Husband and wife Don and Ruth Pollock will share their writing passion with the local community during an author talk at Bundaberg Library.
Publishing her first book of fiction, Clouds and Sunshine, Ruth said it was a tale which followed a family history through a narrative style, and she was looking forward to sharing it with the local community.
While Don will give a presentation on his novel Suggy’s Men which describes operations conducted by the first RAAF squadron in Vietnam in 1964.
Becoming published authors happened by chance for Don and Ruth after Covid-19 changed the direction of their life.
“We had a thriving business in the Victorian Alps for 27 years, providing educational tourism opportunities to international students, then Covid came,” Don said.
“With the borders shut for two years we had to close the business and reluctantly retire to be closer to our family of four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
“We have always been active so writing became a can-do project in retirement.”
The couple said they were looking forward to visiting the Bundaberg Region especially because of its links to aviation pioneer Bert Hinkler.
“We are looking forward to visiting Bundaberg as a significant coastal town in Queensland, which was significant in aviation as the hometown of Hinkler, a pioneer record breaking pilot,” Don said.
“During the war it was a pilot training base for the RAAF and was probably the most northern training base to hostilities.”
Don said the community could expect to hear Ruth’s firsthand experience of becoming a writer and he would share his views on medical issues close to home.
“Ruth will address her unlikely progress towards writing and how it is important for everyone to be involved in family history,” Don said.
“I will address the importance of stroke recognition as Ruth had a stroke the morning after submitting her first manuscript for publication.
“My talk will feature Australia’s unplanned involvement in Vietnam and the relevance to our situation today.”
Don and Ruth Pollock’s author talk will be held at Bundaberg Library 10 am on Wednesday 12 July.
Bookings are essential by contacting the library on 4130 4140.
Other news:
