Book Launch Author Julia Dunstan - Seraphim Host & The Last Regatta

About the Book....

A story of human endeavour, a story of liberation, a story set in Wallis Lake on Regatta Island a hundred years ago. Young Seraphim is the gifted sail stitcher who sews for the skiffs of the famous New Year Regattas. He’s held by the mean-spirited Crispin who keeps him toiling in sufferance, keeps him sewing night and day for the eager sailors who come from far and wide to race for The Cape Hawke Cup, the trophy of the greatest aquatic carnival of all. But by chance, by storm, by sails, Seraphim flies away to freedom.

Local History....

The historic regattas of Regatta Island, Wallis Lake, Forster/Tuncurry were widely celebrated sailing events contested across fifty two consecutive years from 1887 to 1939. Sailing competitors in the eighteen-footer class converged on Wallis Lake waters to race in what was a major aquatic event attracting sailors from southern Sydney, Stockton and Nelson Bay. They raced for the Cape Hawke Cup along with local sailors from this area. In 1939 it was interrupted by War and was never rescheduled, never re-contested. Tuncurry Museum has The Cup on display along with an array of historical memorabilia, photographic and documentary records of this grand sailing history.

About the Author.....

Julia Dunstan lives in Forster after many years working as an English teacher in Armidale high schools and boarding schools. She knows well the climatic and cultural shift from the high ground to the coast and uses both settings in this story to explore the theme of forgiveness. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Humanities) from La Trobe University and a Graduate Diploma of Education (English/ESL) from The University of New England. She teaches Yoga within her community, writes, sews, swims, travels and is a devoted grandmother. This is her second book for young readers and their families.

The historic regattas of Regatta Island presented as an ideal context for Julia’s story of human endeavour. Historical detail has been embedded in the narrative and old days have been re-enlivened but the primary characters (one the oppressed, the other the oppressor) are archetypal and fictitious and could be anywhere. It’s an illustrated narrative of historical fiction. It is really a story of forgiveness, a parable for contemplation, written for children and teenagers and their families.

About the Illustrator......

Bernice Daher trained as an artist at the Julian Ashton Art School In Sydney before working with various artists independently over the following twenty years. Her work has a traditional base but stretches to more expressive areas as well. Nature features prominently within her work whether it is in the power of a seascape, the beauty of flora and wildlife studies or the emotion, humanity and wonder of portraits and figurative works. Bernice works in all media from oils to water colours and pastels. Her passion lies with the art of drawing and this usually forms the basis of her work. Bernice is based on the Mid North Coast and exhibits throughout the region, gaining award recognition from the Great Lakes to Port Macquarie.

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