BYRNE, Bob

ISBN 978-1-923680-16-6
PAPERBACK

Photos & Memories 1940s

 

In the Shadow of War

Out of the Darkness: The Decade That Defined Modern Australia

This is the story of Australia’s most transformative decade through the eyes of people who lived through it. From the outbreak of war to the birth of modern Australia by decade’s end, this nostalgic and historic journey captures what life was like for ordinary Australians during the 1940s

From rationing and blackouts, victory gardens and air raid drills, these are the stories of the men and who faced some of Australia’s most difficult times. Meet the men and boys who marched off to war, the women who built bombs and made bullets, the children who collected scrap metal for the war effort, and the immigrants who arrived with cardboard suitcases and unpronounceable names. Relive the excitement of Victory in Europe and then the Pacific, the first Holden rolling off the production line, and learn just how an unusual breakfast spread became a national icon.

Through personal memories and carefully researched stories, this book brings to life the decade that shaped modern Australia – when a nation faced its darkest hours and emerged stronger, more confident, and ready to build the lucky country we know today.

Little Book of Big Book Marketing Tips book cover

ISBN 978-1-923645-33-2
PAPERBACK

Photos & Memories 1960s

 

What made the swingin’ sixties

The Sixties Down Under: Discover Australia’s Era of Extraordinary Change

Step back into the Australian decade they call “The Swingin’ Sixties”. From the comfortable certainties of 1960 to the moon landing that ended the decade Photos and Memories 1960s captures the extraordinary transformation of a nation in a time of great change.

As Beatlemania swept through our cities and decimal currency replaced pounds, shillings and pence, we witnessed the 1967 referendum that overwhelmingly voted for Aboriginal rights. Relive the controversy of Vietnam, the disappearance of Prime Minister Harold Holt, and the cultural revolution that saw young Australians questioning everything their parents had accepted.

Beyond the major events, discover what daily life was really like – from typing pools and record shops to marching girls and Earl’s Court adventures. Through personal memories and year-by-year chronicles, this book brings the sights, sounds, and spirit of 1960s Australia vividly to life.

Whether you were born in the swinging sixties, went to school or simply want to understand the decade that shaped modern Australia, this nostalgic journey will inform, entertain, and transport you back to one of the most exciting eras in our nation’s history.

Little Book of Big Book Marketing Tips book cover

ISBN 978-1-923589-62-9
PAPERBACK

Australia Remember the Year 1796

 

A look back in time

Welcome to your history.

Step into Australia of 1976. A nation recovering from political upheaval, where flares were fashion, Countdown ruled Sunday nights on TV, and the local Chinese restaurant was exotic dining.

Discover the everyday details that shaped your world – from platform shoes to emerging environmental movements, from meat-and-three-veg to the first stirrings of multiculturalism, from the tribal passions of football codes to the revolution happening in women’s lives.

Through vivid storytelling and photos, explore the politics, culture, technology, and social changes of this pivotal year. Learn about the workplace your parents knew, the classrooms of your childhood, and the seeds of change that would define your future.

This is more than history – it’s the story of the Australia you were born into, told with warmth, insight, and a deep appreciation for the complexity and possibility of that remarkable year.

ISBN 978-1-923523-34-0
PAPERBACK

Photos & Memories 1950s

 

For All Those Who Can Remember

A nostalgic journey through the years that helped build a nation’s identity.

Come back with me into a most remarkable decade in Australia – the 1950s. Photos & Memories 1950s: For All Those Who Can Remember captures the stories, pictures and memories of an era that shaped a nation, from the end of wartime rationing to the arrival of television, from the dream of a quarter-acre block to the birth of teenage culture.

This isn’t just the history of our nation, it’s the story of everyday Australians rebuilding their lives after World War II. Tales of how families embraced new suburbs, welcomed European immigrants, and celebrated together during the Queen’s visit and the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

If you were born or lived through the fifties, this book explores the milestones that defined a generation – first jobs, first cars, first homes, and the simple pleasures of backyard cricket and visits to the corner shop. For seniors, these pages will spark cherished memories; for younger readers, it’s a window into the decade that helped create a modern Australia.

Little Book of Big Book Marketing Tips book cover

About the Author

 

Bob Byrne is a veteran Australian media professional with a 40-year career in radio broadcasting.

Following his tenure as a radio personality, Bob transitioned to print as a columnist and feature writer for the Adelaide Advertiser.

As an author, he has published seven books, most notably the acclaimed “Remember When” series. His expertise in chronicling Australia’s social history has earned him a substantial following, with his “Australia Remember When” Facebook page attracting over 375,000 engaged followers.

