Interview with Marilyn

Why this recipe? 

This cake is the one I associate with gatherings, my beautiful children and grandchildren. It’s special because of the memories that it creates. I make it for birthdays and occasions when we all get together. 

I found it in a vegetarian cookbook called ‘Squirrels’. It used to be a group of restaurants in the 1970-1980 that started in the UK. I have lost the original book but thank goodness I photocopied the recipe.

What is the secret to happiness?

That’s what every human being is trying to figure out. I think that having a purpose and seeing people that you love, also helping other people and doing things for them all make life more fulfilling.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I didn’t realise how much I liked being on the move and how much I love contact with nature. I have only just learned that I have that innate desire to be closely associated with nature and to be active in it.  I only learnt that much later on in life. And perhaps when I was younger, I would have headed in that direction. It’s all good to be wise in retrospect, you just do what you think at the time but I do realise that in doing what I did (Psychiatry), I ignored a large sense of myself.

You raised 3 kids. What advice would you give to parents these days?

Everybody finds their own way when guiding children and I think that it is important to continue to make sure that emotionally, physically and psychologically you are protecting their wellbeing till they’re old enough to make up their own mind. You won’t always make yourself popular by doing that but our job is to protect them, encourage them and give them the confidence to do things.  And just love my kids to bits. 

What isn’t worth stressing about? 

There are many, many things that aren’t worth stressing about but there is a very famous quote from a US president and it’s,”I’ve had lots of bad things in my life and some of which have happened”. You can worry about all these things that you think are going to happen, and very few of them do. 

What is your desert island meal (last meal for 1 year)?

I thought you meant when I got there (laughs), because that would be my ideal meal. I love fresh food and fresh fruit. Essentially, I’d like to eat what I would find on the island. All kinds of salads, I just love them. My mum always made fresh, home cooked meals so it’s something I always grew up with. 

So, you’re in your early 70’s and you are still doing triathlons, what is your secret?

I love activity.  I like goals but I think when I was younger I didn’t feel very confident about myself and then I discovered I could run and that became a part of my self esteem. I was never competitive but I always did well and I remember playing red rover on the farm with my Dad and my brothers and sisters. I always loved that outdoor activity. The triathlons give me a structure to sustain exercise, which is a part of me and I have branched out to triathlons because I was getting injured with too much running. So I started swimming when I was injured. I then thought I could throw in the bike riding and I’d have a triathlon.

If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?

I have a great admiration for birds, there’s something magical about them, particularly the large birds like the wedge tailed eagles or black cockatoos – their grace. They are just wonderful creatures and I just find them very mysterious. They go all places, they communicate with each other and they are beautiful to watch.