WHITE, John

ISBN 978-1-922957-81-8
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The Clock Keeps Ticking

Having to throw a lot of punches for protection was a way of life in the Navy! Survival depended on how willing I was to stand up to a culture that left many unable to defend themselves. I did a lot of the heavy lifting for them. My experiences in the Navy taught me about not backing down and letting others walk over me. Of course, this comes at a price, mentally, physically and emotionally.

I had to create ways to not only survive, but to prosper. The lessons learnt in the Navy certainly stayed with me through relationships and business and it came with good times and bad times.

This book is about coming from nothing and ending up in a reasonably good place. I’m not quite at peace with myself yet; I’m a work in progress and I’m looking to turn the next page and see what awaits. Read this book and learn how I survived, what drove me and how I keep moving forward.

The Clock Keeps Ticking. Tick, Tick, Tick.

John white self-published author the clock keeps ticking

DE PALO, Tania

ISBN 978-1-922957-77-1
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The Day the Doctors Broke My Vagina and Brain

Raw poetry

A broken body and soul finding the healing of the spirit through trauma and pain.

This powerful book chronicles Tania’s life of unimaginable trauma, captured in stunning poetic form. From the young age when a brick was thrown at her head, to the brutal medical procedure that left her with the worst pain imaginable, Tania’s journey has been a constant battle. But through it all, she has shown extraordinary resilience and determination to heal herself and give back to others. In this unique memoir, Tania uses poetry to convey the depth of her emotions and experiences, taking readers on an unforgettable experience of triumph over adversity.

The day the doctors broke my vagina and brain is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and hope in the face of life’s challenges. Discover life in Tania’s story, despite everything.

CARROLL, Ivor John

ISBN 978-1-922957-33-7
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We Sweep the Streets

A police story based on fact

Ivor John Carroll—later to become known as ‘Chris’ short for ‘Xmas Carroll’ but affectionately called ‘Xmas’ by those that knew him well—a self-confessed ratbag—takes us on a sometimes comical and at times emotional journey through what it was to be a ‘copper’ during the 1940-50s.

The array of fascinating characters with whom he worked—some loved, some hated—the continually changing states of ‘the job’, and the many and varied ‘cases’ on which he worked, are related in a frank, politically incorrect and unfiltered manner—he pulls no punches.

These stories would almost certainly have been lost to time had Xmas’ youngest daughter, Vicki, not decided to dust off the hand-typed, yellowing, faded pages (remember typewriters?)—and retype, reformat, edit, and have published these intriguing, true telling’s of a hard but honest man. It could not have been done without the support and help of her husband, Tony, and his capable literary skills. It was a labour of love and a tribute to her father.

These stories are an important part of a legacy that Chris had always wanted to leave to his family—bringing these pages into the light have made that dream a reality.

We Sweep the Streets: A Police Story Based on Fact is the first in what was to be a duology, spanning IJ Carroll’s entire career. However, searches to date have yet to uncover a complete copy of the second manuscript… But the search continues.

RIGBY, Ken

ISBN 978-1-922957-21-4
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Oddly Enough

Oddly Enough is the story of an Englishman who emigrated to Australia in 1959 to work as a teacher, and, subsequently, as a psychologist, university professor and researcher, in which capacity he has established an international reputation for his work on how bullying can be countered in schools. This led to his becoming recognised internationally, travelling and lecturing worldwide, and receiving the Order of Australia Medal in 2021.

Oddly Enough is written as a flow of consciousness of events as they are remembered and reflected upon from childhood to old age. It is meant to amuse, as well as shed light on significant historical, social, and cultural issues of his time; such as social class; family life; schooling and education; Britain in wartime; National Service; emigration; university life; and adapting to the Australian culture. Finally, it addresses existential questions on the nature of self and the sheer oddity of existence.

