The Kiama Library hosted a captivating author talk featuring Anne Buist and Graeme Simsion on 5 April, 2024Organised by the Friends of Kiama Library, the event attracted a keen audience eager to explore the creative process behind the pair’s new novel, The Glass House: a novel of mental health.Anne Buist is an Australian researcher and practising psychiatrist specialising in women’s mental health. Her previous works include Locked Ward and Medea’s Curse. Graeme Simsion brings the light touch that made The Rosie Project an international bestseller and a respected contribution to the autism conversation.  Glass House is a compelling and addictive novel, and would appeal to readers who enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. The story follows Doctor Hannah Wright, a country girl with a chaotic history, as she navigates her new job at the psychiatric ward at Menzies Hospital.Guests had the opportunity to purchase signed copies of The Glass House and have a chat with the two authors. The author talk was a memorable affair, leaving readers and attendees inspired by Buist and Simsion’s storytelling.

The GatheringA short story by Jenny EnglandThey found her early in the morning, propped up on a pillow on her bed, eyes closed, motionless, pale and cold. Serenely dead. An open book lay across her chest. She must have been reading until her very last breath. It was the dog barking that alerted Sally, her next door neighbour on the left. The silky terrier, her constant companion, rarely barked. They knew instantly when they heard the barking that something must have been amiss. Luckily the back door was not locked so she could let herself in.     We soon gathered in the street after hearing the sad news. I remarked on the odd symbolism of the open book, as she and her life had been far from an open book. Few of us even knew her name or where she had come from although it was well known that she had lived in the area for over twenty years. Those who were a little more in the know revealed that her name was unpronounceable, leading to various suspicions about her origin. Ted, one very imaginative neighbourhood character indeed, suggested she may have been a Russian spy. As he was never able to elaborate on this wild idea we dismissed it as pure waffle.     The police arrived just after 9 o’clock. Later on we were informed, much to the disappointment of some, that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. She was quite elderly. Vera, from across the road estimated she must have been in her early nineties but no-one really knew for sure.     I often saw her walking her little dog around Black Beach. From my kitchen window I would watch as she occasionally stopped, picked up an odd piece of driftwood or some shells that had been swept onto the shore from a recent storm, and then carefully packed them into a hessian bag she carried on her back.  I used to wonder what she did with all this stuff and how she might spend her days, devoid of human contact.     She did, however, have one visitor from time to time. A young man mowed her lawns every month or so and was occasionally seen doing a little weeding. So I guess she wasn’t into gardening or felt it was too much for her. She never seemed lonely to me but of course I have never lived on my own for long periods of time so I don’t know how it would feel year after year. She didn’t drive anymore. Once a week she would walk to the bus stop, disappear for the day and then return in a taxi with her shopping. Sometimes the taxi driver would help her in with her parcels. I would like to think she met a friend for lunch or coffee and cake, but I guess I will never know.     We all agreed it was a shame we had not got to know her better. We did invite her to our yearly Christmas street party but she never came. The one day I worried most about her was Halloween. The neighbourhood kids usually get together in the street and go from house to house for trick or treats. The young ones are pretty harmless and all finished before dark but the older ones often go on a bit of a rampage, throwing eggs and flour at each other and occasionally fighting.     A few of the neighbours didn’t make it to the gathering. Many had already left before the hullabaloo began. Old Ted, who we all knew was also in his nineties was probably pottering around in his back garden tending to his vegetable patch, totally oblivious to what was going on in the street. He would eventually find out, I was sure, through his daughter, who was a regular visitor.  Or from a death notice in the local paper, if any was placed. I was more than sure that that was not likely to happen.     When the ambulance arrived to take her away we, her neighbours, stood silent and still. Even though some of us would have liked a closer look, there was really nothing to see. They simply packed her into the back of the van and drove off. I wondered if there was a family somewhere that would organise a funeral but it is more likely it will be a private cremation arranged by some remote government department that takes over in situations like this. The little dog was also whisked away by the police. No-one in the gathering offered to take him so he was off to the pound, I suspect.     The gathering started to disperse around 10 o’clock. We all wandered off in various directions, back to our lives. Some off to work, shopping and university, albeit a little late. Others went back to their cosy homes to tend to housework or to their small children, who had started becoming decidedly restless in the street. We all resolved that day to get to know each other better, keep in touch and never to let such a lonely death in our street ever happen again. But I haven’t caught sight of any of them of them since.     As for the book? We never did find out its title or what it was about.

