Join Jenny Date’s free author talks at Campaspe Libraries

The inspiration for the book struck her while examining family treasures.

“I was cleaning out a trunk of my mother's, an old trunk which had a lot of letters, papers and memorabilia in it and that brought lots of memories flooding back to me,” Ms Date said.

“Stories from times gone by.”

Her narrative captures the cultural shift between rural and urban life.

“I tell stories of how there are so many new things to learn when you come to the city from living in a rural area,” she said.

Among her overseas tales is a harrowing experience in India while seeing the country by overnight train.

“The train was derailed and capsized, and we were caught in the cabin for a few hours until somebody came along with a hacksaw and managed to saw the bars on the windows open so we could climb out,” she said.

Following her extensive travels from 1975 to 1978, Ms Date returned to Australia, dedicating herself to community service and local government before taking on the role of civil celebrant.

“It was a great privilege being a celebrant, but it was also challenging in many ways,” she said.

“In the author talk, I talk about the first funeral that I ever conducted, but I won’t give away the secrets of that, you will have to come to the talk.”

The memoirist aims to inspire others to document their own stories.

“I am interested in encouraging other people to tell their stories, because I think everybody's got a story and finding the right way to do that and each individual's way needs some encouragement,” Ms Date said.

Now residing in Melbourne's City of Moonee Valley, Ms Date continues to share her experiences through author talks.

Ms Date will speak at the Rochester library on Friday, August 8, at 10.30am and Echuca library on Friday, August 8 at 1.30pm.

To learn more about Jenny Date’s remarkable life and journey, book by calling 5481 2400.