2023 … it couldn’t come quickly enough. The travel bug hit me again early in the year, and I made 2 more trips to Singapore. The island was still bustling – but business as usual came with terms and conditions and higher prices as with everywhere else. 

I had more time to talk to the locals. GST increased from 7% to 8%, with 9% expected in January 2024. Almost everyone I met worked second jobs, commonly as ride-share cab drivers, and struggled to pay their bills. I paid SGD$9 (almost AUD$10) for a cheerless cappuccino, while one restaurant charged me 50 cents for a wet hand towel wrapped in plastic!

Back in Sydney, it wasn’t much different. We had our 13th interest rate hike in November,  bringing our cash rate to 4.35%. Necessary, they say, to curb inflation (currently just under 5%). Property prices still went up and rental rates soared even more. Minimum wage rates increased  but not enough to keep up with rising costs of goods and services. Energy and fuel notched the sharpest increases. We blamed lack of housing, shortage of skilled workers, our low dollar (and economists who didn’t prepare us for this). Lastly, we added “cozzie livs” to our list of grievances: the Macquarie Dictionary’s word of the year to describe the cost of living. Sorry folks, but I think it’s a keeper …

But thankfully, I was kept busy for most of the year. Brother Dave and I worked hard to complete Part 2 of our tribute to our late Aunt Margaret; it was posted in late October. Many thanks to family members who helped identify photos, recall names, places, and anecdotes. Those beautiful images, stories and songs can always be seen and heard on YouTube. And listening to the music Margaret and I recorded in the 70s inspired Dave and me to sing again!

Noel Elmowy was at the ready at INRoK Studios, allowing me to use his latest pricey microphone (which he thought I deserved!). This also meant recording with Sydney’s most sought-after session musicians. Dave battled in DIY fashion to record his tracks in something of an echo chamber at his home in Perth. For me, the INRoK sessions were definitely the highlight of the year!!

In between videoing at fruit markets (Fruit Ezy in Pacific Square, Maroubra, and Harris Farm Markets, Bondi – thank you to staff there who were so welcoming!), I could finally pencil in lunch dates with my gym friends and travel to Perth to see my family and friends.

I’m thrilled to report that this year, social media pages for Shirl’s Pearls have gained momentum. Thousands more now watch us from all parts of the world – and after 3 years of toil going on 4, that feels really good! I rather like to think of myself as an “incipient influencer” – but in the best possible way without promoting dubious products or encouraging wrong behaviour. (I must thank Amos Kim for encouraging me to go on social media at the very start.)

Lina, Dave and Sam are my 3 pillars. Thank you also to Alec and Zach, the newest members of our video team, and to Amos, our videoman in early 2023. All of you give life to my intuition and creativity – both of which need regular recharging at DirksHealth and INRoK Studios. 

Paul – thank you for helping me out when Zach and Alex had exams. To my dear friend Rossie – we love coming over and filming in your pristine kitchen. Thank you for always making us feel welcome!

And lastly, thank you ALL for your encouragement and support. To our Instagram, TikTok and YouTube friends: I never thought I would be part of your lives – but hey, it’s the 21st century and I’m loving it … 

My end-of-year project was to be another music video; I wanted to do something to make you smile. The song came into my head while washing the dishes. Noel arranged the track with Albert Calvo; 2 hours for my vocals, another for mastering, and it was done. Alex Sideratos beautifully and professionally produced the video. Do enjoy it

So let’s hope for a year of peace and kindness. Let’s be generous with our smiles and make more people happy. We’ll deal with inflation, high interest rates and energy bills … and (it pains me to say it) … COZZIE LIVS. SO ROLL UP 2024!!