Hit the Turtle to Return Home.
About the author
Merlin was born in a small hospital on the north side of Sydney. He grew up in the bush of Kuringai Chase National Park. This was a time when owning a scooter meant you were a social outcast.
Merlin attended a small school in bushland on the edge of Middle Cove. He went skinny dipping with girls in the creeks on sweltering summer days. He built treehouses, explored caves, built dams for frogs, and caught fish in tidal pools. School days were a lot of fun.
Merlin studied theology and philosophy, with the Order of St. Basil.
To raise money for CARE Australia, Merlin canoed from Bathurst to Bourke. Thirty-five days on the river, under the stars every night.
At Charles Sturt University, Bathurst Campus, Australia.
Merlin completed:
B.Soc.Sc. Double major in psychology.
G.Dip.C. Family counseling.
B.Soc.Sc.(Hon). Forensic psychology.
M.Soc.Sc.(Hon). Neuropsychology.
While working with the Department of Compassionate Services Merling was exposed to an event so traumatizing, he was quickly diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Clinical depression.
We all have nightmares now and then, but for trauma survivors, frequent vivid nightmares are a real problem, along with flashbacks and unwanted disturbing memories. To deal with his PTSD Merlin writes narratives to occupy his mind. On a farm close to the city of Bathurst NSW, Australia, he drafts these easy-to-read stories as part of his recovery and hopes to one day silence the nightmares.