News & Events

Anyone who loves author, historian, ecologist and former Senior Australian of the Year Jackie French’s books and other work, will enjoy the two sessions she is offering as part of Yackandandah Health’s Community Celebration on Saturday, 10 November.

Meet Jackie French, author and 2015 Senior Australian of the Year at our Community Celebration on 10 November.

Ms French AM, who is well known for Diary of a Wombat, Josephine Wants to Dance, The Night They Stormed Eureka and The Matilda Saga, has received many awards for her books and admits to not being able to spell. Jackie is dedicated to environmental protection, has studied over 400 wombats and as someone who has learnt to live with dyslexia, is keen to support parents to recognise reading problems in their children.

Yackandandah Health CEO, Annette Nuck said she was delighted to have Jackie as one of the main guests because she is such a strong advocate for the environment, community, the aged and literacy.

“Jackie is on the Q&A panel for our Friday forum on Ageing Well and is looking forward to interacting with people of all ages at our Community Celebration on the Saturday.”

Jackie is happy to sign books and answer any questions people may have.

“In How to Speak Wombat, I’ll be showing people how to speak like a marsupial, as well as share the stories behind my books. If you have a favourite book, come and join in the session and I’ll happily answer questions about any of them,” Jackie said.

“The second session: Chooks, Books, Dyslexia and how to grow everything except chocolate in your backyard is a question and answer session that will cover any question you’d like to ask. It might be you have an interest in backyard chook keeping, recognising reading problems or how to foil a possum and kill fruit fly with ginger beer.”

The Community Celebration runs from 9am to 2.30pm on site at Yackandandah Health, 20 Isaacs Avenue. There is a full program of music, children’s games and entertainment including a petting zoo, health and wellbeing talks, food and fun. All welcome.

Tickets to the Friday afternoon conversation Ageing well: Innovations from around the world are available online or by phoning us on (02) 60 280100.

The event is supported by WAW Credit Union, Joss Construction, YCD Co and Indigo Shire Council.