Pittwater Life February 2017 Issue

Young Life
Young Life
Avalon kids’ eco award
E
nvironmentally aware local business Ecodownunder are
always on the lookout for good deeds – and they didn’t have
to search far for the recipients of their first environment award
for 2017.
Avalon siblings Dhara Cullen, 9, brother Balin, 7, and sister Locana,
5, won hearts after the trio selflessly spent their busking
money at the Sea Shepherd fundraising stall at Manly Markets.
The children bought Sea Shepherd t-shirts after performing
on the harp, didgeridoo and with accompanying vocals; it
earned them a $500 gift
voucher to spend in-store at
Ecodownunder.
Accepting the award, Dhara
said: “We hope Ecodownunder
and Sea Shepherd
keep saving more whales
and dolphins in the future
and other sea life.”
Ecodownunder continually
meet amazing people
who are doing something
that makes a difference to
the planet. These actions
are sometimes small but every step each of us takes to
improve the way we do things is progress, helps to raise awareness
and change habits.
If you know someone or see someone do something that you
think deserves to be thanked with an ecodownunder Environment
Award, let them know!
The Golden Child
Wendy James
Harper Collins RRP $32.99
Bad things happen to the
classmates of Lizzy’s
younger daughter, a popular
and confident sibling to a
conscientious and shy elder
sister. On the eve of their
return from a stint living
in the US, to a new home
in Newcastle, a young girl
falls dangerously ill during
a school yard initiation rite.
Surely just an accident…?
A former journalist, Lizzy
is a part-time mummy
blogger, investing hours
in portraying the perfectly
normal family life she
believes she lives for the
validation of her readers. In
the US she was cosseted by
convenience; the return to
Newcastle, old family issues,
a new house in dire need
of expensive renovations,
and a new career throws
everything into disarray.
And then another classmate
has an accident...
If you love Liane
Moriarty’s books, you’ll love
Wendy James’ The Golden
Child. Good contemporary
characters, themes and
settings you can place, plus
lots of suspense and twists
to keep you on your toes.
I didn’t pick the outcome!
(PS, speaking of the talented
Moriarty sisters, little sister
Nicola has a new novel
in March also by Harper
Collins. Look out for The
Fifth Letter.)
– Libby Armstrong
32
FEBRUARY 2017