ISBN 978-1-922629-26-5
PAPERBACK
Out for a walk, Mr. Grot would go, in search of more SNOT, more SNOT you know! But one day Mr. Grot messed with the wrong kid and wished he never did! Follow the sticky adventure of Alfred Marcus Deazuis as he unites with his new-found friends to teach Mr. Grot a valuable lesson indeed! Mr. Grot and his barrel of SNOT is a delightfully grotty tale engaging readers both young and old.
ISBN 978-1-922629-96-8
PAPERBACK
The history of Charles Washing, his family, and furniture business is fascinating reading. The plight of Charlie’s parents, a full-blood Chinaman and an 18-year-old English Jewess in the 1850’s, escaping their respective homelands and settling in Ararat, Victoria, is difficult to comprehend, but it’s true. Raising 10 kids against the odds, we follow the journey to Creswick, Melbourne and finally Perth where their sons, driven by Charles set up Washing Brothers Furniture Factory. The Factories Act was a desperate attempt by the Government to eradicate Asiatic businesses pressured by Unions and European businessmen. To survive meant risking everything by breaking the law, dodging government inspectors, and even beating the Supreme Court. It was the birth of racist furniture.
ISBN 978-0-992339-27-2
PAPERBACK
At School we learnt about the mallee country in our lessons and I remember disctinctly thinking, “Why would anyone want to live up there?” It wasn’t portrayed in a very good light and seemed to my impressionable young mind the last place on earth one would want to live or farm in. I always said I would never live too far away from the sea anyway.
I ended up doing just that!
This book is an intimate slice of the history of living in the Mallee District. Deborah Hyde shares her real-life experiences with enthusiasm and humour; a true Australian gem!
ISBN 978-1-922337-96-2
PAPERBACK
Bonnie Lawson is Deb’s niece and a gifted artist who has cleverly portrayed the character’s expressions with a comical, Aussie flavour.
ISBN 978-0-6451513-8-1
PAPERBACK
Positive Thinking and Resilience
The story of the journey, I am on,
At least I know,
I’m not alone!
It’s a journey full of hurdles and tears,
But in the end,
It’s over with smiles and cheers!
Sometimes there’s a storm,
But It doesn’t last forever,
The rain always stops,
And gives way to good weather!
Though it wears down my mind,
body and soul,
Still It will never makes me fall!
I will always come back strong
And somehow learn how to stand tall!
As the journey goes on,
And I approach a new year!
Walking on the same tracks,
Leaving behind all what I used to fear!
ISBN 9781922629074
PAPERBACK
Tina was born in Holland and came out to Australia in 1950. Her family travelled in a caravan around Australia looking for work. Her parents were very poor and strangers in this land. Growing up without electricity or running water, poverty and violence made Tina a strong advocate for the working class and the disadvantaged.
By the time she was twelve her parents had separated and she was placed in a foster home for a period of time. By the age of fifteen she was supporting herself as a waitress, a telephonist, go-go dancer, singer, and house cleaner.
Over Tina’s life she experienced child sexual abuse, domestic violence and rape. She has never seen herself as a victim, Tina is a survivor and has always kept searching for a better life.
In 1975 Tina became a feminist and has been a political activist and an advocate for women and children’s safety for over forty years. Her life was often stressful especially when she became a single mother. Tina’s way of coping with her stress was to sing in bands around Adelaide. Tina was one of the original members of the women’s punk band the Red Meds in 1980 and she then sang in a women’s band called Modesty B Blazed. Later on, she sang in mixed gender bands and took on acting roles for the Junction Theatre Company.
Tina went to university at the age of 30 and became a social worker, community developer and then a narrative therapist.
In 2006 Tina started her journey with her partner, working and travelling around Australia, employed as a narrative therapist in remote areas around Australia. Tina sees herself as ‘a woman giving birth to myself. Now at 72 years old she is ready to tell her story.
Tina Namow is now a retired Narrative Therapist, Social Worker, Community Developer, Political Activist and a Feminist. Tina has experienced migration to Australia from Holland in 1950, poverty, family violence, child abuse, rape and grief. She has stood up against all the odds and after leaving school at 15 years old supported herself and eventually made it to university at the age of 30 years old. Tina has been an actor in theatre, Go-Go dancer, singer in jazz, punk, blues and rock and roll bands. She has travelled and worked around Australia for 4 years, working in a variety of jobs and in remote areas. Tina has been a Narrative Therapist for over 30 years dealing mostly with domestic violence, couple relationships, work place bullying, sexual assault and trauma. Tina has never seen herself as a victim she has always been a survivor. She kept moving on looking for something better in her life, and finally she found it. She now spends her time with her partner of 38 years, and enjoys a less hectic life. She can be kind and understanding but she also doesn’t tolerant fools for too long. Now days she will not be told how she should be. Tina has come too far to be a weak and submissive old woman at age 72. This is her story, warts and all. Her life is not on hold yet!
Coffee shop impromptu recital…
ISBN 978-1-922803-32-0
PAPERBACK
Jim was born in 1953 in Greenock, Scotland to Jim and Josephine (nee Johnston) McCann. He has two sisters, Betty (nee Craford) McCann and Phyllis (nee Branson) McCann and two brothers, David McCann and Chris McCann.
At the age of 10, he immigrated with his family to Whyalla, South Australia. In 1964 Jim attended St. Teresa Catholic School. At 15, he left school and had a long productive work life until retirement in 2019.
In 1991, Jim married the beautiful Annetta Scanlan (nee de Vries Van Leeuwen), who is the mother of three boys – Chris, Steven and David, and a daughter, Leanne.
In 1981, he had an experience with God that profoundly changed his life.
Jim hopes you enjoy reading these poems as much as he enjoyed reciting them. This book of poems is inspired by God, His Bible and His amazing love.