I
grew up in a small bush town in
South Africa called White River.
It was nestled on the border of the
world’s largest nature reserve, the Kruger
National Park. My childhood was filled
with long, sunny days, hours exploring
the rocky outcrops, making forts and
playing with clay while my mum threw
pots. I was the oldest of 4 children and
what I remember most about that carefree
time, was the community I grew up in.
Everyone seemed so connected, supportive
and caring.
Children called friends’ parents ‘Aunty
and Uncle’, not because they were family,
but because we were all treated like
family. Lift club to and from school meant
that we spent extra time with our friends,
but it meant that our mums only had to
take us to school a day or two a week as
they spread the load.
This was the community I grew up in, so I
guess you could say that collaboration is in
my blood.
GRAND
DESIGNS
Debbie O’Connor
14
GLOSS JUNE 2015
Imagine my surprise then when I grew
up, left home and began to explore
the world beyond my borders. A world
full of disconnect, solitude and single
mindedness. It seemed crazy to me that
everyone was working so hard - and all
alone. Why didn’t they connect with
people and share the load?
I say this now with the luxury of
hindsight. The truth is that I started my
creative studio, White River Design
(WRD) alone after moving to Australia.