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I LOVE being an Australia Day Ambassador – my parents who were Hungarian refugees would be so honoured.

 They loved Australia and were always grateful to find a home where they could rebuild their lives and where their children would be safe.

Other ambassadors include:-

Writers – Thomas Keneally, Libby Hathorn, Bryce Courtney, Maurice Saxby

Sports people – Mike York Captain of the Australian Hockey Team, Dean Widden Rugby player, Parramatta Eeels, Mal Melinga Rugby League icon

Singers – Marcia Hines, David Campbell, Angry Anderson

Journalists and TV personalities – Ita Buttrose, Belinda Green Miss World, Don Burke

People who have changed the world – Gough Whitlan former Prime Minister, Clary Castrission Founder of 40K creating eduction for poor Indian children, Ian Keirnan Founder of Clean Up Australia, Dick Smith

Human Rights, leaders in all fields – Police, Law, Indigenous …..

I’ll be going to the country over the Australia Day weekend.

I could even be the speaker at a Citizenship ceremony.

Imagine that!

THANKYOU Australia!!!!

www.australiaday.com.au

Marnie and the ‘girls’ from her book club arrived at The Hughenden for lunch.

They travelled across Sydney from their usual haunt at Beecroft Bookshop.

Paul MacDonald the owner and event coordinator for Beecroft Books runs fabulous events – everyone from multi award winning author Jacke French to Shan Tan to new authors like Aleesah Darlinson and illustrators Sarah Davis. He did a wonderful window display of ‘Always Jack’ – thankyou Paul.

Marnie and the Club came to the East this time. We spoke about ‘Always Jack’ and seeing life as warm, funny, loving and safe to talk about cancer.

I love their talk about books, life and their friendship across ages.  

Literature, human rights, climate change, conversation about social justice – ideas are the centrepiece of the World Matters Festival at the heritage artists’ retreat called Montsalvat on the outskirts of Melbourne in Eltham.

It was like intellectually pirouetting on the great ideas of humanity:-  LOVED IT!!!!

Highlights: - Opening by Morag Fraser AM, author and Chair of World Matters 

Dr Craig’ Jurisevic’s book ’Blood on My Hands’, a powerful insight into his work as a doctor on the front line of Kosovo Liberation Army challenging moral decisions of killing – do you kill to save your life? Lead your men?

Arnold Zable the award winning author in conversation with the courageous Susan Metcalfe ‘The Pacific Solution’ - at the coal face of asylum seekers in Nauru

A vibrant personal panel on Fear Factor: Terror Incognito - an Indian-Australian anthology - with Devika Brendon, Meenakshi Bharat, Sharon Rundle and Susanne Gervay -me.

Spoke about my story ‘Days of Thailand’ and also ‘Always Jack’ – kids feel what is happening in the world and story is a way to reach them and offer them ways to work out wha it all means.

 There were tables with many associations – from climate change, Amnesty, Oxfam – and a long book table from Eltham Books. I bought a wonderful soft doll from the East Timor stall in support of women’s weacing and because I loved the doll.

The ACT Libraries are great supporters of authors. They put on a warm and wonderful launch of ‘Always Jack’ at their Woden Library in Canberra. THANKYOU!!!!!

Really appreciated a crowd from the launch joining me at The Forrest Hotel for dinner. It was a lovely dinner and also special to look out towards our magnificent Parliament House. 

Barbara Branxton made a great effort to drive from Cooma to come. Barbara is one of those librarians who has helped move libraries into special places with book nooks, computer links, celebratory designs. 

Loved her being there.

Loved seeing old friends who have been part of my writing life.

There were some moving moments as I spoke about ‘Always Jack’ and its power to ‘make it safe for children, parents and the wider community to talk about cancer.’ (Cancer Council)

One radio interviewer said that she wished she’d had ‘Always Jack’ when her mother was going through it.

A young mother with 3 children thanked me, because she’s been looking for story to read to and with her kids. ‘There’s nothing out there for them’ she said.

It was a celebration. Thankyou Canberra.