G'day, mates!

My name is Shine Robertson.  I live in the outback, in the centre part of Australia.  I live in Aborigine Country.  I'm an Aborigine.  Me relatives are part of the original settlers of this continent.  I am 30 years old.

I used to work in Sydney, but found I didn't like big city living, so I went back to the bush and I find myself being much happier.  Right now I am drawing disability 'cause I hurt me back from a fall from me horse; ended up having surgery on it.  Still gives me ongoing pain and it is hard to walk without hurting.

I am single; I did have a partner, but he found another mate, so I am alone again.  Doesn't matter; she'll be apples.  Right now I am enjoying the single life; life is much better without having to worry about others.  Have enough of me own problems myself.

Yeah, I'm gay.  Have always been.  Have never been comfortable around girls, so I took to liking guys; they seemed to understand me better than most females.  I'm not ashamed of it, but I hate it when people judge me for what I am.  Can't they see that even though I'm gay, I'm still like them?? I'm a person, not an oddity!

Before I messed up me back, I had an active life: I raised llamas, rode horses, went on walkabouts, had barbies with me mates, enjoyed time with family and friends (or did before some of 'em dropped me 'cause of my being gay), danced, went to bars, and travelled.  Now I can't hardly move or walk without difficulty, so I am stuck here at home.  I'm also getting disability, as I mentioned thusly.  It does help to have some money coming in, but it's nowhere near I was making when I was employed.

Me biggest problem right now is trying to reconnect with me family.  I have found out that Pop is very ill, but nobody seems to want to tell me anything or if they even want me to come up there; they live near Alice Springs, which is several hours away from me, and I don't have a car or a way to get up there.  They are mad at me about me "lifestyle", which is stupid, if you ask me.  Can't they see that I have a right to know about Pop?  Can't they see that even though I am not like most people, I am still their flesh and blood??  It's about to drive me crazy; I have a right to know what's going on with Pop!

~To be continued!~