Brolga Publishing – förlag

IT ALL STARTED ON THE EVE OF MY 43RD BIRTHDAY... With two young boys, a new lecturer position and all the commitments of an active life, Ros Ben-Moshe had no plans for a tumour to take over her life. Yet after the news came on her 43rd birthday, medical appointments turned into hours of surgery, casual conversations disappeared, and even her children started asking questions. In recovery rooms, as the clock slowly ticks, Ros Ben-Moshe starts writing. Through ups and downs, she tells it all, in an honest account of fighting the Big C, or should we say the small c? Brimming with humour, insight and sensitivity, this series of journals, written at the time, explores how we talk about and view illness, and how changing your mindset can do wonders on the journey to health. Through explanations of mindful healing techniques and the power of laughter, Laughing at cancer will inspire you to take a deep breath and start laughing.

Ruthless as she is beautiful, when her own team falls down, Giuliett turns to the Australian Ares Outlaw Motor Cycle Gang leader, Robbie L for support and the two outsiders form an alliance.Book three in the Serpent Series explores the influences of fate and loyalty as it picks apart the impacts of relationships stretched by grief, greed and honour. Underneath, the tale explores the shambolic Italian political landscape as well as the escalating tensions and arrangements between the southern Italian and Nigerian mafia clans. The Trouble with Serpents is set predominantly in Italy, as well as outback NSW, Fiji, Afghanistan, Russia and Poland.Hiding in plain sight behind the hype of Carnevale in Venice, five mafia families meet to elect a new leader of their combined clans, the Capo di Tutti Capi. Nicholas Delarno has the right to lead, but until recently, everyone thought he was dead.The Commission members are curious and nervous. In a show of leadership Nicholas claims the coveted role, bringing with him a return to the old ways, values and traditions that have stood the families well for decades. Something most of the clan members are keen to embrace after the chaotic leadership of former boss Don Carlo Seta. And they are willing to sacrifice their misgivings over the new Capo''s missing years to satisfy their self-serving needs for secrecy, stability and economic power.

"The powerful headlight probes the darkness; voluminous clouds of black smoke billow from the chimneys, steam erupts from the safety valves, a ruddy glow lights the cab as butterfly doors are jerked open, flashing rods and driving wheels are highlighted by the running lights and overall there is now a triumphant beat."The railway is shown on maps as permanent way, however many lines are now abandoned. But the experiences of rail trips to distant places by train are, to many, deeply remembered events. This study acknowledges the essential economic effects of the rail network, but also celebrates the human responses, and when taken in overview, contributes to our continuing exploration of what it is to be Australian.Keith Hallett has spent equal parts of his career as teacher and historian, but from early boyhood in the Dandenongs responded to the magic of steam echoing through the hills. A love of rail has underlined his work, and continues with his volunteer work on the Victorian Goldfields Railway, passing this love of trains to his sons and grandchildren.

Tim is nearing the end of his final year of secondary school and all he wants is for it to finish. Against his better judgement he agrees to the Principal''s request for him to "buddy up" with Gabriel, a refugee from South Sudan. Two months and it''ll be done, he tells himself. But when both Tim and Gabriel''s father each make one simple, but momentous decision, they are propelled in directions they never imagined they''d go. Murph doesn''t get it, Cat is shocked and angry, and Gabriel is in a coma. Tim must re-evaluate his relationships with his mother and estranged father and ultimately decide if he''s got everything all wrong, and if there''s any coming back.

Still Caring shows the many ways in which families or friends can provide continuing support to elderly people in residential aged care facilities, and how important this is. Such ongoing involvement in an elderly person's life in care can help to make it as comfortable, happy and fulfilling as possible.Self-care is also discussed, along with practical ideas about how Carers can look after their own well-being as they continnue to provide support to others.This book was completed while Australia's Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was investigating widespread concerns about the industry. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic also highlighted the vulnerability of elderly people in residential aged care.Like many others, the authors had a strong desire to enhance the lives of aged care residents and were driven to record their thoughts and offer suggestions for possible improvements.Written by two retired social workers with relevant personal and professional experience, Still Caring is an informative and insightful read for anyone, anywhere who is supporting an elderly person in residental aged care.

