Fill In the Blanks

A fascination with the fate of those who show great early talent remained with me. Then in 1981, I happened upon a radio documentary commemorating Hephzibah, who died earlier that year. Produced and narrated for the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s The Coming Out Show by the influential feminist commentator and academic Eva Cox – who was, I learnt for the first time, Hephzibah’s stepdaughter – it featured interviews with Hephzibah and with those who had known her. I heard her light, precise voice with its slightly Germanic vowels and hint of an American drawl as she spoke about things that were important to her, and I was drawn to her warmth, thoughtfulness and humor.