Katie McMurray

Katie McMurray

Katie is someone we’ve seen around the ‘hood for many years. We met her officially at Rick Feneley’s book launch on Saturday night. She’s a writer so we will let her tell her story without interference from us.

“I fell in love with Bondi as a cultural crossroad, because of Bondi Pavilion. I worked there from 1992, looking after the theatre and gallery and running publicity campaigns. I was astonished at the people it attracted and the creativity it birthed.

My kids have grown up here. I thought Bondi was the best backyard any child could have, so moved here in 1996. One of my kids lived for the skate park, one loved the Westfield. Our home is half-way between the two.

It took me a while to fall in love with beach life. I would look at the waves from our Bondi Pavilion office and just didn’t understand the ocean.

I learned to swim after 2007, because a friend made me join the Bondi Icebergs that winter. I couldn’t swim a lap without drinking a lot of water. I didn’t know how to breathe. With the help of some Icebergs friends, I solved that and took up ocean swimming in 2008.

Then I took up surfing in 2016, as my second child finished high school. I was aged 53 when I started surfing.

I had a mental health collapse in 2017 and lost my identity. I knew my name but didn’t know who I was any more. As soon as I was well enough, I was out there again trying to work out how to surf. It’s a humbling and humiliating sport. My persistence and sense of fun remind me who I am and what I’m about.

My Bondi friends hold a beacon for my wellbeing. If I can stay connected to them, not hide away when the depression kicks in, I can feel a wellspring of support. I recently walked from home to the beach while experiencing depression symptoms. I saw friends and told them what was happening. I got a body surf in and received two hugs. All while my depression narrative ran riot with negative self-talk.

Tumbling from my bed to the car then into surf is a great start to my day, though I may move a little reluctantly now the weather is cooling down. After a surf I’ll be reading, writing and warming up with a coffee, while wearing two beanies, at Gertrude & Alice. I’m writing a book about recovering my identity with the help of surfing.

This year I’ve launched a book writing program for women. It feels great to know who I am again. Now I help others find their voice.” (Ed: For information on how Katie can help with your writing go HERE.)