Nigel Marsh produces an excellent and popular podcast that he calls THE FIVE OF MY LIFE.
He has a national and international audience and invited me to be his guest this week. I enjoyed the chat immensely. It was very challenging in a relaxed and friendly manner.
Here is the link: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/206-everald-compton/id1434251843?i=1000795975297
As he does with all of his podcasts, Nigel asked me five questions about my life.
The first was WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK?
My choice was ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ written by Nelson Mandela. I had a special reason for choosing it as I had a small role in securing his release from two decades in prison. The Progressive Federal Party was a major player in the campaign for his release and I was their fund raising consultant. I did not meet him personally, but he taught me never to give in on issues of principle no matter how tough a task this may be. He also taught me never to linger when striving for a goal.
Second was WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SONG?
I chose OLD MAN RIVER, especially the version magnificently sung by Paul Robeson, a wonderful negro singer and great civil rights activist. The main theme of this song is that no matter what happens to us in life ‘ole man river, he jes keeps rollin along’. In other words, I must never think I am indispensable. The world will get on quite well without me.
Number Three was WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FILM?
Had no problem choosing GONE WITH THE WIND. It was filmed in the 1930’s, the decade when I was born, and I have enjoyed watching it five times in my 95 years. I read and was challenged by Margaret Mitchell’s great book from which the film is based. It alerted me to the shame and disgrace of slavery worldwide and I noted that Christian Churches were its prime financial beneficiaries. I lament that slavery still exists in 2026.
Fourth was WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE?
ULURU was my instant choice. Europeans have been in Australia for only 250 years and Indigenous people have lived here for around 65000 years. But Uluru has been at the centre of our continent for many millions of years originating from sandstone that lay under what was once a great inland sea. To me it is the heart of the continent that belongs to everyone. Recently, I walked around its eleven kilometres circumference and found it to be a very memorable spiritual experience.
Last but not least was this question. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE POSSESSION?
I chose a bottle of 30 years old whisky. Talisker from Scotland’s Isle of Skye that sits on a shelf in my office. I have not opened it and never will. It was given to me when I retired from the Board of Directors of National Seniors Australia, a great institution I founded in 1976 and served 35 years as Chairman. I was only 80 years old at the time they gave it to me so it is now 45 years old and National Seniors is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. I am enormously proud of its many achievements in creating a better life for millions of Older Australians and enabling them to actively contribute to the advancement of the nation.
Then we chatted about my book WALK IN THE SPIRIT.
He had read it and we talked about the good and bad impact that religion has on humanity. We agreed that there is no need for any religion to be the cause of a war or any disruption in society. People like us can live in harmony with our neighbours no matter what their religion may be.
I also raised the matter of my next book LUCINDA.
It tells the fascinating story of the way that Samuel Griffith, Edmund Barton and Charles Kingston wrote the Constitution of Australia on the decks of Lucinda on the Hawkesbury River in 1891.
Also mentioned that I will be writing a new book every year until I reach my century in 2031. It is a pleasant hobby that keeps my brain alive, active and creative.
The world needs more podcasts like the one that Nigel March produces every week. He brings out the humanity in our souls and the visions we have stored away in our very being. Absolute class rendition of fine communications.
Click on the link above and enjoy.
Shalom
Everald