WYTHES, Greg

ISBN 978-1-923443-49-5
PAPERBACK

ISBN 978-1-923523-15-9
EBOOK

Tim’s Dance Mix

 

A mixtape of music, mistakes and ordinary mysteries

The year is 1990 and Tim has just turned 16. He lives in a coastal city south of Sydney and his life is about to change profoundly as he begins to make the first transitions from boyhood to manhood.

This growth is accompanied by confusion and some trauma, – physical, emotional and psychological – especially in his early attempts to meet and connect with girls.

It’s also marked by his development as a musician, and the recognition of this talent by his school music teacher, who quietly mentors him and provides the opportunity for him to join the school’s only rock band.

But nothing goes smoothly in the early stages as he forges the beginnings of growth towards maturity, in a struggle where he finds both support and opposition.

About the Author

 

GREG WYTHES is a long-term resident of the northern Illawarra. He has been an English teacher in local high schools, as well as teaching yoga, qigong, massage and bodywork in local colleges and studios. For much of his time in schools he dabbled in music, working with in-school bands, as well as for drama, dance and musical performances, mainly in the area of live production.

He is particularly attracted to the geography of the northern Illawarra: the dozen or more bays and beaches, the steep rise of the escarpment to the west and the bushland that reaches down to the edge of most suburbs. It’s a unique environment: one where the natural world virtually surrounds the urban world. He enjoys spending time in that natural world.

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.

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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.

KAGOLA, Frieda

ISBN 978-1-923333-00-0
PAPERBACK

From Chaos To Clarity

 

A Guide For Your Adults

Building Resilience, mindset and Purpose

In life, the journey to finding your place in the world and manage your emotional issues can be daunting. Building Resilience and Purpose can empower you to face uncertainties with confidence. This book offers practical strategies to navigate life’s challenges while fostering a strong sense of purpose.

Learn to connect your experiences, develop a resilient mindset and create a life rich with intention. Learn to discover how to embrace setbacks, cultivate self-awareness, and set meaningful goals that align with your values. Transform your 20s into a decade of growth and fulfillment by equipping yourself with the tools to thrive and make the most of your journey of transformation.

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About the Author

Dr William Abur

 

I’m dedicating this book to my children and my extended family members for believing in me, and for their emotional support. My children challenged me to think about how to come up with something useful for young and middle-aged people who wish to take
control of their dreams and lives. Many other people, friends and colleagues, contributed to my decision to write this book. More importantly, my children make me think about the best way to mentor and coach them as young people living in a complex society. When I was studying social work, I wanted to educate myself and to empower other people. One of my goals is to be empowered and to pass knowledge to the next generation through books.

As a father, social worker, researcher and educator in social work, I’m happy to dedicate this resource to young adults and middle-aged people. If you want to work on your confidence, responsibility and well-being as well as your goals for life, this book is a guiding tool for you. It is a great opportunity for people to learn about challenges, and to be responsible for taking care of their lives. Like the seasons, life comes with many episodes. The important thing is to learn how to cope with episodes or seasons. Yes, seasons do come and go. This is how life is. It comes with challenges, but some challenges can be managed well, at an individual, family, community or government level.

Life is very difficult, and society is very complex socially, culturally, politically, economically, and historically. You need purpose, to give you meaningful ideas to guide you. May this book assist you to understand this and take responsibility, to prepare you for dealing with complex challenges or issues in society. Life is like a difficult game. You must learn to play this game smartly by making the right choices.

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About the Author

Frieda Kagola

I chose to collaborate with Dr William Abur on this book project because I wanted to share some of my stories and education struggle with other young people. I believe every individual has a story to tell, and my own story is behind my contributing to the book. I was born in a small village called Oikango in the northern part of Namibia. I grew up with a single mother, but raised by maternal grandmother (her mother) both my mother and grandmother motivated me to focus on my purpose and work towards a better future. I want to thank my aunt, who has been my inspiration and source of support since day one. I am forever grateful for her support. Due to the lack of resources in my village, I had a slim chance of finding better opportunities. In a nutshell, I grew up in an environment with limited resources which could not propel me to thrive in the future.

The lack of resources and opportunities in my surroundings may have influenced me to accept less. However, I was determined that against all odds, I would strive for the best and aim high regardless of my background.

I have written about the importance of focusing on your purpose, to encourage young people to believe that they can achieve anything regardless of their background. I want to motivate young people to pursue the life they envision. I want to help them discover a framework in which to make choices, one step at a time, that will lead them to their best career fit in the long term.

LITTLE, Mila

ISBN 978-1-923214-54-5
PAPERBACK

Found Between Cultures

 

 

As a child, Mila and her brothers were taken, under a cloud of secrecy, by their parents from their home, school, extended family, country and culture. They were not allowed by their parents to talk about their forthcoming journey. When either parent made an order, the children obeyed. This order not to speak drew eight-year old Mila to pay special attention to her life.

This is a story with an interesting scope. It is about escape from oppression, about family, and about her various journeys through different cultures. Mila writes about her adjusting to the challenge of a new culture, home and language in Australia. She highlights the different ways that members of her family respond to this same challenge.

At the heart of this book is Mila’s understanding of our obligation to stay true to ourselves that reveal to us who we are, unrelated to our family or culture. Through the gift of her story, she is also celebrating the common humanity that binds us all, no matter where we come from.

LUKIN, Karen

ISBN: 978-192-326-516-5
PAPERBACK

Serendipity

 

A Moment In Time

 James stands toes buried in the sand, ankles brushed by the cool waves of his beach.

                              Why should he leave?
                          Why should he have to go ?
                            …It’s their choice not his.

                              ‘It’s not fair!’ he mutters.

James is faced with a difficult choice…he doesn’t want to leave his special place, but his family is moving and there is no way for him to stay.

Serendipity – a moment in time – intervenes and a surprise encounter helps him to stand up and be counted.

About the Author

 

KAREN LUKIN is a retired English teacher from Western Australia, who now lives in rural Victoria. Growing up, she was an avid reader and always wanted to be a published writer.

She uses family stories as her inspiration. She is married
to a retired farmer and has a love of the country life.

Serendipity is her first published work – it was awarded the state
prize in the Victorian Country Women’s Association Literature
competition in 2019. For publication as a picture book, she has
collaborated with a family friend and artist, Tania Vanzetti.

Other short stories she has written were included in the Kyabram Town
Hall Writers Group Anthology Celebrating Women published in 2021.

ROBERTS, Phil

ISBN 978-1-923443-75-4
PAPERBACK

ISBN 978-1-923443-76-1
HARDCOVER

ISBN 978-1-923523-26-5
EBOOK

The Loss We Leave Behind

Burdened by personal tragedy and estranged from his grieving partner Fae, London-based architect Boyd Petersen has lost sight of his purpose and dreams. When an echo from his abandoned, secret past takes him back home to Australia, he is confronted by a series of shocking revelations that challenge his beliefs about the past and hopes for the future.

About the Author

 

Phil Roberts was born in Kenya and has lived and worked in various places throughout Australia. He began writing poetry and short stories in the 2000s and contributed to the former publications Yellow Moon and Dissent. The Loss We Leave Behind is his first novel. It emerged from his studies in creative writing and draws on a lifetime of personal impressions and the ideas that shape our world.

Phil is the author of and contributor to many scientific and interpretive documents. Apart from tending a large garden near Hobart, his current interests lie in investigating the shared mysteries of human experience and how they can be expressed through fiction and poetic forms.