Non-Fiction

The following books were commissioned by various publishers and corporate clients.

Histories

Title: Realising the Promise: The Story of Harrington Park
Genre: Local History
Synopsis: This is a true blue account of Harrington Park, an area steeped in history and nestled in the heart of Sydney’s South West. Voyaging back to the pre-colonial era in Australia, this books brings to life the stories of real characters – men and beasts – who left an imprint on Harrington Park. From the desperate gang of convicts who stole the ship The Harrington to a murder most foul to the soldiers who camped and trained on the land during World War II, the account of Harrington Park unfolds in an absorbing narrative that draws the heart and engages the imagination. The captivating story weaves through history, leading us to the man whose life is inextricably connected to the land—Sir Warwick Fairfax who captured the promise inherent in the land and conceived a grand vision of a master planned estate that would house a thriving community. Realising the Promise is an historic work celebrating the continuing story of Harrington Park and its residents who symbolise the future of the promise.
Publisher: Icon Visual Marketing
Year of Publication: 2007
Format: Hardcover with dust jacket, and a softcover
Edition: Coffee table book – first edition
ISBN: 0 9803048 06
Price: AUD$100
Length: 184 pages
Author: Julie Ditrich
Copyright Information: The text is Copyright © Julie Ditrich, 2007. The photographs and artwork are copyright to the individual contributors. All rights reserved worldwide. With the exception of the text and images used for review purposes, reproduction of any part of the contents of this publication, without the written consent of the authors is prohibited.
Availability: Out of print

Bios

Title: A Man Unto Himself: The Gordon Longley Story
Genre: Biography
Synopsis: This is the story of Gordon Longley, a World War II veteran and an enigmatic man who had three constant loves in his life—swimming, tennis and music. He was a man of great independence who was determined to live life on his own terms.
Publisher: AKA Publishing (This is My Story)
Year of Publication: 2007
Format: Hardcover with dust jacket
Edition: First edition
ISBN: N/A
Price: N/A
Length: 195 pages
Author: Julie Ditrich
Copyright Information: The text is Copyright ©  Julie Ditrich, James Longley and This is My Story, 2007. The photographs and artwork are copyright to the individual contributors. All rights reserved worldwide. With the exception of the text and images used for review purposes, reproduction of any part of the contents of this publication, without the written consent of the authors is prohibited.
Availability: Closed print run. Not available for sale to the general public.

Title: Juleen: The Juleen High Story
Genre: Biography
Synopsis: The daughter of a GP, Juleen Marais, grew up in Windhoek, the windy corner of what was then South West Africa. Forbidden by her father to take up nursing, she travelled overseas to obtain her qualifications and experience adventure. After she met and married an Australian, she emigrated to country New South Wales to start a successful family business. With remarkable honestly, Juleen tells the inspiring story of her battle with cancer, and the courage needed to cope with the unexpected.
Publisher: AKA Publishing (This is My Story)
Year of Publication: 2006
Format: Hardcover
Edition: First edition
ISBN: N/A
Price: N/A
Length: 176 pages
Author: Julie Ditrich
Copyright Information: The text is Copyright ©  Julie Ditrich, Juleen High and This is My Story, 2006. The photographs and artwork are copyright to the individual contributors. All rights reserved worldwide. With the exception of the text and images used for review purposes, reproduction of any part of the contents of this publication, without the written consent of the authors is prohibited.
Availability: Closed print run. Not available for sale to the general public.

Title: Against the Current: The Robyn Hansen Story
Genre: Biography
Synopsis: Before she was five years old, Robyn Hansen was packed off by her father – a dashing World War II fighter pilot – to boarding school. At that time, private school girls were supposed to be diligent, obedient and boringly conservative but Robyn challenged the system from childhood. She grew into a beautiful and vivacious young woman with a wonderful rebel streak that caused her to hitch-hike around the continent with a girlfriend, encountering extraordinary bush characters and getting lost in the Western Australian desert. This is a life of encounters with wonderful eccentric friends and life enriching experiences.
Publisher: AKA Publishing (This is My Story)
Year of Publication: 2005
Format: Paperback
Edition: First edition
ISBN: N/A
Price: N/A
Length: 190 pages
Author: Julie Ditrich
Copyright Information: The text is Copyright © Julie Ditrich, Robyn Hansen and This is My Story, 2005. The photographs and artwork are copyright to the individual contributors. All rights reserved worldwide. With the exception of the text and images used for review purposes, reproduction of any part of the contents of this publication, without the written consent of the authors is prohibited.
Availability: Closed print run. Not available for sale to the general public.

Title: A Man of Quick Decision: The Henry Johnston Story
Genre: Biography
Synopsis: This is a life of retailer Henry Johnston who started his working life as a delivery boy for David Jones and created a career with Woolworths and Rockmans. It is a journey of many unexpected twists and turns of a well mannered man with a streak of mischief: leading a raid on the home of his National Service commanding officer to steal a garden, dating a Tivoli showgirl, the challenge of surviving bowel cancer, as well as nursing his wife through her diabetes and an amputation, and driving his beloved MG down Mona Vale Road to race a Dodge driver.
Publisher: AKA Publishing (This is My Story)
Year of Publication: 2005
Format: Paperback
Edition: First edition
ISBN: N/A
Price: N/A
Length: 140 pages
Author: Julie Ditrich
Copyright Information: The text is Copyright © Julie Ditrich, Henry Johnston and This is My Story, 2005. The photographs and artwork are copyright to the individual contributors. All rights reserved worldwide. With the exception of the text and images used for review purposes, reproduction of any part of the contents of this publication, without the written consent of the authors is prohibited.
Availability: Closed print run. Not available for sale to the general public.

Title: A Raspberry Nose and a Dimple in Her Cheek: The Marjorie McNaughton Story
Genre: Biography
Synopsis: This is the story of a survivor who lost her father in World War 1, lived through the Great Depression, and who became an active member of the Communist Party in Australia when this was tantamount to treason, and then married a man who disliked children and deserted the marriage. Despite that, she bore two beautiful children and raised them single-handedly until she met the love of her life Tommy who tragically died of TB not long after. Despite these challenges, Marjorie became a living legend in the area she lived and loved and worked in all her life—the waterfront in the Rocks area of Sydney.
Publisher: AKA Publishing (This is My Story)
Year of Publication: 2004
Format: Paperback
Edition: First edition
ISBN: N/A
Price: N/A
Length: 106 pages
Author: Julie Ditrich
Copyright Information: The text is Copyright © Julie Ditrich, Marjorie McNaughton and This is My Story, 2004. The photographs and artwork are copyright to the individual contributors. All rights reserved worldwide. With the exception of the text and images used for review purposes, reproduction of any part of the contents of this publication, without the written consent of the authors is prohibited.
Availability: Closed print run. Not available for sale to the general public.