The South Coast Writers Centre (SCWC) has announced the dates and first guests for its 2024 South Coast Readers and Writers Festival.Held at the Thirroul District Community Centre and Library on 13 and 14 July, the festival line-up features an array of stellar award-winning authors, talented new voices, acclaimed poets, broadcasters, and thinkers across more than 18 sessions.The first guests announced for the festival are writer Bri Lee, leading television producer Roger Simpson, independent journalist Antony Loewenstein, novelist Catherine McKinnon, inaugural Parramatta Laureate for Literature Yumna Kassab, Gunai woman and artist Kirli Saunders (OAM), music biographer Jeff Apter, and historical fantasy author Kell Woods. SCWC Director Sarah Nicholson said: ‘Returning for its third year in 2024, the South Coast Readers and Writers Festival promises a weekend filled with captivating stories, thought-provoking discussions, and inspiring conversations.’ A full festival program will be announced in May. Early bird tickets are now available here.

We are pleased to announce that we have been given the exclusive opportunity to serialise Turner’s Rage, James’ first book on our app The Bugle.Head to the Apple or Android app store to download The Bugle app and keep up to date as the story unfolds each fortnight, one chapter at a time.iOS users: click here to download from The Apple StoreAndroid users: click here to download from Google Play StoreThe first instalment is available here. With 25 more chapters to come, keep an eye on The Bugle for your next historical fiction fix. Scroll to the bottom of our Features section on the app to find the Turner’s Rage tile. James hosted an author talk 24 February at the Gerringong Library and Museum. A captivated crowd listened to him discuss his books ‘Turner’s Rage’ and ‘Turner’s Awakening’, the beginning of a historical fiction series based on his great grandfather’s exploits. James has been working closely with The Bugle recently and together we organised a giveaway of his works to one lucky reader. Lucky winner Geoff English received both Turner’s Rage and Turner’s Awakening to enjoy. 

James Seymour is hosting an author talk about his two novels, Turner’s Rage and sequel Turner’s Awakening in Gerringong next month. The free event is scheduled at the Gerringong Library on Saturday 24 February at 1pm until 2pm. James will be sharing his insights and inspirations for his historical fiction series. With a third book on the way, James will be sharing some of his work and some stories about his journey from accountant to published writer.The first of the series is set in Guildford, England, 1826 against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution. James takes inspiration from tales of his great grandfather’s real life to create an encapsulating story of secret, tragedy, romance and family turmoil. There’s something for everyone. The story follows the main character, six-year-old William Turner and his sister Anne as they navigate the fortunes and adversities the family face during the Industrial Revolution. “Mystery, romance, grief and exhilaration bind the family and community together in a gripping adventure as the Turners exploit technological developments and manage social change.”James is a retired CPA who began writing his book in Brisbane before moving to the Gerringong area where he plans to continue the series, with several more instalments in the works. “They say everyone has a book in them, I think I’ve got four or five,” says James about his progress with the series. He has big plans for his characters and is already halfway through the third novel in the series, Turner’s Strength which will follow William Turner’s journey to South Africa. It is sure to be an action packed instalment in the thrilling historical fiction series.James believes the support of his family, particularly his wife, has been instrumental in pursuing his literary ambitions. He talks about the fun he had writing and researching these novels. He says his wife loves to ‘travel with a purpose’. His research has led him to travel parts of England, reconnecting with historical roots and investigating his family’s ancestry. Particularly the English town of Guildford where his great grandfather grew up that James explains is an “interesting, wonderful town with a fantastic history.”  James continues to captivate audiences with his vivid storytelling and unwavering passion for bringing history to life through the lens of romance and adventure.

