Pacific Calling Mission to Kiribati Islands Equator

Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas) is an independent republic within the Commonwealth of Nations, located in the central Pacific Ocean, about 4,000 km (about 2,500 mi) southwest of Hawaii. It is  known as Micronesia. Kiribati consists of 33 coral islands with three island groups: the Gilbert Islands, the Phoenix Islands, and the Line Islands. 

The atolls are just above sea level and surrounded by barrier reefs with beautiful blue lagoons.

As part of the Edmund Rice Pacific Calling, I’m going on a mission to give profile to Kiribati which is threatened by climate change, rising waters and is also in need of schools and books.

Farewell to Remember to NIDA at Rex Irwin Galleries

What a fabulous farewell by Rex Irwin to NIDA students – there was opera, West Side Story and Rocky Horror Picture Show and wild dragon show with acrobats and beating drums - with wonderful food and wine.

It was topped of with brilliant company. Enjoyed sharing theatre news with John Bell and Anna Volska – their company John Bell Shakespears is off to the Edinburgh Festival and Paris. We talked theatre – my I AM JACK’s adaptation by Monkey Baa Theatre and John Bell’s adaptaton of Andy Griffiths’ to Macbeth.

Thankyou REX IRWIN art gallery critic and owner.

Toni Brisland launches the Cat & Dog detective team

The pianist was playing, the food was good, the drinks flowing, the crowd enthusiastic at Berkelouw Book Shop Norton Street, as Jeni Mawter launched Toni Brisland’s first book:-

‘and now we have Demi Chat and the Kent Street Mystery’ Jeni announced to cheers.

A cat and dog detective team solving mysteries illustrated by  cartoonist and graphic illustrator Peter “Zane” Haywood.

Jeni spoke about the journey of writing ‘Wendy Blaxland and Susanne Gervay … and I were talking …about Toni (who) questioned the sanity of her .. journey as a writer. Well, today Toni, finally ….’ you’re published.  Congratulations!

Authors & Illustrators Gather to Celebrate 20 Years of Bloomin’ Books with Kate Colley

Kate Colley  has become an Oz legend for kids’ books – sorry Kate – but your love of  kids’  books, support of authors & illustrators is a LEGEND!

Everyone piled into Kate’s Bloomin’ Books in Caringbah to celebrate 20 years as a book seller.

Some of the people who came to celebrate:-

International award winning brilliant illustrators -  Jeannie Baker  and Julie Vivas.

Richard Harland just returned from a USA and UK media tour WORLD SHAKER

Alan Baille whose book Krakatoa just won the NSW Premier’s Literature Award

Multi award winning author Libby Gleeson and illustrator David Legge, publishing icon Margaret Hamilton and Max Hamilton and CBC supporters including the terrific Mary McNally and people who love books.

Mark MacLeod author, editor and publisher was on his way but had a car crash. His car was written off but he’s safe and that’s what matters.

Fabulous food, wine, friends and a huge CHEER for Kate!!!!

Literature Live LIVES

The fabulous team of Aleesah Darlinson, Jeni Mawter, Laurine Croasdale, Serena Geddes, Nina Rycroft, Sue Walker and me, were joined by illustrator and Play School Star Nina Matthews to do our first professional e-video conferencing with terrific schools from around NSW from the country to the city  with the technical expertise of NSW Education educators – Michelle Lindsay and Bonnie Tratt.                 

                       Huge thankyou to Michelle & Bonnie.

Literature Live takes authors and illustrators through video conferencing to schools across Australia.

It’s been a huge learning curve, but fantastic.

Nina Rycroft designed the Literature Live logo, our t-shirts and all the design work. So apart from being a fantastic illustrator, Nina is a great designer.