WELCOME
to the
personal Web page of

I am an Australian
writer, academic and radical community activist. I live in Ballarat,
Victoria.
I was born in Melbourne in 1949. Raised as Catholic, I spent boyhood
years in the Wimmera township of Nhill. I was
educated at Nhill High School and Saint Patrick’s College, Ballarat.
After a year training for the priesthood I was offered a place at
university and enrolled in history and sociology at LaTrobe
University in 1969. I became radicalised like many other students in
the 1960s. I joined the Communist Party of Australia and was very
involved in the Australian Union of Students, the campaign to Save
the Franklin and battles to save the environment. As a result of
anti-Vietnam War activities and being a conscientious objector I was
imprisoned in 1972. I came out as a homosexual in 1970 and involved
myself in anti-discrimination battles.
Leaving University, I taught in Victorian secondary schools and
Universities. I am committed to the resolution of many significant
issues facing us today. I have a deep green philosophy regarding
planet Earth. Earth is our home in the cosmos. In my career as a
teacher I have tried to support students in their struggle to become
themselves, to be truly free, enlightened and independent thinkers.
In 1988 I completed a Doctorate on the Australian Radical Student
Movement. I have a special interest in the struggle of the
Palestinians for a homeland; an independent West Papua and
restorative justice for the aboriginal people of Australia.
In 2009 I returned to
LaTrobe University to study English Literature. In 2015 I am
delighted to be delving into the poetry of John Keats. I maintain a
watching brief on local, State and international politics and am
involved in green and heritage issues in Ballarat.
Yarrowee: A Radical
Life
In 2007 I published ‘Yarrowee: A Radical
Life’. It is an autographical novel set in
present day Ballarat. ‘Yarrowee’ is a
no-holds-barred attack on the
powers-that-be. It is a story of political
intrigue. It is also the story of my
homosexual life.
‘Yarrowee’ invites you, the reader into a
rarefied, free-wheeling world where my
friends Luke, James and Xavier plunge into
radical politics, the sex clubs of nearby
Melbourne and the realisation of their own
lives as young men. In the background is the
frightening reality of being monitored by
those who oppose us in the battle for the
hearts and minds of Australia.
‘Yarrowee’ is a moving and confronting story
of how an innocent country youth gets caught
up in one of the most exciting times in
Australian history. The conclusion presents
a brighter future for young Australians if
they choose to grab hold of it. It is a
story of inspiration and hope for
Australians. |
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Yarrowee: A Radical Life - Read an excerpt from the book -
Click here
Yarrowee: A Radical Life - Read the entire book online (or print
off) -
Click here
(This is a pdf document
- 589 Kbs)
Yarrowee: A Radical Life - Download the cover of the book -
Click Here (This is a jpeg -
289 Kbs)
‘Yarrowee: A Radical Life’ is available to be purchased by emailing me at - brianpola@gmail.com
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