I took the photograph from my handbag and sat it on my lap as I waited patiently for my turn at the psychic reading. While the others around the table were listening intently to the first reading by Sapphire, the resident psychic, I scanned their faces: a habit I had acquired since I began working with the police. After years of investigation it was now time to wrap up the cold case I had been recently assigned. I already had a plethora of evidence however there was one more step I needed to take in order to secure a definitive conviction. The suspect had to give themselves away. Most of my uniformed colleagues found my methods rather unusual; however I was building up a long list of satisfactory arrests and convictions that many envied. The historic Grand Hotel was the perfect setting for a psychic reading session and it wasn’t the first one I had organised there during the course of an investigation.“Who’s next,” Sapphire announced after abruptly finishing her first reading.I quickly handed her the photograph before anyone else could respond. She ran her hand across the face and held it up for all to see. Then she began:“Ah, a sweet girl with a lot to say from the grave. I see a grisly death. Near water. It seems she wants the truth of it to come out so she can pass over.”I scanned the faces of my suspects sitting unknowingly next to my invitee plants. I was particularly interested in anything revealing from my main suspect Tom Hughes. However, nothing. Yet. I waited patiently.Sapphire looked at the back of the photograph, shut her eyes and continued:“Her name is Sophie.” Addressing the photograph directly she followed with: “Sophie, can you hear me? What do you want us to know? Can you tell us who did it? Who took your life-force away?”With these few words my main suspect Tom Hughes started wriggling in his seat and loosening his collar. His face was beginning to redden. Under the table I could sense his foot tapping on the floor. All signs of rising anxiety. He was also eyeing the exit door.Gotcha! I thought.So, before he had time to make a dash for it, I surreptitiously sent the message with the initials TH to my team. Then, as they stormed into the lounge to arrest him, Sapphire winked at me. She had played her part well . . . once again. I'll definitely use her next time, I thought. It always amazed me how easy it was to lure suspects to a psychic reading session with free tickets they thought they had won. I smiled as they took him away in handcuffs.On the way back to my car I stopped when I heard some of my favorite music coming from the Festival at the Showground in full swing. I smiled and did a little jig.  I've still got it, I mused. The rhythm that is!

Peter Cullen, the founder of sporting charity RecLink, has written a book called The Power of a Football. The book is a collection of over 30 personal stories from some of the biggest names in sports, the unsung heroes and everyone in between.  The book is about how football can change lives, with riveting stories and strong themes of passion, inspiration, confidence and the transformative nature of connection and purpose. It serves as an uplifting and important reminder that something as small as a football has the power to change lives. Cullen’s charity Reclink provides support to at-risk youth by introducing them to the power of team sports, and are well-known for their annual Community Cup events around Australia. Cullen encourages football as a tool to achieve better physical and mental health, as well as greater social inclusion for the community, “for all its popularity, cultural significance and media coverage, the most impactful role of footy is largely hidden from view.”Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the book is “full of stories of redemption, hope and pushing doors open for people and bringing out the very finest qualities of our communities.” The book contains testimonials from various people such as Reverend Tim Costello, Andrew Gaze, Doug Hawkins, Andy Maher, Tim Watson, and Sam Kekovitch.The Power of a Football is selling for $39.99 on the Reclink website with 70 per cent of profits raised going directly back to the charity. 

An interesting read available locally over the Christmas and New Year holidays is Extraordinary Histories by Peter Lacey. As the back of the book says, it can offer a guide to places where the South Coast’s history can still be seen.The book encompasses the whole region together, from Kiama to Bega, and in particular shows how European settlement followed the easiest accessibility from the sea, and the importance of sea travel both for survival and economic growth of often very small settlements. It covers right down to the Black-Allen Line, the border between NSW and Victoria, finalised by surveyors Alexander Black and Alexander Allen between 1870 and 1872.The book gives comprehensive coverage of all the prominent individuals, not always benign, who often dominated a whole area, from the saintly Thomas Mort, to the ruthless and probably criminal Benjamin Boyd, and the sometimes controversial dominance of the Berry brothers, Alexander and David, in Berry.The book covers Kiama and Gerringong as part of this settlement process, and makes the claim that the Principal Keeper’s House near the Lighthouse was destroyed by vandals in the 1920s.The final section is probably the most interesting, with little-known quirks of history, including the plan to make a new state in 1922 out of the Southern part of NSW called the Monaro State (which would have included Kiama). It is not well-known but in 1967, a referendum was held to turn the north of NSW into a new state called New England and was only narrowly defeated.  The referendum was only held for NSW voters and was defeated 54 per cent to 45 per cent. The book doesn't, however, mention the scandal where Premier Henry Parkes had a secret plan to mine Jamberoo Mountain for coal (using leases he and the Governor owned!) and have a public railway built to Jervis Bay for export, a secret plan which delayed the Illawarra rail line for some years.Peter Lacey is the founder of the South Coast History Society based in Bega, and the author lives in Quaama. He has also written ‘The Unreal History of World War I and the NSW South Coast’ which tells the untold war stories of the region, which surely would include the 28 Japanese and one German submarines operating off the south coast, including Kiama, and unconfirmed sightings of Japanese submariners seen near Kiama seeking water. Extraordinary Histories is available in The Bookshop on Terralong Street, Kiama.

