Cirrus@Austlit

'Archibald Mosman’s name was given to Sydney’s Mosman Bay and the suburb of Mosman on Sydney’s Lower North Shore.

'He was father of the Hon. Hugh Mosman of Charters Towers Goldfield fame, of Lady Cecilia Jesse Palmer, wife of Sir Arthur Hunter Palmer, and of Lady Harriett Ann McIlwraith, wife of Sir Thomas McIlwraith; all prominent figures in Queensland politics and society.

'Yet little has been known about him, until now.

'Born the eldest twin son of a Scottish laird in 1799 in the Midlothian Lowlands of Lanarkshire in the Parish of Lesmahagow on the vast farmland estate of Auchtyfardle, Archibald Mosman went on to be both an enigmatic and often controversial figure in nineteenth century Australian colonial society.

'Archibald Mosman: The Field of the Faithful Man chronicles his life as wealthy merchantman, whaler, grazier, vast landholder in both New South Wales and New Zealand, and early merchantman days in Edinburgh and Liverpool. This candid and sometimes confronting portrayal, explores his association with slavery as a young sojourner on plantations in the British West Indies and involvement as an “exclusive” and alleged member of the Black Association, then conversely his role as husband, lover and father. It examines the forces that drove him during his contentious time as magistrate in Armidale through to his final days in virtual obscurity in Randwick at Byron Lodge.' (Publication summary) 

'Embark on a captivating journey with “Cruising Memories,” where author Bob Kenchington shares vivid tales of exploration and adventure. From the bustling streets of Sydney to the tranquil waters of the open sea, this collection of travel snippets offers a glimpse into the author’s unforgettable experiences.

'Join the author as he navigates through vibrant fish markets, luxurious hotels, and shared dinner tables aboard a cruise ship. Delve into the excitement of meeting new friends, experiencing different cultures, and embracing the beauty of exotic destinations.

'With descriptive storytelling and a hint of nostalgia, “Cruising Memories” paints a colorful picture of travel escapades, heartfelt conversations, and shared moments of joy. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or an armchair adventurer, this book is sure to ignite the wanderlust within you and inspire a sense of wanderlust for your next great journey. Explore the world through the eyes of Bob Kenchington and discover the magic of cruising in its purest form.'  (Publication summary)

'Did you know that the youngest convict child banished to Australia was a boy nine years old? This book goes some way in telling a story from the perspective of the children on these convict slave ships that were needed to establish the colony of Australia.' (Publication summary) 

'On Goonya-Wardu Country, Carnarvon, Western Australia, Walgathu the wedge-tailed eagle chick falls from his nest and then is scared to fly. The Nyingari zebra finch family take care of him. Walgathu goes in search of his  eagle family — in the sandhills, the water and the claypans.

'An ancient law is broken, and the Great Water Snake spirit causes a flood. Can Walgathu save his finch family?

'Through Brave Young Eagle, Book 4 in the Spirit of the Dreaming series, Yamatji-Noongar storyteller, artist and Stolen Generations survivor Aunty Rhonda Collard-Spratt shares the ancient language and culture of the  Yamatji people, and continues her healing journey. A story of love and belonging, Brave Young Eagle teaches us to believe in ourselves and follow our hearts.'  (Publication summary)

'J.J takes his best bear friend Teddy to martial arts. Teddy is nervous and excited, as he has never been before. Come on an adventure with J.J and Teddy and see how they become the Black Belt Kids.' (Publication summary)

'Edward John Eyre was one of the most intrepid explorers to tackle the unforgiving Australian outback - and one of the youngest. Lake Eyre, the Eyre Highway between Adelaide and Perth, and many other landmarks are named after him, yet so little is known of his time here. Author Ivan Rudolph shows how this idealistic young Englishman - still in his teens when he arrived in New South Wales in 1833 - transformed himself into a rugged frontiersman, one of the first to overland cattle to Melbourne and Adelaide. But it's Eyre's attempt on the Nullarbor that was the peak of his Australian career. Determined to find an overland route to Perth, he left Adelaide with a small party on 18 June 1840. Ivan Rudolph relates their journey step by step - and it makes for gripping reading. Beset by the harsh terrain, scarcity of water, the danger from hostile Indigenous people and dissent - and worse - among Eyre's companions, could Eyre achieve his ambition and find a way across the Nullarbor? A fascinating portrait of a forgotten hero of Australian history.' (Publisher's blurb)

'This collection of short stories about the Outback is the result of the eighth writing competition for the Outback Writers’ Festival held in Winton on 20–22 June 2023.

