Australian Newpaper Interview Questions
By Gabrielle Reilly

How would you describe living in Alice Springs and what are your fondest
memories of the town?

I have so many fond memories I wouldn't even know where to begin. I loved listening to "Bloodwood" when they played out at the Camel Farm. I was sorry to hear they dismantled. Ted Egan at the first few "Wine Fests" (the first ones were the best ones) in Alice. I loved watching movies at the Memorial Club on family night.

One of my funnier experiences in Darwin was when I was in the "Miss Australia Awards" and all the contestants were in Darwin. We were all dressed up and were taken on a beautiful champagne sunset hovercraft cruise. Well, there was not a toilet on board and many of us girls were just busting to go after a glass or two of champagne. So the hovercraft pulled up on a sandbank in the middle of nowhere and all you saw was a bunch of "Miss Australia Awards" contestants running down the beach in formal wear to glamorously squat in one of the few areas with any scrub. Of course we were smart girls...we made sure one girl kept look out for any lurking 23 foot crocs. Only in the Territory... :)"

How would you best describe yourself?

Too bashful to describe myself.

Taking a look at your website you traveled a lot with your family - is that
how they ended up in the Territory?

Yes. When I left home I moved to Perth by myself for several years and was drawn back to live in Alice Springs.

Apparently you represented the Territory in the Australian youth of the year
contest. How and why did you get involved with that competition?

I was a finalist in the "Young Australian of the Year" for the Territory for Regional Development. Dr. Richard Lim, Deputy Leader of the CLP (Australian version of GOP), nominated me for the award for a first time home buyer housing development I put together to assist low income families. I am still in contact on occasion with Dr Richard Lim regarding Territory and international politics. Actually, he recently put my name forward to the Australian Tourism Commission to be American Tourist Ambassador For Australia. Richard and his wife Sharon have worked diligently for many years for the Territory and have improved the lives of many Territiorian's. I hope Territorian's fully recognize there efforts, and ensure Dr Richard Lim and Sharon Lim continue to enrich our lives by re-electing him.

Do you have an understanding of Aboriginal culture and are you an advocate
for better indigenous relations in Australia?

Yes, I had many aboriginal friends growing up... I remember at OLSH Margaret Fuller was my first aboriginal friend. I am sad there is such alcohol issues, particularly around the Sadadeen camps. What the answer is, I don't know????? I am thankful for Imparja TV and the educational ads they were running (I hope they are still running). I didn't agree with the land claims though.

How did you become a political correspondent?

I became involved with an American Congressional Campaign and learnt about the American political system. I saw the limits of the political system in adapting to this new world order rapidly. After 911, I decided from my extensive travels and complex understanding of global issues combined with my involvement in upper level of American politics that I wanted to reach millions around the world with the more complex truth of what is occurring. I do interviews all around the world now and am particularly interested in interviews in more anti-US countries. You see the terrorists think that if you are against America you are for them. In fact anti-US sentiment is a BIG recruiting tool for the terrorist network which means more innocent people will be killed as a result.

Your press secretary is very concerned about heightened security considering
the political environment. Have you received threats over your articles?

For the most part people who disagree with me recognize my intentions are well meant so I do not receive as much animosity as I would expect being a public figure... I think most celebrities in America are cautious. I have had people stalking me and tracking my every move. I guess caution is sensible in this environment.

Were you in New York at the time of September 11 and if so, can you describe
your feelings about the attack and the atmosphere of NY after the terrorist
attacks?

When the planes struck the Towers on 9/11 I was in Kansas having a "girls" moment trying on clothes with my dear friend who had come to visit from Alice Springs, Gwen. Gwen lived out at St Mary's growing up and worked at the Territory Wildlife Park but now she lives in Sydney... She had arrived just two days earlier and as we watched it on TV it was like we weren't watching a real event but a Bruce Willis action movie. Australian's don't possibly understand when they compare the Bali Bombing to 911. I was deeply impacted by the Bali Bombing also. Bali was my childhood playground, in fact my Balinese friends called me "Katut" meaning fourth born. I was impacted tremendously. But when the attack goes from hundreds dead, to thousands dead, on your own soil taking down a symbolic monument, it really takes on a completely different life. You could never really imagine until you live with the day to day nuances.

End

PRESSURE

What comes out of you
when you are squeezed
is what is inside you.

- Wayne Dyer