LAVERS, Ashlee
ISBN 978-1-922957-72-6
PAPERBACK
A Changed Life
A true story about a life-changing decision that turned reality upside down and threw my young self into an unexpected path.
The night that changed everything, after a normal day of school and play, my best friend and I made a decision that was set to change the layout of our lives and the lives of our close friends and family.
This true diary entry-style read is my story, one I’ve written over many years. The tears and emotion behind the pages of this book were really felt by me deep into my core as I sat and typed my life out.
After my first year of recovery, I visited the site and my best friend, Charmaine. Upon returning, I felt compelled to get up and start writing. I began to write through the tears and wrenching pain. I sat at my keyboard and just typed. I continued writing on the daily; it would help me just let go for that moment. This story takes you through all my ups and downs, my tears, my pain, my feelings of losing myself and my life, and all the in-between of what it’s like to live after such a horrific accident to then feeling and regaining my confidence the way I am.
Despite my doubt for many years, my strength shines through. Many will say I was strong from the beginning. “Strength comes from within and it can be used in a mighty way if you believe.”
STRUNGS, Inara
ISBN 978-1-923386-31-0
COLOUR PAPERBACK
ISBN 978-1-923443-19-8
BLACK & WHITE PAPERBACK
ISBN 978-1-923443-20-4
EBOOK
Love, War and Crocodiles
A Life of Arvids Blumentals, aka Crocodile Harry
The extraordinary adventures and loves of Arvids Blumentals, aka Crocodile Harry, one of Australia’s most unusual post–World War 2 migrants.
Harry was a Latvian patriot who went to war at 17, lost his homeland, and became a crocodile hunter, gravity surveyor, opal miner, writer and womaniser. He called himself a baron and married an opera-singing German lady he’d never met.
He appeared in a high-profile inquest, entertained Tina Turner and Olivia Newton-John and was the subject of many media stories. His dugout in Coober Pedy was featured in Mad Max 3 and still attracts tourists today.
This carefully researched book looks at Harry’s diverse pursuits, his intriguing personality and the historical background of a war that shattered a generation of men. Few others reacted as flamboyantly as Harry.
WILLIAMS, Nicholas
ISBN 978-1-923386-60-0
PAPERBACK
Proof of Life
The story of how an anxious country boy found out about the world and how to make a difference in it
A student elective in the New Guinea Highlands in the mid-1970s lit a fire in Nick Williams’ belly that determined his medical career. Proof of Life tells the extraordinary story of Nick’s journey through Southern Africa during the apartheid era and the emergence of AIDS and his years as a District Medical Officer in central Australia.
A young Dr Nick learned all he knew from nurses and community health workers under kerosene lamps in remote PNG and rural Africa. He embraced the ‘see one, do one, teach one’ method and discovered, with the help of brilliant nurses during a 58-person truck rollover, just how far that mantra can stretch.
Compelling and heart-warming stories unfold throughout this memoir. It’s a story of adventure, challenge, love, and confronting the best and the worst of people when providing medical care in the developing world.
In Australia, Nick’s career is enriched by working with the world’s oldest living culture in the Northern Territory, where he continues to live his passion for working in true collaboration with nurses and health workers.
During an ICRC mission in northern Pakistan, Nick confronted a world in which he could not make any difference. Polarised by feelings of frustration and terror he realised that true value is not always in outcomes but in the journey itself.
Proof of Life is a captivating story of one doctor’s journey, shaped by the places he worked, the people he met, and the risks he took to pursue something greater. Joy, excitement, terror, and fulfilment in giving it all.
About the Author
NICHOLAS WILLIAMS was born in 1957 in the mid-north of South Australia and trained at Adelaide University, graduating in 1980. Doing his medical student elective in the southern highlands of PNG determined the trajectory of his career. He subsequently worked in Transkei in southern Africa and Zimbabwe. He later returned to work in Zambia with his wife Jan.
Since Africa, he has worked most of his career in remote and rural Aboriginal health. This included a year in a remote Cree Indian community in Manitoba province of Canada. He has participated in two humanitarian missions to Pakistan and the Philippines for the ICRC and the Australian Red Cross respectively.
