Family of storytellers

Deb Masters thought the years spent in Cobargo helped to shape her mother’s early life.  

“I just think there was so much for her to observe, it was where her voice was created,” she said. 

“She was a great observer; she recognised social injustice - particularly against women and children - and the nature of poverty.”  

While Olga was writing “lots and lots” of short stories as a journalist, Deb said she did not have any published until she was 57. 

Her father, Charles, admired the writings of Olga very much as while they were courting she would write him letters. 

The Olga Masters Festival held over the weekend was the first time all of Deb’s siblings have come together for a long time, and she said they had all been enjoying the event.

“The inspiration, the kindness, the community feeling – it’s just life affirming,” she said. 

“We are all just blown away.” 

Ten of Olga’s grandchildren attended and Deb said it had been great for them because they were getting to know their grandmother, who most never met. 

When it was remarked there were many journalists in her family, Deb said it was because they are all “storytellers”, just like their mother.