Christine Nixon Apm Launches The First Book By A Black Saturday Survivor In Kinglake On Friday 29 Ja

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CHRISTINE NIXON APM LAUNCHES THE FIRST BOOK BY A
BLACK SATURDAY SURVIVOR IN KINGLAKE ON FRIDAY 29
JANUARY


Christine Nixon APM will launch Without Warning: One Woman's Story of Surviving Black
Saturday by Jane O'Connor on Friday 29 January at 4pm in Kinglake. This is the first autobiographical
book to be published by a survivor of the Black Saturday bushfires. The launch will be attended by the
Kinglake community and will mark the first anniversary of Black Saturday.

The launch will be held at Jane's new property at 59 Deviation Road, Kinglake - a work in progress that
she and her husband Sean have rebuilt on the site of their burnt down home. The property is a barn
that is filled completely with donated materials, including a kitchen and bathroom filled with recycled
facilities. Also in attendance at the launch will be guests from the RSPCA, Red Cross, Salvation Army
and the DHS, who were all personally involved with the Black Saturday fires and assisted with rescuing
members of the community and assisting with rebuilding their homes and lives.

The book is the true story of Jane O'Connor and her family, who on Saturday 7 February 2009 fought
for their lives in the face of Australia's worst natural disaster. It details how they survived the horrors of
the day and the grim aftermath, living in a landscape of death before the emergency crews could reach
them. They then had to grapple with the grief and destruction in their community and find a way to
survive the even longer journey of recovery.

Included in the book is a photo section featuring images of the family and their community before,
during and after the fires, and incredible photos of the O'Connor family's new rebuilt home

The book is a guide designed to help others and is a positive look at how to deal with life after a crisis. It
details the emotional ups and downs, as well as the physical and emotional toll that Black Saturday left,
and provides a guide to others on how to start a life again. Jane and Sean have already been an
inspiration to Kinglake residents with their rebuilt home and have provided advice to other members of
the community.

LAUNCH DETAILS:

Date: Friday 29 January
Time: 4pm
Venue: 59 Deviation Road, Kinglake
Please note: Media should meet at 3:30pm at 59 Deviation Road, Kinglake
Launch contact: Georgie Graham, Hardie Grant Books, M: 0430 928 747

For all media enquires relating to Without Warning and the author Jane O'Connor please contact
Georgie Graham on 03 8520 6444 or email [email protected].

Without Warning: One Woman's Story of Surviving Black Saturday (Hardie Grant Books, RRP $29.95)
will be released in Australia on February 1, 2010.

ENDS