I grew up surrounded by music. My Papa sang in a beautiful rich voice – I still get shivers when I remember he and my Uncle Grant singing The Old Rugged Cross, in Church. Mum sang beautifully, although she would say she didn’t, all my cousins play the guitar, drums, sing and write songs; one…
Introducing Executive Officer of the South Australian Sardine Industry, Paul Watson. Paul was a prawn fisherman for many years before taking on this role in the Sardine Industry. His passion for sustainable fishing is clear and I thank him for being a part of my blog. 1. Summary of the Sardine Industry Port Lincoln…
Introducing Corey Blacksell. Corey is the fifth farmer I’m featuring in my quest for 52 farmer stories in 52 weeks as a part of our celebration of the Australian Year of the Farmer! 1. Summary of your family and farming enterprise Together with my wife Tiffany and children Brandon (14) and Lauren (13) we…
I know I’ve been a bit quiet on the farming blogs lately – sorry about that! I’m sure you understand getting kids on holidays and then getting them back to school. Covering books, naming clothes, making sure school uniforms fit and all of those sorts of jobs. My kids were so excited to be…
I asked Lisa for the back story behind the novel – how she got the idea, if she was plagued with demons while writing, how long it took… Thanks for having me over Fleur! Stella Makes Good came together fairly easily for me.
Introducing John Beesley. John is working hard to make a difference in his own small way. His story whilst unique, is one of a growing number popping up across Australia. John is fairly modest in his blog here, but you can read more about him on his own blog, Lantana Land
I’ve been hanging out to show you the cover for Purple Roads and here it is! Isn’t it beautiful? Lisa White, one of the amazing Allen and Unwin designers, has excelled herself, once again. There is also a book trailer to whet your which you can take a look at here: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5R0uAYwmkk[/youtube] April 2 is…
Introducing Lynne Strong from Clover Hills Dairies, NSW Firstly I would like to thank Fleur McDonald for giving me this opportunity to share my story and congratulate her for taking the lead in Australian Year of the Farmer by sharing 52 farmers’ stories. For too long food has been about cooking and eating and…
I feel sick. I’ve got butterflies and the shakes. And on top of all that, I’m nervous (and a worrier!). Purple Roads is heading to the printers on Monday. That’s it. Done. Finished. There’s nothing more I, nor my editor, can do. The sun has set on this journey. I get like this any…
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! — When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” ? Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice Do you love going to a movie…
Introducing Ben from Bond Springs Station, NT 1. Summary of your family and farming enterprise My Family started in the Flinders Ranges, and then in 1959 my Mum moved to the NT as a School of the Air Governess. She loved the Red Centre so her and Dad purchased Bond Springs Station in the…
Risk New York was on my turning 30 list, along with writing a book. In October 2007 I was 30 + 6 months and I’d done neither. The prods were getting stronger – not least of which was an ironically-titled writing commission; ‘Things to Try Before You Die’. It was big – 5000 words…
Introducing Angus Whyte from Wyndam, North of Wentworth, NSW 1. Summary of your family and farming enterprise My name is Angus Whyte I live with my wife Kelly and 8 year old son Mitchell at “Wyndham”, a 12,500ha pastoral property on the Anabranch River 85km north of Wentworth NSW. We consider ourselves “graziers”, in…
As the first guest blogger for 2012 I’m over the moon to have the witty and gorgeous Jessica Rudd. You can follow her on Twitter @Jess_Rudd or on Facebook here. Jess, 27, had three career changes in as many years—law, PR, politics—but is now going steady with her life as a writer. She hopes…
Yesterday we woke to our hill being shrouded in heavy, low cloud and gentle showers pushing up from the coast. It was a beautiful way to start the day, especially after the pounding we had on Thursday evening. It was the most incredible thunderstorm I have ever seen and we netted a whopping 46mm…
As I said in my first blog for 2012, it’s going to be a busy year! The Year of Reading, Year of Silver Gums (that’s my own ‘Year of’ for writing) and the Australian Year of the Farmer. A bit about Year of the Farmer from their website: Australian Year of the Farmer…
Sometime people get Christmas presents just right. My brother and his wife has just returned from about six months overseas and they did their Christmas shopping at Harrods of all places! Anyone who knows me well knows I panic easily – at the drop of a hat really and I turn molehills into mountains…
I wrote about traditions a couple of blog posts ago and mentioned Rochelle would be cooking our New Years Eve meal. Which she did with great aplomb! Yummy chicken drumsticks in a mustard and honey marinade and salad. It’s pretty hard to be a great cook though, when there isn’t any power! New Years Eve…
Well the sun set on a fairly crappy year last night and to be perfectly honest, I’m pleased to see the back of 2011. (I have to say, many people I’ve spoken to have found 2011 to be a bad year, so I don’t think it’s just our community that wanted to hold a…
One of the things I love about being married is two familles worth of traditions combine. I like traditions, especially around Christmas and birthdays. As a kid I loved knowing that we would go to the small Christmas pageant which was held in Orroroo every Christmas eve. I enjoyed the carols which were held either…
Blurb for Purple Roads (cover to follow soon!) Purple Roads will be available in April 2012. When Anna and Matt finally buy their dream farm, their struggles aren’t quite over. First it’s patchy rain and poor crops, then Matt has an accident … and even when the heavens finally open all might yet be lost.…