'The winner was announced at the Festival.  The best stories are in this book.' (Publication summary)

'A woman lies dead after tumbling down the stairs of a Cairns townhouse. Did she fall or was she pushed? A young man is stabbed to death in a fight in his brother’s kitchen. The remains of a baby are unearthed from behind an abandoned house. It’s all in a day’s work for Detective Cass Diamond. And what seem at first separate incidents may have a thread linking them. As Cass and her team, now including Detective Jo Murphy from the Cairns Drug Squad, delve into the background of the cases, they find unexpected threats, some of which lurk deep in the tropical rainforest surrounding the town, and some that take human form.' (Publication summary)

'Dylan Alcott is a national treasure. An Olympic gold medalist in both wheelchair basketball and tennis. With a never give up attitude, Dylan is considered to be one of the worlds greatest athletes. The 2022 Australian of the year, Dylan is a true Aussie Big Achiever who's story will inspire any child to achieve their very own dreams.' (Publication summary)

'It seems that disaster follows Triz at every turn. And now the sun has disappeared! Feeling responsible, he tries everything he can think of to restore the sun to its rightful place no matter how ridiculous his ideas might be. Will his attempts work? And can he bring it back for before it is too late? Join Triz on his next adventure.' (Publication summary)

'It’s a marvellous collection of inspiring stories from some of Australia’s most soul-stirring women; an eye-opening window into astonishing lives built on strength of character and an independent spirit.

'From medical professionals who achieved astonishing success with ground-breaking methods, to a celebrated nurse who survived the horrors of a World War II prison camp, Elizabeth Fysh takes the fortunate reader on a fascinating journey.

'The subjects are exceptional people and include the woman who created Australia’s first luxury hotel, the pioneer anthropologist who recorded the lives of the Wik people in Cape York, and the journalist who was at the centre of intrigue between the two World Wars. There’s the mystery of the celebrated decorator whose brutal murder was never solved, the travails of the hardy Outback stockwoman immortalised in a Slim Dusty hit, and so many more eye-opening accounts of remarkable women with unbreakable mettle.' (Publication summary)

'He volunteered for a UN peacekeeping mission, as simple and as dull as assisting in overseeing an election in a politically unstable African nation clawing its way towards democracy. But Greg Lassiter found himself in a world of political skulduggery, violence, death, revolution and the darkest side of humanity.' (Publication summary)

'This is a story of extraordinary resilience. It is about one person’s irresistible dedication to rural and remote communities, and to supporting local’, right across Australia.

'Selina Win Pe has a heart of gold that carries so much love for so many others. Her commitment to bush people is endless and entirely selfless. From the very beginning, she has invested her personal savings and proceeds from the sale of her property to 100% support her journey and all she connects with, on her own. Yet her journey was born from significant personal trauma. This is a remarkable story about one person’s determination to bring people together – city to country, country to city.

'The story honours our farmers, and the communities on which we all rely for our day-to-day living and survival. She credits them, and her support systems, for saving her life.

'Selina Win Pe’s story is an inspiration to us all. It epitomises what it means to be an Australian.' (Publication summary)

'When Fen was born, her father gave her a special gift, knowing it would help her through any difficult times. However, just when she is about to face her biggest challenge, Fen loses her gift, and can’t find it anywhere.'(Publication summary)

'On the spiritual place of Wadjemup, Rottnest Island, tourists are injuring the animals and making them sick.

'It’s time to make a stand.

'In this Aboriginal Dreaming story, farting quokkas, dive-bombing seabirds and protesting snakes teach us how to look after our sacred land and its animals.

'Through Old Nana Quokka, Book 3 in the Spirit of the Dreaming series,Yamatji-Noongar Elder Aunty Rhonda Collard-Spratt shares the healing wisdom of her ancestors, and the importance of caring for Country.' (Publication summary)

'Wayne Long is a proud Murri man, born in St George on the Balonne River, but he is also a child of the Middle Kingdom – his grandfather, Old Billy Long, being part of the Chinese diaspora.

'Wayne’s story is interwoven with the historical, political and social events that have impacted on inter-racial relations in Australia for more than two hundred years, from Cooks landing to Mabo, from the Frontier Wars to the 1987 Goondiwindi riots, from the White Australia Policy to Paul Keatings Redfern speech.' (Publication summary)

'This collection of short stories about the Outback is the result of the sixth writing competition for the Outback Writers’ Festival held in Winton on 21–23 June 2022.

'The winner was announced at the Festival.  The best stories are in this book.' (Publication summary)

'Shane Warne was an Australian international cricketer, whose career ran from 1991 to 2007. Warne played as a right-arm leg spin bowler and a right-handed batsman for Victoria, Hampshire and Australia. He is widely acknowledged to have been one of the sport's greatest-ever bowlers; he made 145 Test appearances, taking 708 wickets.' (Publication summary)

'Shane Warne is widely acknowledged to have been one of the sport's greatest-ever bowlers; he made 145 Test appearances, taking 708 wickets, and set the record for the most wickets taken by any bowler in Test cricket, a record he held until 2007. The Aussie Big Achievers series of books are a fun and educational way for children to learn about some of Australia's most interesting and inspiring people who have helped shape our nation. Each book encourages children to always believe in themselves and never give up on their dreams.'(Publication summary)