Conversations New Beginnings: When a sea change collides with messy midlife
Jan 14, 2026
Kate Halfpenny, a journalist and memoirist known for her book 'Boogie Wonderland,' discusses her dramatic sea change to Ocean Grove during Melbourne's lockdowns. She shares candid insights about confronting her husband's alcoholism, the challenges of perimenopause, and the profound loneliness of midlife. Kate recalls a frightening moment at the beach that forced them to face their realities. With humor and vulnerability, she explores themes of recovery, the impact of addiction on relationships, and finding peace in a new chapter of her life.
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Beach Rescue Reveals A Hidden Problem
- Kate Halfpenny describes rescuing her 83-year-old father from surf while her husband Chris struggled to stand beside him.
- That moment revealed Chris was drunk and became the catalyst for confronting his alcoholism.
Postpartum Crisis And Choosing Motherhood
- Kate recalls a postpartum psychosis after her second baby and being admitted to a psych ward where she resisted medication to continue breastfeeding.
- She discharged herself and returned to work under great pressure, illustrating her struggle with motherhood and mental health.
Initial Sea Change Bliss Turns Troublesome
- Kate describes the early weeks in Ocean Grove as endless happy hour with boogie boarding, backyard cocktails and garden projects.
- The town's boredom later exposed underlying issues and contributed to Chris's secret heavy drinking.
