by Annie Seaton
Liliana closed her eyes and put her fingers to her lips and blew a soft kiss up into the sky. If she listened, she could hear the roar of a Catalina as it passed overhead.
* * *
Fynn stood by the gate and Liv wiped away a tear as she leaned back against him.
‘I missed the greatest reason of all, didn’t I?’ she said.
He leaned down and dropped a quick kiss on the top of her head. ‘What was that, darlin’?’
‘The real purpose I was sent up here. I was sent up here so that a family could be reunited.’
‘And so you could fall in love with the reef and join in the battle to save it.’ Fynn lowered his head so his cheek was against hers. ‘And you were sent up here so I could fall in love with you,’ he added softly.
‘And ditto.’ Liv turned her head so that her lips brushed his cheek. ‘That’s the most important reason of all. I found you.’
‘We found each other,’ Fynn said as they watched Liliana look up to the sky.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Some historical sources must be mentioned as they provided a background for the early days of the region, the war years, and the base for 11 and 20 squadrons at Bowen in 1943.
CATS at War: the story of RAAF Catalinas in the Asia-Pacific Theatre of War. This series of anecdotes compiled by Coral Gaunt and Robert Cleworth, first published in June 2000, by J.R. Cleworth, provided a close insight into the daily life of the Catalina crewmen.
The Whitsunday Islands: An Historical Dictionary by Ray Blackwood (Central Queensland University Press, 1997) provided information on the timber industry and the early settlement of Whitsunday Island.
Fangs of the Sea by Norman Caldwell (Quality Press: London, 1937)
The Last Islands by John and Mia Bates (Broadreach Press: Australia, 2016)
Welcome to the Whitsundays by Neville Smith (Koala Books: Proserpine, 1996)
I must also acknowledge the Coral Sea Display and Catalina Memorial at the Bowen Aerodrome, and the Qantas Founders’ Museum at Longreach, where I was able to crawl through and explore a restored Catalina flying boat.
There was a Catalina base at Bowen in World War II, however some of the events in Whitsunday Dawn, relating to the establishment of the Flying Boat Maintenance Unit at Bowen, and the missions of the Catalina of which Jack was a crew member, are a creation of the author and not historically accurate.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Whitsunday Islands, part of the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef on the east coast of Australia, are a stunning landscape. During one of our many visits to the region, the idea for Whitsunday Dawn was born, and gave us an excuse to spend three months in the islands researching the story in 2017. The writing of Whitsunday Dawn has been another chapter in my fabulous writing life, fulfilling my lifelong dream of being an author. With this book, I was able to combine my love of history with my desire to preserve our beautiful Australian landscapes for future generations. Travelling through the country, from coast to outback, and talking to people who care for our pristine landscapes provides inspiration for many more stories. I have been supported by many people in the writing of this book. I would like to acknowledge them here. Firstly, to my fabulous agent, Haylee Nash of The Nash Agency. I could not have done this without your support and hard work. A huge thank you! Many thanks to my publisher, Rachael Donovan, and the rest of the awesome team at Harlequin. A special mention for my editors: Laurie Ormond, Alex Craig and Libby Turner; my story is richer for your wonderful editing. To the many friends I have made in the writing world who constantly support me on my journey; I often say I have found my `tribe’ and I value the daily contact with like-minded people all over the world. A special mention and thank you goes to my critique partner, Susanne Bellamy, and to my proofreader, Roby Aiken. To the many friends I have made in the Whitsunday region; if it wasn’t so far from family, I know I would make my home in the islands. A special mention for Geoff Rudd, a long time local, who described for me the war years at Cannon Valley, and provided a rich tapestry of life in the region when it was only a tiny settlement of farms and fishermen. And thank you to Errol Hurst, who told me of the fishing and the growth of the resorts in the early days in the islands.
It would be impossible to write without support in your personal life: To Ian, the love of my life and my partner in research, as we travel this magnificent country seeking stories each winter. I could not do this without you. To our children and their partners, and our grandchildren: thank you for your love and support. Again my love and appreciation goes to my wonderful aunt, Maureen Smith, who not only supports me, but supports so many Australian authors by reading, loving and sharing their stories.
And to you, the reader. Thank you for choosing this book. I hope when you read Whitsunday Dawn that you love it and talk about it, and that maybe you will want to see this wonderful part of Australia for yourself. Drop me a line at annieseaton26@gmail. com. I would love to hear from you.
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ISBN: 9781489257772
TITLE: WHITSUNDAY DAWN
First Australian Publication 2018
Copyright © 2018 Annie Seaton
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