Bob continues to create new stories focusing on the baby boomer years in Australia. His latest work, “Photos & Memories 1950s,” launches an ambitious new series that will document the social and cultural evolution of Australia throughout the last five decades of the twentieth century.

CLARKE, Paul

ISBN 978-1-923680-46-3
PAPERBACK

ISBN 978-1-923680-47-0
EBOOK

Botcation

 

Time to explore!

After the chaos at Bot Camp, Daniel and his friends need a vacation. Better yet, a BOTCATION. So when billionaire tech philanthropist Bernard Barker invites them all on a wilderness adventure in his hightech six-wheel-drive all-terrain mega-RV, Daniel leaps at the chance.

A chopper drops them in Bernard’s remote nature reserve where robots called Huntbots are restoring the natural ecosystem by removing invasive species. Luckily, they won’t be active.

Timmy has expert knowledge of camping and the outdoors, and Daniel is enjoying learning to pitch a tent while Mary roasts marshmallows over the campfire. Even Daniel’s mom and sister are relaxing in the tranquil environment. It’s the road trip of a lifetime… even though there aren’t any roads!

And then the Huntbots show up.

With a sassy smart-RV that won’t stop arguing, and a wilderness swarming with rogue robots, Daniel and his friends are going to need every bit of teamwork and survival know-how if they want to get back to civilization before the Huntbots decide that they’re the next invasive species.

ISBN 978-1-923443-97-6
PAPERBACK

ISBN 978-1-923523-69-2
EBOOK

Bot Camp

Time to kick bot!

Twelve-year-old Daniel is obsessed with combat robotics — because duh, who isn’t? So when his plucky lifter-bot snags him a spot at Bernard Barker’s legendary Bot Camp, Daniel short-circuits with excitement. Meeting his tech-innovator hero will be a dream come true!

His mom says he should try to make friends, but Daniel won’t have time for that. Bot Camp is a high-voltage competition and only one kid will win the ultimate prize: becoming Bernard’s apprentice.

Unfortunately, from the moment Daniel steps into the fully automated, AI-powered training complex, nothing goes to plan. The other participants are brilliant, but Daniel’s teammates are totally useless. He’ll never impress Bernard at this rate.

So while the others relax for the night, Daniel convinces his team to sneak into the workshop to fix their bot. But when the labyrinth-like facility mysteriously goes into lockdown, Daniel finds himself in real danger and only his teammates can help.

WALLACE, Elizabeth

ISBN 978-1-923265-96-7
PAPERBACK

ISBN 978-1-923443-28-0
HARDCOVER

ISBN 978-1-923443-63-1
EBOOK

Groundwork

 

Laying the foundation for career success

Whether you are simply curious about different career pathways, currently choosing your subjects for Years 11 and 12, or preparing to enter the workforce soon, this book was written for you.

We know it can be overwhelming to think about the working world out there, but the good news is, there are practical tools, useful resources and knowledgeable people to help you navigate your first move with confidence and optimism.

You might not know what you want to do as a career just yet, but rest assured, you have skills and talents that are of value to the world. No exceptions. We’re here to help you discover what those are, and start planning for a working life that will best suit you

By reading this book and undertaking some self-exploration as you go along, you are laying the groundwork for the first step in your career-planning journey.

About the Author

 

Dr Elizabeth Wallace is an artist, designer and writer. She was awarded her BDes from UNSW Art and Design, MRes from Glasgow School of Art, and PhD (Art) from RMIT.

She has worked in the fields of environment and interior design, design management and art strategy. She maintains her own creative studio practice and lives in Sydney, Australia.

CHELIAH, Sashi

ISBN 978-1-922629-20-3
PAPERBACK

Kampong Boy

Flavour is my hometown

Savour the flavour of Singapore in the comfort of your home!

Chef and restauranteur Sashi Cheliah goes back deep into his childhood, sharing recipes he enjoyed having as a kid in Singapore. This cookbook is packed with classic dishes that you will enjoy cooking with your loved ones.

“Food is about sharing and spending time together, you don’t have to spend a lot of money or time to enjoy deliciously cooked meals and bond at dinner time.”

Sashi Cheliah flowers Author Photo
Sashi Cheliah at a table Author Photo
Sashi Cheliah in action Author Photo

About the Author

When I was growing up as a kampong kid in Hillview Estate in Singapore, life was tough. I was the eldest of seven children, and my family lived in a small apartment. We could not afford many facilities or luxuries. My parents were not well educated and had to slog for long hours to provide the basic amenities for me and my siblings. They struggled to make ends meet, and had no choice but to leave me and three of my siblings to be cared for by our aunts; the other siblings were cared for by our grandmother.

