Book Launch on Replica of First Ship to Bring Europeans to Australia

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What a historic venue to have a book launch 4.30 – 6pm June 30 on the Duyfken 1606 Replica in the Fremantle Fishing Harbour!!

Thanks to the Duyfken 1606 Replica Foundation and volunteers for their support for the launch of my book “The European Quest to Find Terra Australis Incognita: Quiros, Torres and Janszoon” on the Duyfken 1606 Replica in the Fremantle Fishing Harbour. With a crowd of 50 people and a balmy day, I enjoyed sharing about my book. Thanks also to my husband Norman who was MC, Nick Burningham, a Maritime Heritage consultant, Henny Crijns of the VOC Historical Society and John Longley of America’s Cup fame who all said a few words. It was the Dutch East India Company or VOC that sent the Duyfken to what became Australia from present day Indonesia. Thanks to 98five Sonshine FM radio and Fremantle Gazette for covering it, Susan Leggo for her help and all those who enthusiastically bought books.

The Fremantle Gazette link is Page null in July 08, 2014
The Fremantle Gazette July 8 2014 Lifestyle P24 “Dutch Arrival in Duyfken in Detail”

There is a thriving Dutch community in Fremantle and Perth and a thriving community of Yacht Clubs, boating and maritime history enthusiasts in Freo and Perth. My book was a hit as a maritime history of Australia and the books are now in the WA Maritime Museum, the Map and Chart Shop, the State Library bookshop, Millpoint Caffe Bookshop, Serenity Books and Oxford St Books.

Keep an eye out for a review of the European Quest book by Dr Howard Gray in the Australian Association of Maritime History’s journal, The Great Circle.

Norman and I had many other speaking engagements as well while we were in Perth at which people took the opportunity to pick up the European Quest book or my William Cooper book, especially as it was the start of NAIDOC with William Cooper being the father of NAIDOC.

We attended the NAIDOC Perth Opening Ceremony which ran from 12pm – 4pm at Wellington Square, East Perth. It had 3 huge tents and was attended by thousands. A large contingent of Indigenous servicemen took part with many dignitaries present including Mr Ken Wyatt, Member for Hasluck, the first Indigenous MP in the lower house. Norman was able to get a lot of signatures on his petition for a referendum to recognize Indigenous Australians in the constitution and remove racism from it.

We went to the NAIDOC evening service at St George’s Cathedral (Anglican) meeting Kelvin Crombie there. Kelvin’s latest book is “Gallipoli – the Road to Jerusalem.” They had a special service and display to honour Indigenous servicemen which was very well attended. Kelvin’s family was represented in the display.