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A pantheon of eminent Australian poets descended onto a marquee slated on a grassy tennis court in leafy Sydney. The canapés, wine and congenial company were to celebrate the launch of esteemed poet, Geoffrey Lehmann’s new book, Poems 1957-2013 (UWA Publishing). Geoffrey and his vivacious wife, Gail Pearson, hosted a large but attentive group of […]

Darling Harbour Sydney was the beautiful setting for this moving launch embracing all those who call Australia home.

Highlights:-

The Sydney Youth Orchestra

Indigenous music & dance acknowledging country – ‘we celebrate with you as we love this country.’

National anthem by young singer Angel Tupai – she sang like an angel

Wonderful writing friends who are also ambassadors like award winning author Libby Hathorn; much loved non-fcition children’s author Jill Bruce; Booker Prize winner Thomas Keneally.

Paul Kelly, a singer who reaches into the Australian spirit.

Celebration of women with Australia Post’s special ‘Australian Legends’ stamps:-

Justice Elizabeth Evatt – 1st Presdient of the Australian Federal Court

Eva Cox – founder of Women’s Electoral Lobby

Anne Summers – established women’s refuges and writer

Germaine Greer – dynamic, intellectual, confronting feminist.

Germaine spoke for the 4 women celebrating ‘difficult women’ who change the world.

YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR, TARA WINKLER.

The Winkler family have intertwined with the Gervay family history. Her grandparents and my parents were both post war refugees who lost family and found home in Australia.

As refugees her family, mine and many other like ours, worked towards a new life here.

Tara’s father, Peter Winkler is a song writer-musician. My mother played the violin in his Senior’s band. Their band played at The Hughenden in the sitting rooms of the hotel.

My daughter Tory went to the local school with Tara and they were friends.

Tara has honoured her refugee Australian heritage, her grandmother, her family through dedicating her life to Cambodian orphans and their communities. See her work – www.cambodianchildrenstrust.org (CCT).

Tears overhwlmed me at the launch. It was memories and the sense of what it is to be Australian. Tara is an inspiration.