wickets at an average of 15, complemented by 282 runs at a solid 40. His leadership was instrumental in guiding Mackie to the grand final, leaving the club hungry for ultimate success in the upcoming season. 'We couldn't be prouder to have this guy as part of the Mackie family,' the club shared on social media, highlighting Frawley's importance both on and off the field. CHAG NEWS Chelsea Heights-Aspendale Gardens (CHAG) has made a significant move in appointing Mario Morel as senior coach. Morel brings a wealth of experience from his time playing with Kingston Heath and coaching abroad. The appointment comes at a crucial time for CHAG, who are looking to bounce back quickly after their relegation from the Longmuir Shield. Morel has already hit the ground running, focusing on developing talent across all levels of the club. In addition to the new coaching appointment, CHAG has secured key player re-signings. Sam Simpson, last season's coaches award recipient, has recommitted. Also returning is the big-hitting Pete 'Pistol' Jacobsen, known for his ability to clear the boundaries. OMEGA GEARS UP FOR SUCCESS Omega has reappointed Brad Atholwood as 1st XI Captain, recognising his proven leadership. 'Brad is key to our future success and another First XI Premiership,' the club stated. Following a strong season with a junior premiership and 1st and 2nd XI finals appearances, Omega now seeks a coach to complement their ambitious plans.
Sydney Morning Herald
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
AFL 2025 round nine LIVE updates: St Kilda Saints, Carlton Blues battle it out in Spud's Game at the MCG
Latest posts Pinned post from 6.30pm Why Spud's Game matters Spud's Game has been played since 2021 in memory of St Kilda great Danny Frawley who died in a car crash in 2019. Frawley battled depression and other mental health issues after his playing career despite building a successful media career. His wife Anita donated his brain to the Australian Sports Brain Bank and the ABC reported that in September 2020 researchers found Frawley was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE as it is known which is caused by the impact of concussions. From Saints media: Spud's Game Tonight, Spud's Game will return to footy's biggest stage as the Saints take on Carlton at the MCG. Using the power of the game to start life-saving conversations, Spud's Game will see the AFL community unite to stand for mental health and raise crucial funds which will go directly to life-saving mental health programs and research. The traditional two-minute moment will return at 7.40pm featuring Premiership Bulldog and mental health advocate, Tom Boyd. Mental Health in Australia Mental health touches everyone - every club, every family, every person in one way or another. 1 in 5 Australians experienced a mental illness in the past year - that's 4.3 million people. We've all had times when life gets heavy. The message is simple - don't carry it alone. There is support, there is help, and you are not a burden. Whether you're riding, donating, or just checking in on someone, that's how we make change and save lives. Spud's legacy is about breaking down stigma, speaking up, and having each other's backs. It's a message that's more important now than ever 6.29pm In pictures: AFL's most potent attackers 6.29pm Good evening G'day everyone and welcome to our AFL live blog as St Kilda and Carlton face off at the MCG. It's a special night for both clubs as this match is the annual Spud's Game, which raises money for life-saving mental health programs and research and this year the Saints are taking it to the MCG in hope of drawing a bumper crowd. More on that coming up in the blog. First bouce is set for 7.40pm AEST.
