School Visits

Last term I visited the Year 3/4 students at PLC. What a warm, enthusiastic and friendly group of girls. I had a fantastic time and must thank their fantastic librarian, Jan Robertson for inviting me and for making my visit so enjoyable.
The Year 3s were reading Tessa as a class novel, so I had to be careful not to give away too much about it.
The Year 4s participated in a workshop with me - what sensational story ideas!
I also visited Penleigh and Essendon Grammar towards the end of term and worked with the Year 10s. Colac is sensational, guys, thanks for asking!! ;)
During term three I'm off to Yarrawonga, Strathfieldsaye, Geelong, Port Fairy, Dennington and Melbourne to visit schools, and am very much looking forward to it.
I also have a September deadline for my next book - it doesn't freak me out if I say it quickly!

Finding Darcy Launch

Well, Finding Darcy is officially out!

I was so lucky to have two launches. The the amazing Jackie French launched Darcy at the CBC Conference in Melbourne, and the multi-talented Lili Wilkinson did the honours at the Centre For Youth Literature's It's Different for Girls session.

Jackie's speech totally blew me away and for the first time in my life, I found myself speechless. Believe me, that's a rare day!

Huge thanks to Jackie and Lili for their enthusiasm and support.
I'm one very proud cookie!

The It's Different For Girls day was fantastic. It was somewhat overwhelming to be working with JC Burke, Julia Lawrinson and Maureen McCarthy. Not only are they sensational authors, but they are gorgeous people.
Before we spoke, Jenny and her girls from Monash uni performed pieces from our books. They did a fantastic job. We were thrilled to see our work dramatised.

Must say hi to Jenny and the crew, plus a big hi to the girls from Waverly and Drouin, particularly!

Montevideo Maru

I'm very excited to hear that Channel Nine has raised awareness of the sinking of the Japanese vessel, the Montevideo Maru.
My grandfather was one of the 1056 Prisoners of War who died when the ship was sunk off the coast of the Philippines in 1942. The men were captured when the Japanese Imperial Army invaded Rabaul in January, 1942.
Even though this event is Australia's biggest maritime disaster, with more Australians dying than did during the Vietnam war, it remains shrouded in mystery and controversy.
Want to know more about this little known incident and its far reaching effects?
Read my new book, Finding Darcy, which is coming out this week.
I'm hoping it will also help to raise awareness of this important World War II incident.