Meeting with Lisa Brett, an Australian author with deep roots in Kiama was an absolute pleasure. Her inspirational book, "Finding Happiness When It Hurts," has been enriching lives since its publication a year ago.   "Finding Happiness When It Hurts" is a vibrant collection of real-life stories, infused with nuggets of wisdom and practical tools to guide readers in discovering blessings in adversity. This book reveals that not only is happiness within reach but also you can change your life for the better immediately. It provides comfort, reassurance that you’re not alone, and practical ways to help you flip how you see and think about dark moments. Holding the first edition in her hands, Lisa said that it was an emotional experience. The culmination of all the different processes involved in getting her work to print.  A precious feeling. Lisa, renowned for her engaging talks, book signings, and appearances on local radio and in magazines, often shares her insights at literary festivals. At these events, she generously distributes hand-painted gratitude pebbles, a tangible reminder of the importance of gratitude in our lives. She declared that the book concept found her – she felt guided to write it and it flowed freely as she embarked on the task. After a decade of layer upon layer of trauma, she came to the point that she had to deal with herself rather than drowning in an abyss. Coming across the 1920’s thought movement on you tube, she started positive thinking, visualisation and ascribed to helping herself through a process. It is a mammoth effort to extract oneself from a dark place. She had faced domestic abuse, financial woes, divorce, health concerns and bereavement – one after another. Out of the well spring of emotion she managed to move forward. Other people’s stories were a part of the healing process and there are many cameos in her book. Lisa had a background in journalism in Australia and was a TV reporter and newsreader for Channel 4. She took over as media advisor to Trevor Griffin – attorney general of SA with the new incoming liberal party in her career path.  With a huge portfolio she felt totally privileged in the role. As a venerated celebrant also, she has many poignant stories that sometimes just have to be told and enhance the fabric of her life experiences and book cameos!  Lisa's top 10 tips for finding happiness are encapsulated in her book, offering readers a path to inner joy and fulfillment during challenging times. One of her key secrets is embracing gratitude for both the big and small aspects of life, uncovering hidden blessings in adversity. She even suggests holding a gratitude pebble while expressing thanks to enhance focus and positivity. Lisa’s aim is that this becomes your go-to book in time of need.If going through difficulties she maintains that it is possible to find happiness again, but you have to be prepared to meet the universe halfway. Good times are around the corner, and you must be on the lookout for blessings in life.  Stay in touch with your intuition and take notice of red flags. Give up people pleasing and fill your tank so that you have an overflow for others. Practise healthy boundaries and self-belief by nurturing your self-worth and esteem. Currently living in the UK – closer to France than London as she can see Callais from her local beach – Lisa is working on her next venture – a book that captures 5 cameos and vignettes that share life tools such as the Lotus lesson. But meantime she is enjoying her holiday time in Kiama – reliving her memories from Kiama that have special significance for her family as their regular vacation destination over the years.  For more about Lisa and her work, visit her author's landing page: Lisa Brett Author. Her book is available through Amazon Australia. 

