Psychologist migrates to world of storytelling

Racial tolerance and the curiosity of youth are central themes of a book launched by a University of Queensland School of Psychology masters student at the weekend. 

Author and psychologist Jennifer Loakes says her story Mate and Me draws strong influences from her psychology training as well as Brisbane’s multi-cultural hub at West End.

“The story follows a young Australian boy living in an apartment and what happens when a South African family moves in upstairs,” Ms Loakes said.

“There is a South African boy Matata who is very timid, which is reflective of his challenging past and his struggle to adapt to a new home.

“A friendship eventually forms when they take an interest in a family of birds that live in the garage of the apartment complex.

“Obviously the treatment of refugees in Australia is quite topical, but the book is a subtle take on it, and celebrates the openness of children to those who are different.”

A past student at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar and employee of Arts Queensland, 32-year-old Ms Loakes said Mate and Me was her first attempt at a manuscript.

After dedicating two years to achieving the perfect script, Ms Loakes was accepted on her second approach to a publisher.

“I was pretty lucky for a first-time author,” Ms Loakes said.

“I’ve always loved writing and been interested in different literary genres. I find children’s stories so enjoyable to write.”

St Lucia resident Ms Loakes said she requested that illustrator Belinda Elliott reproduce some of the “grittiness” of West End via the story’s imagery.

In a further boost to her writing career, Ms Loakes has also been appointed to the Brisbane Writers’ Festival, where she will moderate a presentation by Klaus Neumann, author of Across the Seas: Australia’s Response to Refugees.

After first enrolling in UQ in 2000 to the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) program, Ms Loakes has since completed her honours (first class) and is partway through a Masters of Organisational Psychology.

She has been granted status as a provisional psychologist.

Media: Ms Jennifer Loakes +61 0414 536 424, jenloakes@hotmail.com ; UQ Communications Robert Burgin +617 3346 3035, +61 0448 410 364, r.burgin@uq.edu.au .