Book Review - 'Seven walks: Cape Leeuwin to Bundeena' By Tom Carment; photography by Michael Wee.

Photographer Michael Wee and painter/writer Tom Carment, have chronicled their experience of some great walks of Australia.

Combining photographs, paintings and words, the book provides anecdotal experience along with the history of the places traversed.  It is nostalgic and full of awe for the wild and varied landscapes that are distinctly Australian.
 

The book has a bit of everything: history, humour and art. You may find things you are familiar with, such as the Coast Walk in NSW, or unfamiliar things such as The Overland Track of Cradle Mountain in Tasmania.

Available here.

Movie Club—Sunday Too Far Away

This month the Movie Club will be screening Sunday Too Far Away, directed by Ken Hannam and starring Jack Thompson, Peter Cummins and Reg Lye.

The film follows Folley, a gun (champion) shearer, who joins a new shearing time despite having left the biz. His plan is to lay off the booze, save up some money and move down the coast and buy a prawning boat. He quickly picks up his old habits and is once again immersed in the hard working and hard drinking lifestyle. At the same time, Folley and the other shearers face having a bonus taken away, with 'scab' (non-unionised) workers coming into town and undermining their labour strike.

The film is considered one of the leading films of the Australian New Wave Cinema of the 1970s. These films were publicly funded, and one of the conditions of this arrangement was that they feature themes of Australian life. But film makers often used this opportunity to question assumed elements in national myths and icons, and Sunday Too Far Away is no different. The masculinity and mateship, the drinking and the larrikins are all on show, and often not in a  redeeming light.

Sunday Too Far Away will be showing on Wednesday 9 September @ Narellan Library (corner of Queen and Elyard Street, Narellan) @ 6pm. Tea, coffee, and biscuits provided, but you are more than welcome to bring your own snacks and beverages.

Stay after the screening and join the discussion about the film and its portrayal of life on a shearing station. Share your thoughts or use the discussion questions.

Book Review - A Boy's Short Life: the story of Warren Braedon/Louis Johnson by Haebich and Mickle

Louis was born Warren, to the Braedon family in Alice Springs. As part of the government policy that applied for the welfare of children, he was removed from his family, adopted by a white family and renamed Louis Johnson. He had a loving and nurturing upbringing with his adoptive family but as a teenager, decided to try and find his biological family and understand his background. At the time of the adoption, his adoptive parents were told he was not wanted by his birth mother, but the Johnsons came to know the truth and tried to help him find his birth family.  Before he could meet them, he was shockingly murdered by some white youths who killed him because they had decided to murder a black person that day. He was killed on his nineteenth birthday.

Originally published as part of a larger book, this short book of 80 pages concentrates on this one story. Detailing the changing government policies and social attitudes that affected his life, it is told in plain almost stark language. The authors are experienced in researching and understanding indigenous history, and tell a strong and sad story. Extensively annotated and including a list of sources and suggested further study resources, this book illuminates a sadly significant part of our history.

Wendy

Film Review—The Rover by David Michôd

After a severe economic collapse, a lone man, Eric (Guy Pearce), hunts endlessly for his car that was stolen by robbers on the run from their latest heist. During his search Eric comes across Rey (Robert Pattinson), the brother of one of the thieves, and coerces him to help in his hunt.

Australia is a great setting for dystopia films, especially when they involve the road. The landscape is menacing, and the road, with its promise of progress, exposes both squandered possibility as well as inescapability. The combination of these images has been used most notably in the Mad Max films, but it has a long tradition in Australian literature and film. The Rover, drawing heavily on this tradition, makes a solid contribution to the genre, echoing Eric’s obsessive search with the unending road and proving him to be just as lethal.

It may not be the most original film, but The Rover brings many unique turns to a familiar cinematic road.  

Andreas

Book Review - Wake in Fright by Kenneth Cook

Cook’s interrogation of the myth of mateship in the Australian outback follows John Grant, a Sydney born and educated school teacher, who does a stint in a microscopic town in Outback Australia. Looking forward to a six week escape in Sydney he passes through Bundanyabba. Little does he know he will not be getting to Sydney, instead falling into the dark wonderland that is ‘the Yabba’. This is a land of drink and death, of blokes and brutality, and after one night Grant finds himself a broke drifter. Desperate, he passes through the beer glasses of several hosts, experiencing new nightmares with each of these new mates. Upon sobering he realizes the peculiarity that meant you could “sleep with their wives, despoil their daughters, sponge on them, defraud them, do almost anything that would mean at least ostracism in normal society, and they would barely seem to notice it. But refuse to drink with them and you immediately become a mortal enemy.” This is the heart of Cook’s narrative, the harsh, drunken masculinity of ‘mateship’ and its disregard for all else. Like many literary works of the 1970s by male authors the female characters are underdeveloped, mere placeholders and window-dressing. But in the world Cook creates there would be little for them to do, apart from being used and abused. This savage land leaves Grant at the mercy of the two foes he comes to distrust the most, with beer becoming his saving grace and violence his only salvation. An antidote to the heroism of "Banjo" Patterson’s “Man from Snowy River”, Cook rounds out the myth that is the Outback. Wake in Fright is a worthwhile read for anyone wanting to really understand all about Australia. Andreas