Set in northern Australia''s Victoria River region, this dramatic tale interweaves three eraas.In 1839 British explorer John Lort Stokes makes an unexpected discovery when sinking water wells near the river.In 1942 Nackeroo corporal, Douglas Ashmore is guarding the region against perceived Japanese invasion when a radio broadcast reveals his location. ''Ash'' and Aboriginal guide Gabriel hunt for a suspected enemy collaborator.In 1987 petroleum geologist Bradley Dixon puzzles over the loan of Stokes'' journal from company boss Reginald Able. At the rig Brad encounters Aboriginal activist Gabriel Fitzmaurice, who suspects Able of corporate sleight-of-hand.After a drilling accident Brad meets and is attracted to feisty nurse and committed environmentalist, Karen Frost, gradually becoming aware of deep secrets joining Ash, now a bush loner, to Karen''s past. In a tension-filled atmosphere of crashing global financial markets and oppressive humidity heralding the north Australian Wet, the links between Stokes'' diary entries, the rig program and the Victoria River wartime emergency are laid bare, setting an ultimate test for Brad and Karen''s relationship."A ripping yarn of interlinked endeavour, intrigue, high drama and repentance spanning three epochs in remote and beguiling northern Australia." - Barry FitzGerald, Resources Columnist

Jack''s face grew serious. He moved closer.''Can you keep a secret, something really awesome? Something that you''ll never believe unless I show you?''It''s hard to explain a place like Wingdom, a magical kingdom filled with all types of friendly flying creatures. Jack has been there and wants to show his good Friend, Flynn. But there''s only one way to get there and that''s with the help of a tiny pair of gold-threaded wings bequeathed to Jack by a dying moth.Follow Jack and Flynn on their thrilling yet spine-chilling adventure into this world of wings and beyond.Author Dianne Ellis has created this delightful tale showcasing the importance of friendship, caring for others and believing in yourself. Dare to dream!

When organised crime detective Francesca Salucci starts investigating the death of a biker, she comes across shady drug deals and internal power struggles within Australia''s various crime gangs. The trail she uncovers leads her from Sydney to Rome, all the way to a small town in the Italian riviera. There, reunited with a past lover, Francesca has no choice but to confront her past and her own origins.In her search for the connections between the Sicilian mafia, Chinese Triads and Australian bike gangs, she will find herself caught between her personal history and her desire for justice. With her life in danger, Francesca will find refuge in the outback where she will work to come to terms with her biggest battle yet, her past. An action-packed thriller that tells a story of love, greed, betrayal and moral conflict.

This is the first book by a founding member of Little River Band: the first Australian band to achieve a gold album in the US. ''Every Day of My Life'' tells the remarkable tale of how Beeb Birtles, David Briggs, Graeham Goble, George McArdle, Derek Pellicci and Glenn Shorrock conquered the world - and then lost their band. The book also documents how a young Dutch boy named Gerard Bertelkamp arrived in Adelaide, unable to speak English, and ended up in not one but two major bands: Zoot (with Darryl Cotton and Rick Springfield) and Little River Band (with Glenn Shorrock and later John Farnham). As the title suggests, Every Day of My Life is an intensely personal journey. Beeb Birtles might have lost his band but he discovered many other things along the way. LRB''s hits include ''Reminiscing'', ''Help Is On Its Way'', ''Lonesome Loser'', ''The Night Owls'', ''It''s a Long Way There'', ''Cool Change'', ''Happy Anniversary'', ''Lady'', ''Curiosity (Killed the Cat)'', ''Witchery'', and ''Every Day of My Life''. Due to a bizarre copyright case, Beeb Birtles can no longer make music as Little River Band. But he can tell their incredible story - and his own incredible story.

Moon Over the Mediterranean'' is the fascinating story of Alexander, a conscientious objector in 1960s Holland. He embarks on a lifetime adventure, travelling the hippie trail through Greece, India, Nepal, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iran, Israel and beyond. He keeps his sketch pad at hand, always has a good book to enjoy and engages in deep philosophical discussions with fellow travellers, as well as falling in and out of love along the way. As he matures, Alexander becomes more involved with the world around him, helping displaced persons, building clinics, schools and rehabilitation centres, assisting children who have been abducted as child soldiers and abused in horrifying ways. Finally, he embarks on several monumental projects where he attempts to change the way people think towards bigotry and asylum seekers. ''Moon over the Mediterranean'' is a feel-good book despite the difficult issues it confronts. It tells the story of one man''s struggle to make the world a better place and live a compassionate life.