Local legend and vinyl aficionado Shane Stark, well-known for his unconventional career choices and undying passion for records, has gifted the world with a side-splitting memoir that will have readers both laughing and nodding in agreement. "Might as Well be Me" is not just another autobiographical account; it's a rollicking compilation of Shane's extraordinary life experiences, many of which are outright bizarre and all of which are intricately woven around his record collection.From the very first page, it becomes clear that Shane's unique perspective on life is a source of endless amusement. His unconventional journey, chronicled in this book, showcases the humour in the everyday, demonstrating that even the most peculiar experiences can be sources of laughter. Shane's infectious wit is bound to leave you chuckling as you flip through the pages.What sets "Might as Well be Me" apart is the ingenious manner in which Shane ties each event to a specific record. These musical interludes are more than just anecdotes; they become the soundtrack to his life story. As he recounts his escapades, you'll find yourself discovering hidden gems in the world of vinyl and gaining a newfound appreciation for the art of collecting records.The book is a sheer delight to read, a testament to Shane's deep-rooted love for music and his ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. It's no surprise, given his musical enthusiasm, that Shane even made it to the Australian Air Guitar finals two years in a row. His adventures are, without a doubt, a harmonious blend of the bizarre and the hysterical."Might as Well be Me" is not just a book; it's an invitation to join Shane on his fantastic journey through the quirky alleys of life and the melodious passages of vinyl. Whether you're an audiophile or just someone in search of a hearty laugh, this book has something for everyone. It's an ideal addition to your personal library or the perfect gift for that friend who appreciates the extraordinary in the ordinary.For a delightful evening of laughter and music, grab your copy of "Might as Well be Me" from Bouquiniste in Centrepoint. Shane Stark's storytelling is sure to leave you thoroughly entertained and perhaps even itching to explore the world of records. As a final note, keep an eye out for the photo of Shane launching the book in Kiama – a picture worth a thousand laughs, capturing the essence of this extraordinary author and his exceptional memoir.

Bruce Elder has published over fifty books and was previously a full-time journalist with the Sydney Morning Herald where he specialised in popular culture and travel. He has a passion for Australian history. Blood on the Wattle was published in 1988 to considerable acclaim and is now it its third edition. Bruce has said his book was an attempt to draw together in one volume information about the massacres of Aboriginal people and to create a broad-based level of awareness of their scale so they become part of the Australian consciousness - as much a part of Australian history as the First Fleet, the explorers, the gold rushes and the bushrangers. Many people have requested more details about the upcoming referendum for constitutional recognition and a Voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Blood on the Wattle provides a context for that request. Blood on the Wattle was listed as one of the ten most influential Australian works of non-fiction in the twentieth century, in an extensive poll conducted by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.  Wattles are one of the first plants to germinate after a bushfire and can be seen as a symbol of resilience and renewal. They are important in Indigenous culture as food and medicines as well as for creating digging sticks, spears, boomerangs, musical instruments, utensils, rope and adhesives.

 Alan Baxter’s book series, The Gulp is essentially a dark re-imagining of Kiama, with the fictional harbour town having an eerily familiar layout. Alan is a well-known horror author, living in Jamberoo. In 2021 Alan released The Gulp: Tales from The Gulp # 1 (The Gulp), which went on to win that year’s Aurealis Best Collection award (an award which recognises the achievements of Australian science fiction, fantasy and horror writers). The Gulp is set in a fictional NSW south coast town called Gulpepper, which everyone calls the Gulp, due to its way of swallowing people. Alan has cited Kiama and Stephen King as inspirations.Ominously subtitled ‘Five Tales of Horror’, the five novellas comprising The Gulp are standalone tales, but by the end it’s clear how they all link together:·        A truck driver thinks the stories about The Gulp are made up to scare him. Until he gets there.·        Teenage siblings try to cover up the death of their mother, but their plans go drastically awry.·        A rock band invite four backpackers to a party at their house, where things get dangerously out of hand.·        A young man loses a drug shipment and his boss gives him 48 hours to make good on his mistake.·        Under the blinking eye of the old lighthouse, a rock fisher makes the strangest catch of his life.Alan has also recently released The Fall: Tales from The Gulp # 2, which also has 5 atmospheric novellas:·        A man enjoying early retirement makes the mistake of visiting The Gulp.·        A fishing boat crew find themselves somewhere entirely unexpected.·        A farmer has an argument with his wife that turns violent and then entirely catastrophic.·        A Venture Scout troop from Enden travel a little too far on their bush excursion.·        Everything that’s already stranger than usual in The Gulp begins to run completely out of control. The band in The Gulp (appearing in the #1 and #2 novellas) is Blind Eye Moon, which has become so popular that Alan created a line of merchandise, which can be purchased through https://www.alanbaxteronline.com/blind-eye-moon-merchandise/We think it would be great to see The Gulp picked up by one of the streaming services and made into anthology horror series, filmed around Kiama – and think Eric Bana would be perfect as one of the main characters.Alan’s Gulp is a place of gritty cosmic horror, where when you go down to the beach, something evil and malevolent is watching you back. Many of Alan’s novellas are inhabited by a range of tough action characters who’d be comfortable in a Guy Ritchie movie, being forced to deal with cosmic horrors in their everyday life.One of Alan’s short stories hit the big-time recently and was made into an episode of Love, Death and Robots in 2022, starring Australian Jai Courtney, in which a squad of space marines encounter an ancient but familiar cosmic horror entity. Acclaimed director David Fincher is the producer.  Alan’s most recent offering is Sallow Bend, where folk horror sees a small rural town searching for two missing teenagers, Alan told The Bugle that a signed copy can be purchased through his website. Baxter runs the Illawarra Kung Fu Academy at the Kiama Masonic Hall on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6pm to 7.30 pm.Check out more about Alan and his projects on his website https://www.alanbaxteronline.com

