Sutherland Shire Libraries News

Horse racing books...

Discover and read about the world of horse racing, the trainers, jockeys and the horses...

Life of racehorse trainers: 
Moods: The Peter Moody Saga/ Helen Thomas
How many racehorse trainers are Australian household names? There's Bart, of course; the Master. And First Lady Gai. And then there's Moods Peter Moody. Respected news journalist, broadcaster and veteran racing writer Helen Thomas travelled far and wide to discover what drives Peter Moody.
Gai Waterhouse: Autobiography / Waterhouse, Gai.
Gai Waterhouse has one of the most captivating stories in Australian sport. Her early working life centred around modelling and acting, but as the daughter of legendary trainer Tommy Smith racing was in her blood, and she began working for her father at his stables.

She's gone on to become one of Australia's greatest trainers, winning over one hundred Group 1 races, and finally the pinnacle of the sport - the Melbourne Cup - in 2013, becoming the first Australian woman to do so. Along the way she's brought some much needed glamour and fun back into racing, creating a cult following among both owners and punters.

Full of energy, passion and drive for success, Gai's life has been a lesson in perseverance, hard work, determination and flair. Now for the first time she tells the full story of her remarkable life.

 Extraordinary jockeys:
Life as I know it/ Michelle Payne with John Harms
The extraordinary story of the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. Michelle Payne rode into history as the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. She and her 100-to-1 local horse Prince of Penzance took the international racing world by surprise but hers was no overnight success story. Michelle was first put on a horse aged four. At five years old her dream was to ride in the Melbourne Cup and win it. By seven she was doing track work. All of the ten Payne children learned to ride racehorses but Michelle has stayed the distance. She has ridden the miles, done the dawn training, fallen badly and each time got back on the horse. So when she declared that anyone who said women couldn't compete in the industry could 'get stuffed', the nation stood up and cheered.Michelle has the audacity to believe she can succeed against all the odds. Her story is about hope triumphing over adversity, and how resilience and character made a winner.

Pumper/ Jim Cassidy with Andrew Webster
Jim Cassidy is the ultimate 'colourful racing identity'. In a stellar 38-year career, 'The Pumper' won 104 Group 1 races, including two Melbourne Cups - the first in 1983 on Kiwi, a $1000 farm horse, where Cassidy came from dead-last to win; the second a famous redemption ride on Might and Power in 1997. Brilliance in the saddle and bald-faced cheek in the press made Cassidy the Australian racetrack's most beloved and controversial character. His horse whispering gifts, gambler's charm and maverick wit always made him a favourite with the punters, trainers and journalists...but rarely officialdom. Cassidy's fast life and uncensored opinions led to his exile after the Jockey Tapes scandal in the '90s. Broke but never broken, he fought back. And even when he was back page and front page news, Cassidy's popularity never waned. As he'd quip in victory, 'Ring-a-ding-ding, Pumper's the king!' Honest, heartfelt and often hilarious, this is Jim Cassidy's explosive autobiography - a page-turning thrill-ride through his many adventures on and off the track.

Horses and their stories:
Prince of Penzance : the extraordinary 2015 Melbourne Cup / Kristen Manning.
24 horses lined up for the running of the 155th Melbourne Cup. At 100-1 Prince Of Penzance was the equal outsider, backed mainly by those hoping for a fairy-tale. A popular female jockey aboard when no woman had ever won the race before. A country bloke who had risen through the ranks from humble beginnings as a farrier in Stawell to become one of Australia's most successful and prolific trainers. 24 enthusiastic owners who had been following their horse all around Victoria from Stawell to Donald to Flemington. A New Zealand bred horse with a bargain price tag...Up against expensively bred stayers from Japan and Europe, horses owned by Sheikhs and millionaires. 100-1 shots are usually greeted back to scale with muted applause but there was a mighty roar for Prince Of Penzance. An extraordinary Melbourne Cup winner. A book about the background to the memorable 2015 Melbourne Cup from the perspective of those behind the triumph and how they experienced the race that stopped two nations!

Mick and the cleaner/ Peter Staples
It was in Launceston in February 2011 that battling horse trainer Mick Burles and a gelding called The Cleaner began their racetrack journey that was to make its mark on the landscape of the Australian turf.The Cleaner, bought two years earlier at a yearling sale for just $10,000 went onto earn more than $1.3 million in prize money.

A celebration of horse racing
At the track : brilliant images capturing 50 years of racing/ Bruce Postle.
This book showcases 155 of Bruce Postle’s greatest images from more than 50 years covering events at racetracks in Austalia. These photographs display the colour and character of horseracing in Australia, from glory to disappointment, and tumbles to triumph, revealing the drama on and off the track. Postle's special skill is in capturing the unique bond between the horses and the people who work with them.