Book Review - Mallee Sky by Kerry McGinnis

Kerry McGinnis was one of three current female Australian writers profiled on ABC's Landline program in late 2013 and this story shows her love of the great dry landscape, the wide blue sky and her understanding of the rewards, dangers and heartbreak of Aussie farming. Kate is returning to the mallee after her marriage falls apart. A marriage she made just after her father's death. "Her eyes caressed the passing scenery, taking in the shifting shades of the mallee and the rusty gold of the wheat and barley. Here and there between the crops sheep grazed, their new wool already darkening, and over all stretched the endless reach of the sky." Gradually we learn why she left and married in haste as family secrets are revealed and Kate's future is threatened. Good entertainment. Wendy

Book Review - False Start: a memoir of things best forgotten by Mark O'Flynn

This is a strange little collection of tales in three distinct parts. Mark spends time at a Queensland mine, at drama school and then involved in theatre in a regional town and then he goes to Ireland to distribute religious statues. He never quite knows what he wants to do with his life but he is entertaining enough as he tries to find out. So, if you feel like accompanying him on his journey, you can spend an amusing hour or two. Wendy

Book Review - Give Me Excess of It by Richard Gill

I know Richard Gill only through his appearances on Spicks and Specks and via his participation in Operatunity OZ – a a search for undiscovered opera singers. He has always entertained and impressed with his passion for sharing music. This book covers his musical education thus far, including failures and successes; his ongoing quest for more musical challenges and deeper knowledge; and his infectious enthusiasm for developing and nurturing young talent. It touches only briefly on his personal life, apart from acknowledging the enormous support from his wife as he threw himself heart and soul into whatever was the preoccupation of the day. I enjoyed it and I hope this engaging man continues to teach and learn for many years to come. Wendy

Book Review - The Girl in the Hard Hat by Loretta Hill

The author has worked on outback engineering projects and has used that experience to set her story in a coal loading wharf in the remote Western Australian coast. Having found out she was not the child of her father, Wendy is on a mission to find out who her father really is, and she is in no mood for romance. She meets Gavin, a supervisor at the wharf, who has his own issues with commitment as he is trying to avoid his past catching up with him. Sparks fly and the two try to ignore their growing attraction. The story is well structured and the supporting cast well drawn. Gavin and Wendy have to overcome a cyclone before they sort out how to be together. It was good learn a little more about Australia, in an area where very few get to live and work. Wendy

Book Review - The Dunbar Case by Peter Corris

Another Cliff Hardy installment. This is a classic of the hard bitten private detective genre. Cliff is on the hunt for some historic information from a convicted criminal. He gets involved in current murder and mayhem, reconnects with an old flame and annoys local gangsters. Taut writing and believable plotting, Cliff has still got it. Wendy

Book Review - Wattle Creek by Fiona McCullum

In the Australian bush town of Wattle Creek, Damien, a depressed young farmer is trying to manage the family farm after the death of his father from cancer. New to town is Jacinta, a young and attractive psychologist. She helps Damien see what his life could be if he stops trying to be what he thinks other people want him to be. And she copes with the good and bad regarding everyone knowing your business in a small town. A recognisable cast of supporting characters add texture to a pleasant romance with serious undertones.

Wendy

Book Review - Scared Yet by Jaye Ford

Jaye Ford's second novel continues her strong entry into Australian crime/romance fiction. A woman is attacked and then stalked. The tension escalates as the stalker also targets friends and co-workers. Luckily there's handsome, strong Daniel to help her but what does she really know about him? Could he be the stalker? Why is the police detective so wary of him? A satisfying read.

Wendy

A Flutter of Butterflies by Michael Braby with Penny Olsen

This enchanting look at historical depictions of Australian moths and butterflies uses resources held by the National Library of Australia. Nine artists are featured ranging from 1770s to the present. Some pictures are for scientific study and some are for pleasure. Each artist has their own chapter, a short biography and a discussion of their work. Find out about the early history of Duntroon, fall in love with the Spotted Jezebel, or just enjoy the lovely pictures. Michael Braby is a leading authority on the topic but the book is aimed at general interest level.