Artists will tell you that inspiration often strikes at unexpected times. Inspiration for RA Spratt’s latest novel struck while she was reading an Indian graphic novel version of Hamlet, the famous Shakespeare play. “I was standing in the local bookshop in the main street of Bowral, and I’m trying to get my kid to read, so I suggested a graphic novel,” Spratt told The Bugle. “I picked up an illustrated Hamlet and started reading through it and it was really interesting because when you see Hamlet performed as a play, it’s usually someone in their 30s or 40s playing Hamlet because it’s a difficult part so they need an experienced actor. “The character is supposed to be around 23, and you don’t think about him being so young. But in the graphic novel, because it’s just a cartoon, he looked that young. I thought, Oh, the character makes so much more sense, he’s like a university arts student who has studied a semester of philosophy and thinks they know everything!” “All of a sudden, the character became very clear to me as to who he really is. He’s this really articulate guy that’s full of ideas but has no worldly wisdom.” The revelation of Hamlet’s true character inspired Hamlet’s Not OK, Spratt’s latest novel for young adults. Spratt is already an accomplished author of such series as Shockingly Good Stories, Friday Barnes, The Peski Kids and Nanny Piggins, and hosts the Bedtime Stories with R.A. Spratt podcast. Spratt had always enjoyed taking her kids to see local Shakespeare performances and wanted to write about it for years, but acknowledged a lot of the stories aren’t entirely appropriate for children in 2023.  “We saw a modern production of Richard II which was kind of baffling because it’s not the most accessible play. “I was thinking about how to make Shakespeare more accessible and fun for kids and explain the ideas that seem really dated. Some of these themes feel old fashioned, but then some of the things in Hamlet seem like just as big an issue now as it ever was even though it’s hundreds of years old.” At first, Spratt thought of writing a novelisation of the play, but the project soon grew to a much larger scale. Instead, the book became about a modern 15-year-old drawn into the world of Hamlet meeting the titular character and working with him to find better solutions to his problems. Spratt tends to put aspects from her own personality into her characters and it’s no different with Hamlet’s Not OK’s heroine, Selby. This time though, Spratt also drew from her own children’s personalities as well, especially when it comes to social issues. “They’re very woke-aware. They see issues and call you out on issues, definitely not in a way they did when I was 15,” says Spratt. “It’s very front-of-mind for them, things like racism, sexism, bullying, those sorts of things. When Hamlet tells Ophelia to go to a nunnery, they see that and think Hamlet is being a bully, whereas I don’t think people would have seen it the same way in the past.” Hamlet’s Not OK was only recently published, but Spratt is already thinking about the next instalment. While she initially envisioned exploring Shakespeare’s entire works through Selby’s eyes, Spratt has caught on to a different trend. “I would love to be able to help people unpick whatever the Shakespeare syllabus is for that year.“If you read the book, there’s a point where Pride and Prejudice gets involved as well, so there’s some discussion as to whether there is another book, whether it’s a Shakespeare play, probably Macbeth or King Lear, or it will be something totally different. I am tempted to work out what all the year 12 students are studying and just do those books.” To find a copy of the book, Spratt suggests you contact your local bookshops or library. Or buy it online at amazon.com.au

