TriCare Upper Mt Gravatt Aged Care resident in Brisbane, Queensland, Dulcie Forno, has always had a passion for the written word, but it took her until her twilight years to have an opportunity to publish her first book.
At 97 years young, Dulcie is celebrating her biggest achievement yet, Warmth, a published collection of poetry.
From Roma to publishing
Dulcie grew up in rural Queensland in the small town of Roma. Despite the challenges of the era, Dulcie was dedicated to her education and passion to achieve her goals, and the young girl who had designs on a career as a journalist took life’s challenges in her stride.
In 1942, with the war in full swing, Dulcie was forced into foster care. With the men serving the country, her mother was sent out west to teach, and although she was able to take Dulcie’s brother, another child was one too many.
Dulcie studied hard while growing up in foster care, and the rest, as they say, is history.
She married in 1948 and went on to have three children.
“We had a girl and two boys – Kate is an archivist, Mike is in the media, and Richard passed away unfortunately,” she explains. “And I also have seven great-grandchildren.”
The biggest achievement of Dulcie’s ‘career’
The release of Warmth, A collection of poems and wisdom by Dulcie M. Forno, is something of a career milestone for one of Upper Mt Gravatt Aged Care’s most valued residents.
And while it’s taken decades to come to fruition, Dulcie said she couldn’t have done it without the support of her loving family and supportive community.
“My granddaughters, Jacqi Bottger and Michelle Cross, did it all, Jacqi’s a bit of a writer too … I couldn’t have done any of this without them.”
Prior to her latest milestone, Dulcie has enjoyed some well-earned achievements, receiving two media awards for excellence in 2005 and 2007 for writing short essays. “I was on cloud nine and drove everybody mad telling them over and over!” she said proudly at the time.
She has credited journalist and founder of Older People Speak Out, the late Val French AM, with helping and guiding her on her writing journey.
Of her collection of poetry, Dulcie says her favourite is Your Home.
Your Home
May your home always be,
A place of love and charity.
A little child upon your knee,
And Granny with a cup of tea.
Where joys and sorrows o’er the years,
Gain comfort from the smiles and tears.
A place where people feel at ease,
With caviar or toasted cheese.
Where stranger, family or friend,
Can feel the warmth that you extend.
“It’s a poem and a piece of wisdom [too],” Dulcie admits, adding that the book wouldn’t be nearly as special without the generous introduction from a fellow wordsmith.
Revered Australian author and Val’s daughter, Jackie French, penned the following in support of Dulcie and her craft.
“This is a book of 96 years of wisdom from the wonderful Dulcie Forno. I opened this book at random, to glance through, and found I still read half an hour later, and the toast was cold.
Dulcie writes with great simplicity of words, but deeply profound insight into the pathway of our lives and our love and trust in God. It’s a book to teach young people and to comfort those of us who are old.
It is beautiful.”
Dulcie has lived quite the life to date, and while she doesn’t get out much these days, this creative is enjoying her quiet twilight years.
She appreciates the care she receives from the TriCare team at Upper Mt Gravatt Aged Care Residence and rests easy in the knowledge that her words will continue to resonate.
“Even though I love writing, I’m not a talkative person,” she tells us.
To this we say: You don’t need to be, Dulcie, your friends and family value and love you just the way you are.
You can buy a copy of Dulcie’s book at the Upper Mt Gravatt Aged Care residence reception or online here.
To find out more about Upper Mt Gravatt Aged Care Residence or book a private tour, simply click here.
For more information on TriCare’s Aged Care Residences and Retirement Living Villages, visit https://www.tricare.com.au/ or say hello to one of their friendly staff today.
