The Northern Rivers Times
November 16, 2023
14 NEWS
Book launch – The Long Way Home
A mysterious stranger and an amazing ‘tail’ Author: Alistair Pirie Illustrations: Aaron Wolf Price: $16.95 Publisher: Shawling Publishing Group By Samantha Elley When five children come across a mysterious stranger by the name of Peter Billycan, their day takes a turn for the adventurous. He directs them to a tunnel, that they enter and follow, to discover an amazing underground river system. In the depths of the tunnel they find a ferry boat and meet its captain, a salty old sea dog who takes them on a wild ride. They meet two crocodiles who turn out to be friendly and take the children to an Aboriginal camp where they meet a young boy who shows them how his people live.
This beautifully illustrated children’s book takes the reader on a ride, along with the five children, to learn and understand the environment around them. As they experience their adventures and their compassion grows for the world they have visited, they will never forget the importance of what they have learnt. A fun and adventurous way to help children understand the importance of taking care of and appreciate their environment. Alistair Pirie is a Melbourne-based writer and sculptor who takes his inspiration from his childhood. He aims to encourage the next generation to care for the land as the Aboriginal people did. Aaron Wolf is a Canadian illustrator whose passion is to create worlds and the characters that inhabit them. You can order your copy of Billycan’s tail of two crocodiles at www. shawlinepublishing. com.au
Sixty local writers are about to get into print, with presses running overtime ahead of the launch of the Clarence Valley’s new fiction collection. Stories from the Clarence Valley 2023 – Grow will be here soon, according to the Long Way Home’s Claire Aman. ‘We’re launching the book on Monday 4 December in the courtyard at Grafton Regional Gallery from 6pm-7.30pm. Everyone is welcome to come along and celebrate our talented writers.’ The book features entries from this year’s Long Way Home writing competition. ‘This year the competition theme was ‘Grow’ and everyone grew stories,’ said Claire. ‘We loved all the interpretations – a seed sprouting in the earth, regrowth after bushfire, the rich experience of personal growth. There’s an undercurrent of slender hope, dogged spirit. It’s a book for
Claire Aman with primary schools winner Zali Nichols
these times. ‘We love it that primary school students, high school students and adults are all part of this eagerly awaited book, each holding their own.’ This is the sixth year of the Long Way Home, a local nonprofit collective which encourages people to find their voice through creative writing. ‘We’re grateful for the generous support of South Grafton Community Bank and the Yugilbar Foundation,’ said Claire. ‘We’re also grateful to Grafton Library and Grafton Book Warehouse. We take our hats off to the hard-working
judges – Jess Wood, Roweena Shakespeare, Jacqui Hinshaw, Julie Henry, Meg Rowe and Janelle Brown – who read hundreds of stories between them. We’re grateful to Grafton Regional Gallery for hosting the launch in their lovely courtyard.’ ‘We’re proud to have a book written, edited, designed and printed in the Clarence Valley. Printing at Grafton’s Yoohoo McPhee printery means we can feel the texture of the paper and drop in to see the book as it’s being made. This is a great advantage.’ Books will be for sale at the launch. Copes will also be available
at Grafton Book Warehouse, The Nook in Yamba, Coldstream Gallery in Ulmarra, and Grafton Regional Gallery. ‘It’s the ultimate Christmas present if you’re looking for a unique, locally sourced gift,’ said Claire. ‘Exquisitely designed by Yohanna Dent, it’s a book that celebrates our connections with each other across our beloved Clarence Valley landscapes.’ Find out more about the Long Way Home on www. thelongwayhomestories. com or on Facebook.
POLICE MINISTER REFUSES TO BACK RURAL CRIME INQUIRY Amidst a surge in criminal activities gripping rural and regional areas of NSW, the Minister for Police has rejected the necessity of a parliamentary inquiry to address this rising crime menace. In today’s budget estimate questioning, Police Minister Yasmin Catley faced inquiries about her stance on supporting the 84 councils and numerous local communities pleading for assistance. In response, the Minister refrained from expressing her support for an inquiry. Shadow Minister for Police, Paul Toole, expressed his astonishment at the Minister’s response. “An inquiry would provide the insights we urgently require to
Police Minister Yasmin Catley
comprehend the root causes of these issues and determine the necessary resources for our diligent police force to combat this wave of crime,” Mr. Toole asserted. “This Minister seems to be neglecting the prevailing problems, particularly if they don’t pertain to metropolitan areas. She was even unaware of a police
station’s two-week closure until she read it in the Daily Telegraph! “We cannot allow this situation to persist, where residents are fearful of stepping outside their homes. No one should have to live in such apprehension. “We must ensure that an ample police presence is established, with the necessary resources to proactively address and
deter criminal activities, rendering rural areas inhospitable to potential wrongdoers,” he emphasized. “We require a bipartisan-supported inquiry to address the growing problem of regional and rural crime; it’s a straightforward necessity.” Supported by the NSW Country Mayors Association, the NSW Police Association, and NSW Farmers, recent findings reveal that crime, law, and order have ascended to the top five emerging concerns in New South Wales. Their research illustrates that up to 90% of crimes, including vehicle theft, break-ins, sexual assault, and domestic violence, are occurring within our regional communities.