Sonia Henry has released a new memoir which recounts her journey from a medical intern in the city to a solo GP in the outback and it’s all thanks to her Jamberoo roots. “Growing up in the country has shaped me, even subconsciously, in my connection to being in a place that’s not the city,” says Sonia, who has a long family history in the town. “I grew up in Jamberoo and was the school captain at Jamberoo Public School. My grandfather was the local vet in Kiama for many years and started the Kiama Alpine Club,” says Sonia, whose parents still live in the area  “I am really proud to be from the South Coast.” Sonia is the bestselling author of Going Under, her debut autobiographical novel which tells the tale of the stresses, failures and triumphs of a young doctor. She says her dual worlds, as a doctor and writer, go hand in hand. “Being a doctor has provided me with fantastic material to write about, while writing has helped me cope with being a doctor,” she says.Put Your Feet In The Dirt, Girl, her new memoir, explores her connection to the land, the concept of home and identity and recounts the challenges she faced in the tiny mining town in the middle of the Western Australia desert. “One of the most challenging things was the lack of access. “When you’re out there, you’re on your own. There are no hospitals within 400 or so kilometres and the flying doctor service is understaffed, so you’re really relying on your wit,” she says.“It’s about knowing oneself, and to truly know yourself you have to understand the context in which you exist; and there’s city Australia and remote Australia.” Sonia, who is passionate about improving health equity for people who live in regional and remote parts of the country, now spends part of every year working as a GP in remote Australia. She heads off again next month.  Put Your Feet In The Dirt, Girl is out now, available at all major retailers. RRP $34.99 Have a story you’d like to share? Tell us about it [email protected]   

It’s been over 2 ½ years since 19-year-old Libby Ruge’s life was cut short by an out of control car, but her legacy is ongoing [Libby's legacy of smiles].Libby’s older sister, Stevie Shanahan, is sending her legacy around the globe while helping others battle the pain of grief, with a guided grief journal.“After I lost Libby, I was desperate for anything that might help me,” Stevie says.“I started a TikTok page as an outlet which gained a lot of followers very quickly and I had people messaging me daily saying ‘your page helps me so much’ and ‘thank you, I feel less alone’.“So, I started thinking of more ways I could help these people.”Stevie has self-published Life After Losing You which guides people through the seven stages of grief – including shock, anger, denial and depression – with writing prompts and activities.“Grief isn’t linear, so the idea is to use the chapters as you need them,” Stevie says.Libby and Stevie The journal provides different coping strategies, grounding exercises and distractions while offering a safe space for people to express their intimate emotions and thoughts around grief.Within the first four days of publishing the book, it was sent across the globe to six countries.“Libby’s photo is in the first few pages, so I feel like she still gets to travel the world.“She’s gone to so many different countries already including America, Canada, the UK, Belgium and Germany,” Stevie says.It’s a bittersweet feeling for her, using a tragic moment in her life to help others.“If I can help just one other person, then I know I’m making my sister proud.”It adds to the long list of people that Libby’s legacy has already helped.As an aspiring dentist who wanted to change people’s lives through their smile, Libby’s parents Jules and Julie set up the Libby Ruge Smile Fund on her passing to do it for her.The Fund provides young adults access to orthodontic treatment that they or their families cannot afford. The charity is currently helping five recipients with another three coming on board this year.Jorja, Libby’s best friend, was the first recipient and has finished her treatment with a brand-new smile.It’s fundraised by the Bee Kind Like Libby movement, which was inspired by Libby’s “Bee Kind” tattoo and her kindness to everyone.The movement encourages people to do random acts of kindness while raising awareness for the Smile Fund.The annual Spring Black Tie Ball is returning in October at Novotel, Wollongong, after its inaugural event last year which pulled in just shy of $40,000 for the Smile Fund.Buy tickets to the Ball via trybooking.com.Buy Life After Losing You via Lifeafterlosingyou.myshopify.com.Have a story you’d like to share? Tell us about it [email protected]