 From the stack: 
The Pictorial History Of Australian Horse Racing [By] Jack Pollard

 History of Horses
Horses in Australia : an illustrated history / Nicolas Brasch.
A lively, beautifully illustrated celebration of the pivotal role of the horse in Australian history and modern life, showcasing our best historical and contemporary images.The horse has been an integral part of Australian history since the First Fleet brought the first horse to our shores. From the resilient workhorses of colonial Australia and the determined stockhorses rounding up livestock, to the champion racehorses that capture the country as imagination at every Melbourne Cup, horses have contributed to many of the great human feats in our history.Here, alongside more than 100 carefully chosen images, Nicolas Brasch explores why horses have long been appreciated by Australians from all walks of life a and how they have been captured so strikingly by our photographers and artists.

Local Author Showcase - Meet the local authors! Ross and Melissa Holland

Don't miss the Sutherland Shire Libraries local author showcase, featuring six local authors sharing their very different books.

Local Author Showcase
Sutherland Library
Saturday 20 November
1.00pm-3.30pm.
 Bookings essential, book online: bit.ly/2dH2mkQ


About Ross & Melissa:
Melissa and Ross are a couple with 2 young children, a mortgage, and a strangely jealous dog. After almost 15 years together, they have experienced the ups and downs of life, love and lust. Both have a love of food, cooking, and finding joy and passion in life.
Ross’ origins are from a dairy farm south of Perth, he has travelled through many countries around the world, lived in Byron Bay for while before moving south to Sydney. Ross completed a business degree that nurtured a creative entrepreneurial spirit in business, life coaching and charity.
Melissa grew up south of Sydney and with her talent in marketing, graphic design and administration moved to Sydney to work in the legal and travel industry.
Melissa & Ross were living in Notting Hill, London having a picnic in bed when the idea for Lust at First Bite was born. 13 years later they realised their dream to write, produce, design and self publish Lust at First Bite.

Check out the Lust at First Bite YouTube clip A sneak peek about the book!

Lust at First Bite:
Lust at First Bite is a beautiful and unique book written specifically for couples that combines cooking with romance, fun, and intimacy. 12 tantalizing chapters filled with easy to prepare delicious recipes for food and drinks, each paired with a playful concept of love, lust and laughter for couples to explore together.

Lust at First Bite guides couples on a journey to discovering (or rediscovering) the passion in their relationship by encouraging trust, honesty, respect and good communication.

Few cookbooks write recipes specifically for two people, but more than this, what really sets Lust at First Bite apart from other books is the way in which it utilises food and drinks as a catalyst to bring couples closer together, with playful ideas of romance, seduction and conversation.

Complete with stunning photography Lust at First Bite is fun easy way for couples to take some time out of their busy lives to connect and nurture one another. To have fun together, to talk about sex, their desires and needs, not just in the bedroom, but in life, comfortably and openly.
Five Questions...
What is your favourite book and why?
Ross: Harry Potter series – read & shared the whole adventure with my nine year old son.
Melissa: French Lieutenant's Woman – I was drawn to John Fowle's unique writing and intriguing characters, especially the mysterious and dramatic Sarah Woodruff.

What book(s) are you currently reading?
Ross: Dames & Divas – 21 remarkable women by David Lessser
Melissa: Let’s Pretend this never happened by Jenny Lawson

What is one book you haven’t read but want to read before you die?
Ross: The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Melissa: The man who mistook his wife for a hat by Oliver Socks

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book/s?
The many diversified aspects of self publishing especially in a non fiction book with a lot of high res pictures – this also includes the post production aspects of marketing and selling.
Self publishing is not for the faint hearted but with self belief, determination, time, money and passion it is an eventful journey!

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Research every aspect of your genre, have a business plan, collect marketing material along the way and consider having a mentor to guide you along the way.

How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Website: www.lustatfirstbite.com
Facebook: Lust at first bite
Instagram: lustatfirstbite

Stories from the Stacks...October

While searching the Library catalogue you may have encountered a book listed as available at Sutherland Stack Fiction.

These are a collection of books which are housed behind the scenes at Sutherland Library - items that the Library definitely wants to keep, but for some reason (e.g. older condition, or not in as high demand) the open shelf is not the right place for them. 

Here are six books from this collection...

The quiet American / Graham Greene
The dying trade / Peter Corris
Jaws / Peter Benchley
The carpetbaggers / Harold Robbins
The outsider / Richard Wright
All the rivers run / Nancy Cato

How's your mental health?

October is Mental Health Month and this year's theme is Learn and Grow. Becoming engaged in an activity, hobby or learning a new skill can help one switch focus and grow in mental strength. Your library has various tools which can support your journey.

