Comments on: “Goodbye, Crackernight” – Sydney Book Launch Sat 26 September!

By: Justin Sheedy

Justin Sheedy — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:47:57 +0000

Cheers, Victoria, and hope all good in your world.

Lovely recollections from you – Isn’t it amazing how we all had Valiants and were all mortified to be seen in them by anyone. Yet nice work by your father, blacking out the rear window like that. What a very practical man he must have been.

And yes, I agree, how we ever survived Childhood, I’ll never know.

By: Victoria Williams

Victoria Williams — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:25:01 +0000

Hey Justin, saw this in Spectrum and have now read the extract. It is a good read and brought back a lot of great childhood memories. Congratulations (on the publication and on being freed from the waged servitude of the Public Service).

My Dad painted the rear window of the Valiant station wagon with black house paint so we kids would sleep in the back while he and Mum went to the drive in. The next car was a bright yellow 70s panel van. I used to die a thousand deaths being driven around in that. For years my Dad would farewell us each day with “watch out for bits of Skylab!”. Mum got a nasty burn one crackernight when a packet of Gaffa-taped Jumping Jacks landed in her pocket. And as we used to aim those ball shooters at each other I’m surprised none of us kids ever lost on eye, or a finger. Ah, good times, good times.

Cheers
Victoria

By: Justin Sheedy

Justin Sheedy — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:32:08 +0000

Hi, Jodie!

Thanks so much for your excellent comment. Glad you enjoyed the excerpts from the book, really nice to hear. Hope you can make the launch Sept 26, would be great to meet you there. Highly appreciate your good wishes – the book should be in stores within the next week. Stay posted to this site for updates over the next few days.

Once again, cheers
Justin Sheedy.

By: Jodie DiNucci

Jodie DiNucci — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:40:04 +0000

Im too young to have had a cracker night, but reading the exerpts has made me wish i had. I was in hysterics reading the ‘cow pat’ incident. now, my mums reminising every five minutes since she got off the phone with Ruth is something i could do with a little less
(she had a LOT of cracker nights! actually Caroline might have been at a few of them).
I think we are planning on going to the launch. But if we dont catch you… Congratulations and Good luck, the book sounds excellent and it will be in my collection asap.
Jodie

By: Justin Sheedy

Justin Sheedy — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:14:54 +0000

The above is my brother, folks…

If you come to the launch, you will meet him. But don’t let that put you off…

He features prominently in the book. And please, don’t be put off by that either.

Actually, he comes off rather well…

The great deal of money he paid me so that he would is neither here nor there…

By: Michael Sheedy

Michael Sheedy — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:25:52 +0000

Well … I liked it! – Mike

By: Justin Sheedy

Justin Sheedy — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:29:00 +0000

What a lovely comment, Linda. Thank you! Excellent it strikes a chord with you.

Indeed, my inspiration to write this book was the across-the-board instant enthusiasm shown by people of our generation at the merest mention of the subject matter: Talking to a complete stranger, you only have to say ‘Crackernight’, or speak of any of the beautiful, simple things that made up our childhood such as you list, and their face just lights up. Clearly the era of our youth in 1970s Australia was a very special time.

Once again my thanks to you, particularly re passing the word around to your peers.

Cheers
Justin Sheedy.

By: L Uliel

L Uliel — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:46:47 +0000

Loved it – I grew up in the burbs of Canberra and annual Firecracker Night still resonates as one of my all enduring childhood memories – reading this excerpt brought back all the minute details – the giant bonfire we built and the firecrackers we hoarded the week before, my malvern star dragster, the sunnyboys, the BBQ pool parties, skinny dipping … it’s so spot on. Wish you much success, will copy your book link to all my 70′s peer group. Linda from Singapore

By: Jo, Cornwall, UK

Jo, Cornwall, UK — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:37:39 +0000

All the best for the book launch. I’m keeping an eye out over here for “Goodbye, Crackernight” as some retailers do have a good selection from overseas.

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:16:47 +0000

Fingers crossed for a successful launch

Tim, W.A.