"Always Jack" launch at the Hughenden!

I was thrilled to have been invited to the book launch of "Always Jack" tonight - for the third book in what is now a trilogy of wonderful, hilarious, bittersweet, relevant children's novels written by Susanne Gervay. While the first book, "I am Jack" dealt with the issue of school bullying (and has also become a play), "Super Jack" concentrated on the issue of blended families and this new one has a strong focus on family reactions to a mother being diagnosed with breast cancer.

The launch was at the atmospheric Hughenden Boutique Hotel in Woollahra. While my feet haven't really forgiven me for my brisk/strenuous walk there (and back!) from Central Station, I always enjoy that journey, if only for the window shopping along Oxford Street (Darlinghurst, then Paddington, then Woollahra) to get there.



Susanne and the book's illustrator, Cathy Wilcox, were busily signing copies near the front entrance when I arrived and I made sure to get a personal copy and one for the school. Special thanks to Cathy for adding a bonus "Jack" sketch to her signature.


Left: Lisa Berryman, publisher, looks on while Lisa Forrest launches "Always Jack".
Right: Susanne Gervay is photographed by her husband (the model for "Rob" in the books).

Thanks to Susanne and all her helpers for a fun night! On the way back to the station, I managed to miss my fast train home, by mere seconds, because I paused at a Paddington cake shop to photograph these:


Two designer cakes to keep you laughing?

Daisy Sunshine - in the sunshine

On yet another of Sydney's string of very warm days, I was off on the train into the city this afternoon, alighting at Central for a brisk, if very sweaty, walk along ever-colourful, if now slighty worn-down, Oxford Street, through Darlinghurst, Paddington and then Woollahra, to the beautiful and stately Hughenden Boutique Hotel!

I had been invited by author Susanne Gervay to attend the launch of two "Making Tracks" books for children: Felicity Pulman's "Turning the Page" and Susanne's own "Daisy Sunshine". These are the final two titles in a series published by the National Museum of Australia, with each fiction book highlighting an artifact from the Museum's amazing collection of significant, historic Australiana.

Because Susanne's book is set squarely in 1975, and focused around some feminist memorabilia of that decade, there was a pervasive presence of cork platform shoes, long dresses, hippy headscarves, and a rousing chorus of "I Am Woman".

It was fun hobnobbing with the members and friends of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators of Australia, and renewing many old acquaintances. A great way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.

The Hughenden is owned by Susanne and her sister, and is just around the corner from another very famous building, which also has a strong link to Australia in the 1970s. I had some time to kill before the book launch was due to commence, so I took a nostalgic stroll down...



... to see...


Moncur Flats, 83 Moncur St, Woollahra...

...otherwise known as...


Number 96, Lindsay Street, Paddington!

On the way back to the station, I was on the look out for the ATC of the TH...



Sunday's magic number: 96.4. Walking in the heat of the day. Did it help?