Next Wednesday Kim Hodges will be in the library talking about her own experience of living with severe depression and her continuing journey to wellness. Hearing others talk about their struggles with mental illness can make one feel less isolated and provide clues as to how it's possible to proceed towards relieving ones own situation. Kim will be selling her book "Girl on the edge". Book here.
Hobbies & Craft Reference Center has hundreds of ideas, patterns, videos, recipes and guides on all manner of recreational activities. Dive in and search for anything you've ever wanted to try out but had no idea where to start! Browsing through the Publications list, or the Categories can supply inspiration if you are not sure where to start.

Australasian Video Online has some excellent shows which inform about Mental Illness and how those affected perceive the world around them. Learning about illnesses such as schizophrenia helps us work better with and respond to affected individuals around us.


Computer Online Training - Learn some new computer skills with this interactive self paced training course. You control what you  learn and how much each session. Keep coming back to where you left off. Learn how to connect with people via Facebook, Twitter and Blogging, improve your sense of well being.  Find sessions on Windows 10, Introduction to Computer Technology, and Microsoft Office 2010.

Music has been shown to affect mood. Try live streaming or download your favourite 'feel good' songs from Freegal. Get three free (legal) downloads per week to add to your personal collection, and give yourself a boost whenever you need it. Or try the video clips and learn the dance moves for fun and exercise.

Finding accurate, authoritative health information on the web can be a challenge. So use Consumer Health Complete a database dedicated to medical conditions and medications. It has videos, pamphlets, a dictionary, encyclopedia entries as well as in depth articles and news.

Sutherland libraries, of course, have many books, CD's, DVD's and magazines on more topics than you could imagine. So if you want to learn and grow through self awareness or maybe learn to grow your own garden, come in and talk to a staff member or give us a call.

Local Author Showcase - Meet the local authors! Allan Kashmer.

Don't miss the Sutherland Shire Libraries local author showcase, featuring six local authors sharing their very different books.

Local Author Showcase
Sutherland Library
Saturday 19 November
1.00pm-3.30pm.
 Bookings essential, book online: bit.ly/2dH2mkQ

Local Author Showcase - Meet the local authors! Patricia Leslie.

Don't miss the Sutherland Shire Libraries local author showcase, featuring six local authors sharing their very different books.

Local Author Showcase
Sutherland Library
Saturday 20 November
1.00pm-3.30pm.
 Bookings essential, book online: bit.ly/2dH2mkQ

Miss Peregrine's Home for peculiar Children...readalikes!

 Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children movie adaptation is out now! Have you read the book (and sequels)?  What about some read-alikes?  
  

Miss Peregrine's  home for peculiar children

Hollow City,  Book 2

Library of souls, Book 3

Local History, Local stories...National Park

National Park
Today in Australia there are more than 500, but when the large tract of unspoilt bushland in the Port Hacking district was dedicated by Lord Loftus as a national park on 26 April 1879, it was the first of its kind in this country and the second in the world after Yellowstone in the United States.
The National Park (it gained its Royal title in 1954) largely owes its existence to the foresight of Sir John Robertson, a Premier of New South Wales, who comprehended the future health benefits of preserving parks and reserves as the ‘lungs’ of a city. Initially just over 7000 hectares of Crown land was proclaimed as national park but following the overwhelming endorsement of public opinion this area was soon extended to 16000 hectares.
In the early days the desire to ‘civilise’ the National Park led to ‘improvements’ including the clearing of under-scrub, the creation of English park-like ornamental gardens and the introduction of exotic flora and fauna including, in 1886, five Rusa deer whose descendants still roam the park today.
When Audley causeway (pictured) was constructed in 1883 it not only provided access to the eastern bank of the Hacking River, but created an ideal location for those wishing to enjoy a tranquil weekend of boating. Additionally, damming the river ensured that the upstream waters, now separate from the saltwater below, were suitable for the ‘acclimatisation’ of introduced freshwater fish like English perch and trout.

Concepts of conservation have indeed developed over the years, yet without the forethought and perseverance of those who created its foundations back in the 19th Century, we might not be able to enjoy the Royal National Park today.

The 1919 edition of The Official Guide to the National Park of New South Wales stated:
In a few years Sydney is expected to have a population of one million. A vast numerical increase in the number of the population is bound for the next half century at least to mark our domestic history, and amid all the multiplying changes in the passage of coming decades, the National Park will remain much in the same condition as it now stands, excepting, it may be hoped, that the barren heath, secluded dells, and sea beaches, now almost abandoned to the birds of the air, will resound on every holiday with the voices of jocund crowds of pleasure-seekers, freed from the rush and turmoil of everyday life. The primeval forests will remain untouched. No woodman’s axe is permitted to lay low the lordly forest trees, which are allowed to bring forth their springtime buds and shed their withered leaves so long as the trees stand and the roots hold fast. The national heritage is safe beyond the reach of plunder, safe from the machinations of ambitious schemers, and secured to the people of this country upon express terms fixed and made final by Act of Parliament. It is Time, and Time alone, that will prove the vast value of this magnificent dowry to the people of New South Wales.