The Age
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
AFL 2025 round nine LIVE updates: St Kilda Saints, Carlton Blues battle it out in Spud's Game at the MCG
Latest posts Pinned post from 6.30pm Why Spud's Game matters Spud's Game has been played since 2021 in memory of St Kilda great Danny Frawley who died in a car crash in 2019. Frawley battled depression and other mental health issues after his playing career despite building a successful media career. His wife Anita donated his brain to the Australian Sports Brain Bank and the ABC reported that in September 2020 researchers found Frawley was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE as it is known which is caused by the impact of concussions. From Saints media: Spud's Game Tonight, Spud's Game will return to footy's biggest stage as the Saints take on Carlton at the MCG. Using the power of the game to start life-saving conversations, Spud's Game will see the AFL community unite to stand for mental health and raise crucial funds which will go directly to life-saving mental health programs and research. The traditional two-minute moment will return at 7.40pm featuring Premiership Bulldog and mental health advocate, Tom Boyd. Mental Health in Australia Mental health touches everyone - every club, every family, every person in one way or another. 1 in 5 Australians experienced a mental illness in the past year - that's 4.3 million people. We've all had times when life gets heavy. The message is simple - don't carry it alone. There is support, there is help, and you are not a burden. Whether you're riding, donating, or just checking in on someone, that's how we make change and save lives. Spud's legacy is about breaking down stigma, speaking up, and having each other's backs. It's a message that's more important now than ever 6.29pm In pictures: AFL's most potent attackers 6.29pm Good evening G'day everyone and welcome to our AFL live blog as St Kilda and Carlton face off at the MCG. It's a special night for both clubs as this match is the annual Spud's Game, which raises money for life-saving mental health programs and research and this year the Saints are taking it to the MCG in hope of drawing a bumper crowd. More on that coming up in the blog. First bouce is set for 7.40pm AEST.
Newsweek
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Woman Looks at Baby Photos From the '90s, 'Shocked' by What She's Holding
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A woman looking through her old baby photos from the 1990s was shocked to discover a picture of her holding something she definitely should not have been. There's something magical about looking back through old family photographs. While nostalgia always plays a role in how we feel when revisiting days gone by, studies have highlighted the positive impact personal photographs of the past can play. In 2019, a study published in Aging Clinical and Experiment Research found personal photographs were more effective at combating negative emotions than generic images because of their ability to elicit personal relevant memories. When Renee Frawley from Derby in the U.K., sat down to look through old childhood photographs with her mom, she expected to laugh. Renee Frawley as a baby holding a cigarette. Renee Frawley as a baby holding a cigarette. TikTok/ "We were trying to find pictures of the clothes I wore in the '90s," Frawley told Newsweek. "I used to love my outfits. Instead we came across this." What they came across was a photograph taken of Frawley as a baby in 1994, holding a cigarette in her hand. "We had already seen a couple of pictures of me with cans of beer in my hand and my nan giving me whiskey, but this one honestly shocked me," she said. Frawley's mom was equally stunned by the image. "You can hear her laughing in the background on the video, but she was as shocked as me and said: 'That's my mom doing that putting cigarettes in your hand,'" Frawley said. Frawley decided to post a video to her TikTok, revealing the two photos she discovered, including another of her holding a cigarette over an ashtray. "The 90s really was a lawless time," she wrote in a caption accompanying the image. It became illegal to smoke in enclosed public places and workplaces in England, including work vehicles, hire cars and public transportation, on July 1, 2007. According to campaign group Smokefree Action, the legislation led to 1,200 fewer emergency admissions to hospital for heart attacks in the following year. "It was a different time back then," she said. "I remember people would smoke everywhere—restaurants, shopping centers—and my whole family have always been smokers unfortunately, so it just seemed normal to have a baby around it!" Frawley had expected some to react negatively to the image in the post, but instead the video seemed to resonate with many viewers who went through similar during a time when "jokes" of this kind were more commonplace. "There's a picture of me full-on drinking beer when I was like 1," one viewer said. "I made my dad an ashtray when I was at primary school while all the other kids made their parents cups." A third added: "I have the SAME pictures but my dad gave me a whisky bottle. We're doomed sis." "To be honest, I shared the picture to TikTok because I thought it really was crazy," Frawley said. "But so many people have pictures like this from the '80s and '90s and all the comments are people commenting similar stories that have been fun to read." Though the photograph may have presented a picture of irresponsible parenting, Frawley insisted people need not be concerned about how she was brought up: "I had a fantastic, happy, loved, childhood," she said. Her grandma, the woman who orchestrated the photos, is no longer with Frawley and her family, but she likes to think she'll be "looking down, laughing" at the pictures going viral.
