Biography Aust/global

In the World Alone - My Story by Auntie Wendy Craig.  48 pages, photographs, paperback.         

ISBN 978-0-6484284-4-2       AU$19.95  

Growing up in children's and institutional homes, the author never realised she had a family or was aboriginal. Stricken by polio at a very young age, and being one of the youngest in a large family, she was made a ward of the state following her mother's death. Coupled with her need for treatment and rehabilitation, she grew up in state institutional homes in Sydney. In this honest account, she tells her story of coping with disabilities and institutional life believing she was alone in the world. Until one day, in her teens, she discovered her family and gradually reunited with them, eventually moving back to her home country at Coffs Harbour. At the same time she also discovered her talent as an artist in traditional aboriginal dot painting style. Today she is an elder in her Gumbaynggirr community on the mid north coast of NSW. Her story is an important contribution to the documentation of the lives of Aboriginal children.

Tallawudjah Creek... and Me by Elizabeth Webb OAM. 109 pages, colour photographs, 14 x 21.7cm, paperback.

 ISBN 978-0-6459597-1-0   AU$24.95

Author and historian, Elizabeth (Bessie) Webb, traces her family roots growing up in Tallawudjah Creek near Glenreagh, on the Mid North Coast of NSW, between WWI and II. A prolific contributor to the history of the Glenreagh area, evidenced by eight other historical works she has researched and authored, Bessie shares her childhood memories. Her collection of photographs adds authenticity to her stories. 101 years of age at time of publishing, her childhood is of a bygone era, characterised by pioneering timber cutters, bullock wagons and a culture of mateship in the community. Those relationships shine through the pages and many photos, a camaraderia which tackled adversity and the hardship of life head on. But the march of progress is also evident as rough cut, bark lined shelters gave way to dressed timber and corrugated iron; horse back communication with the outside world replaced by a single phone line; and educational opportunities blossomed in the small school. Yet in all of the changes of life, Tallawudjah Creek, flowing just outside the family property, whether in flood or drought, became the constant in her life. Bessie tells her story with heart, giving the reader an insight into not only life at the time, but what it was like to be a young girl growing up in the bush. 

It's a real Australian story told by a real Australian hero. Bessie was honoured to receive the Centenary Medal in 2003 for "service to the community", and the Order of Australia Medal in 2013 for her "service to the community of Glenreagh".

The Riverina Runs Through My Blood - autobiography by Graham S Robb. 128 pages, pictures, paperback.  ISBN 978-0-6482882-0-6    AU$26.95   Also available as an ebook through ebook outlets (eg. Amazon).

The author describes what life was like growing up in the Riverina region of NSW and Victoria, Australia, during the 1940-1960's. From his personal experiences he showcases what life was like for rural people at that time, the harshness of climate, and beauty of the river systems, particularly the Murrumbidgee River, and the flora and fauna which he grew to love. With many glimpses into his own personal life journey as a youngster, the author takes the reader on a jorney of discovery through his eyes, alerting the reader to many aspects of life on the land at that time. As such it is a rich record of everyday life on the land in rural Australia in the early to middle of last century.

SPARROW IN THE HALL, autobiography by Robin Jelliffe, 260 pages, B&W & colour photographs, paperback.  ISBN 978-0-6488889-1-8    AU$27.95

Robin Jelliffe grew up in wartime England fascinated with aircraft, going on to complete medical training in the years following the end of WWII. His accounts of life and medical training capture the essence of life at that time, with some humour. After marrying Jillian in 1951, they elected to go to Nigeria in government service, assigned to remote locations in northern Nigeria. With responsibility as the only doctor for large areas, this was indeed medical pioneering at its best. Robin describes in vivid detail the challenges of providing medical care in an age only just discovering antibiotics, and in a place where infrastructure, including medical equipment, was sparse. After 4 years in Nigeria and two years back in UK, they emigrated to Australia with their then 3 sons, a fourth born later in Australia. Working initially in rural QLD as a hospital superintendent, after 2 years they moved to Coffs Harbour on the east coast of NSW where Robin worked as a GP, hospital superintendent and surgeon until retirement. Once again his descriptions of general practice are illuminating and often humorous. He learnt to fly after arriving in Australia and over the years built and flew two homebuilt aircraft, seeing the fulfilment of his boyhood aviation dreams. His story is a fascinating account of life and medicine in an age now surpassed by advances in technology and medical innovation.

"I have now finished Sparrow in the Hall. Put downable - but only just! Full of incidents portrayed grippingly. Robin's talents as a writer of prose match his medical and aviation skills." The Late Hon Peter Heerey AM QC.

I was Thursday's Child - autobiography by Jillian Jelliffe. 264 pages, B&W & colour photographs, paperback.  ISBN 978-0-6480675-1-1   AU$27.95

"Thursday's child has far to go", says the poem. From birth in Canada to growing up in England as a Navy child in the Depression and WWII, Jillian Jelliffe tells of her childhood and recalls the stories that shaped her character in a world very different to today. After qualifying as an Occupational Therapist she married a doctor and together they served five years in colonial Nigeria 1952-56. In 1959 they emigrated to Australia where they settled and raised a family of four boys. With her father away for long periods as a Navy officer, and her mother absent for periods with mental heath issues, Jillian grew up as flotsam, as she describes it - living in a number of homes and attending different schools in her formative years of childhood, in the lead up to and during WWII. Her training as an OT, subsequent marriage to a doctor and their sojourn to Nigeria for five years provides wonderful insights into colonial life at the time. After emigrating to Australia, Jillian finally finds a place to call home permanently, ending her life journey around the world. 

A Life Worth Living by Lesa Tacon, 156 pages, colour photographs, paperback. ISBN 978-0-6488889-7-0, AU$22.95 

Following a life calling and vision, Lesa Tacon travelled to Africa and into situations far beyond her control. Whether held at knifepoint while being robbed or frantically escaping from perceived threats to her life, she overcame many trials through faith in God's unconditional grace and love. 

Responding to the call of God on her life, she pioneered a ministry of love in the heart of Africa, reaching the souls and lives of many people. With a burning determination, sheer courage and deep resilience she navigates the challenges of beginning this ministry. 

A divine meeting with Pastor Robinah led to a ministry partnership which saw a church planted, the establishment of a school for vulnerable children and the empowerment of women in the community. 

This is a true account of modern Christian mission which demonstrates the value of true partnership with the local community and a walk of obedience and faith.