My friend Noela Lowien who lives at Kilcoy in the Brisbane River Valley (not far from Linville) is a talented artist who paints splendid portraits. I retained her services to create the front cover of my book CATCHING THE LINVILLE TRAIN.

It now hangs in my home office so I decided to use it as I convey to you my season’s greetings as Noela has done a great job of making me look human.

May I also recommend to you for holiday reading 5 books I really enjoyed this year?

FLINDERS. Superb tale of life of Matthew Flinders by my good friend Grantlee Kieza. Flinders was first person to sail around our continent and name it AUSTRALIA.

KILLING THATCHER. Wonderfully researched book by Rory Carroll on the attempt by the Irish Republican Army to assassinate Margaret Thatcher at the Brighton Hotel when she was in her prime as British Prime Minister.

THE LIGHT WE CARRY. Hugely readable book by Michelle Obama on how we can connect meaningfully with others and build engaged communities.

DREAMERS AND SCHEMERS. Gripping political history of Australia by Frank Bongiorno. Hard to put down.

DID I EVER TELL YOU? Sam Neill’s story of his eminent career in films and his battle with cancer.

Enjoy Christmas and 2024.

May HOPE, LOVE and GENEROSITY reign supreme in your life.

EVERALD

Everald’s Mission