Latest news with #InvercargillPublicLibrary
Otago Daily Times
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Books Alive programme to make return
Project manager Pauline Smith shows a book by author Dahlia Malaeulu, who is coming to the Books Alive event in Invercargill next week. PHOTO: NINA TAPU The Books Alive programme returns to the Deep South next week. Hundreds of Southland pupils will get to meet some of New Zealand's best children's authors at two events in Invercargill. Claire Mabey, Dahlia Malaeulu, Juliette MacIver and Li Chen will discuss their books and connect with their readers during a public visit at the Invercargill Public Library and a school session at the Centre Stage Theatre. The authors are finalists for the New Zealand Book Awards For Children and Young Adults (NZCYA). Invercargill author and award-winning writer Pauline Smith said the programme allowed the students to get into the heads of the writers. "For any children who love reading and love writing, to get up close with an actual published author is a really good opportunity," Ms Smith said. "They can hear [about] how they went through the process, what it took, and see themselves as future authors and illustrators." She said the stories that came from the diverse ethnicities within the group of authors would leave an impression on young Southland readers. "We've got a range of backgrounds and ethnicities including a Pasifika author [and] a person of Chinese descent, so that's nice for all kids, but [especially] for kids of those ethnicities to see themselves in the future in those positions [as authors]." A free adult-focused session will be held at the Invercargill Public Library next Tuesday, followed by the school session taking place at the Centre Stage Theatre on July 30.
Otago Daily Times
08-05-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Book recounts cancer journey
Less than 24 hours after a visit to her GP, Invercargill woman Diane Townson found herself in Dunedin Hospital being scheduled for urgent chemotherapy. On June 15, 2023, the 62-year-old mother and grandmother was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) at Southland Hospital. After the shock diagnosis and trip to Dunedin for crucial treatment, Mrs Townson had the presence of mind to keep a diary of the journey she would weather for the next two years. "It was when I tried to find something to read about what was going on, what to expect — I could find nothing." She believed the lack of available information was due to fast-evolving haematology information and practices, which could quickly become outdated. So she used her experiences to write a book that would help others. "I wasn't going to write a book for a start, but I did start the diary. "I'm not the sort of person that writes a book. I think it was therapeutic when I got home. "There were lots of tears at times, and there was lots of laughter. My sons have all written their version of events at times when I was too high on morphine to know what the hell I was doing." The limited-edition book was officially launched last Friday. It was not just patients who walked the cancer journey, she said. "You'll read why I've shared my story — [it's] not just support for me, support for all my family — it's s... for them too, going through this." Her hairdressing business was closed, while her husband, Peter, took 12 months' unpaid leave from his job. "It's been a very emotional time ... There's been a lot of changes." She was pleased the Invercargill Public Library now had two copies of her My Shitty Gap Year available for the public. Dunedin Hospital haematologist Dr Jared Williams' foreword said Mrs Townson took the initial diagnosis well and was only ever focused on fighting the disease. He wrote: "The first round of chemotherapy was tough on Diane physically and mentally. "She developed a life-threatening pneumonia and sepsis requiring a period in the intensive care unit where there was no guarantee she would make it through ... but she did and was all but only interested in pushing on. Diane's determination and grit was inspiration and she was tremendously supported by her husband Peter." Mrs Townson said all the proceeds of her book sales would be donated to the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust and Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand. The publishing cost of the 200 copies was paid for by crowdfunding. Copies can be bought by emailing dianetownson23@
