http://crackernight.com/2010/02/10/justin-sheedys-next-book-ghosts-of-the-empire/

Till next we speak, mate.

Cheers to YOU, Steve.

Justin Sheedy.

Peter Ryan, ABC Business Editor

When I was young I also got one of those little Spitfire planes on the end of a string that, supposedly, whizzed around you doing figure of eights and other complex maneuvers.It was a birthday present and I …thought it was the best thing in the world.

Anyway like you I never managed to get the damn thing to fly. I was bitterly dissapointed and always blamed myself for this failure. If only I had tried a little harder I would have mastered this complex machine instead of spending hour after sad hour spinning the prop in the hope that it would start, messing around with the fuel, etc, etc.

Well after reading about yours I now understand that the failure was not mine but rather the advertising standards of the time allowing the plane to marketed as anything other than a paper weight.

Thanks for helping me with that.

Happy NY.

Just thought I’d post the below comment here, originally posted today by Simonne in the Reviews section, massively appreciated. (Simonne bought the book off Ebay.)

Hi Justin,
AAAHHH THE FLASHBACKS
I loved the book.I too was born way back in 1968.I grew up on the central coast,Umina Beach,NSW.Back then it was a small coastal town.Everyone kind of knew everyone.We had a lot of adventures on the Malvern Stars,doubling with sometimes 1 on the handle bars and one 1 on the back of the seat,no helmets or shoes or we did a lot of walking.We spent a lot of time down the beach,riding down the shops,exploring the bush.We were in “Brownies”.We didnt have a lot of money,or a lot of toys.We built “Cubby Houses” everywhere.Envied the neighbour who had a pool,played knock and run,sold mums plants,had chooks,knocked on doors to do “Odd Jobs”then spend 2 hours raking some old lady’s lawn for 20 cents,which would buy so much,even if you bought a “Big Charlie” bubblegum,you got change for more lollies.Everyone was Mr & Mrs.We had a gold Kingswood station wagon no seatbelts were used,a swing set,outside toilets,a lime green kitchen with matching lime green vinyl chairs on the dining suit, a verticle grill which mum would cook our lamb loin chops in,a chunky red dial telephone on the buffet unit,a rubbish pile dad use to burn every 6 months in the backyard which usually scorched the fence,a black and white HMV t.v,where “The Sullivans” were a ritual,along with the afternoon cartoons,Bewitched,I Dream of Jeannie…I could go on and on.The book bought back SO many memories,things I had forgotten about,similarities of school teachers and playground stories..And yes Crackernight..where we would all stand around in our highly flammable winter dressing gowns and let off the hours fireworks and sparklers,we stood them in plastic buckets of sand.It was usually a big get together with friends and family,bbq,beers,wine and mums chocolate cake topped with cream and grated chocolate,staying up late and lots of OOOO’s and AAAAh’s.I would love to write it all down and share my stories of growing up in the 70’s,it has inspired me.What a time…It stirred a lot of emotion,now the good old days are gone.Kind of sad.Thanks Justin I loved the book.

Thank YOU.

That’s the single most rewarding piece of feedback I’ve had to date. Truly glad to hear you engaged with the story in the range of ways you describe.