At only 16 years of age Jessica Watson became the youngest person to sail solo, unassisted and non-stop around the world. In her very own words, she tells us about her childhood, her influences, her years of planning and her incredible journey. She shares how she battled with sleep deprivation, gale-force winds, mountainous seas, whales and icebergs and what it was liek to hold firm against the solitude of 210 says at sea.

At the time of Federation, Australia was seen as a country of some substance - despite all the contradictions reflected in its history. It was country that was willing to experiment with innovative legislation and social programs, and to promote egalitarian values. It was a country that embraced liberal values, but they were not lacking in social content. While the influence of religion may have been subtle, it was nevertheless real. As Australia celebrates its Centennial, this book reflects on the role of religion in Australian national life and citizenship while documenting that history and looking to the future.

In the world of crime fiction, Arthur W. Upfield stands among the giants. His detective-inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, is one of the most memorable of all crime fighters. Upfield was an independent, fiercely self-assertive ex-Britisher, who loved Australia, especially the Outback. In many ways Upfield became Outback Australia—the “Spirit of Australia.”

The second volume of essays to mark the centenary of federation in Australia and examines the issue of religion in society and culture.

Popular account of authors encounters with Aboriginal people and culture in the Kimberley and Great Sandy Desert; definition of Dreamtime, contemporary political background; based on conversations with Daisy Utemorrah, Ted Carlton, Jim Ward, Danny Wallace, George Wallaby, Reg Birch, Betty Johnston, Jack Rogers, Billy Oscar, Banjo Woorunmarra and David Mowaljarlai; visits to Wandjina art site, Waringarri, Mowanjum, Emu Creek, Kununurra, Balgo, Halls Creek and Yiyilu; relationship to land, parallels with native Americans; land rights; alcohol abuse; station life; mythology (eagle hawk, Billaluna region, Wandjina); mining industry; ATSIC; Christianity; law and punishment; healing; smoking ceremony; music; Pigeon (Jandamarra); Mowaljarlais Body of Australia vision.

*Now a Netflix film* The inspiring true story of Jessica Watson—an Australian teenager who set out to sail solo around the world! On May 15, 2010, after 210 days at sea and more than 22,000 nautical miles, 16-year-old Jessica Watson sailed her 33-foot boat triumphantly back to land. She had done it. She was the youngest person to sail solo, unassisted, and nonstop around the world. Jessica spent years preparing for this moment, years focused on achieving her dream. Yet only eight months before, she collided with a 63,000-ton freighter. It seemed to many that she’d failed before she’d even begun, but Jessica brushed herself off, held her head high, and kept going. Told in Jessica’s own words, True Spirit is the story of her epic voyage. It tells how a young girl, once afraid of everything, decided to test herself on an extraordinary adventure that included gale-force winds, mountainous waves, hazardous icebergs, and extreme loneliness on a vast sea, with no land in sight and no help close at hand. True Spirit is an inspiring story of risk, guts, determination, and achievement that ultimately proves we all have the power to live our dreams—no matter how big or small.