Archive for October, 2009

Cricket Poetry Award 2009

Cricket season is almost upon us! It’s a sport I love and this season I will sorely miss seeing the boys play on our home paddock at Runnymede.

Thanks to the drought, a re-sown surface failed to emerge, so the boys with bat it out at Buckland this season instead of the pretty hawthorn-lined paddock at Runnymede — at least until we get some grass.

While I was on on book tour I found out my cricket poem (penned one night when John was at football training) had been selected and I was a finalist for the inaugural Cricket Poetry Award 2009.

My poem was performed at  a live reading in Sydney recently. 

The judges mentioned that they selected poems that “… spoke about how cricket was interwoven with life in an unforced and natural manner …”

I hope you enjoy my poem — sparked by my memories of my cricketing youth!

Fantasy for White
By Rachael Treasure

Zinc cream haze on freckles.
That’s me on The Hill. 
Terry-towelling hat.
Wheat-blonde hair. 
Breasts just buds. 
70’s summer of love-awakened with spilled-beer perfume.
Wobbly-booted yobbos, fizzing ring-pull cans. 
The crisp ‘tock’ of ball on bat in the chasm of my chest. 
Solar Plexus bliss.

Us kids entertain the boozers, stacking tinnies pyramid-high. 
Blokes clatter our Cascade kingdom.
Hoo-haaing in their Alvin Purple world. 
Dad draped over his esky as if it were mum. Tranny to his ear.

My life grew green and white with blu-tacked men on bedroom walls. 
Knights wield willow swords. 
Sports-Gods, sunscreen-smeared.
Homework forgotten.

Now, The Hill is my heat-mirage of summer-youth. 
Those Ashes men could be my son. 
But can I soak your whites? 
Just to breathe the musk of liniment and mown grass. 
Forever a girl, and fantasy for white.

Uplifting night for all!

With my short-arse Tasmanian genetics I needed an apple crate to talk to the crowd at my book launch!

We had a crew of Levendale Primary Students on hand (including my Rosie) who rattled tins and raised $158 for our little country school. Thanks to all who donated!

The night was made even more special as we had a bus load of locals come down from our Valley to share in the fun.

Of course, the rare chance to use a lift resulted in many of the Levendale-ites getting stuck in one for an hour! My editor and publisher, Belinda and Ali, from Melbourne shared the experience!

They did have beer inside the lift and we were able to slide slices of pizza through a crack in the door, so most of them had a good time anyway!

Kathy Mace found it particularly up-lifting and Paul did enjoy being enclosed with nine women!

Night of nights!

Check out the Girl Power! Meet Katie Crane, Me, Ali Watts and Belinda Byrne.

I had an amazing book launch in Hobart last Thursday. Thank you to all of you who came along to share in the celebrations of the launch of my new book, The Cattleman’s Daughter, which has sailed to the Number Five bestseller spot according to last weekend’s Sydney Morning Herald!

I was overwhelmed by the words of praise that came during the speeches for my books and the impact they’ve had on people’s lives.

Rural Youth Vice-president, Katie Crane’s speech gave me goosebumps and my publisher, Ali Watts of Penguin Books brought a tear to my eye. It was also so special to have my editor, and friend, Belinda Byrne fly in with Ali from Melbourne. Thanks girls!

Live and Learn

Last weeks’ book launch in Hobart was a great chance to thank all the people who have helped me on my journey!

Here’s a great mate, Katherine Bright who I met several years ago when I needed Bowen Therapy for my very sore back that had endured hours at the computer, farm work and pregnancy!

She’s sorted many a shearer’s aches and pains. Since then, Katherine has become a remarkable teacher for me.

She helped me develop the character of Evie in The Cattleman’s Daughter and has been a fantastic support to me and my children.

She’s also a busy mum who works from home with her business Lightworkers International. 

Living legend

We met some top people at Deni, and one of the best was Ninga.

She had made a heap of singlets for her mates with the funniest slogans on the back. I nearly split my sides laughing when she showed me what she had on her bluey!

If I’d had more time to hang out with her and her hubby, I reckon we’d be dangerous combined! Thanks Ninga for being a living legend.

I write my books for girls like you! Sincere, clever, down to earth and with a wicked sense of humour. A pleasure to meet you!

World record made!

John and I helped make history for marvellous wide brown land that is Australia at the recent Deni Ute Muster.

We took part in the very meaningful Guinness Book of Records challenge of amassing the most number of blue shearer’s singlets in one spot.

This shot was taken before the arena filled inside and out and the scene was something out of a Gladiator movie!

I don’t know the final tally but I do know we broke the record and there were singlets there in the thousands.

Most were on the people, but some women chose to have major ‘wardrobe malfunctions’ just so the crowd could go wild! The event was pure Aussie gold!

Launch time

Help Rachael celebrate the launch of her new book, The Cattleman’s Daughter!

You are all invited to Mawson Pavillion, at the Hobart docks (opposite the museum) on Thursday October 15 at 5.30pm.

Gold coin entry will go towards the Levendale Primary School. Rachael’s book launchers include Rural Youth vice-president Katie Crane and Ali Watts of Penguin books. Rach can also sign your book!

A Deniliquin Ute Muster Gallery of top chicks!

Divine Deniliquin!

I was a busy girl during my time at the Deni Ute Muster. It was so fantastic to meet so many of my readers from all over Australia who share my rural world that I love.

John and I, kid-free for the weekend, caught up with old friends and made new friends. (One especially entertaining fella named Hans certainly made an impression on everyone he met – you’ll see him on my blog very soon and he and his story are sure to feature in a novel one day!)

My Penguin team

Meet my legendary Penguin publicist, Felicity and Penguin camera-god, Andre! We shared a great day at Deni Ute Muster.

After work, we ended in the Bundy Bar, of course! Look out on the Penguin website soon for a clip of my Deni trip!