When Deborah Thomson met Wayne, she was a shy, introverted 24-year-old student. He was a loud charismatic young man. His temper was an issue but one she hoped they could work on. Four years later, the married couple now ran a business together, and their first child was born. Yet, any dreams of peaceful family life were quickly crushed by Wayne''s increasingly violent and controlling behaviour. Life turned into a cycle of hope, fear and pain, and her marriage into a prison from which there was no escaping. It lasted 17 years. Based on the journals the author kept throughout the ordeal, Whose Life Is It Anyway is a chilling memoir of her agonising years living and working with her abuser. "A powerful, frightening story, highlighting a world I do not understand, fortunately a world the author has escaped from." - Ian Waller, Burnie, Tasmania

Monday's child is fair of face,Tuesday's child is full of grace,Wednesday's child is full of woe,Thursday's child has far to go ... Maggie is Thursday's Child, a spirited girl growing up in an English country village surrounded by apple orchards and hop fields. Neighbours are friends and the local landowner, the Squire, is a fair, decent man to his workers. Life could be idyllic, if not for the unwelcome intrusion of air raids. This is 1941 and WW2 is raging. When peacetime is finally declared in 1945, it seems the war is over - but through tragic circumstances Maggie realises that war comes in many guises. Life changes from one of happy frivolity to loneliness and rejection. However, the village, her friends and a deep fascination with a four-penny stamp from a country far away that she has never seen but yearns for all give Maggie the strength to keep moving forward. Ultimately, Maggie learns the most valuable of lessons - to believe in her dreams and in herself.

An extraordinary story telling of a man raised in New Zealand, Thomas McCallum, the woman he falls in love with while at university, Rose, and the adventure they couldn't have predicted while journeying Turkey; which has them saving a small 5-year-old boy who is threatened with dire consequences. This is a glass half full story involving strong but differing views on evolution and creation, with opposing philosophies coming together in a practical explanation of divinity.

At first sight, Francesca Salucci has it all: a beautiful house in Fiji, a loving family and a promising new job. Yet, her life is not as tranquil as it seems. Her former career might be a thing of the past, but her affair with the son of a dangerous mafioso is anything but forgotten. The world she worked hard to build is turning on its head, and her son is in danger. But how can she protect him when she can't tell her allies from her enemies? From an Afghanistan war zone to the stunning Fijian coastline, from the pomp of award ceremonies to secretive Venice, Serpent Sting unravels one family's desire for revenge and another's quest for peace. Serpent Sting is the second book in the Serpent series.

An energetic and enthralling series of encounters with warlords, mujahideen fighters and hardy deminers that will take you into the life of an Australian soldier sent alone into the wilds of Afghanistan. In 1991, following the Soviet-Afghan war, Graeme Membrey left the comfort of his home in Perth to work for an Afghan NGO in the United Nations demining program. Along with his pregnant wife, he travelled to Karachi, then to Islamabad, before settling in the city of Peshawar where he was to spend a year closely working with deminers in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Away from the front line, this book deals with the less-told story of what is left behind after war ends. With humour and humility, Graeme Membrey recounts a variety of incidents and surprising stories of his time in this part of the world. Behind the anecdotes lies the story of friendship and the universal connexion between humans in spite of language barriers and cultural differences.

Raw chronicles a childhood marred by physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and a man''s subsequent innefective search for identity in gangs, dysfunctional relationships, the military and even politics. The ongoing impacts of childhood trauma reach a climax when Damien firebombs the home of a man accused of rape. He subsequently becomes an artist and writer in prison."Childhood trauma. Unanswered cries for help. Coming to terms with sex, love and abuse. Damien Linnane''s memoir is written with the gritty truth of real life." - Jim Kellar, editor of the Newcastle Herald Weekender.

