A colourful collection of stories about the formative years spent living in sharehouses and how they shape our lives will be launched at The Taproom at Shedshaker Brewing Castlemaine this Thursday evening.
Who stole my milk? A rabble of sharehouse stories is the brainchild of co-editors Castlemaine writer/broadcaster Suzanne Donisthorpe and art professor Jacqueline Millner.
The pair said the book evolved as a response to a Facebook post about a wild sharehouse Suzanne lived in circa 1984.
“The post lit up with people remembering their time in the sharehouse salt mine. That magic time between childhood and adulthood, when you learn about living with your peers who are as clueless, untidy and as unevolved as you are,” Suzanne said.
“Messy kitchens and even messier love lives, parties for the ages, life lessons and memories that never leave you. A few of the responders to the post suggested there should be a book – and so the idea took off,” she said.
Over the past 12 months Suzanne and Jacqueline have collected 20 stories that range from the whimsical and hilarious, to the poignant and beautiful from writers of all ages from all over the country.
Some of other the authors include local legends: novelist Carmel Bird, ceramicist Prue Venables, award-winning poet Andy Jackson, poet and performing artist Rachael Wenona Guy, writer and artist Claudia Rowe, poet and playwright Libby Angel, fiction writer Cate Kennedy, and musician Steve Charman.
Suzanne and Jacqueline have also told their stories.
“The book opens with a story by Australian singer-songwriter Paulie Stewart of Painters and Dockers fame. He was actually a former housemate of mine and the book ends with my story about our sharehouse,” Suzanne says.
Community members are invited to come along to the launch where a number of the authors will be reading and signing copies.
“Don’t forget to bring your sharehouse story along!” Suzanne said.
Those who wish to attend the April 3 launch, which kicks off at 6pm, are encouraged to book a table at the Taproom to avoid disappointment.
The books are available locally from Stonemans Bookroom or online via eBay Australia.
