In my memoir, A Ticket to Elysium, I share the story of a journey that has taken me a lifetime to fully understand. For over forty years, I have been fortunate enough to be part of the Australian heritage rail community, contributing what I could to the preservation of South Australia’s rich railway history. While my professional life and my research into the “iron road” brought me great purpose, I spent those same decades navigating a quiet, personal struggle with gender dysphoria.
For much of my life, my passion for trains served as a vital sanctuary—a way to keep my mind active and find a sense of community while I managed my own inner conflict. Whether I was researching historic rail lines or supporting the SteamRanger Heritage Railway, these experiences provided a steadying hand through the more difficult chapters of my personal story.
A Ticket to Elysium reflects on the challenges of embracing my true self later in life and the overwhelming sense of peace that comes with living authentically. It is a story not just about my own path, but about the incredible support of my family and the simple hope for a society defined by kindness and understanding. I believe it is never too late to find your own “Elysium”—that place of quiet happiness we all deserve.
You can download a full copy of my book synopsis, My Story, for free here.
