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Nat Locke

Nat Locke, photographed for STM’s 21st anniversary at the Elizabeth Quay carousel.

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In the spirit of Mariah, all I want for Christmas is . . .

It’s been a significant amount of time since I’ve done this, but I thought, hey, what the heck, let’s write a letter to Santa. If you don’t ask, you don’t get, right?

Nat Locke

Nat Locke, photographed for STM’s 21st birthday editions. Styling: Rochelle Renwick. Hair and makeup: Gail Wilton.

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Advice for Year 12s as they step into bold, unknown future

Last week, I was invited to be the guest speaker at my old high school’s graduation ceremony. This is obviously a role I relished but I felt the weight of responsibility for imparting wisdom upon this cohort.

Nat Locke

STM. 21st Anniversay Edition. Cover. Nat Locke. Radio Personality. Elizabeth Quay.

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The agony and ecstasy of owning an old dog

My dog is dying. Don’t panic. He’s fine. I’ve just become acutely aware of his mortality. He’s dying in the same sense that you and I are dying — one day at a time.

Nat Locke

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

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The highs and lows of 16 years of STM columns

As we’re celebrating STM’s 21st birthday, I thought I’d take a self-indulgent moment to reminisce about my 16 years of contributions. Pardon me while I wander down memory lane.

Nat Locke

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

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Who knew Facebook memories could be so useful?

Facebook memories reminded me that I’ve been writing these columns for 16 YEARS. Here is how I celebrated, and it’s not what anyone expected …

Nat Locke

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

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As STM turns 21, it’s time to reminisce on my own

There were no balloon arches. No smoke machines. I wore a black dress that I had made, and I didn’t get my hair and make-up done. Seriously, young girls going to a disco go to more effort with their appearance.

Nat Locke

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

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Some words of wisdom for students from my prehistoric days

From my extensive research (I spoke to some people at the dog park) I am aware that this week, WACE exams start. But it turns out that the exams weren’t all that bad …

Nat Locke

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

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Allow me to set the record straight on plane etiquette

If you’re on a short-haul flight, and there is a regular or super-sized adult human sitting behind you, resist the temptation to recline. And if you’re asking someone to change, don’t offer a worse seat.

Nat Locke

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

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Everyone appears to be stranded this week

There are the hordes of mountain climbers stranded on Everest, and the WA woman who broke her ankle. Reminds me of the time I was stranded near a wine bar in Prague . . . Thank you for praying for me.

Nat Locke

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

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Nat Locke’s no-skill ultimate school holiday hack

Week two of school holidays and parents are scrambling for post-Royal Show entertainment. In these times, you look to me — a childless woman — for comfort and sage advice. Don’t worry, I’m here for you. 

Nat Locke

Father and daughter Tod Bergersen and Molly Bergersen from WA competing at the Woodchop Arena at the Perth Royal Show.

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How to enjoy the Perth Royal Show as an adult

It turns out that once you hit a certain age, you start to notice that there are more things to do at the Perth Royal Show than buy Bertie Beetle show bags (although you absolutely should still buy them).

Nat Locke

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

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The sign you’re middle age — and it’s not what you’d think

There’s so much potential. The purging, the cleansing, the ridding of sins. I do realise that’s pretty philosophical for a large rubbish bin, but hear me out.

Nat Locke

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

THAT’S LIFE One ticket to the pillow show, please

A surgeon recently told me he also gets up at 4am, and operates on people all day WITHOUT NAPPING. I was so startled I had to have a lie down. Last week I managed to take a nap that shocked my friends.

Nat Locke

Nat Locke likes to use stories about her dad for radio content.

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A tribute to half of my gene pool

I thought this Father’s Day would be the perfect day to tell you about my dad, in all his quintessential hat wearing farmer glory.

Nat Locke

Nat Locke is an STM columnist.

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I have an oral hygiene confession to make

Years ago, on Ten Years Younger In Ten Days, a guy with black teeth admitted, under Sonia Kruger’s rigorous examination, that he hadn’t been to the dentist for seven years. It’s time I also came clean. 

Nat Locke

Nat Locke is impressed by people who start petitions on issues they care about.

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Park barbie a sizzling-hot topic

I’m not here to advocate for or against a barbecue in a Riverton park. But I am full of admiration for people who feel passionately enough about an issue that they are prepared to canvass for signatures. 

Nat Locke

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

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Here’s to friends, near and far

It’s genuinely delightful to reflect on your friendships from time to time. I encourage everyone to really relish in the joys, both large and small, that they contribute to your life.

Nat Locke

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

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The secrets to a long life

I love when people celebrating an impressively huge birthday are asked the secret to their longevity. Sometimes they give wholesome advice and sometimes it’s “a can of Swan Gold and a vanilla slice every day”.

Nat Locke

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

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Up, up and away from promises to my parents

A month or so ago, before I went on my Euro adventure, I had a conversation with my mum and dad where I basically vowed that I wouldn’t go hot air ballooning in Cappadocia, Turkey. 

Nat Locke

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

THAT’S LIFEFinding joy in local cultural experiences

And that’s how I found myself mostly naked and sliding all over an array of marble surfaces at a Turkish hammam.

Nat Locke 

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

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Solo travelling isn’t brave, it’s smart!

If you want to sleep in one day, you can, without upsetting someone who wants to get up and about at sunrise. If you want to eat baklava in bed instead of going out to dinner, oh boy, can you.

Nat Locke 

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

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My startling realisation about who I am on travel tour

I am currently on a small group tour somewhere in Turkey and I have suddenly realised which role I occupy: it’s making me uncomfortable.

Nat Locke

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

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Do adults require supervision? Asking for a friend

I’m fully aware that I am technically an adult, but recent experiences have taught me that I am nowhere near qualified to act without a proper adult watching over me. 

Nat Locke

Nat Locke pictured in the studio

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My holiday plans are all up in the air

I’m reluctant to make a geopolitical crisis in the Middle East all about me, but it seems like every other person I talk to is off to Europe and most of us are supposed to fly through the Middle East.

Nat Locke