Blackboy Hill is Calling is NOW LAUNCHED

It is now just over a month since the 2015 Centenary of Anzac Day, and also since the launch of the KSP Writers' Centre's commemorative book project, Blackboy Hill is Calling. I am pleased to report that in this time we have sold and donated almost 700 copies of our 1,000 copy print run, including a complimentary copy to the Australian War Memorial, the Shire of Mundaring and every state library in Australia.

A partial team shot at the Battye Library launch, Monday 27 April 2015, including (from left to right):
Valerie Everett, Mardi May, Shannon Kayne, Joanne Godfry, Mimma Tornatora, Anne Watkins, and Betty Pyke.

We were thrilled to have a large turn out at both the library and the KSP Centre book launches. Big thanks to Denis Connelly, Vice-President WA State RSL, and Hon. Donna Faragher, representative of the WA Premier's department, who officially launched the book at each respective event. Also to Paul Bridges (historian and contributor) and Susanna Iuliano (Battye Library historian) who appeared on the presentation panel.

Both 'launchers' praised the book for its comprehensive information, and emphasised its importance in preserving never-before told stories of the life of this significant Western Australian World War I military training camp, Blackboy Hill. Denis stated that 'every student in WA should read this.'

It was an additional surprise to have special guests from the Great War Living History Association appear onstage with Denis Connelly, Paul Bridges, Valerie Everett and Susanna Iuliano during the library launch presentation

KSP Chairperson Tabetha Beggs at the KSP Centre book launch, Sunday 3 May 2015

Hon. Donna Faragher at the KSP Centre book launch

Since the launch, we have received overwhelming support and praise from the public - we thank everybody who has shared stories with us or purchased a book. It has been our pleasure to finally put this history out into the world - and an absolute thrill to see so many people interested.