The Maw of the Beast is a fast-paced, multi-layered story of ambition, intrigue, adultery, jealousy, vengeance and tragedy.Disillusioned crime reported George ''Jogger'' Jensen has quit the job at a major daily newspaper in Melbourne and sought refuge in his childhood seaside home town of Portarlington on the Bellarine Peninsula to contemplate his future.Within a week he has come face to face with the last thing he wanted: the body of a young unidentified woman with weights tied to one ankle, hooked out of the sea by local commercial fisherman and old school mate John Tilson.Despite his vow to rest, George''s instinct for a story prompts him to ask questions around town. He discovers there has been an earlier death in Portarlington of a schoolboy from a drug overdose and a suspicion of cover-up involving local businesses which sets him wondering whether there is a connection between the two fatalities.Forming a fraught alliance with former lover Fiona Catchmore, who is now editor of the Bellarine''s weekly newspaper, and with the publication''s ambitious young reporter Jenny Adams, George uses all his journalistic wiles to uncover the truth and scoop the daily media corporation.

From car bombings to meeting Yasser Arafat and making it to the summit of Mount Everest, Mark ''Squiz'' Squirrel has experienced more than many can dream about. When he headed to the East Timor Crisis in 1999 he was setting out on the adventure of a lifetime. It was a journey that would see him navigate some of the globe''s most brutal war zones to deliver emergency aid and conquer the world''s tallest mountain.Awarded the coveted ''Green Beret'' in his role as a commando with the Australian Special Forces, Squiz burned with a passion to put his skills to good use. His enthusiastic innocence was lost as the harsh reality of life in the emergency zone hit home. His aid work took him to countries such as Sudan, Palestine and Afghanistan where he met child soldiers, negotiated with rebels and narrowly escaped imprisonment.To raise awareness he ran the Athens marathon dressed in an Afghan burkha and put together an adventure team comprising an Iseaeli and Palestinian. To top it off, Squiz battled thin air, freezing temperatures and malfunctioning equipment to raise the United Nations World Food Programme flag on top of the world.

Framed blows the lid off one of Melbourne’s most puzzling secrets: Who stole Picasso’s Weeping Woman from the NGV in 1986.Written by the brother of the brilliant artist who was framed for the crime, Framed draws on never-before-revealed information told to the author before his brother died.Framed is totally engrossing and highly controversial. It is at once a rollicking crime thriller, a vividly drawn period piece of mid-eighties Melbourne, and an exposé of the murky under-belly of the city’s art scene.This is a gripping speculative account of Melbourne’s greatest unsolved crime. None of it may be true but few readers will.

Drovers hold an iconic place in our Australian identity, due to the courage and perseverance needed to transport cattle and sheep hundreds of kilometres through rural and outback areas. But what of the women and children who travelled with them?

In The Legacy of Douglas Grant, John Ramsland vividly re-creates the famous Aborigine''s life - now lost in the mists of history. Douglas was born to Indigenous parents and, as an infant, was the sole survivor of a cruel massacre in northern Queensland. As an adult, he was a charismatic speaker on Aboriginal rights, but spoke with a distinct Scottish burr. Why was this so?He was rescued by a kindly Scottish immigrant and brought up and well educated in the Scottish way in Sydney’s leafy suburb of Annandale.Highly successful at school, he became a leading engineering draftsman at Mort''s Dock Company in Balmain and, later, a woolclasser at "Belltrees" station near Scone in the Hunter Valley of NSW.With friends from "Belltrees", he joined the 1st AIF. His dangerous encounters on the Western Front and as a prisoner-of-war in Germany are pieced together by the author from many fragments.Douglas bravely faced unpleasant racism in post-war Australia, but never lost his keen sense of humour and scholarly interests.

Carol Cooke thought her destiny was decided when she followed in the footsteps of her grandfather, father and mother and joined the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force.An exciting career followed until one case got the better of her and she decided to take a year off.That year off led her down another path and into a world she could never have foreseen for herself. Travelling from one side of the world across to the other and finding love, heartbreak, illness and Paralympic gold.Through the life challenges Cooke faced, and the lessons learned from her family and her own policing career, she was able to move forward with resilience, integrity and compassion.The Force Within is the inspiring story of her courageous adventure.

