Days of being an author – is called crazy-good and up-for-air. Madly frantic!!!!
Racing from KINGS School, to TARA Girls School to Murray Farm Public School to share my I AM JACK books and ‘Elephants Have Wings.’ The librarians are so hospitable – I got well fed and lots of coffee and I got to share my books with gorgeous kids.
Then it’s Gleebook shop Book Launch of Alice Pung’s first young adult novel – Laurinda – launched by my friend and colleague Melina Marchetta. Both Alice and Melina are Room to Read Writer Ambassadors like I am. We’re all on a mission to get books to kids in the developing world.
Then it’s off to a fabulous Indian restaurant with the Room to Read team led by Jennie Orchard and stayed too late because I was having a great time.
Highlight was the citizenship ceremony at Woollahra Council. I addressed a packed house overlooking the beautiful harbour. Purple-blue jacaranda trees heavy with flowers greeted em and I got to hang out with the Mayor Of Woollahra Toni Zeltzer. Loved the gold chains and warm welcome by Toni and all the Council staff but more than that – I had the privilege of addressing 36 new Australians – from Hungary, Germany, Malaysia, Turkey, Pakistan …
I am an Australia Day Ambassador – it’s something I love doing. I’ll be flying to speak in Tamworth this year on Australia Day.
It was moving addressing the 36 new Australians and their families and friends from countries as diverse as Thailand, Singapore, Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, UK … Pakistan. The Pakistan young man and his 3 young friends were beside them
selves that they became Australians today.
I loved speaking to them about our immigrant country that embraced them all and I did a show and tell and held up my Order of Australia.
They loved it. I loved it and it was very special. Made me think about my parents and their journey here.
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I go to a lot of events, but last night sitting beside the witty, passionate Chancellor Viki Sara, was inspiring.
The great Hall at UTS in the heart of Sydney sparkled with not only lights and orchids, but Alumni who make the world better. It was the UTS Alumni Awards for Excellence.
The brilliant Dr Simon Walsh Chief Scientist, Australian Federal Police received the Chancellor Viki Sara’s award.
Forget the TV shows, Simon Walsh is the real thing – a forensic scientist who leads the investigations into major disasters providing closure for families and justice in the criminal justice system.
I was at a table with the wonderful Father Peter Maher OAM the parish priest at St Joseph’s Church Newtown a spokesman for victims of sexual abuse by the Church, offering pastoral care to all who need it irrespective of faith, gender, ethnicity … he invited me to speak at his church next year on ‘Elephants Have Wings’ and inter faith/multi faith/humanitarianism, finding your spirit. I am honoured.
It was so wonderful hearing the professors introduce the award winners. So much fun when the young and fabulous designers strode up in super high heels – Rebecca Cooper and Bridget Yorston of the internationally acclaimed label ‘bec & bridge’. My daughter LOVES their clothes.
Other outstanding recipients of the UTS Alumni Awards included Jacqui Feeney MD Fox International; Lihua Tong Director Public Interest Lawyers;Chris Zaharia Co founder Zookai; Jemma Birrell Director of Sydney Writers Festival; Richard Tamba CEO BRT Communication; Leona McGrath Aboriginal Nursing & Midwifery Strategy; Margaret Cunneen SC Deputy-Senior Crown Prosecutor.
Stars, stars, stars!!!!!!!!!
I love the UTS community and feel deeply privileged to have received a UTS Alumni Award several years ago.
THANKYOU UTS!!!!!!!
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A community school – a selective school – a school that embraces reading – LOVE IT and LOVE the kids.
Kids from everywhere – they understand ‘Elephants Have Wings’ – where we’re all different but part of the same humanity.
Thankyou for the beautiful email I received from a student after my talks at Sefton:-
It’s amazing to have a compassionate author coming into Sefton, and talking about the hard journey of a writer, making us understand what it is to be a writer, that being a writer doesn’t mean being famous, being rich, e.t.c.
I also would like to say, even though you probably have heard this a million times, your books, especially Butterflies (my favourite) and That’s Why I Wrote this Song (2nd favourite), have touched my heart, and inspired me.
It taught me to be empathetic, looking at different sides of a challenge, and also to trust and give second chances.
It was beautifully written, and I admire the way you plunge into you writing with commitment and passion, and being the character, making the story authentic. I understand it is hard to being a published author, which is why I love and admire you so much, and you are quite easy to talk to, like a friend.
Here’s a question from me: If you are friends with an author’s book, are you friends with the author?
My answer: YOU ARE MY FRIEND!
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