My aunts were not married at that time, and only knew how to shower us with their love by cooking our favourite food. Even though I was only a toddler, I can remember that my aunties would work a night shift and then come back home to prepare lunch for us, even though they were tired. I was always clinging on to them and watching them cook. I think that’s when I started to love food, and since then I have always experimented with cooking. My aunties didn’t know how to teach us academically, but they shared their cooking knowledge with us.

Years passed and I became a young teenager. My mum had a café and I was spending a lot of time helping her out after school. Don’t get too excited – I was not allowed to be in the kitchen. I only served customers their orders, as my mum was worried that I would end up as a cook rather than getting a white collared job. She wanted us to excel in life and always reminded us that life is not a bed of roses.

Then I started to spend less time with family and lots more with the wrong company, and began to miss school. At that time, I was lucky to have great teachers at Swiss Cottage Secondary School. Hubert Yohannan was my history teacher, and he saw the drastic changes in me. He introduced me to the outdoor club and activities such as rock climbing and camping kept me busy in a good way, and eventually led me to join the Police Force.

When I was 18, I was also lucky enough to meet my other half, Rabicca Vijayan. We met at a barbeque and it was love at first sight. My camping skills played a vital role, but I absolutely swept her off her feet with my BBQ chicken wings – I have to thank my classmate Justin for his recipe!

I was never academically smart and did not continue my studies. I became lost in life and forgot all about my passion for cooking. Then it was time for me to complete my National Service, which was compulsory for all males in Singapore. I was adamant that I wanted to join the Army to be a commando, but my dreams were shattered when I was enlisted in the Police Force. Rabicca and my family were very supportive and encouraging about my joining the Police Force, and it turned out that I loved it. After working in the riot squad, I became part of the Special Tactics and Rescue Unit (STAR) team. That was one of the best moments in my life, as this was a very prestigious and highly regarded job in Singapore. Only a handful of police officers are able to get this job, and I was one of them.

Life sailed along smoothly for a decade till my sweetheart, who was my wife by then, wanted to migrate to Australia as she liked the lifestyle there. I was not in favour at all, but for my family’s sake I was willing to give up my job and start afresh.

We came to Australia in 2012 and I was unemployed for three months. I picked up cooking again as I was bored and had started missing my hometown food. And because eating out was expensive, I cooked almost every day and my passion was rekindled. Even after getting a job in the Department for Correctional Services, I made it a point to cook for my family because my kids enjoyed my cooking.

Our circle of friends widened and we had more gatherings. Many praised my cooking and my wife encouraged me to apply for Masterchef. It took me three years to believe in myself, and I finally did apply in 2017 – the rest is history.

Now I am taking a very exciting next step in my life, as I bring a new angle to my passion for food and cooking, with a focus on the food of my ancestral home.

BOX, David

David Box's Australian Gin
David Box's Australian Gin, now on the bookshop shelves Australia-wide

Australian Gin is now on the bookstore shelves Australia-wide through Novella Distribution.

ISBN 978-0-6486785-8-8
HARDBACK   273  pages  FULL COLOUR


AVAILABLE THROUGH
TITLE PAGE  (for booksellers) or DIRECT FROM THE AUTHOR (for readers)

Australian Gin

Until a few years ago David Box enjoyed gin. He then discovered Australian craft gin and he fell in love with a spirit that he never dreamt could be so complex.

Jon Lark

Australia’s Jon Lark

David and contributors including Jon Lark – KI Spirits, Dave Irwin and Matt Argus – Patient Wolf, Cameron Mackenzie – Four Pillars and Phillip Jones – The Martini Whisperer open up the world of Aussie gin.

​You’ll find detailed information on dozens and dozens of distilleries that started the current gin craze down under. The people, the gins, their cellar doors and much more.

The book explores in depth the definition of gin, the history of Australian gin, descriptions of different gin styles, what it is like to start a distillery and the issues distillers face, and most importantly how to enjoy gin and support Australian distillers.

Australian Gin covers such subjects such as:

  • What exactly is gin?
  • The history of Australian gin
  • Different gin styles
  • Starting a distillery
  • The issues distilleries have to face
  • How to enjoy gin
  • and more!

It is indeed the book all gin lovers have been waiting for!

Author David Box

From the Author

We are in an unprecedented Australian gin boom. Distillers are winning prestigious global awards. Exports are starting to rise. The number of distilleries is growing exponentially. It is difficult for even the most dedicated fanatic to keep up, until now. Two years ago it became my mission to spread the word. So, whether you have already caught the Australian gin bug or maybe starting from scratch, this is definitely the book for you.

