“Radio Rescue!” is Launched!

Radio Rescue! was officially launched on Friday Dec 2 at the Royal Flying Doctor Service new multi million dollar base at the Adelaide Airport.

Surprise guest to launch the book was Anne Smallwood, Alf Traeger’s daughter.

About 80 guests turned up and nearly 90 copies of the book were sold, so I was busy signing from the get go. Thanks to Becky and Mike Lucas from Shakespeare’s Books for coming along to sell copies of the book.

Once again lots of positive comments about Robert Ingpen’s superb illustrations depicting the loneliness and isolation of the Australian outback.

Lyal Hampel did a wonderful job as MC, relating some tales of Anne’s family and the connection to Alf Traeger.

Anne’s speech gave us some insight into living with a father who was an avid inventor. I really loved the bit where she spoke of only being allowed to speak in Morse Code while being put to bed as a child.

Anne signed off her speech in Morse Code, but I will need to get the decoder out to work out what she said!

Every guest went home with a small card on which the Morse Code alphabet was printed.

Guests were able to view the latest and greatest RFDS purchase…a plane which had just recently landed after a 6 day flight from Sweden for an outfit. It will be commissioned as soon as this outfit is finished.

Kate Hannon, Media and Communications Manager at RFDS, and her staff did a brilliant job assisting with the launch and making the space a very workable one.

$151.30 was raised for the RFDS from the donation tin and I am sure it will be put to good use.

Some photos below of the evening.

Ross Curtis, RFDS Donor Relations Manager, Lyal Hampel MC and Jane Jolly!
Ross Curtis, RFDS Donor Relations Manager, Lyal Hampel MC and Jane Jolly!
Anne Smallwood
Anne Smallwood
The author herself looking very happy!
The author herself looking very happy!
Jane and Anne
Jane and Anne
Look what's in the background!
Look what’s in the background!
Putting funny little squiggles onto books!
Putting funny little squiggles onto books!

 

3 thoughts on ““Radio Rescue!” is Launched!

  1. Anne was my Gr 6 teacher at Belair Primary back in 1984. The beautiful memories of her have never left me. It’s so wonderful to see her face again!

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