Pozieres Commemoration Service, Woollahra July 26th

I was really happy to be part of the 99th Commemoration Service at St Columba's with Rev Brian Jago presiding. Lt Gen Caligari, First Battalion Association, RSL representatives and representative from the French Consulate and Woollahra Council took part. I read from a chapter set at Pozieres from my novel, Eventual Poppy Day. As usual, the Scots College Pipe and Drum Band stopped traffic and performed so well as did the bugler for the echoing Last Post tribute. Next year 2016 will be the 100th year commemoration of the terrible battle that took so many British and Anzac lives in and around that small village in France. I have a book being published in March 2016 by Hachette, A Soldier, a Dog and a Boy- a curious and not entirely sad story from that same place, same era.

Rough from A Soldier, a Dog and a Boy (art by Phil Lesnie)

Randwick Historical Society Address

Last Sunday 18th July saw a crowd of history buffs gathered at the Bowen Library, Maroubra, for their monthly meeting. I was lucky enough to be able to present my Powerpoint, An Anzac in the Family, an explanation of the process of writing my historical Anzac novel, Eventual Poppy Day. What made it extra special was the presence of four women (will not say old girls) from my year at Sydney Girls High; and then an exploration of the Society's room at the Bowen, where I'll be doing some research for my next novel set in part in the Randwick area circa 1880's.