For many years – in my case decades – the 6 o’clock G&T ritual was more a habit. To be honest, I didn’t really love gin, but I certainly enjoyed it. I love good wine, good cocktails and good food, but back then I didn’t actually love gin. It was a surprise to me to discover that Australia even made gin despite the fact that, at that time, we had been doing so for over a decade. As I tried more Australian gin, my enjoyment grew, as did my curiosity and desire for more information. My search was extensive. Sure, there were occasional articles in magazines, newspapers, online and even the odd TV spot, but if you wanted to dig a little deeper into the world of Australian gin, there was bugger all. I honestly felt shocked. How could this be? Someone had to change that, and it might as well be me.

It wasn’t long before I fell in love with Australian craft gin. Those in the know say that gin is the wine lover’s spirit. It has flavours and aromas that are often used to describe the taste and bouquet of wine like floral, berries, length, bold, etc. It seemed natural then that this wine lover should fall head over heels for gin. Not satisfied with a book, discovering that so many people had no idea about Australian gin and having a particular patriotic bent, I took up the cause and became evangelical. I even started an Australian gin related business, Gintonica, to share the taste of Australian craft gin.

Over and over again people were asking questions like: How is gin made? What are the different ways to drink gin? What garnishes should I use? What tonics? What exactly is gin anyway!? Who are the people behind gin distilling? Where are they all? And, as a bit of a history nut, I also wanted to know where and when the first Australian gin was made and by whom?

The most surprising statement that I still come across on a very regular basis is: “I didn’t know that Australia made gin.” Most people know that we make rum, brandy and whisky, but gin? When I inform them that we have, in fact, over 150 distilleries making gin, they are astounded.

I wanted to write a book that could be enjoyed on many levels. For example, to discover where the distilleries are, their cellar doors and tasting rooms, the people involved in the industry and their gins. On the other hand, you can also pick up on some of the hot topics in the gin community and delve even deeper. For example, whether the ways of making a gin are important, the definition of gin styles, the ideas of provenance in Australian gin, what exactly defines a “craft gin”, what is involved in setting up a distillery and so much more.

Before you dive into these pages, do not miss the words on the next page. I was humbled that Jon Lark agreed to write the foreword to this book. He and Sarah Lark founded the first dedicated gin distillery in the modern era on Kangaroo Island. Jon touches on all the important aspects of gin in Australia today and is a perfect way to get started.

David Box l Gintonica

Title Page logo

GARDENER, Nick & Bounader, Stevie-Lee

ISBN 978-0-6486616-9-6
HARDBACK

A Day in the Deli

Hampden Deli is borne of the philosophy that chefs and guests should understand where their food comes from and that praise is owed to the people who grow, raise and source the produce, for without them a chef would be nothing. Hampden Deli is a community which extends well beyond the borders of Kangaroo Valley, Australia and now into your kitchen with more than 50 recipes.

A Day in the Deli cookbook features signature dishes from 5am – 11pm by hatted Chef Nick Gardner.

About the Authors

Nick and Stevie have created Hampden Deli, Dining and School to be a learning and flexible dining hub with a fine dining quality. A place that can take local farming produce, picked fresh that morning, turned into a great product and sold that afternoon. A process that can be shared with their guests and done again the following day with a completely different freshly picked product. For them Hampden Deli is an exciting venue that leads itself to many possibilities, catering, take away deli goods, produce dinners, guest chef degustation dinners, pop up and private events. Beyond this Hampden Deli has a desire to teach and share its knowledge. With a high level of trained staff and expertise in the business, Nick and Stevie have a shared goal to pass on their knowledge in the cooking school as well as internally within its employees. They are working in association with Nowra TAFE towards creating their own “Head Start” program helping community members gain hospitality skills. This program will give employees an employable skill set and greater chance at gaining employment within the community. Be sure to come down and show your support to our Head Start trainees. If this is something you are interested in being involved in please email us [email protected]

Hampden Deli is an environmentally conscious business always looking to minimise our footprint on the environment. Packaging is a much needed component of our Deli, so we have taken the time to ensure we currently have the best compostable and recyclable packaging. We encourage you to bring your own reusable cups, cutlery and lunch boxes with great Deli discounts. We have an emphasis on reusable kitchen packaging and minimalising food waste. We use organic and fair trade products where and when available and have our own kitchen garden to minimise food kilometres. We offer recycling specific bins on site, so once you have enjoyed your picnic please use them. Our used coffee grind is perfect for your compost- come by to scoop your own free bag! We ourselves are learning each day how to keep Kangaroo Valley beautiful, we’d love to hear your tips please email us at [email protected].