He is married with two adult children and lives in Adelaide. He is a keen bushwalker and cyclist. He has previously written the forward for Bush Nurses edited by Annabell Brayley. He has co-authored several scientific papers (Development of Standard Treatment manuals, Hepatitis C and Opioid substitution treatment). Co-edited the CARPA Standard Treatment Manual, now in its 8th Edition.
Proof of Life is his first book.
CLARKE, Gerry
ISBN 978-1-923386-45-7
PAPERBACK
ISBN 978-1-923386-44-0
HARDCOVER
My Name is Ryan
The Story of Ryan Clarke, A man with Down Syndrome
Told through the eyes of his father, My Name is Ryan is the hopeful and heartwarming story of the transformation of a boy with Down syndrome, into a man with Down syndrome.
We follow Ryan’s journey through adulthood as he faces the daunting challenges of moving into the workforce, finding a home, the inevitable loss of loved ones, and the joy of welcoming new family members and a tribe of nephews and nieces, who know him lovingly as ‘Uncle Barnas’.
This is book two for Gerry Clarke.
Ryan’s Rainbow, first published in 2003, and taking us from Ryan’s birth through to his 18th birthday, is included in this edition.
Together they provide the full picture of Ryan’s life to the age of 40, a life of joy in the heart of a large and loving family.
My Name is Ryan is a celebration not only of Ryan, but of all people with disabilities, their families, their carers, and the community organisations that provide the dedication and support to ensure they live rich and fulfi lling lives.
It removes some of the myths, mysteries and stereotypes that surround raising a child and young adult with a disability and is sure to inspire parents and siblings facing similar challenges.
Ryan’s story will touch your heart, inspire your spirit, and remind you to cherish the profound beauty in the simple everyday moments in life.
My Name is Ryan will make you smile, and then smile again.
About the Author
My Name is Ryan is Gerry Clarke’s second published work. Gerry’s first published book was Ryan’s Rainbow, which became a best-seller in South Australia and is incorporated in this book.
After retiring in 2023, Gerry’s primary goal was to complete writing this book in time for Ryan’s 40th birthday in October 2025.
Gerry enjoyed a long and successful career in the public and tertiary sectors, where he was able to use his writing and people skills to good effect. Gerry worked in a variety of human resources, communications, internal culture building and administration roles in the employment, education, health and aged care fields.
Gerry is married to Joyce, and they are proud parents to Matthew (and Shelley), Dale (and Amy), Ryan, Brett (and Rebecca), Patrick (and Kyleigh) and Lauren (and Will). In their retirement years, Gerry and Joyce are sharing in the joy of watching their ten beautiful grandchildren make their way in the world.
Gerry is a keen sportsman, with many achievements in a long basketball career. Gerry currently enjoys the challenge of playing lawn bowls.
Gerry has helped to raise thousands of dollars for many not-for-profit organisations, schools and sporting groups in his role as quizmaster.
Gerry has achieved his goal of publishing My Name is Ryan in time for Ryan’s 40th birthday. It is an achievement of which he is justifiably proud.
KESKESIADIS, Tara
ISBN 978-1-923333-45-1
PAPERBACK
ISBN 978-1-923333-82-6
HARDCOVER
ISBN – Coming soon
EBOOK
Turning Pain Into Purpose
If you aren’t where you want to be, you haven’t become who you need to be
USE YOUR PAIN AS A CATALYST FOR SUCCESS.
Just as Kintsugi, the ancient Japanese art, celebrates the beauty of mending broken pottery with gold, this book serves as a metaphor for life. It encourages us and illustrates how we can perceive the broken and fractured parts of ourselves – and others – as opportunities to infuse resilience, beauty, and character into our life’s journey.
Be empowered to overcome your challenges and uncover your true potential with the powerful 777 Pathway. Within these beautiful
pages, explore a guide that will assist you in dismantling the cycle of setbacks rooted in self-doubt and ingrained habits.
We are always just one decision away from a transformation, one decision away from forging a new path. Take action and choose to be the creator of your life rather than a victim of your circumstances. It’s time to decide what kind of life you want – and say no to everything that isn’t that.