Category: Titles

Arthur McKenzie now lives at the War Vets in Narrabeen. He has been there for the last four years having lost the love of his life, Joy, to cancer six years ago. With the help of his daughter Sharon he found this haven for the over 55’s and hasn’t looked back since. Life took on a new hue. Busy in his workshop along aside his friend Keith he made himself useful again. His life changed once more after meeting Pam and their relationship enhanced both their lives. Being an author Pam suggested Arthur might like to tell his story for his friends and family especially his grandchildren and now great granddaughter. The country boy is certainly now a city boy but his love of country is never far from his mind. Returning to Wingham and the Bulga Plateau recently with Pam the memories of his childhood came flooding back to his time working on the dairy farms and riding his horse to school each day. We hope you enjoy reading his story and realise what a lovely man he is and that there is a lot to learn from his experiences.

“I must change today for tomorrow I will die.” (from Michael’s speech at his 21^st birthday party 2002). These words reveal the awareness of a young man assessing his childhood and youth, and preparing for his adulthood.
Leaving family and schoolfriends in Australia, within a year he was to be married in USA, returning only once to attend his father’s funeral in 2010.
Caring for his wife, and in due course his two sons, Michael sought to learn and provide diligently to the best of his ability. Changing from his lifelong passion for computer work, he retrained as a Registered Nurse desiring to help people and “to make a difference”.
Unfortunately depression reappeared in his life, resulting in family break-up and attempted suicide. Looking forward to happier times with a new love was not able to overcome the darkness, and Michael ended his life in 2018.

The History of Glenhaven Green.
Looking for a special place for retirement living? Then the Village of Glenhaven Green will satisfy the above criteria to the full!
Marking the tenth year anniversary in 2018, this book records the establishment and growth of a community of like-minded people in the leafy suburb of Glenhaven, with delightful views of bush and mountains.
Provided by the vision and development of Anglicare (previously Anglican Retirement Villages), a variety of dwelling styles cater for seniors within a caring Christian environment.
Read here about the construction, staff participation, residents’ own stories, plenty of photos depicting a wide range of activities and future concepts.

It is sixteen years since Pam wrote her autobiography From Ochre to Azure Blue, telling about the first part of her life. She began writing in a diary in 2006 after her mother became ill and given a feeding tube, in a nursing home. To balance her sadness, she began minding her eight-month-old granddaughter, Sofia who brought so much joy into her life. To compound her unhappiness, her husband Garnet died in 2007, followed by her mother six months later. Pam continued her diary, putting down her innermost thoughts and it became cathartic for her.
Sofia was the light of her life at this sad time and so her story for the last 11 years is written in this book. We are introduced to her other four granddaughters along with new partners for her sons. She has now found happiness at the War Vets which she moved into nearly three years ago.
Pam has been a prolific writer, having written 12 books in 20 years. Will this one be her last?

The essence of a nation’s history is “the chronicle of lives and deeds of those who conferred honour and dignity upon society”. When Mary Pitt and five of her children set foot on the soil of New South Wales, a distant penal colony, they could hardly foresee the remarkable role they and their descendants would play in the history of a new country. Painstakingly researched from thousands of archive records and publications from 1801 to the early 1900s, their lives and deeds are presented in this awe-inspiring book. Although dry and unpolished, it is enriched with the history and culture of the first Australian settlers.

Specialist Outback safari coach operator Bill Hand shares stories of the years he and his wife Doreen ran Sundowner Coach Tours.
From the early 1960s through to their retirement in 1994 they saw many changes, and Bill was constantly improving and testing equipment on the coach so it was a “one off ” and “go anywhere” vehicle. They looked for exciting challenges and attracted a loyal following of regular passengers.
Many of their adventures could not be duplicated today due to bitumen roads, fences, permits and numerous regulations and restrictions which were necessary with the mounting number of travellers.
They feel they were privileged to experience what became the last days of the Australian wilderness.

In 1950, my grandparents, Frieda and Stephen Chambers, retired to Makaria, their new home built at Ferny Creek in the Dandenong Ranges. Both avid gardeners, they were attracted to the potential of this fertile bush environment shadowed by the towering trees of the bordering Sherbrooke Forest.
With their capacious vision, enthusiasm and sheer determination, the house and garden evolved as a labour of deep love and a persuasive inspiration for all who were to visit – especially their six grandchildren. This was a magical place – a place full of vibrant connection and close involvement with the surrounding flora and fauna, of colourful experiences, of unforgettable celebration; a place that remains at the heart of our family spirit and soul – and the pivot of our childhood memories.
This book offers insight into the wonderment of Makaria, and the strong bond of connectedness and passion engendered for those who were so fortunate to share intimately in this unique and special world; one of stimulated imagination, created art and craft, and congenial friendship; always mixed with plenty of good food, laughter, music and storytelling. I share these understandings from heartfelt personal affection, and for posterity – for the enlightenment and pleasure of future generations.| Katrina Elisabeth Horman
November 2017

Colin Bellamy decided to write his early adventures about 12 years ago after being diagnosed with Parkinsons. It gave him focus and filled in time as he battled this disease. As well, his beautiful wife Dorothy had been diagnosed with Alzheimers, a double blow to the family. With great strength and support from his grown-up children, Col faced his future with uncertainty. Now that his wife has passed away, writing this story has given him purpose. A dream fulfilled.
His story takes you back to childhood and venturing overseas in  your early twenties. Col’s experiences, told with love and humour, capture the moment. In his youth he fell in love with Dorothy or Dof as she was called and followed her overseas. The timing wasn’t right for this young couple.
Hitching back from London to Australia, we follow Col and his mate Barry, on their long and arduous journey home. Share their overland experiences from London to Bombay along the Long Paddock. Who was there on the dock to welcome him home? His beloved Dof.
Col tells of his early years as a married man raising three children in the country town of Yass along with their various pets and idyllic life for the children as mum and dad work hard to run a BP Roadhouse.
Well done, Col, for sharing your story.

“Bono the Cheeky Cocky is a project I have been wanting to complete for many years. While it is, of course, a work of fiction, some of the story lines are based loosely around actual events. It’s been a lot of fun putting it together and reminiscing over some of the tales I have used to settle our young children when they were restless in the wee small hours. I hope you enjoy these modest ramblings as much as I have in creating them.” BPW

Dharug is one of the names given to the Sydney language and is the name commonly used to denote the language that was spoken in inland Sydney. Information about the language/s of the Sydney region is mostly limited to historical sources because of the particularly severe disruption of the Aboriginal population of the Sydney region since 1788.

“The precious language of the Land of Sydney is stored in part in this book. It is an exceedingly valuable thing and a gift to our community. The Dharug language is currently being reclaimed by Dharug people. Richard Green is a key person in this process, and the words he has coined and/or adapted are yet to be added to the dictionary” (Chifley College, Sydney)