Meet our Authors
John Adams served for 28 years as the Executive Officer of the Australian Jumping Racing Association from its’ foundation in 1978, through to 2006. He was also the Secretary of the Australian Trainers Association (Victorian Branch) from 1979 to 1987. He maintains a strong interest in jumping racing and is a columnist with Winning Post. He is the author of Over the Hurdles: The History of Jumping Racing in Australia.
With an architect as her father and a journalist as her mother, it's hardly surprising that Alison's vocation would eventually embrace both disciplines. Having worked as a writer, designer, columnist, editor and copywriter, Alison now spends much of her time researching and documenting 1950s and 1960s architecture. She lives in Beaumaris in a mid-century modern house designed by her father's firm in 1957 and furnished with many of the pieces inherited from the family home she grew up in and where her love of modernist design was born. Alison's passion lead her to be co-author of Beaumaris Modern.
Paul Amy is a sports journalist at Leader Newspapers and Inside Football. He spent most of his childhood in Fish Creek, South Gippsland, where his neighbour and former Richmond player, John Ryan, regaled him with tales about Captain Blood, Jack Dryer. He first watched football in the outer at Victoria Park, Collingwood, with his father, Bill, and can still remember the sight of big Len Thompson breasting the banner. He was also an avid viewer of VFA matches telecast on Channel 0. Paul is married with three daughters. He is the author of Fabulous Fred: The Strife and Times of Fred Cook.
Hana Assafiri is a Melbourne-based social activist, feminist, andowner of the popular Moroccan Soup Bar restaurant. Through the Moroccan Soup Bar, Hana provides employment for marginalisedwomen in her community and hosts important initiatives like Speed Date a Muslim and Conversation Salons. She has been recognised on many occasions for her entrepreneurial ingenuity, innovation and voracious spirit for social justice. In 2015, Hana received TimeOut’s Legend Award, and inthe same year, renowned artist Ai Weiwei included her in his collection of local social activists in the NGV. She was inducted to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2017 for being a leading agent of social change and women’s empowerment, and in 2019 was awarded an Order of Australia Medal OAM. Hana’s activism forefronts women’s issues, racism, and the need for pluralism and intersectionality for society to progress.She is a mentor and role model for women everywhere, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds
Hana is the author of HANA: The Audacity to be Free
and her cookbook: Moroccan Soup Bar: Recipes of a spoken menu, and a little bit of spice ...
