Preface
Kylie Fraser
Covid led to Kylie Fraser’s birth. Two years into lock down, I found I had written all I could of my autobiography ~ except for taking one trip to an important interview which was crucial to the completion of the book. I was living alone on a family wheat farm near the Victorian border and had been yearning to travel to Adelaide for this pivotal interview, and suddenly found the frustration of Covid was impacting upon me.
What to do with myself? A question asked by thousands of people frustrated by the over-the-top Covid rules. I was not the only person frustrated by those inane Covid lock-down laws. Nobody could visit friends for a coffee and chat and nobody could take a trip, any trip. We all were desperate for, ‘travel is therapy’. The only social interaction we had, was to make an occasional phone call or send an email. I was extremely frustrated. I just wanted to finish my autobiography.
“Start another book, write a novel about wheat farming,” my friend, mentor and adviser, Neil Lucas said, “write something about wheat farming.”
So, I gathered my thoughts. Upon reflection, I didn’t think I could come up with enough material to write a whole wheat farm novel, so, I put together a few notes based on my work experience and life, and the lovely Kylie Fraser came into being. Neil still received his little story about wheat farming, and we all received a novel about life; a story I hope you will enjoy.
Jim Mynard
About the Author
Profile
Jim Mynard
Journalist, photographer and author.
Jim Mynard attended the Warragul High School and later continued his media studies with the Council of Adult Education, under tutorship of Patrick Tennison.
His Autobiography ‘The Threat of Fairness’, spells out his successful career in regional newspapers. Jim covered the notorious City of Casey in his latter years. He has written six books (all of which, in the future, will be obtainable from the Books4U.Website) including a short story anthology and a poetry anthology.
Jim’s favourite two novels from way back were Naomi Jacob’s, ‘Antonia’ and Hesba Brinsmead’s ‘Pastures of the Blue Crane’.
Jim met and chatted several times with Colleen McCullough, Xavier Herbert, and Hesba Brinsmead, mostly during seminars they attended. Jim formed a warm friendship with Hesba and through discussions, was strongly influenced by her.
A chat with Xavier Herbert prompted Jim to write the semi fictional novel ‘On the Swamp’. Jim told Xavier he loved the early Australian semi fictional history novels but said he had read nothing about the famed Kooweerup Swamp.
“Well”, said Xavier, “you’d better get started”.
Jim did, but it took fifty years, and further pressure from former MP and Christmas Island administrator, Neil Lucas PSM, who pressed Jim to, “get it finished.”
Jim is a Paul Harris Fellow and has received a Distinguished Citizen Award from the Berwick Chamber of Commerce, an Appreciation Certificate from the Victorian RSL, and a plaque from the City of Casey Sister Cities Australia branch for services to global friendships and an award for a series he wrote while working for Fairfax at Dandenong, plus many other certificates of appreciation.
Jim has been involved in high level discussions with the Dubai and the Greek Governments plus the Chinese Foreign Affairs Department which were carried out in their respective countries.
In his semi-retirement, Jim is continuing to write and to participate in his many charitable efforts.
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