Eddie is absolutely obsessed with his favourite super-hero character: Flip Boy. No matter where he is, or what he''s doing, Eddie spends all of his time glued to his tablet, watching Flip Boy. Eddie even wants to be Flip Boy! The problem is, his superhero antics never go quite to plan.However, when Eddie is lucky enough to meet Flip Boy, he finds out that being a superhero is harder than it looks - it takes hard work and training.Join Eddie and become your own superhero by being fit and healthy. There is a spread of fun keep-fit tips at the end of the book! Bobby Holland Hanton is a real-life Flip Boy and Hollywood stuntman. He has worked on blockbuster films including: Thor, The Avengers, Mission Impossible, Star Wars, Skyfall, Batman, Captain America and Pirates of the Caribbean; as well as hit TV show, Game of Thrones.Bobby trained as a gymnast from the age of four and he''s passionate about the mental and physical benefits of enjoying exercise from a young age.Inspired by his experiences with his daughter, this is his debut picture book.

Passion is what one must know to truly appreciate the collection of recipes from Jean-Claude de Toulouse''s Legendary Cuisine. Jean-Claude cooks like an angel and combines his French heritage with culinary secrets from around the world to seduce the tastebuds. The recipes in Legendary Cuisine are sectioned off by Jean-Claude''s own imaginary meeting with a Lady - a legendary figure who Jean-Claude is inspired by and cooks for. His interest in healthy lifestyles combines with his exquisite culinary skill to show that food that is good for you can also taste sensational. These recipes are dripping with pomegranates, figs, honey, fruits of the season, vegetables from the land, fresh salmon, and desserts to die for. Legendary Cuisine is truly an oral sensation.

Nature is full of wisdom. Tapping into this can be as simple as stepping into a garden - observing, listening and feeling. Nature''s Whispers encourages us to do just that. Through delightful descriptions and visuals, this book reveals how connecting to nature can be a way to peace, joy, creativity and more. The affirmations supporting this intention are powerful and uplifting. Let Nature''s Whispers be your inspirational companion.

In 2001 Peter Anderson was 37 and had the perfect life: very much in love and recently married with an infant daughter he adored; an intelligent and sensitive man working a job he loved as a popular secondary school teacher and a talented sportsman training for a marathon... The bubble was about to burst. Peter was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), a physically crippling disease that destroys nerve cells controlling muscular movement. He was told that over time his body would cease to function - yet his mind, his memory and his feelings would be untouched by the disease. His life expectancy was two years. Incredibly, eleven years on, despite Peter''s body wasting away, his mind remains as it has always been: strong and vibrant, intelligent, enquiring, touched with gentle humour. Silent Body - Vibrant Mind has been written with often unimaginable physical difficulty. An unforgettable story about what matters in life.

John Wright''s moving novel is based entirely on real events and people, countless experiences, reliable testimony and recorded history. The Whispering Surgeon explores the surgical life of Paddy McKenzie and his freakish skills, tireless dedication, courage, wisdom and innovation. The very human story of Paddy McKenzie''s own battles will keep the reader spellbound by the depth and selflessness of his involvement in devastated lives and flagging hopes of the damaged and disillusioned. John Wright calls on his great experience as a cardiothoracic surgeon to tell the wonderful, endearing story of McKenzie, the ''surgical whisperer''.

The Five Principles of Spiritual Reality is a deeply profound and original work about the fundamental questions that have nagged humankind since the beginning of time: ''Who am I?'' and ''Why am I here?'' Paul Guggenheimer invites us to look within and recognise all that we truly are; to acknowledge our link to divinity and allow our true selves to shine through. A fascinating and immensely readable book, The Five Principles of Spiritual Reality will change people''s lives.

"e;Zensational Stories"e; is an unorthodox and rebellious book that offers a commentary on over 100 traditional Zen stories. It examines the very fabric that we base our lives on and looks at life as it is - without getting into philosophical dogmas, religions or faiths. The truth is within you. "e;Zensational Stories"e; will motivate and inspire you to realise this for yourself. Read the book - so you can throw the book away and recognise what the words are pointing toward - meditation!