Testimonials

‘This fascinating book succeeds in being three things: a personal document of a fulfilling life; a social history covering England and Australia; and a vivid description of the author’s research and practical work in the area of school bullying. Ken Rigby writes frankly and often amusingly about all these matters. This is a compelling read which will be of interest to anyone interested in personal biography, education, and indeed life in general!’

Peter K Smith
Emeritus Professor, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK

Oddly Enough is a refreshingly honest autobiography charting Ken’s journey from working class schoolboy to leading international academic, and the characters he meets along the way. It’s a fascinating insight into how his school years and national service helped shape his own approach to classroom teaching, and the inspiration for his research into bullying in school and effective intervention methods.’

Jo Earp.
Editor, Teacher magazine, 
Australian Council for Education Research

‘This book is captivating and interesting, not only for those who know Ken personally; but also to the bullying research community, which has become very numerous. A fascinating line goes from his own school days, and reflections on authority, to pioneering, world class research on school bullying, and further to the existential question about self and its becoming. And it is so well written, as usual.’

Professor Erling Roland
University of Stavangar, Norway

MARTIN, Cassy

ISBN 978-1-922957-07-8
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Light at the End of the Tunnel

Surviving the shame of disability within an ethnic family

Cassy is the first of her generation born into a Christian Lebanese family after they emigrated to Australia, and she was set to be the golden grandchild. But when it was discovered that she had cerebral palsy, the promise of her wonderful future vanished, and a veil of shame descended.

Now an embarrassment to the family, Cassy was hidden away from the community, just tolerated at home, and told she was an embarrassment, useless and would have no future. Her innocence protected her from realising she was unwanted, so Cassy put everything she had into living her life to its fullest. Once Cassy bravely stood up to her oppressors and became an independent individual, she would never be held back again.

Light at the End of the Tunnel is an autobiography chronicling Cassy’s journey through hard times and tough lessons supported by good friends and personal achievements. She hopes to inspire by sharing the lessons she has learned to build on your inner strength and fulfil your dreams.

BRUCE, Relly

ISBN 978-1-922803-65-8
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Rude Boy

Based on true events

“Don’t waste time looking back, that’s not the direction you’re going anyway.”

Utter Nonsense, consisting of 7 members, was formed in 1980 and played gigs around Melbourne until they released their first EP in 1983, before touring the country.

After the release of “Changes Must Be Made”, they became a household name and were featured on several variety television programs nationwide before disappearing.

Mitchell Truce formed a Ska band with his high school friends and chose to drop out of school and follow his dreams. Starting in grungy, underground venues and pubs, Utter Nonsense was fast known as the ‘all- inclusive’ fun, new band with a UK sound. Their loyal fans, the Rude Boys are in danger of becoming overrun by the racist and violent National Front skinheads.

To complicate things even further, Mitch finds out that it is his girlfriend’s brother who is heading the local Nazi regime and causing most of the trouble at their gigs. The band tour the country focusing on their music and climbing the charts all the while facing the highs and lows of friendship, success, fame, and brotherhood.

Within 24 hours of celebrating an international tour opportunity, tragedy strikes the band, and all their dreams are left blowing in the wind.

ISBN 978-1-923156-02-9
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Violet is Blue

Love that changes everything

In 1942, at age 16, Violet Middleton falls in love with an older man and in turn falls pregnant. Violet never disclosed to her parents who the baby’s father was and they are devestated that their squeaky-clean reputation in the small town they reside in will be tarnished forever so Violet is sent to a maternity home in Sydney where she is forced to give up her baby.

Violet spends the remainder of her years hurdling tragic events in search for her daughter. Violet’s search appears to be at a dead end, until an unlikely visitor shows up during Violet’s last living days and offers to help with the search but what she discovers will leave you questioning every personal relationship you have ever had.

ISBN 978-1-923214-46-0
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Bloody Sword

Four modern day Australian scuba divers come across an old rum barrel; they drink from it and find themselves in England, 1818. In hopes to find their way back home they board a tall ship but soon realize they are under the command of “Benito Bloody Sword Bonito” the most blood thirst pirate on the high seas.