In this conversation, Georgina Banks shares her journey of writing a book to honour her great aunt Bud, an Australian army nurse killed in the Bangka Island Massacre during World War II. What began as an act of remembrance became far more challenging when Georgina discovered the full truth had been suppressed for decades.

Georgina reveals how she navigated intergenerational silence that had shaped her family for generations, carrying grief frozen since 1942. Despite never having written a book before, she felt compelled to speak up, ensuring these women's story was finally told with honesty and dignity.

This isn't just about uncovering historical truth. It's about finding courage to speak when silence feels safer, and discovering that the opposite of fear isn't bravery, it's passion for justice.

About Our Guest

Georgina Banks is a writer, facilitator, and occasional performer, with an interest in what makes people tick and social justice issues. With backgrounds in performance and applied psychology she splits her time between her consulting business, ‘Changeable’, and her writing projects.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s2e5

00:00 Unveiling Family Secrets: The Journey Begins

02:39 Confronting the Past: The Impact of War Crimes

05:11 Intergenerational Grief: A Family's Silent Struggle

10:16 The Weight of Silence: Navigating Family Dynamics

15:04 The Power of Storytelling: Writing as Healing

19:31 Finding Peace: The Response of Family

24:27 Passion for Justice: The Heart of the Narrative

25:42 Navigating Vulnerability and Criticism

29:34 The Drive for Justice and Storytelling

31:08 The Gift of Writing and Family Healing

34:49 Personal Growth Through Adversity

41:06 Lessons Learned and Messages for the Future

47:43 It's A Wrap