Fiction set in historic Australia

Sometime it's nice to explore a place you've never been through a novel, but what about learning something new about your own backyard? These books pick up delicious twists and turns that play out on the Australian landscape, from city dramas to outback maladies. There's quite a mix below- some are new bestsellers, others are old and forgotten. Pick one that takes your fancy- all are available at Camden Library Service.

1. Unwritten Histories by Craig McCormick

2. The Deadman dance by Kim Scott

3. The True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey

4. The Secret River by Kate Grenville

5. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

6. The Drowner by Robert Drewe

7. Remembering Babylon by Dabid Malouf

8. The People's Train by Thomas Kenneally

9. Jacaranda Vines by Tamara McKinley

10. The Touch by Colleen McCullough

The Australian Story: Good reads about real happenings

Australia has a fascinating and rich history, filled with drama, intrigue, hopes and dreams. Check out these great reads about the our nation.

The Big History Question: Snapshots of Australian History
Australian Tragic
Botany Bay: The Real Story
Black Kettle and the Full Moon: Daily Life in Vanished Australia
Colonial Ambition: Foundations of Australian Democracy
Gallipoli to Petrov: Arguing with Australian History
The Hidden History of Australia
The Original Australians: The Story of the Aboriginal People
Sense and Nonsense in Australian History
Telling the truth about Aboriginal History

Got any great reads to recommend? Post them in the comment box below!

Outback Adventure Reading List

Red earth, blue sky and the crisp crack of gunfire across the plains of the Australian heartland - authors have been sweeping tension, mystery and adventure throughout cities, towns, deserts, rainforests and more for over two thousand years. From the dreamtime stories of Aboriginal tribes to the latest Helene Young novel, Camden Council Library Services is petered with Australian gems (or should we say opals?) for your reading pleasure. Check out our picks below. Simply click the title to go to our catalogue entries and check availability.

1. Jirrabal: Rainforest Dreamtime stories by Maisie Barlow

2. Helene Young - Shattered Sky

3. Tomorrow When the War Began series by John Marsden

4. Tree of Man by Patrick White

5.Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay

Leah Giarratano - aussie mystery writer

In her second novel, Giarratano has ticked the boxes for a successful crime thriller. A psychopathic killer escalating in violence; a loner cop coming to terms with brutal events in her past; a return to past haunts for a traumatised army veteran capable of extreme violence in defence of his family; a quirky, intelligent and off beat federal agent who also has a tragic past; and an authentic Australian setting in various Sydney suburbs. I got quite a thrill of recognition when some of the action took place around the Liverpool streets that I know well, in behind the Spotlight store no less, although I don't agree with her characterisation of the public library there! The book builds nicely to a satisfying conclusion and a tentative thawing of the thick wall of ice surrounding our protagonist. Well worth a try if you are looking for a new mystery author.

Wendy

Wanting

This wonderful book has been recognised with several awards/nominations. It won the 2009 Queensland Premier's Literary Award for Fiction, is one of the 2009 Books Alive 50 Books You Can't Put Down and was also one of the shortlisted fiction titles in the 2009 Prime Minister's Literary Awards. In spite of all that, you might want to give it a try - you won't find it wanting (sorry for the bad pun). To find out more about the book, go to Richard Flanagan's website which has reviews, book club notes etc. The story intertwines Charles Dickens and Sir John Franklin, a polar explorer, with the story of Tasmania's aboriginal peoples and their interaction with white settlers in colonial times through the experience of an orphan girl, Mathinna. Sensitive, evocative prose and a masterly weaving of the disparate stories make a fine and thoughtful experience for the reader.

Wendy

Fast, Fresh and Fabulous

A terrific cook book from Janelle Bloom of Ready Steady Cook fame. She covers entrees, mains, desserts, drinks, cakes and sweets and some basics for all occasions. As well as fabulous full recipes, she has quick tips eg Apple and Mint Sauce - peel and dice golden delicious apples, microwave on high until tender. Add spoonfuls of mint jelly and process until smooth adding sugar to taste. Serve with pork schnitzel. I can't wait to try her favourite mud cake or her potato and sweet onion frittata. Meats, seafood, vegetarian dishes - something to tempt every tastebud!

Wendy

Cook's Endeavour Journal : the inside story

This charming little book takes all the work out of research and presents you with choice bits of information, facsimiles & transcripts of actual written records and reproductions of artwork from precious original items held by the National Library of Australia. While we go about our daily routine, busy people are working with these items and discovering our history and serving it up in these bite size chunks! Less than 180 pages of text and images give a wonderful flavour of Cook's journeys and the achievements of this talented crew which included Banks and Solander. The portions of transcripts are given background and context so we can understand their significance. The original journal is available on line as are the transcripts which is terrific for more in depth research but for a small weekend trip on the bark Endeavour, this beautifully designed book is perfect.
Wendy