After two years of Covid cancellations, the Willy Lit Fest (Williamstown Literary Festival) finally went ahead.

The programming committee were very generous and accepted my pitch to host a launch for a A Shorebird Flying Adventure. Not only that - Sarah and i performed our storytelling show Tales from the Flyway AND the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre had a display space in the ballroom in the Town Hall. So migratory shorebirds received a lot of attention over the festival weekend!

My co-creator of the book, Milly Formby, was in West Australia where she has started on her flying adventure around the country and her school visits. So of course she couldn’t join us for the launch, but she was with us in spirit. You can check out her progress and explore her activities on her website Wing Threads.

It’s fair to say, I was popping out of my skin with excitement at the thought of finally launching this book. I was over the moon to have the support of Dr Marilyn Olliff, Chair of the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre, Dr Laura Brearley, environmental activist, songwriter, co-ordinator of several community festivals and Suzette Rodoreda, one of two Hobsons Bay conservation rangers and passionate about environmental, social and economic justice. Suzette kindly hosted proceedings for me - I would have been in a spin without her steady presence.

Dr Laura Brearley leading us through her Acknowledgement Song in Auslan. (Left Dr Marilyn Olliff, Right Suzette Rodoreda)

Milly was absent but her name was on display at the signing table.

A Shorebird Flying Adventure is published by CSIRO. Check out the free downloadable teaching notes, if needed. Also the CSIRO have written a terrific article about me and Milly on their blog.

Micolight Milly (Formby). What a buzz it is working with this deeply creative and thoughtful woman!

Coming in June 2022

A Shorebird Flying Adventure co-created with Milly Formby, illustrated by Milly and published by the CSIRO.

So excited to be working on this book with Milly. I live in an area of Melbourne fringed by wetlands that provide habitat for these threatened species.

Join Milly in her microlight around Australia to discover how amazing and awesome migratory shorebirds are!

In A Shorebird Flying Adventure you’ll meet brilliant birds who travel phenomenal distances every year and explore their precious wetland habitats and breeding grounds. Discover fascinating facts about their diet and find out Milly’s top tips to tell one species from another. Grab your binoculars, hop on board and let’s go bird watching.

*Amellia ‘Milly’ Formby is a pilot, zoologist, illustrator and bird nerd! Follow her amazing journey around Australia at Wing Threads. Milly is planning a flight around OZ to raise awarness for migratory shorebirds. She will be visiting schools, libraries and wetlands. You can book a visit and follow her adventure - visit the Wing Threads website!

When looking for a place to launch The Amazing Case of Dr Ward, a story about plants, what were the odds of discovering a place that specialises in making and selling terrariums and has a fabulous studio space for presentations and classes?

Moss Upon a Time is exactly that. Filled with light and loving energy, Imaginators, Bea and Mirelli, could not have made me feel more welcome.

The wondrous Mirelli.

Not only did Bea and Mirelli assist me with publicity, they organised activities for children, catering. and even a demonstration on how to create and care for gardens in glass containers. All I had to do was focus on book sales and the actual launch. Believe me, that was enough!

Look at these cakes. I never saw such exquisite edibles! Made by Nicolette @nicolette_panko

Sincere thanks to Paul Collins at Ford Street Publishing who invested faith in Dr W, illustrator Tull Suwannakit for the thought and care he poured into the story, Nan McNab for her editorial patience and Cathy Larsen whose designer eye brought it all together. Here’s a little video of the day. Enjoy!