Talented SA poet, Jude Aquilina, has just won the 2016 Adrien Abbott Prize with her poem Adrift on Lethe which we're sharing with you here today. The Adrien Abbott Proze was launched in 2012, in memory of Adrien – a gifted writer and inspirational teacher of English, who died before her time in May 2012. The theme for 2016 was 'Memory', with a prize of $500. Adrift on Lethe I have forgotten what it is…
Continue readingVictoria Cosford's Amore and Amaretti is a food-lover's delight: a romance, an escape and a tribute to Italian cooking all in one. Here, she describes old widower Annunzio, with whom she had to share a flat at Portoferraio while they were both working at the same restaurant. At first she is daunted by the old man, but soon she finds comfort in his gentleness and eccentricity, not to mention his baked stuff sardines … Annunzio soaks…
Continue readingOne of our major releases for this year is the latest SALA monograph, Catherine Truman. With a lush, evocative text from Melinda Rackham, this book delves into the fascinating world of Truman's art. One of her earliest series, the Fish Carvings, has echoes throughout her career. Truman's first solo exhibition, Fish Carvings (1987), held at the Contemporary Jewellery Gallery in Sydney, intuitively articulates a feminist discourse of difference in conceptions of ageing and beauty. Carved in two woods –…
Continue readingLiz Harfull's Almost an Island is full of fascinating information about Robe on the Limestone Coast. One of the great traditions of the area is the blessing of the fleet, which happens every spring. Liz explains: Blessing the Fleet Every spring, at the start of the rock lobster fishing season, people gather at the Robe marina for an important ceremony. The Blessing of the Fleet brings peace of mind to the fishers and their families who are involved in…
Continue readingGentlemen … raise your forks Dean Lahn's Beat Heat Eat is one of the most hilarious and practical books we've ever published at Wakefield Press. Designed as more manual than recipe book, Lahn has a simple blokey way of describing how to make some delicious food. But let's be clear: this is not the way your Nanna would cook. Take, for example, the genius simplicity of Lahn's Griller Thriller. Is he serious? Is it dangerous? There's…
Continue readingFriedrich Gerstäcker, the German explorer who travelled up the Murray in a makeshift canoe in the 1850s, is a fascinating character. Celebrated as a travel writer in his home country in the 1800s, he fell out of favour and his work is little known in Australia. Historian Peter Monteath has released a translation that is of significant historical importance – but is also a wonderful read to boot. You can find out more and purchase…
Continue readingThe wild weather last week was nothing more for many of us than an excuse to play cards by candlelight for a few hours. For some people, especially on the Eyre Peninsula, the storms were much more destructive. After seeing pictures of the battered Port Germein jetty on the news, we've been thinking about Jill Roe's memories of the area from Our Fathers Cleared the Bush … Jetties have played an important role in the history…
Continue readingSpring is announced by the new season’s asparagus bursting from the ground, freshly pickled olives and the traditional symbol of new life – eggs! Which also means: olive and asparagus frittata! Celebrate with this easy, flexible recipe from Russell Jeavons's Your Brick Oven. Great for an appetiser. Olive and Asparagus Frittata (makes enough for eight as an appetiser) 1 large onion olive oil 1 bunch of asparagus 1 cup new season’s black olives 10 eggs salt and pepper…
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